The Growth Of Enterprise Pedagogy: How ICT Policy Is Infected by Neo-Liberalism

 

 

The Growth Of Enterprise Pedagogy: How ICT Policy Is Infected by Neo-Liberalism

Dr Mark Brown

Massey University New Zealand

 

This article is slightly different to the others previously discussed. The article looks into the possible negative effect ICT can have on our students and our teaching. The point Brown is attempting to put across is that people view technology as the 'great new tool' and they don't look at the negative impact it could also have on student learning, they only think it will benefit the learning.

What Brown tries to point out within this article is that learning requires hard work and determination(Brown, 2005). He argues that technologies these days sugar coat learning, they take the students away from the vital parts of schooling, they make learning 'colourful' and 'fun'. The counter argument I put forward to this is that learning needs to be fun and colourful and exciting. Studies have shown students learn more when they have greater engagement in a task, and if technology can help to do this then I am all for it. Students can still put in hard work, but lets make it engaging and exciting at the same time.

Correct integration of ICT in a classroom is of high benefit towards students and teachers. Where as Brown talks about the possible negative impacts of technology I see nothing but benefits as long as I myself know how to use the technology. The government should and is promoting ICT into classrooms and I think this is great. Brown makes valid points but he seems slightly one sided in his approach towards technology. However, I am only a practising teacher at this point in time and have not fully experienced my own classroom, but I see massive benefits in using technology so I will stick with the view that ICT is vital to a successful learning environment as long as it is used correctly.

 

 

 

A Bridge too far

A Bridge too far?

Explaining beginning teachers use of ICT in Australian Schools

 

This paper which is witten by Frank Bate of Notre Dame University talks about a study that was conducted with in a three year period. The study focused on beginner teachers and how they used ICT in their classrooms for the first 3 years of their careers. The research was completed in Western Australia in public, independent and catholic schools. There was a specific focus placed upon 3 teachers; Rashmi, Dawn and Mike. As these 3 were new to the teaching world, they all had their own opinions on ICT in and around the classroom. What I have gathered from the article is that the 3 teachers felt positive when it came to using ICT in their classrooms. In saying that though, what I gathered from the article was that there was one flaw, and that is ICT seemed to assist the teacher more but they were unsure on how much it was actually helping the students. This is something I also find interesting as it is only in recent times that extensive research is being put into how much ICT will benefit a students learning capabilities.

In the research Bate gathered it was seen that yes ICT helped, but he felt it helped the teacher more then it did the students. The teacher is the one who makes a lesson engaging and exciting even when using ICT. We must understand that a teacher must be knowledgeable in the area of ICT for any successful results to be obtained from it. Learning should be student focused and a teacher should look to cater for diversity to the best of their ability, as everyone deserves an equal chance to learn. This is where Bates argument and research comes in, from what I have gathered he is saying that in many cases ICT may work but in other cases it may not. Knowing this is an important part to becoming a successful teacher.

The Internet plays a major part in ICT learning and using. From the studies it was gathered that all teachers liked the fact of how resource based the Internet can be. Thus benefiting the teacher very nicely. However they thought at times it may be a little broad and the students may struggle with it at stages and it may not benefit their learning capabilities. What needs to be understood though is that ICT can be used across all strands of learning, it is so broad a teacher can used it easily to teach Maths and English. With Australia's current emphasis on ICT learning we are starting to see benefits.

Bate makes valid points in his article and as a student studying a teaching degree I understand what he is saying, but seeing how the world is these days and the ever changing technology one would be silly not to use it to their advantage. Understanding it is vital though if one is to use it.

 

 

 

Digital Natives

DIGITAL NATIVES

 

The term digital natives derives itself from those born in what we are calling Generation X or the touch generation, simply put, it refers to the children born into the world with all the readily available technology that we have. In Saying this, I feel as a student in a teaching degree, that I  must adapt to all the changing technology. This in return will help me to cater for the students I will one day be teaching myself in the future. Technology can assist learning but at the same time hamper it if not fully understood and used correctly.

It is highlighted in the article that as educators we should look to make education similar to the way a student lives their everyday life. Education plays one of the most important roles within a child's life, so with the use of technology and its correct integration into the learning process we can look to benefit the children of the future and make for better schooling. Many educators will still argue against this point, this is because not enough research has been completed to give the evidence of just how well technology can benefit schooling. However, if we ourselves do not understand how it works how is it possible for us to use it to our advantage in the learning process. Incorrect use of these new technologies could in fact have a negative impact on students and not prepare them for the necessary parts of their lives.

