Activity 6: Role of the teacher

What teacher roles will best tap into the strengths of technology?

Facilitative and reflective role:

The teacher facilitates learning as he/she creates the learning environment for students and students learn through manipulation of the learning tools.

The teacher reflects on his/her pedagogy and use the appropriate methods for students' learning differences and learning styles.

What are the strengths of technology in the classroom?

Technology supports, enhances and extends learning.

How do you know when the technology use will be appropriate?

When the technological tools and/or applications are used as a mean for students to learn about concepts, and not as an end to the way in which students learn.

Appropriate use of Technology in my school:

• Is the use of ICT simple, yet well-supported?

The use of ICT is made simple once well-supported. Anyone can take up an ICT device and try and use it however, if there isn't a goal in mind and how to accomplish the goal it makes it harder to truly use ICT to its full potential. 

• Are you sure that you are not including ICT just because you think it is important to know?

Including ICT in schools is a great way of making learning easier and fun, since the tool will be doing the processing of the complicated work however, the learner will be doing the thinking as he/she creates the product to be shared with others.

• Are learners who are working with ICT focusing on the content?

Learners who are working with ICT focus on the content when there is an interest in them to do so. The teacher as the facilitator is therefore, there to guide them, encourage them and monitor their learning. Thus, the end result will be to focus on what content is needed at the time.

• Is your role facilitative i.e. are you giving the learners the opportunity to work with ICT on their own?

Yes, the teachers' role (my role) is to allow students to discover what they want to learn as they construct meaning or make sense of the content (concepts) as they relate them to real-life situations.

• Does working with ICT enhance the learning process?

Yes, it does.

Yes, they are.

• Is ICT a part of the learning process, and not an add-on?

In my school yes, it is part of learning and not just and extra activity to do.

Technology as a tool to support learning:

The three sets of lessons are focused on pedagogy and not technology. The main goal of each lesson is for the students to learn subject content while using technology to obtain or create and share information.

What I feel about my teacher development experience with colleagues:

I believe that working along with my colleagues gives me the pedagogical and technical support I need to effectively little by little integrate technology in the classroom.

In addition, I also give them the support they need as I assist them in also creating ways in which they can use technology within their classes.

The support goes twofold. In addition, we are all facilitating learning with ICT.