Well, its almost the end of the course, albeit we still have a major assignment to complete. But I don't see it as the end, but the beginning of many more days of experimentation and learning to use more ICT in the language classroom. It had been a very enlightening journey for me, taking this module. It has been a paradigm shift for me, from assuming that using ICT merely refers to the use of IT to enhance my lessons presentations; I now know that ICT represents the nature of instructional relationships that is mediated by digital technology. Language acquisition has moved from being drill and practices to that of authentic discourse in the real world.
There is so much more to be done now that I am aware of the resources that are out there and from the knowledge I had garnered from the course. First and foremost, the Administrator and Management of my private preschool have to be shown and convinced of the advantages and feasibility of using ICT in the classroom setting. Budgets need to be reviewed to include more hardware, as well as teachers' training. One of our selling points of being a better preschool than the rest, would be little graduates who are confident in the use of ICT as they do their learning. Imagine our framework for development is to support learning in early childhood through information and communications technologies! I don't think many preschools in Singapore can use that as a selling point!
I can go and have a discussion with the IT head at Headquarters, but I think I should encourage him instead to get enrolled in this course to get the full meaning and understand the extent of what it means to use ICT in the classroom!
Its the beginning of many more exciting learning journies with the students, as we navigate out from the 4 walls of our classroom to access a vast array of information through communication technology.
4 comments:
Hi Elly,
You had a satisfying journey through this course and have picked up many skills along the way.
We have similar questions on our never-ending journey, like:
How to tap on technology for pupil-centered teaching and how to use technology effectively in langauge classrooms.
I guess we will figure out as we continue to update ourselves and try out more strategies with technology as the driving force.
All the best.
Best regards,
Asha
hi eleanor
let's see if i can post a comment since you were having difficulties...
I concur with what you wrote. Leaving the course begins our journey. Since we have been the 'identified' change agents, let us take the challenge. Even if we failed to impact others, at least we could say we have made a diference to our lessons.
Cheers
Michelle(Michiko)
Hi Eleanor
Yes, yes...there is so much for us to do,now that we know and realise how powerful ICT is in the learning of the English language. I agree with Michelle that we can be the change agents in our schools but I do wonder how effective that can be, considering that we may be the only one in the school who had gone through the MAE journey. Nevertheless, we should be motivated to lead by example. Hopefully, that would entice others to follow suit.
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