I am still thinking of Assignment 1 for Group 1b-4.

This assignment forced me to think about how important it is to keep abreast with what is happening in schools with regard to the use of ICT in teaching and learning. It is evident that most teachers are using technology quite often in their everyday life, but many of them are not taking it into the classroom as an aid to teaching. 

Teachers are however complaining that the reason why they are not doing so is because they need training to do so.  I believe that this is true, but I also believe that if teachers are bent on being creative in their teaching, they would make the effort to learn the skills and use ICT as an aid to teaching and as a learning resource. I also suggest that we use what we have until we get what we want.

These are some of the conclusions I was able to draw from conducting the research.

 Assignment 1 

Assignment 1 was very challenging for me.  Gathering and analysing data is not my forte. I did try to do my best, but I know that it was not great.  Maybe I'll do better next time.

I am editing this blog because as I reflect, I must correct the foregoing statement.  It is not really the collecting and analyzing of data that is my weakness, but rather the use of Excel as a tool for analyzing and representing the data.  This is a weak area that, like other teachers, I will have to work on. 

I cannot pretend, I think reality is just setting in; this is a really challenging course. This course is very close to a bachelor's degree level.  One thing I can say is that it will help me to keep my brain active. 

Well I want to wish the best to all of the members of my group.  Let's continue to plod on.

Joycelyn Henry

2A-5-Activity 4B: Word Processor as a Learning Resource.

Reflections: 

Planning and executing this lesson was a challenge.  I guess that I have been out of the classroom too long.

I know that that is not really the case, but I think it was the effort to integrate the use of the computer as a learning resource that made a difference in the way the lesson was planned. 

I had the feeling that this was going to be an exciting lesson and so it was!! However, because the students are not accustomed to learning with the computer, they were a little restless after watching the YouTube video and took a little longer than usual to settle down. Other than that the lesson went as planned. The collaboration between students was excellent and no one felt left out, even though each computer had to be shared by two students. The presence of the IT instructor was helpful in getting students to access the Internet. 

The students were highly motivated and the level of excitement and participation remained high throughout the lesson.

I was pleased to see the level of excitement and enthusiasm among the students.  They also talked about their enjoyment of watching the time elapse photography on YouTube and expressed the desire to do more lessons in a similar manner. This shows that learning and teaching will become less pedestrian and more exciting with the integration of teaching and learning with ICT across the curriculum. 

Group 1B4: Assignment 1
It's good learning to work with technology.  So far, I can say that I have learnt how to blog, among other things. I am finding this course quite challenging, but I know that it is good for me since I have not done any serious studying since I came back from studying abroad.. 


Doing Assignment I has been my greatest challenge so far.  One of the conclusions I drew from the readings was that teachers who are going to teach and learn with ICT would like to have technical support available when 'things fall apart'.  Well I have proven that to be true as things just seem to be falling apart all around me.  I am keenly aware that learning is truly dynamic and that we always have to study to keep abreast with new skill and strategies in teaching. 


 

Group 1B-4 Assignment 1:

Well folks, it is now 12:15 a.m and I have just managed to send off Assignment I.  I can tell you that I have never been so disappointed in myself as I am in this assignment.  It was not at all well done because I was so hard pressed for time. I know that I am capable of much better work. When I realised that I could have asked for an extension, it was so late and nobody was responding to my request so I had to hurriedly send off something.
 
I saw some of my group memebers asking for extension, but did not realise that it was something that all of us could have done.  It would have been nice if someone had shared that with the rest of the group.

I have to say thanks to Temika Christian because if it had not been for her, I would have already fallen by the wayside.  Right now, it seems to me that we are in a competition, rather than collaborating.  Maybe if we can share we will all do a lot better.

Group 1B-4 Activity 2: Attitudes and Perceptions of ICT
Two Generations of Teachers: Difference in Attitudes towards ICT

There is that perception that age is a major factor contributing to use or lack of ICT use in pedagogy.  Attitudes is a major factor and these attitudes are displayed proportionately in the younger and older teachers alike.  Therefore the idea of the NET Generation is a fallacy and technophobia is prevalent among older and younger teachers alike.  

Some other factors, such as lack of technical support, the absence of an ICT coordinator and the fact that some teachers do not have computers at home are some of the other mitigating factors preventing teacher use of ICT in classrooms. These factors have the same effect on use of ICT in pedagogy for both generations of teachers.

The fear factor mentioned that affect younger users of technology was an eyeopening statement, but I agree with the author that the  high expectations of the youth has driven this fear as they know that their peers as well as older persons expect them to be able to easily engage with and master the use of today's technology.

I however believe that if older and younger teachers are given the necessary skills based training and technical support, that use of ICT in pedagogy will become the major element in lesson planning and delivery.

Group 2A-5: Activity 2: Word processor as an administrative resource

I learnt to use the computer very late in life and before doing so I was mortally afraid of it. However, I was forced to do so when I found myself in university and had to present word processed assignments instead of hand written. Well since I have learnt to use the computer, it has become indispensable to me especially in my role as a principal.  I can't imagine having to hand write all those letters, notes, and reports by hand.  Before, I found it so tedious, as well as time consuming to do so.  I am still exploring and learning new ways to use the computer but for now, word processing has become a regular feature in the execution of my daily administrative tasks.