“Teaching and learning in a changing world”

When I heard about WESTCAST, I did not know what it was all about. I registered because I am always eager to learn new things. Then, I check on Google and this is what it gave me: “Western Canadian Association for Student Teaching Conference”. I thought what a great opportunity to be able to go to that conference here in Brandon.
When I reflect on the conferences and the sessions I went to during those 2 days and a half, I am really grateful. First, I would like to thank professors and students that volunteered so many hours to make this conference a success. Without their hard work and by having such great speakers, this conference would not have been so inspiring! To all thank you!
“Teaching and learning in a changing world” floated in my head during those 2days of conference. There were many inspiring sessions that I found really interesting. But for me, the session that would mostly reflect the theme of Westcast 2011 was Alex Couros’ presentation (Professor of Education, Technology and Media, University of Regina).
Since I started the Education program in September 2010, I learned many things that inspired me for my future as a teacher but there is one that struck me and it happened in Mike Nantais’ ICT class when I watched this Youtube video “Did you know” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECDZbrzkTxk . This video is about the quick changes happening in our world and how Education should take those changes into consideration by integrating technology into the learning process. I was in shock after watching this video. Therefore, when I heard Alex Couros’ presentation on “Open Education: Possibilities and Implications”. I was in shock again (it was becoming a habit!). I am 38 years old and as you know I grew up in France. As I recently realized, thanks to Jacky and your classes, the French philosophical orientation is mostly oriented toward essentialism. This is all about teaching the basics: reading, writing and Math! So this is kind of the “cultural and educational package” I came with when I entered Education in September. Of course, I was thinking the way I have been educated was the best one. For me technology, so far, was some kind of an enemy, a piece of equipment called PSP, DS, Wii… that I have to fight against with my son in order to prevent him from “becoming obese”, pretty popular statement those days! I am using computers on regular basis but I would not call myself a computer geek! So here I am on a daily basis fighting about this new technology intruding my home and that I did not grow up with it (this is the key!). Now, I go to Education classes where I have to create multimedia presentations, write blogs, have eportfolio and find out that technology should become my best friend when it comes to teaching and getting students involved in their learning process!!! Whaooh, I dropped from about a 6, well maybe 10 storey building! The landing was hurtful but it did wake me up. Nowadays, Children are growing up in a different environment than we did. Their environment is going at a fast pace and full of new technologies: digital camera, flat screen TV, DVD, MP3, IPod, blackberry, PSP, Wii…the list is long. They are growing in a self-teaching world of technology. My son is 11 years old and for the last 3 or 4 years he has been in charge of any technological problems in our house, simply because he knows better than us. It seems that it is innate in him. My husband and I have to learn this new technology because it is new to us, we did not grow up with it! That’s all!
Therefore, When Alec showed a picture of his 5 years old daughter using Movie Maker on her laptop, there was the reason why we need to integrate technology in the Education system. They use technology on a daily basis because they like it and find it challenging and rewarding. It is pretty obvious that a dry lesson with only books to read will not be as engaging for students as creating a multimedia presentation on the same subject. Let’s face it: we are going to teach 21st century learners! As teachers, we have to make it relevant for them so we have to use what they are interested in. Therefore, I have to admit technology should not be our enemy but a friendly tool to use to engage our student in the process of learning. There are new ways of learning and sharing now and we have to use them in the open and create a culture of sharing. It is all about blogs, personal network. Now, I do see their utility. Students do not have to learn between 9 a.m. and 3p.m. The classroom time will be bigger because students will work on sharing and learning even from their home. As a teacher, it is hard to let go of control but I think we could be guides for them and lead them towards skills and knowledge they need to learn in order to be able to function in their future life. We also have to accept that we will learn from them because they are born with this technology. What a great way to learn for a student by teaching his own teacher on a program he is using! With technology, we can have easy access to experts all over the world to support various subjects we want to teach. Also, there will be lots of benefits by sharing with foreign students when teaching a foreign country… How could I not see it! There are many positive examples of integrating technology into our classroom. It is about sharing a global experience and finding ways to make meaning for the students we will teach!
As much as it is becoming legitimate in my mind to use technology, there are few concerns that I have as a teacher and a parent. If we want to integrate technology into our classroom, we need to inform and teach parents about How, What and Why it is important because as I was, there are many parents of my generation that does not see yet the importance of using technology as a tool. If we demonstrate and explain, it will also become obvious for them and we will be able to work together and get their full support. Also, as Alec stated: “At the beginning, it was hard to make it public on line and now it is hard to keep it private!” We have to create an awareness of the digital footprint our students will leave on line. They have to realize that they should think ahead of time of what kind of information or pictures they will post because once it has been published, it will stay there forever. It is not a game. They have to be aware of the profile they are creating for themselves. Another aspect, I think, needs to be taught is the safety. Unfortunately, not all people on earth are well intended and children need to be reminded of it. Is the sentence “Do not talk to strangers” still apply? I don’t know…
As you can see, I “revised” my first vision of technology. That is a big change for me. I want to use it and I want my son, my students to use it to discover the world in their own way and learn about things they are interested in. I think life is all about balance. We just have to make sure as teachers and parents that the use of technology is not becoming a 24 hours obsession. Students need to realize they need to be active, have a social and real life too, not only a virtual one!