Has technology changed the way we learn

Technology has definitely changed the way I learn! In just the first few months of the PCE (PCET), I have learnt so much surrounding technology, to say my learning curve has been steep would be an understatement. I have gone from being a 'semi-technophobe', i.e. only using the technology that I needed to carry out my role as a Coastguard Officer, to someone who is actively searching for new technological experiences. This blog is one of them...

During the 1990's massive investment in technology in education promised a revolution in how we would learn, But as Cuban (2001) stated this investment actually produced "disappointingly meagre changes in classroom practices". I totally understand this observation when I reflect on my lessons in computers, when I was in school in the late 80s. The image of 3-4 pupils crowded around 1 computer for a 35 minute lesson, was less than futile. If you managed to touch the keyboard 5 times in the course of the lesson, you were doing well.

Fortunately things have changed and I believe for the better. My daughter is in primary school and she comes home from school everyday and tells me about the "really cool" things that they did on ipads and computers. Her school is now moving towards an almost 1:1 ratio for tablets and computers which is phenomenal. This seems a long way from my rather disappointing and boring IT lessons.

But then technology figures very highly in my daughters life on a daily basis, She has literally grown up using it, I still remember being amazed at her chubby little fingers finding their way round my iphone when she was only 2 or 3. Then it was a fantastic way of keeping her amused but now looking back and also as a result of my studies, I can see that she learnt so much too. It developed her motor skills by finding her way round the various apps, the apps themselves helped with her speech, reading and letter forming. When I downloaded apps for her, I was amazed at the variety that was available. They were fun, colourful and sometimes noisy so that children were immediately drawn to them, but they also helped them learn in a fun and engaging way.

It is still important to consider how technology is going to be used and to ensure that using it will enhance learning and teaching. Petty (2009) highlighted that " It is what students do that creates learning, not what technology does." (p391)

With this in mind, I find it really encouraging that technology now features so prominently in education, in a digital age that is exactly how it should be. I believe investment in resources and training for teachers has improved considerably, which has allowed teachers to become more engaged with technology and its potential benefits to enhancing learning.

Technology is certainly changing the way I learn and with a chasm of unexplored technology at my fingertips, I hope that my new found love affair with all things 'ICT' will continue for a long time.


Cuban, L. (2001). Oversold and underused: Computers in the classroom.
Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press
Halverson, R, & Smith, A. (2009). How New Technologies Have (and Have Not) Changed Teaching and Learning in Schools, Journal of Computing in Teaching Education, 26, 2, pp. 49-54, Education Source, EBSCOhost, viewed 6 December 2014
Petty, G. (2009). Teaching Today: A Practical Guide. Fourth Edition. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes Ltd.

Barriers to the effective use of technology in education

We are living in a digital age where technology seems to be at the forefront of everything that we do, from working to shopping and keeping up with news and society. We all need to have the skills to be able to play a part. It is absolutely vital therefore that technology plays its part in learning and teaching. But how do we effectively integrate technology into education so that it not only teaches students the vital skills that they will require throughout their future careers but also enhance our teaching and learning? And what are some of the barriers to ensuring that we use technology effectively?

By studying the Barriers, educators may be able to overcome them and ensure that ICT is successfully integrated into learning and teaching in the future (Bingimlas, 2009). There has been a lot of research carried out and articles written about successful integration of ICT into education and they have mostly arrived at the same conclusion when it comes to highlighting some of the barriers that educators face.

The Barriers
During my research into this topic, all of the articles that I read were unanimous in the benefits and opportunities that ICT offered to both students and teachers alike, but as Dawes (2001) stated "problems arise when teachers are expected to implement changes in what may well be adverse circumstances" (p.61).

