Bud the Teacher

New technologies are continuing to make their way into our classrooms. It is evident that this is transforming how we design the learning space, the role of technology, the role of the learners and also the other centrepiece of education, ‘educators’. My recent experience of online discussions shows that the changing role of the educator in technology-enhanced learning is becoming a very popular topic.  What is interesting is that on many occasions educators are blamed for not adapting and incorporating technology into their teaching.  What I haven’t seen is anyone talking about how the role of the educator has altered. In every single discussion, educators have talked about what needs to be done to support educators to use technology better in the classroom, but no one has discussed what has changed.

I think it is very appropriate to mention Dr Jessel’s point on this topic. Jessel (2012) suggests that “Innovation arising from new technologies makes a variety of demands upon the role of the educator”. He continues, “At another level, the introduction of innovation makes major demands upon educators’ pedagogical, professional and managerial skills.” What this tells us is that by using only the traditional teaching will not help educators to integrate technology into their teaching. As the new technologies constantly evolve, maybe the focus has been too long on the technology, rather than training educators to learn to evaluate each medium in terms of what can be achieved in practice and which strategies need to be adopted. Some of strategies which have been adopted by the educator in the classroom.

WAYS TO INCORPORATE TECHNOLOGY IN THE ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM

For younger learners, technology has been used to build fundamental skills to prepare them for future independent learning. Learners have used interactive games to reinforce math, spelling, phonetic, and reading skills. Sites like Spelling Training permit learners or educators to upload their own word lists to practice word pronunciation and creative interactive games. Parents can also use these sites to exercise fundamental skills beyond the walls of the classroom.

USING TECHNOLOGY IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL CLASSROOM

As learners begin to take steps to transform into independent thinkers, they have use technology to develop basic life skills. Learners at the middle school level gain independence by having different educators for each subject. Using technology to acquire skills such as conducting research has been applied to any content area. Websites like EASY Bib guide learners to find credible sources through a variety of search engines and teach learners to correctly cite those sources to avoid plagiarism.

TECHNOLOGY IN HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOMS

Learners, who reached their secondary education, have discovered ways to use technology that can be beneficial for college and career development.

Familiarization with Microsoft Office and Google Drive teach learners to make spreadsheets, slide show presentations, and share documents where they can receive fluid feedback on their work. Many careers use these elements of Microsoft and Google to organise information and collaborate between colleagues or clients.

Educators often find success when they present the opportunity to use technology in the classroom. There are various benefits and effects when technology is used for educational instruction and some may argue that not all of the effects are positive. Having an infinite flow of information and entertainment available at any given time could be seen as a distraction, but if the technology is integrated into the classroom with routines in place that are monitored or assessed, the pros of using technology in the classroom outweigh the cons.

Mrs Mohua Roy: Mrs Mohua Roy is the Principal of RIS Shreeprastha. She is an enthusiastic educator and administrator with the experience of almost 20 years in the field of education who advocates for implementing student and faculties continuous improvement focusing on raising academic levels of students, improving educators teaching skills and encouraging community involvement. Her talent lies in developing and implementing the curriculum of CBSE & ICSE academic programs. Under her leadership, RIS Shreeprastha has been accredited with British Council’s ISA Award.