Week 6

Week 6 Reflection

After discussions regarding the Learning Adventure 1, I realised that my understanding of all the different pedagogies and approaches needed to be deepened.  A deeper level or research which should lead to a deeper level of understanding should assist me for future applications. 

The efforts of our group assessment are starting to take shape nicely.  We have selected a curriculum area, changed the curriculum area and re-changed the curriculum area.  The only aspect that we had all agreed upon was the technological tool.  As for the pedagogy, as mentioned above, I needed to conduct some more intensive research on the most effective pedagogy for the intended learning purpose.  I think I have fallen victim to what is described as the “Technocentric” approach.   This is something that I will need to be very careful about in my future planning.

How Exemplary Computer-Using Teachers Differ From Other Teachers: Implications for Realising the Potential of Computers in Schools.

This study examines what conditions and implications result in ‘Exemplary Computer-Using Teachers’.   It was discovered that this type of teacher was not simply a typical teacher that enjoyed using computers.  Rather, a teacher that had significantly more rounded educational experiences than other teachers and had a passion and commitment for life-long learning.  The study also revealed that exemplary computer using teachers place greater demands on resources and can face more problems than that of their counterparts.  The determination of the exemplary computer using teacher was assumed by the outcomes of results such as; frequent use of computer software for activities that involve higher order thinking (such as interpreting data, reasoning, writing, solving concrete, complex, real-world problems, and conducting scientific investigations).  To bring paradigm change in our education system will require motivated individuals, money and provision of professional staff development.

“Let’s GO!”

References

Becker, H.J. (2000). How exemplary computer-using teachers differ from other teachers:Implications for realizing the potential of computers in schools. Contemporary Issues inTechnology and Teacher Education [Online serial], 1(2), 274-293. (Originally published in Journal of Research on Computing in Education, 26(3), 291-321.)