Within the article is was also highlighted that many students these days have some device they carry with them such as mobile phones, iPads or laptops. Information such as this tells us that students are surrounded day in and day out with technology whether it be around friends, at home , in public or at school. In the article it is said that the location and importance placed upon technology plays a role on how the child will see that technology. Is it being used for education purposes? or recreational purposes? A good example is that of a child who is allowed freedom to use technology how he/she wants, this child may excel in its use as they gain enjoyment from it, where as a child who is only allowed to use technology for education may dislike using it, as they do not receive as much enjoyment. This is where one must step in as a teacher, the teacher will be the reason behind a lesson being engaging and exciting or dull and boring. The teacher must attempt to cater for diversity.

Through further reading of this article I found that technology can offer something to a child's creative side, in many cases it gives the students more ability to manipulate certain activities they may not have been able to do without technology. Once again in my opinion it falls on the teacher on how well a lesson will run. This article makes some very good points and highlights the importance of technology and relating learning to real life situations. Knowing your students is the way in which you will find the best suit for technology within your own classroom. Look at real life, look into the world surrounding these children and then from that you can best adjust your teaching and learning processes in order to benefit all involved.

Reference:
Bennett, S., Maton, K. & Kervin, L. (2008). The 'digital natives' debate: A critical review of the evidence. British Journal of Educational Technology, 39(5), 775-786.

Too Cool for School? No way!

Reading 1, 25/01/13

'Too Cool for School? No way!'

By Punya Mishra and Matthew Koeheler
'Too Cool for School? No way!'

 

I am in total agreement with the article above in the link. I believe that technological implementation in our schools is of vital importance. It can create excitement for learning and increase a students want to learn. It is also seen that some form of technology is involved in all subjects of learning. So a certain know how in this area as a teacher is of high importance.
In today's society technology plays a major role in our everyday lives. With advances in technology schools everywhere are moving with the times and taking advantage of the readily available resources such as iPads, laptops, smart boards and projectors. What we are seeing now is ICT becoming an integral part of our schooling system and it is no longer being labelled as just an extra subject.

Many people see gadgets such as iPads, GPS and laptops as toys, but through the use and understanding of the TPACK model a teacher can turn this technology from toys to teaching aids.

TPACK (Technological, pedagogical, content knowledge).

Through this idea it is seen that technology is making a positive contribution to teaching, this being said, a teacher must fully understand the technology before using it to assist with the students learning. Technology is redefining the way in which we teach, it is moving us forward and into the future, children are being born into a world of technology, so teaching with this technology is a must in order to further develop a child's learning capabilities.

Mobile Technology in the 21st Century Classroom

WHY MOBILE TECHNOLOGY MAKES

SENSE IN THE 21st CENTURY CLASSROOM



The article 'Why mobile technology makes sense in the 21st century classroom' is aimed at educators and the parents of children born into Generation Z or what many are calling the 'digital natives'.

 

 

Technology is a part of our day to day lives and adopting it into the classroom or at home is of definite benefit to any educator or parent. In the article a specific statistic is given and that statistic basically states that students with access to smart phones have increased the amount of time spent on school related materials by around 40 minutes per week. This statistic speaks for itself, it tells us that with our ever increasing technology, students are taking advantage of these new iPads, iPhones, Smart Phones and adapting them to suit their own learning styles.

 

 

However we still have to remember that the technology on its own is not all that makes a lesson engaging and exciting for the students(Justine Isard, 2009). The person that does in fact do this is the teacher. As stated in the article ' John Hattie's research and others have found that the effectiveness of a teacher to be a bigger impact on student learning and this has not changed with the influx of devices and apps in our classrooms' (Justine Isard, 2009). This tells us that the teacher is vital to successful learning.

 

 

Adapting technology is important, but mobile technology is yet to be fully put into use within classrooms across Australia, iPads are being used but phones are still banned in schools. I am not saying this rule should go out the window, but schools need to approach all avenues of learning in order to increase a students want to learn. The simple fact is that technology is and will continue to play a major role in all of our lives, it is our future and the future of the many generations to come. Knowing how to correctly use it to be advantageous is of high importance.

 

 

The article makes many valid points and I for one am in agreement of the aim it tries to put across, from when I was little to how I am now, the way in which technology has changed has been amazing, I am excited for new gadgets to come out and finding new ways in which I can adapt these technologies in order to benefit myself. As a student learning to become a teacher I am finding just how much ICT can be used within a classroom and at a high benefit to myself and the students I will hopefully one day be teaching in the future. Technology does make sense within our 21st century classrooms and this must be realised by all educators and parents, we must move with the times and adapt for the future.