• Lack of training - This applies to effective training for teachers. This does not just include teachers individual ICT skills, but also to the training provided to effectively use ICT in the classroom to enhance their teaching and the learning of their students. 
• Lack of confidence - The lack of effective training can also lead to a lack of confidence in teachers to try new technology in their teaching. Some teachers may feel reluctant to attempt new things, especially in front of students that may be considerably more tech savvy than the teacher. I know that I would feel uncomfortable using technology to teach someone that in theory could probably teach me more. Let's face it, young people these days spend more time in front of computers and tablets than most adults ever did at their age. 
• Lack of resources - It seems like everything these days comes down to time and money. Technology can be expensive and ensuring that ICT is used effectively in education relies on adequate resources being made available to students and teachers to fully realise the benefits that ICT can provide. But, it's not just money, that can be an issue. Teachers time is precious and they may feel that they simply do not have sufficient time to plan lessons properly or research, explore and practice the new technology (Becta 2004).
• Lack of technical support -  Providing teachers with excellent technical support in all of their ICT endeavours is paramount in ensuring that teachers have the confidence and ability to use technology in their teaching. Most of the studies carried out highlighted technical support as a major barrier to success. Sicilia (2005) found that obstacles such as internet connectivity, waiting for websites to open and hardware problems were major obstacles that teachers faced; he stated "Technical barriers impeded the smooth delivery of the lesson or the natural flow of classroom activity" (Sicilia 2005, p.43).

By examining some of these barriers, hopefully institutions and teachers can find workable solutions to ensure that all learners, teachers included, can realise the huge potential that ICT offers them. This will begin a technological journey for many that will equip them with the lifelong skills that living in a digital age requires. My technological journey began with the PCE and in particular this ICT module, so far, so good. 

References

Bingimlas, K. (2009). Barriers to the Successful Integration of ICT in Teaching and Learning Environments: A Review of Literature. PHD thesis RMIT University, Bandoora, VIC, Australia

Dawes, L. (2001). What stops teachers using new technology? In M. Leask (Ed.), Issues in Teaching using ICT (pp. 61-79). London: Routledge. 

British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta) (2004). A review of the research literature on barriers to the uptake of ICT by teachers 
http://dera.ioe.ac.uk/1603/1/becta_2004_barrierstouptake_litrev.pdf  (24.11.2014)

Sicilia, C.(2005). The Challenges and Benefits to Teachers' Practices in Constructivist Learning Environments Supported by Technology. Unpublished master's thesis, McGill University, Montreal.

Although BECTA is now defunct it's still a very useful resource.

Microsoft and Me

Microsoft applications have become such an everyday part of our lives that we barely think about using them. Whether we're creating a word document, setting up a spreadsheet or creating a database. Most of us use at least one of these Microsoft packages everyday. I also use some of these on a daily basis and since beginning this course I am starting to use Word a lot more.

That said, I don't consider myself to be an expert in any of them. I can find my way around Word quite well, but really only stick to the basic functionality. I have used PowerPoint on a few occasions when I have needed to create presentations. I enjoy using PowerPoint and playing around with the different effects available. I find it quite an easy piece of software to get to grips with.

My nemesis though, has to be Excel. I must admit to not being able to really get to grips with it. Maybe this is because I have never really needed to create a spreadsheet and could get away with using other programs for my needs. I would like to improve my knowledge of working with Excel to see if the mists surrounding it clear for me. This will be a goal of mine, when I can find the time to fit it in that is. Which the way things are going at the moment maybe sometime away yet!!!

As an update to this post our recent ICT session explored Microsoft and some of the creative ways the applications can be used. One of the best discoveries for me, was being able to use Word for referencing and creating a blibliography. If like myself, academic writing is relatively new to you, then referencing your work properly can be a 'mine field'. However with Word the whole process becomes much easier. Using the 'Insert Citation' button, add a new source, then populate the required fields with information that you get from the publication that you want to reference. It really is that simple. I have included a link to a handy help page

Internet Safety

Today in our rather brief ICT module lesson (lack of power interrupted play), we briefly discussed Internet Safety.  

As an adult user of the internet, I haven't really paid too much attention to this. Perhaps this is quite naive of me. However, I am quickly becoming acquainted with the good and bad that the internet has to offer. As the mother of an 8 year old, I am rather pleased that this subject is now being brought to my immediate attention. I am hoping that when the time comes I will be well enough informed to help steer my child through the wonder that is the World Wide Web safely!! Here are some useful websites that provide good information on staying safe online Stay Safe Online
CEOP
How to guide on embedding videos