Reflection: "It's not about the Technology"

Warlick (2009) describes our function as teachers as one of facilitating sharing of information and responding to other areas of learning. Some ways we can create interaction between students and teachers in the world using technology are through blogging, podcasting and social networking tools. In this course, one such technology which was both new and extremely exciting to me was the use of screencasting. Even though the idea is not new, it was certainly new to me, and I have begun using this technology on a near daily basis within my classes. In addition to the interactive capability it provides both for me and my students, this can lead to portfolio products and better sharing opportunities for students and teachers alike.

Monitoring and adjusting instruction and products are very important ways to increase ability and to continue exploring ways to create meaningful and tangible evidence of learning. Eagleton and Dobler (2007) illustrate this point by asking us as teachers to reflect on the QUEST method of learning, and to take stock of technology literacy skills in our classrooms and lives. One way I would like to continue development of literacy skills in this century of learning is to allow students to create and share screencasts through the VoiceThread application. In this way, students could create meaningful research projects which are both informative and fun. This would also help increase the breadth and depth of students’ knowledge in the areas studied. The knowledge I have gained from using these applications in my classroom have increased my awareness of students’ drive to be involved in the creation of tutorials, class notes and discussion as well as their wish to become more interactive learners.

In the end, this course has brought new technology to me and to my students in a meaningful way and I am excited to continue the development started here as I progress in my own career.

-Stephen St. Georges

References

Eagleton, M. B., & Dobler, E. (2007). Reading the web: strategies for internet inquiry. New York: The Guilford Press.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Program thirteen. “It’s not about the technology” [Motion picture]. Supporting information literacy and online inquiry in the classroom. Baltimore: Warlick, D.