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rose/thorn
One rose is that I have been encouraged oustide of class to talk with more people, peers, and professors about the issue of technology and education. A thorn is that technology has already shown itself to be a bit of an obstacle in our activities so far, for example, Serendip login issues.
So Far
The first three weeks of this course have been really interesting. I have started thinking about the relationship between people and technology, which is not something I have ever thought about before. Learning about technology through the scope of education has given me a new perspective on the uses of technology and my relationship to tech. I have liked exploring this side of technology and feel like I am beginning to understand how much potential technology has to help teachers.
As far as the content goes I am not really struggling, however the unstructured setup of the course and field placement are leaving me a little confused.
Isabelle Wozniak
Before beginning this course, I thought that technology in the classroom simply meant laptops and Smart Boards, but now I'm finding that "technology" encompasses so much more than that. It's really cool to hear about educators who are incorporating Twitter and a more informal approach to learning in ther curricula.
However, I still have doubts as to what digital technology can accomplish as compared to more traditional - and sometimes less expensive - technologies. What are the benefits of learning through digital technology? I think that working with students at Shipley will help me answer this question.
Rose and a Thorn...Plus
One of the fascinating parts of this course is the in-depth look at digital technology as a learning tool/environment. Something I felt sure about before entering the course was a positive belief in self directed learning, which keyholes easily with digital technology. However, I think after reading Selwyn, and researching some of the philosophies and politics of both I have to question my own understanding. Then more questions arise about just what education is designed to do, and how that changes how it is delivered. Another part of my world turned upside down... I was contentedly ignorant about twitter, and tumblr, but since being in class have been slowly moving into the light. I realized I am a little bit shy, and did not want to be exposed. Yet, it is not as scary as I imagined, it's actually liberating. That would count as my rose, and the thorn is the frustratingly slow progress I make with all the new interfaces.
The beginning of the end
As we are coming into the end of our first unit I realize I have been learning a lot. Most of what I have learned has come from our Selwyn reading. Before reading it I had not really explored the possibilities,pros and cons of education and technology. I learned that there are people who believe technology should replace schools and teachers. I have also learned that some online forms of schooling already exist where these traditional educational forms are missing. I'm excited to continue exploring this.
I feel like we're building a very strong learning community in the classroom. I think as the semester progresses we're really going to learn a lot from one another. It is definitely a strength. At this point in the semester I don't really have anything to complain about. I think we've been discussing readings well. Overall I'm content and excited to move forward!
Past controversies over technology
One thing that I have learned so far in the class is that in the past, people have been just as torn over the positives and negatives of technology, such as the radio and television, as we are now in this day in age over computers, smartphones, etc. I have learned above all to question in more detail the intense excitement over the possibilites of technology.
course reflection
My rose - I have learned that the fierce debate over technology's role in classrooms and all forms of education is really an opportunity to question exactly what we mean by education. I've learned to push my own initial prejudices and opinions by seeking out information and personal experience with media like Twitter and digital books. I'm learning to think of human interaction and connection much more broadly, pushing against the idea that just because the form of education that I grew up with is comfortable and familiar it is not necessarily the most effective.
A not-so-thorny thorn - One of my biggest challenges in Education (or I suppose all) classes is actually connecting my learning to what is happening daily in schools and other learning environment. I think that my work with Meenoo and the SLA Will resolve this, though, especially once I am able to actually visit SLA in person.
Ed, Tech and Society: Unit 1
I felt like this unit was a good introduction and laid down the foundation for the class: defining the terms and posing the big questions to contemplate over the course of the semester. It has encouraged me personally to engage with and explore technology that I have been reluctant to experiment with in the past, including prezi and instagram, and I am excited to continue to learn. We have also established initial contact with our pen pals in Ghana and while we are uncertain about the development of that relationship at this point, I am excited about the possibilities. The prospect of an undeveloped structure to this part of the course is exciting but at the same time, a bit anxiety provoking, and so I hope we can help future participants by laying down some sort of structure for them.
A Rose and a Thorn
At the end of the thrid week I have to say that what I have truly enjoyed is learning more about my own interests and uses for technology. I am very excited to start my field placement which I feel will be very grounding on the subject of tech and education and to continue exploring twitter and blogs for articles and comments in the field.
Something that I had trouble with was our assignment to analyze a question from Selwyn's book. I had a lot of trouble with this analysis and could not get into the paper I was writing. I think most of the troubled stemmed from my own uncertanties with the question and lack of observations and knowledge. I am hoping at the end of the course I can come back to this paper and truly reflect on this stage of the class and where I was in my thinking. I feel with my field placement and further reseach I will be better equipped to analyze the question: Does technology make education fairer?
For the class I hope we continue to incorporate digital media into the class and that I personally can keep up with my explorations on my blog.