Module 2: Reflection

What?

This week we spent time in class looking at the resources UEN has so gratefully put together and created for the use of educators.

So What?

What this means in simple terms, is that without spending money or vast amounts of effort in dealing with html, a fairly inexperienced technologically focused teacher could put together a fairly basic but usable interface for themselves and the classroom. As a student in the program it gives me a chance to have a third back-up for my documents (1- computer, 2-google doc, 3- UEN document site).

Now What?

As far as for my students in the future, I likely wouldn’t rely on UEN. As a jumping off point, its great. I prefer more control on format and presentation. I will and fully plan on using a website. A course wiki, blog and website all created to help students engage in more conversation should aid in course work and in-class discussion. The ability to use the web gives more opportunities for creative learning at a lower cost (the idea of not needing a set of text books at home and in the classroom). There is only good that can come of mixing media for a better teaching format.

Video Reflection

This video brought me back to my childhood. I watched Tom Lehrer on a regular basis growing up and was pleased to be taken to a pleasant memory. That being said, and aside from the fact that the lip sync was truly well done, how true is it that we tend to make education harder than it needs to be? Presentation is so vital and if we can’t make heads or tails of our own content area, how can we expect our students to do the same? A simple pathway to the knowledge mixed with a variety of approaches needs to be incorporated for engagements sake as well as the ability to comprehend what’s is being shoved down their throats. How can we require them to hold on to what we say when they have a myriad of other courses all doing the same thing? If we come up with a cohesive and concise way of teaching, hopefully our students can at least reflect in a way that gives the ability to retain and enjoy.