Time for Change

During last week’s online conference as part of the SUNY course, one of the participants wrote an interesting reflection based on identifying things that he could do better at. It occurred to me that while I have been beavering away, studying, reading articles, viewing lectures, writing responses to others’ posts and even just ‘thinking’, I have not actually been specifically relating it all to ME. I have been thinking about technology in education in a wider sense, rather than focusing on me and exactly what I am (and am not) doing in my classroom. Why?

Part of me feels that I don’t know enough yet to start experimenting in the classroom… no, that is not strictly true. I think the real problem is that now I am much more aware of how important it is to ensure that whatever initiative I undertake it MUST have learning value.

I do believe that I do not actually have to be an expert in a certain program or app to introduce it to my students. Part of me LOVES experimenting with new technologies and the excitement it brings to the classroom when I am learning WITH the students (like the first time I used iPads in  my classroom).

Part of me is not exactly sure what I would experiment WITH.

Part of me is not sure which direction I should be heading in – but can anyone really know?

Part of me believes that perhaps the students are getting enough technology outside of my classroom. Is there really a need for it when they could be (or should be?) manipulating real instruments and moving their bodies?

I teach Performing Arts (drama, dance and music) to three to six-year olds. Is there an a legitimate place for technology in my daily teaching? I want the answer to be yes. I just need to work out how.

I love change and I am not afraid of it. At the moment it is just that I feel unsure of exactly HOW to change. Maybe the change in me will not happen overnight. Maybe I need to let all these new ideas and things I am learning simmer for a while and the change will happen in time.

#Reflecting