Course Reflections

I think I can also invent my own saying that “One man’s expenditure is another man’s income”. The end of something signifies the beginning of another.” As this course comes to an end, my new pedagogical practices have just begun. Looking through the different topics, I can hardly leave out any since all were relevant and useful. The most successful topic was on Project-Based Learning in which I learned that engaging learners in project tasks not only stimulates learning but also helps students retain and apply as much knowledge as possible. The most useful topics were on One-computer classroom and Learner Autonomy, interactive lectures and large classes. These topics linked directly with me, especially because I teach in a context with limited technology, as well as a class with large number of students, in which technology might not be sufficient. This topic gave me a clue about handling large classes with one computer. I also learned the need to promote learner autonomy in my classes since then it will be a lot easier to conduct classroom discussion through established groups. This will in away make my work a lot easier since my role will be to guide rather than lecture. Learner autonomy also turned out to be useful because it instills into learners a sense of responsibility.

In my classes, I will use different technology tools to facilitate and enhance active learning. Particularly, I will use webQuest and Padlet as the major tools. Besides, I am also greatly reconsidering the place of mobile phones and mobile phone apps in my classroom. Mobile phone is an essential technology tool in my context because it can be charged and used in a classroom that has no computer. I could use my phone to develop the learners’ communication skills especially listening, speaking and writing. Using smartphone apps that suit my topics is yet another thing that I will explore using my mobile device. I look forward to building a base of resources for teaching as well as adding resources and materials to the technology tools that I will use.

With this week gone and the course ended, another journey of a thousand miles has just begun!

The Multiple Intelligence Theory and Different Learning Styles

Learner differences and capabilities highlight the need for variation in classroom instruction and assessment. By reading Barbara and Soloman’s article on Learning Styles and Strategies, I discovered the reason behind different learning behaviors exhibited by different learners in the same classroom. Why is it that some learners get excited when it’s time for classroom activities, others give maximum attention when a learning aid has been improvised by the teacher; yet others prefer giving attention without necessarily displaying any levels of excitement? These differences exist because learners are different. One thing that I noted as a point of concern, was that everyone is a verbal and visual learner. This explains why visual aid is a necessity in enhancing comprehension in the classroom.

As days went by I noted and could not help agreeing with Gardener’s Multiple Intelligence Theory, in which it shows that every individual is intelligent, but in different areas. Indeed, multiple intelligence is reflected in our learners when they are able to comprehend and respond to questions from different subject areas. One learner may exhibit expertise in linguistic competence, average knowledge in mathematics; while another learner will exhibit expertise in musical competence with average knowledge in abstract science.

It was interesting to carry out a self-assessment basing on the Multiple Intelligence Theory, on this site. The site provides percent values in areas of individual competences based on a self-filled questionnaire online.

Looking at these two aspects – that is, Learning Styles and Multiple Intelligence Theory – I got myself thinking about how best they can weave with technology in order to maximize learning. The theory of multiple intelligence provides a clue for teachers to use multiple technologies in multiple activities. It also calls for multiple assessment practices in order to come up with the best unbiased evaluation of learners’ competences. As teachers, there is great need to select materials that cater for the development of the multiple intelligences in learners as well as different learning styles.

As the course comes to an end, I see the beginning of my transformed pedagogical practices.

Technology Tools, Choices and Teacher Practices

If technology tools could be hugged, I would affectionately hug Padlet; if they could be taken for a lunch date, I would take Delicious. If the tools were a tourist’s site, I would visit Webquest; or if they were countries for one to go for a holiday, I would choose Nicenet, Google Sites, wikis and Blogger. I now know addiction is and will certainly not blame people who are addicted – whether to food, music or anything. This week stood out as an exceptional week and I cannot compare it with any of the weeks – because it’s exceptionally incomparable! While every member of the class got immersed into working on the first drafts of their projects, this week unleashed a can of wonderful, easy-to-use and irresistible technology tools and websites! I pitied my computer web-browser because it had to accept of the burden of shouldering multiple tabs as I effortlessly switched between tabs to explore, try out and admire! Designing my own Padlet was like a crawling baby who wakes up one morning and can walk! Could I create a user account and design a Padlet in just a few minutes? It sounded impossible and yet Padlet’s simplicity made this a mystery no more.

I must say, all the resources for this week provided an answer on how to promote learner autonomy, and how the teacher can turn an “inert” class into an active one. Padlet turned out to be the most effective for me since it can be used in a One-computer classroom! It is also easy for learners to view the resources on Padlet as well as add useful resources that they come across. My class Padlet can be found here. Nicenet and Webquests were yet other resources that caught my attention, especially after realizing that my classmate Tetiana had created Nicenet for her class. There were several resources that teachers could use to prepare for classes, plan as well as create classroom activities.  Teachers can also design customized exercises and test for their classes! Life can be so simplified; the brain can be so easily stimulated! Attitude is what is left of teachers across the world to adapt to and adopt these technology tools! I have added and will be adding more resources on my delicious page.

However, the multiplicity of the choices to make, on which tool best fits a particular aspect of teaching and learning can be so tasking! Previously, I learned that technology is here to stay! Basing on this phrase, it's ideal for the teacher to make a choice of a tool considering its effectiveness and ability to facilitate the attainment of set course/lesson objectives. Given the many choices, teachers should not just use technology got the sake of their variations, but rather, because they are the best for that particular course/topic. 

Reflecting through the entire course and not particularly this week, I looked back at different teacher-student relations. Considering our course instructor, I got challenged at the rate at which student feedback if given. As a teacher, how often do I give attention to students’ queries? Do I respond at leisure or instantly? Could it be embedded in institutional and national culture that some teachers take forever to respond to learners’ queries? How well do I attend to individual learners? I think credit is worth where it’s due. The course instructor, given the heavy load of the course, has taken efforts to handle both group and individual queries promptly and aptly. This time, I noted that as I embrace the various technology tools and websites for teaching, I should also emulate our model instructor, Ms Courtney Cunningham’s timely and immediate feedback. I am glad and proud to be a DUCK!

Although the course seems to come to an end soon, integration of a diversity of technology tools into my classes will just be starting and yes, this is a true testimony of lifelong learning and continuous professional development!