Two long, demanding years which tested our resilience and diligence, even the best of us. But I am glad, though it was tough, that I made it to the finish line. Now I can smile. It seemed as though the end was not near in sight. Now that it is the end...The things that are left from this course are the wealth of knowledge, the experiences gained, the communities of learning that were nurtured as we share and exchanged ideas with other colleagues and an inspiration to become a life long learner; and best of all the memories are all the tutors from Fiona to Brenda to Gerald to Deb who were all exceptional tutors. You made sure that we made it to the finish line. I personally thank you. I endorse the vision and the commission that underpins this course and am certain that other territories and other colleagues will come to value and validate the new paradigms that this course advocates. To our effervescent local tutor, Mrs. Doristeen Etinoff. Thanks for steering the course and exposing us to these skills that will place our schools and our nation at the cutting of technological advancement as any other 1st world country. The knowledge we have gained is priceless. Best Regards to all.
In Module 10, the message is clear that ICT planning for Integration must first be embraced by all of its stakeholders. They are the driving force for ensuring the efficacy of its objectives . Once all instituitions can cross those protocols the next step is to begin to articulate a vision for the initiative.
Whilst all schools abide in different contexts there are certain governing principles that must be considered as one plans for ICT integration.
How will ICT improve educational delivery? The curriculum, then, becomes the guiding posts for determing how, when , where and why ICT's can be incorporated. Once these can be established staff development is paramount to ensuring that teachers are literate in technological and information skills. Prior to this they must also be able to articulate the importance of ICT integration in a learning context. This will determine the passion and driving force in the execution of tasks related to ICT incorporation. Determining how students and teachers can access ICT's consistently must be carefully processed to guarantee continuity of the initiative.
One of the activities that impacted me most was the SWOT analysis that was conducted on my school. By plugging in the context, culture and experiences at the school, it was much easier to determine the way forward. It goes to show that planning is more a thought process rather than an action process because when the plans are well thought through , the actions are as good as done. Proper planning reduces or dispels any likelihood of failure. One may not be exempt from challenges but the challenges can be easily hurdled because of the ground work in planning that has taken place.
The key challenge is the monies to facilitate budget plans since our schools are state owned and are not always able to receive financial support for major initiatives like these. It will call for a keen ability to tap into sources who will take hold of our vision for ICT and help us get there.
My keen interest at the end of this course is to advocate for ICT integration at my school by engaging stakeholders in forums that will speak to the vision of IBWSS and ICT integration and work together with the Principal and the staff to clearly define our plans of actions and move towards execution of these actions. The mission of our school is to ensure that our students are at the cutting edge of 21st Century Skills, technological and information literacy with the overall goal of preparing to engage in a world dubbed as a knowledge economy.
Tuesday, 11 March 2014
Sunday, 29 December 2013
Reflections on Module 8 on Managing Learning and Teaching with ICT
Engaging in this course has been one of my greatest challenge because it met me at one of my high peak times of heavy committments. Nonetheless, the exposure to the many best practices has been worth it. Through the readings I am constantly reminded of the great importance of teachers to understand their role in the classroom as they seek to set the learning tone for their students to eengender interaction and engagement.
At my school, we have begun to make little tit bit steps towards ICT integration. It is still a work in progress but as I sought to encourage teachers to embrace this new approach to the dynamic classroom, there are those who have begun to launch out into experimenting with the various mediums available.
In determining what medium is best approved of for learning, most teachers will agree that mobile technology is quite feasible in our learning context since we only have one I.T. lab. With the recent injection of Ipads from the government to 2nd, 3rd and 4th formers the possibilities for learning with I.C.T. are beginning to dawn on many of the teachers and few have attempted to use the tools within recent weeks. The debated Cell Phone Policy may need a rethink as some teachers have experimented with its use in the classroom. Where the Ipads are concerned unfortunately, not all parents have applied for these Ipads and this has placed many teachers at a disadvantage in using this valuable tool within their teaching and learning environment.
Whichever best practice of ICT integration is adopted it all boils down to the following:
1. Teachers need to establish the expectations of the students in their learning context.
2. The teacher's personality must be in synch with the needs of the students.
In the article 'Shaping Tech for the Classroom ' I was particularly intrigued by the four step process spoken to;:
Strangely enough the very skills that this course advocates that students should acquire must be also acquired by teachers . The ability to collaborate, analyse and solve problems call for one's ability to think outside of the box, creativity and sharing. The creation of a more democratic classroom where students can play a role in determining the course of their learning experience become necessary.
