WEEK ONE REFLECTIONS: ME AS A CONTEMPORARY TEACHER.

To what extent is it reasonable to conclude that if you are not experiencing positive or negative emotions about the materials and activities in any learning experience, that you are potentially disinterested or not motivated? Discuss in relation to your first emotional response to the nature of this unit.

I don’t believe the absence of positive or negative emotions regarding course materials equates to disinterest or a lack of motivation. My initial response to this unit was one of being overwhelmed and slightly anxious regarding the study-work-life balance, however I do feel positive about the unit! I am passionate about high-quality education, and this unit will help evolve my teacher toolbelt!

 

Elaborate on your emotions on engaging further with this unit? Positive, negative. Indifferent?

I’m feeling really positive about this unit! After working in a high school as a teacher’s aide, I was provided the opportunity to observe teachers who were resistant to the use of digital pedagogies, and saw the negative effects this had on student engagement and subsequent outcomes. The classrooms where technology was positively utilised showcased a very different experience for students and teachers.

 

To what extent do you have the commitment to actively interrogate your emotions, and your beliefs about creative pedagogy that extends beyond the mere delivery of information to your learners?

A bit of self-reflection never hurt anyone! I want to learn, grow and develop my understanding, knowledge and skills in this field as I have seen the positive effects that digitally-differentiated pedagogies can have with students.

 

Identify your present values and beliefs about ICT in the classroom.

ICT in classrooms in a capacity that connects students with each other and their teachers, increases their incentive to learn, and fosters positive outcomes, by any means, is my idea of meaningful education. When ICT is allowed in classrooms in a manner that I feel disconnects students from each other and their learning, such as using mobile phones to pass time on apps like snapchat and tiktok, I believe technology becomes a disadvantage. I believe in the positive effects of meaningful interpersonal relationships with others! And I admit to being concerned about young people being highly-addicted to the instant gratification of some aspects of technology, and, randomly, the spinal postures of a lot of teenagers! Okay, not so brief… apologies!

 

Your approach to teaching and learning.

Build strong relationships! Remain open-minded, and continually learn whilst I’m teaching. Inclusive, differentiated and personalised education. FUN!

 

Identify any challenges to the early challenges to your values and beliefs as you enter this unit?

I find this question slightly confusing, so I’m going to pretend it’s asking what challenges may arise pertaining to my current values and beliefs surrounding this unit… perhaps that my “old-school” relationships-based values are outdated, and that the increased use of mobile phones in classrooms is “just the way it is” and I simply need to get used to it.

 

What experience do you have with ICT in the classroom?

During my school years my ICT experience extended to the infrequent use of a word-processing program, the occasional use of the super high-tech overhead projector (for you youngsters who have no idea what I'm talking about, please see image above), playing Solitaire and if I was lucky, Tetris (a game that positively transformed my dishwasher/suitcase-packing skills). 

Whilst working as a high school teacher’s aide, I experienced ICT in limited ways:

- PowerPoint slideshows and YouTube videos were used by most teachers on whiteboard projectors, however not all; PowerPoint slides were often generic, bland and not-engaging.

- Word and Excel were used to complete activities and assessments.

- Minecraft Education would be allowed if students finished class work on time.

- Scratch and Python programs for Digital Technology classes.

- Adobe Photoshop for Media classes.

- OneSchool.

 

Thanks for stopping by!

- Bec