Activity 1 - Reflection
The school that I work for looks for new and innovative tools or activities where students can use technology. However, there is not such a thing for teachers. We, teachers, do receive training related to teaching strategies, evaluation, etc, but this training does not really involve technology. The technology I’ve learned to use has been because I observe and detect what students are using or looking for to learn. Then I try to use that technology to become familiarized so that I can integrate it with my students in the class. Nevertheless, due to the time I have with students, sometimes it is really difficult to include some technology in the class. Furthermore, the school has banned some of the web 2.0 tools such as facebook, msn, etc. This issue limits in a way integrating some technology in my lessons. Regarding the technology I use, I only use facebook, msn, moodle (educational purposes) most of the time. When I need material such as visuals, I use youtube, google.
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Hi Malú,
ResponderEliminarYes, schools banning certain websites or web applications is a major drawback for the use of these technologies. However, I think that poses a challenge for us to look for other tools that can be used for the original educational purposes you had intended and yet prevent students from becoming distracted by other kinds of content.
Regards,
Alex.
Hello Malu,
ResponderEliminarThank you for answering my questions in your blog.
Many sites in our school are also blocked. Not only can I not see facebook, msn, twitter, etc, during school time, I cannot even see your blogs and some wiki websites. Some of these sites are unblocked right after school hours. This happens in many schools in the world and most teachers have to learn and master technology on their own.
I’m asking questions about technology training and tech integration at your school because this will help me understand your context and be able to provide ideas to lead you to tech integration. My goal is NOT to give you more work. I’m trying to open doors to more tech integration ideas and I believe collaboration is the way to go, not just a course with a list of places to go and finding direct answers.
Here are a few more questions: Do you have a twitter account? Have you ever had one? One more, have you worked in collaborative projects with classes outside of your school?
Marybell
Hi Alex, you are right, that's why I mentioned that to plan or find the best way to use or apply it is a challenge. The only thing we have to do is guide the use of these web tools.
ResponderEliminarMalú
Hi Marybell,
ResponderEliminarThanks for commenting.
Besides, using technology in education has become really common and schools (principals) should understand that. If we present a well plan to use those web tools banned, they may see that this can be helpful in our teaching.
I don't have a twitter account and never had. Actually I wasn't quite interesting. However, I would like to find ways to make my classes more attractive and not only twitter but other tools may help with this issue.
Correction: a well structured lesson plan or project
ResponderEliminarHello Malu,
ResponderEliminarI agree with you when you say that administrators may unblock websites if we present a well-supported plan that will use technology to improve student learning. Some websites may also be blocked just because they fall into a certain category, but not for specific reasons. In our school, we need to go through a whole process to unblock websites. Teachers need to fill in a request form and send it to the curriculum coordinator. She then meets with the teacher and discusses the use of the website. If she approves it, she asks the IT to unblock it.
Twitter might be a very useful tool in the classroom, however I was thinking more on using it to learn more ideas on tech integration for your classes. A well-used twitter can help you find amazing tech integration activities from people that you would follow. I believe it’s a matter of following the right people. Would you like to give it a try? I would be guiding you with very simple activities.
Marybell
Sure, I'll try it. Alex offered himself to help me my twitter account. As soon as I have it, I'll let you know.
ResponderEliminarMalú