Blog Reflective - 500 Words

When promoting new ways of communication; encouraging discussion and debate in the work place is at times very challenging. Highlighting changes, promoting modifications and undertaking reflective practice is an essential part of teaching. As Reece and Walker (1992) suggest,

“A sign of a true professional is to undergo an experience, reflect upon it, and learn so there is an improvement in their professional practice.” (pg 422)

However, putting this to the forefront is a difficulty and one that many teaching professionals find time consuming and overwhelming. When a culture is formed where individuals are managing increasingly busy workloads and concentrating on own responsibilities asking those to take part in blog activity is not at the top of their agenda. As this activity is a new concept, coming across staff members that are not at all enthusiastic about new technologies is common place. This is an issue that must to be addressed; nevertheless voicing ones own opinions by using other methods and processes can take place.

The use of educational websites, blogs and wiki’s are great places to start, having opinions from individuals outside of your institution can help new strategies and approaches to be discovered. This is very beneficial as we know students learn and take on board information in different ways, therefore this is an excellent activity that can allow a broad base of opinions to be formed. As Petty (1998) discusses,

“Students learn in different ways or styles, and only a variety of activities will ensure that you play into the relative strengths and preferences of every student…” (pg 123)

This highlights the importance of using a variety of technological methods, as students are now using IT sources daily promoting ‘good practice’ where individuals understand, recognise and comprehend the information they are researching is vital. Undertaking blog activity can here allow discussions and reflections to take place so that difficulties and triumphs can be shared with peers and teaching staff, allowing confidence to grow and practices to be developed.

As we can see keeping up to date with technological activity is an essential aspect of educational development. Utilising existing methods as well as embarking on new activities is a way forward. These new IT structures are not here to overtake traditional methods only enhance and promote new ways of thinking.

As Doolan, Thornton and Hilliard suggest

Technology can be used as a strategic resource in supporting teaching and learning. The current infrastructure and investment that is available means that there are opportunities for technology to be used in collaborative learning. This may complement traditional practices and provide open and distance learning, while at the same time fostering those valued practices inherent in constructive environments, perceived as being important practice in traditional education.

Overall, utilising IT sources as well as traditional methods can enhance the learning experience. Embedding strategies that are second nature to many students will surely allow improved and enhanced motivation, however without training for lecturers to be kept up to date when teaching in a fast moving environment will these changes be easily implemented? (Word Count 508)



Reference

Doolan, M., Thornton, H and Hilliard, A. (n.d) Collaborative Learning: using technology for fostering those valued practices inherent in constructive environments in traditional education. [Online] Available from:
https://uhra.herts.ac.uk/dspace/bitstream/2299/2588/1/902189.pdf [Accessed 18th May 2010].
Petty, G. (1998) Teaching Today: A Practical Guide. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes Ltd.
Reece, I. and Walker, S. (2007) Teaching, training and learning: a practical guide. 6th edition. Tyne and Wear: Business Education Publishers Limited.


Hyperlinks

http://lecturerandstudentsskills.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2010-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2011-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=4

http://community.tes.co.uk/forums/t/409668.aspx (Forum name Twiggybear)

In house training in educational institutions

The need for in house training in all educational institutions is a must, however having this facility available so that all staff can embark on new activities on a regular basis is at times a difficulty.

Time and flexibility are major obstacles as the individuals taking these training sessions may have many other responsibilities. As technology changes daily keeping up with these advancements is a part of a lecturer's role, however as discussed above having the facilities available when training is required is not always in place.

How do educational providers keep their staff members up to date with these IT advancements?

E-portfolios for Art and Design students

This section of my blog will allow discussion to form regarding e-portfolio implementation for art and design students. As resources are ever changing adopting processes that will be at the forefront of technological advances can allow innovation and advancement to follow. The use of an e-portfolio not only acknowledges student IT literacy but encourages additional strategies and methods of teaching. I am sure there are many strengths and weaknesses within this teaching approach and would appreciate any comments and suggestions concerning this topic. Thanks!

Useful Information

http://unepodcasts.podbean.com/category/dixson-library/

The use of VLE within education

A further topic of interest is the use of virtual learning environments (VLE) within teaching and learning.
Again as students are now more technologically confident using this as a method of delivery should surely only become beneficial?
The question of student and teacher participation however is an obstacle at present whereby VLE’s are being used more as a repository rather than a frequented tool for learning.

Student research skills

The use of web searches and wiki’s have changed the face of research skills for students within education. As individuals become more ‘computer savvy’ the reliance on websites to hold accurate and true information without further investigation is a daily occurrence.

With social networking sites such as ‘face book’ and ‘twitter’ being a hub for collective activity are students becoming too IT reliant for all aspects of their lives? Are books and journals becoming old hat? And is it the end of traditional research skills?