As the teacher becomes aware of themselves as a 21st century teacher, the whole class configuration will reflect this as well bearing in mind that we are preparing tomorrow's leaders for a knowledge economy. This calls for schools to consider the creation of blended learning environments which caters for independent learning and face to face instruction.
I understand that this idea of the blended classroom will be contoured differently in various learning contexts. Once again, the need for educators to become familiar with their learning contexts so that the appropriate approaches and practices can be adopted.
I am looking forward one day to see my school becoming fully wired and ready for full ICT implementation using every possible medium to give our students the best advantage at high achievement whilst preparing them to engage in a knowledge base society. I forsee that as we inch closer to the ideal of ICT integration, that community of practice will need to be organized to engender sharing amongst colleagues so that each context can adequatley prepare for its students.
Already some adjustments are in the pipeline to begin the process for full fledge ICT integration where our school will become an ICT innovative school. This course has opened my appetite to continue exploring the great possibilites and best practices that will ultimately make us see our students achieving since we believe that every child can succeed. Additonally by engaging in this course I have been exposed to the language, the logistics that need to be considered and the dynamics that surround the management of learning and teaching with ICT. I am greatful for the exposure.
to exploring the many great possibilities and best practices.
At my school, we have begun to make little tit bit steps towards ICT integration. It is still a work in progress but as I sought to encourage teachers to embrace this new approach to the dynamic classroom, there are those who have begun to launch out into experimenting with the various mediums available.
In determining what medium is best approved of for learning, most teachers will agree that mobile technology is quite feasible in our learning context since we only have one I.T. lab. With the recent injection of Ipads from the government to 2nd, 3rd and 4th formers the possibilities for learning with I.C.T. are beginning to dawn on many of the teachers and few have attempted to use the tools within recent weeks. The debated Cell Phone Policy may need a rethink as some teachers have experimented with its use in the classroom. Where the Ipads are concerned unfortunately, not all parents have applied for these Ipads and this has placed many teachers at a disadvantage in using this valuable tool within their teaching and learning environment.
Whichever best practice of ICT integration is adopted it all boils down to the following:
1. Teachers need to establish the expectations of the students in their learning context.
2. The teacher's personality must be in synch with the needs of the students.
In the article 'Shaping Tech for the Classroom ' I was particularly intrigued by the four step process spoken to;:
- Dabbling.
- Doing old things in old ways.
- Doing old things in new ways.
- Doing new things in new ways.
Strangely enough the very skills that this course advocates that students should acquire must be also acquired by teachers . The ability to collaborate, analyse and solve problems call for one's ability to think outside of the box, creativity and sharing. The creation of a more democratic classroom where students can play a role in determining the course of their learning experience become necessary.
As the teacher becomes aware of themselves as a 21st century teacher, the whole class configuration will reflect this as well bearing in mind that we are preparing tomorrow's leaders for a knowledge economy. This calls for schools to consider the creation of blended learning environments which caters for independent learning and face to face instruction.
I understand that this idea of the blended classroom will be contoured differently in various learning contexts. Once again, the need for educators to become familiar with their learning contexts so that the appropriate approaches and practices can be adopted.
I am looking forward one day to see my school becoming fully wired and ready for full ICT implementation using every possible medium to give our students the best advantage at high achievement whilst preparing them to engage in a knowledge base society. I forsee that as we inch closer to the ideal of ICT integration, that community of practice will need to be organized to engender sharing amongst colleagues so that each context can adequatley prepare for its students.
Already some adjustments are in the pipeline to begin the process for full fledge ICT integration where our school will become an ICT innovative school. This course has opened my appetite to continue exploring the great possibilites and best practices that will ultimately make us see our students achieving since we believe that every child can succeed. Additonally by engaging in this course I have been exposed to the language, the logistics that need to be considered and the dynamics that surround the management of learning and teaching with ICT. I am greatful for the exposure.
Wednesday, 19 June 2013
Activity 10- Module 9 Reflections
Forging new partnerships is an area that needs to be worked on some more. . We are yet to create an ICT vision for the school and present a convincing statement towards this end. However this exercise has instructed me as to how to get this started and the questions that I need to ask to get there. I believe this will form part of my interview with the principal and see if we can work together to draft a plan for ICT integration at the school.
An action plan with time frames will need to be drafted in time for the new academic year, so that we can have a fresh start for a new school year where ICT integration is concerned.
An action plan with time frames will need to be drafted in time for the new academic year, so that we can have a fresh start for a new school year where ICT integration is concerned.
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