Final Course Reflection Post

For my final post I pondered the best way to approach the undertaking. In the end it came down to a choice of two options, one being to systematically reflect upon the points raised in this module, the other to review my approach to technology and teacher. I have decided to follow the later course.

Whenever I start a computer, I like open my connections to the world and so I will open the following:

1. School email

2. GMail that aggregates a number of id's including alumni accounts from two universities

3. Twitter

4. Edmodo (a great platform athough next year I plan to use Moodle)

5. Pageflakes

Twitter and Pageflakes tend to be late day stress busters. Both serve their purpose and help strength my connections with my PLN whilst also provide a filtered view of current developments (hopefully aligned with my interests evidenced by my delicious tags presented in the Wordle cloud above).

Of course what is it all for and why do I teach? Should I use the latest bleeding edge tool or simply sit down and have a chat? If I don't "innovate" will I be left behind and what impact might this have on my students?

I thought well why not step back and look at the characteristics of an effective teacher. Dr. Glen W. Probst  wrote that there are many characteristics, techniques, etc. that make for a successful teacher. These may be as varied as the teachers themselves. However, there are certain time-tested attributes, characteristics, and practices which contribute immensely to teacher success. He then gave a comprehensive list that contained items that students have used to describe their best teachers. No mention of technology!

However Walls et al (2002) in there work identified the role of technology, because students see effective teachers that "always did creative things to make us learn" and "kept up on the latest stuff". And there you have it, teachers need to keep up with the "latest stuff".

There are a number of dimensions to this and I think that it is perhaps best pulled together in the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPCK) model.

Surely the goal of all educators must be to find that sweet spot in the middle where Technological, Pedagogical and Content Knowledge have been mastered and then shared with students in a manner that they can relate to. Teachers simply need to know their "stuff".

And so is there a place for other tools such as Second Life, Flikr or Mind mapping in a teacher's armoury? Certainly provided they represent an appropriate use of ICT that will deliver on the promise of education.


Another question to best answered is just what have people done in the 12 months that follow completion of the course. Follow these links where I have asked the question of GrantonWeb20 and Frank's Web2.0 Adventures.

Learning Communities, Constructing Knowledge Together in Wikis (Module 10)

We were asked to find out more about the educations use of wikis and power of Nings within the context of constructing knowledge together.

Whilst I have seen the power of Wikis through say Wikipedia and a couple of wikis that I have subscribed to, I haven't as yet successfully used a Wiki with a class. Most of my web2.0 experiments have had some degree of success, but the wiki result has thus far been elusive. That said, I have a couple of ideas in mind for longer term projects and so watch this space.

Reflecting then on the educational value of Wikis / Nings as virtual K-12 learning spaces, I thought I might comment upon the role I see for using Web 2.0 tools in my own life as a learner and a member of online communities.

The ability to connect and interact online is a most powerful tool and will continue to transform the way people share and create knowledge. I am a member of a couple of wikis and monitor the sites as they evolve ever ready to adopt ideas that may assist me in my teaching. The Science Teacher's Association of NSW has just launched a Ning to assist them in their mission of providing leadership and promoting excellence in science education.It's a great site with huge potential.

Checking my profile I had created 4 Nings now all defunct. They all served their purpose and were not only easy to set up, but also served their purpose at the time. There are lessons for administrators to consider in that Ning changed their terms of service (as was their right) and I am still smarting at the implosion of Pageflakes.

My final statement - networking be part of it, share your thoughts and resources, let's move forward together.