As a teacher, I always felt I needed more than a book and a piece of chalk to keep my students’ enthusiasm, and sometimes, even to regain their lost interest in learning. I started using technologies. I never meant, and I still don’t, to use it as a replacement of myself, but as a way which would help me help students in their learning process. This is about the students and learning. This is not about teachers and definitely not about teaching.
I started with small tasks, in order to gain confidence in what I was doing. My first attempt was to create structured activities (treasure hunts) about a certain topic, which required them to do some online research to get the information they needed. After that, I started implementing email exchanging in imaginary scenarios, as a component of those activities. All of a sudden we were blogging and podcasting in and out of the classroom, and we even had the chance to make a contribution to the wikipedia, which made everyone proud. We were officially there in cyberspace for everyone to see. We were learning – myself included - and having a lot of fun.
I have to say that the tasks weren’t perfect, and neither were all the contributions. Not everyone engaged with the same enthusiasm, but I guess everyone got something in the end.
In my working environment only one person was willing to learn about what I was doing and also eager to improve her practice. We started discussing about it during class breaks. The discussion was progressively transferred to chatrooms and tea meetings, where we talked about the benefits of it in the classroom and planned collaborative tasks. By sharing our ideas with one another, we were able to come up with some nice learning strategies, which we ended up applying in our daily jobs.
The rest of our colleagues never showed to be interested, although we tried to show them what we were doing. They always kept a distance. I don’t know if it was because they considered the machine would replace them or if they were just reluctant about trying it. We were never able to convince them, despite of our slogan: If we can do it, you certainly can too! And that is SO true! We were, and are, not computer experts. We come from the Education - Social Sciences - background.
Parallel to our petite society (2 people in a language school), we decided to join an online learning group, the WiA, which was already mentioned here. Members of this group are all volunteers. There we get to communicate with people from all around the world who are also thirsty to learn more and share what they’ve got. If there is any distance among us, it is merely physical, because we are connected in purpose, interest and practice.
And so my question is: how to engage people?
Graham Attwell mentioned that the best way is to involve them practically. I couldn't agree more. I am a hands-on learner. I learn better by doing.
But first people have to be willing to be involved…I guess!
Then, there is also the pedagogical issue. Some people want to get involved, but tend to focus more on the technological side of it, than on its effectiveness and learning outcomes.
I want to prepare a session about what learning (and moderating) online implies. I am curious to know how many people will enrol for it… how many will see the benefit of it…
Because one thing is for sure, you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink… especially if it is not thirsty.
Keywords: Learning, Teacher Training, Web 2.0
Comments
I, too, wonder why some take the leap into edu-tech teaching and other don't. It's interesting to note that since I have been at my new institution (an international school offering an IB primary and secondary program outside Lisbon, Portugal) already some of the teachers have shown interest in using technologies in the classroom. I created a blog for my year 4 class to support learning and to motivate the kids. It was a big hit with the children and their parents were able to become active participants in their children's learning by leaving comments on the blog. Term 3 began in April and one of the junior school teachers was selected to head a "computer club" activity. He asked me about creating a blog for his club. I thought it was a good idea and helped him set it up. His club is going well and the children are engaged. Since then he has suggested using a blog to another one of the teachers. And so it goes. Slowly, cautiously we begin after "someone" introduces us to the benefits propelling our students into cyberspace. Just like our students (and horses), we need guidance and someone to give us a confidence when taking our first steps. It is after stretching ourselves that we are in the mood for a drink. (LOL)