Future Orientated Learning: Activity 2

Future orientated learning and Teaching

Everything moves so fast in this profession. I am only 3 years removed from my studies and my own knowledge and skills have grown exponentially with in this time. Unfortunately everything else seems to be going even quicker than I am learning. There are times when I still feel like I am in the dark ages, I sometimes feel like I am falling into a bottomless pit. As for the university, do not get me started on that, I do not feel like I brought anything from my studies into my teaching, the whole education system (especially when you are older and moving into the real world) does not cater to the 21st century learning skills that are needed in the present and future. But I digress. Back to the point at hand, this whole future orientated learning and teaching seems a little daunting at first but with closer look into what I have trialled and currently doing, it just needs a can do attitude, a bit of luck, some common sense, good guidance and a lot of perseverance.

Theme: Personalised learning and subtheme: The role of current and future technologies

Why did I make this change? As with all classrooms, I have a range of learning abilities and skills and there is no on one size fits all for them. We have spent the whole year trying to find out what is best fit for them. The introduction of a more thought out digital plan was 1 plan that has helped many children. When I started my teaching, digital tools were used in a way to keep a student’s busy so I could work with my groups. There was no real learning happening, no learner engagement and no growth. Even now this is sometimes the case. Since I have started Mindlab I have tried to incorporate using digital tools to enhance their learning and knowledge. It is a work in progress, just like life. My class is learning together, we are beginning to understand the why and how, when it comes to using digital technology in our room, children are becoming more confident in explaining their reasons for using/needing certain apps/sites and the overall use of technology has become more efficient and meaningful. This doesn’t mean we have gone away from the pen, or drawing etc. It gives them another choice, and a choice that reflects greatly on future learning. Are we perfect? That is a big NO, but we are trying hard. Technology on a whole makes learning more enjoyable because this is what the world is about today. Everywhere you look technology is abundant, most children themselves are able to use an Ipad before being able to write. It is the way the world works now. Beeland (2002) agrees that technology helps “makes lessons more enjoyable and interesting, resulting in improved attention, engagement and student behaviour essential to learning process”

I am still falling in that bottomless pit but there is light, whether I reach it is neither here nor there. The light will guide me and my learners to continue to raise the expectations, skills, knowledge and understanding of what it is to be a future orientated learner and teacher, and to know that the world is ever changing, education is ever changing and we are either on the bus or getting left behind.

References

Beeland Jr, W. D. (2002) Student engagement, visual learning and technology: can interactive whiteboards help? Retrieved from https://s3.amazonaws.com/academia.edu.documents/38455890/COOOOL.pdf?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAIWOWYYGZ2Y53UL3A&Expires=1511846908&Signature=AoLweufmiCp%2BU5AuAMKUzggoRb4%3D&response-content-disposition=inline%3B%20filename%3DStudent_Engagement_Visual_Learning_and_T.pdf  

Ministry of Education.(2012). Supporting future-oriented learning and teaching: A New Zealand perspective. Retrieved from https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/publications/schooling/109306