I have been a French teacher for a long time. One of the ways the students get better at speaking in French is by speaking, so I build in activities that allow them to practice and get better by using the language they are learning. They take risks and are rewarded by significant improvement and comfort in an additional language.
So now it's my turn. This is the exact process that is happening for me in LIBE 477. I need to improve my skills in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and this course in one of the ways I am doing it. It is difficult because there is risk involved—the risk of looking stupid; the risk of feeling foolish; the risk of getting it wrong publicly…but because Information and Communication Technology Skills are an area where growth is necessary, I have chosen to participate in these technology learning experiences. In the past month I have created and posted several times on a blog, inserted links and photos, made a twitter account (no posts yet!), posted consistently on Instagram, joined three google hangouts. Doing each of these activities was scary the first time, but it has gotten a little easier each subsequent time.
Manitoba Education and Training Curriculum has a Learning with ICT Model.
This model can be linked to the list of “21st century literacies” (Richardson location 177). Students have to “manage, analyze and synthesize.” (Richardson location, 177). They have to “question, design and share” (Richardson location 177). ICT is implemented as a continuum of skills throughout all curricular areas and from K-12. In this, teacher-librarians are ideally situated to help other staff and students, so I need to be developing more skills in this area.
In order to continue to develop my skills, outside of the course requirements, I have taken a few steps. First, I’ve signed up for a school committee that will force me to learn new technology skills. Committee members will be in-serviced on new applications available in the division and then we will help other staff members to learn these new skills.
In order to connect with others, I am a member of the Manitoba School Library Association. The MSLA offers workshops and I've signed up for one in March called: Teaching Information Literacy Skills in the Age of Fake News.
In my previous UBC course we signed up to receive messages through LM_Net. I find reading the information helps inform me of current issues in Teacher-Librarianship. There are often posts about useful applications and other technology.
A few weeks into this course I can agree that “There’s obviously a learning curve to this (and there are just so many hours in the day). But these technologies are within almost anyone’s grasp” (Richardson, Location 408).
Bibliography
Creative Commons Technology Image: https://pixabay.com/en/technology-information-digital-2082642/
Richardson, Will (2012). Why School? How Education Must Change When Learning and Information are Everywhere (Kindle Single). Ted Conferences.
“The LwICT Model.” Manitoba Education and Training, Government of Manitoba, www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/tech/lict/resources/posters/index.html
In order to continue to develop my skills, outside of the course requirements, I have taken a few steps. First, I’ve signed up for a school committee that will force me to learn new technology skills. Committee members will be in-serviced on new applications available in the division and then we will help other staff members to learn these new skills.
In order to connect with others, I am a member of the Manitoba School Library Association. The MSLA offers workshops and I've signed up for one in March called: Teaching Information Literacy Skills in the Age of Fake News.
In my previous UBC course we signed up to receive messages through LM_Net. I find reading the information helps inform me of current issues in Teacher-Librarianship. There are often posts about useful applications and other technology.
A few weeks into this course I can agree that “There’s obviously a learning curve to this (and there are just so many hours in the day). But these technologies are within almost anyone’s grasp” (Richardson, Location 408).
Bibliography
Creative Commons Technology Image: https://pixabay.com/en/technology-information-digital-2082642/
Richardson, Will (2012). Why School? How Education Must Change When Learning and Information are Everywhere (Kindle Single). Ted Conferences.
“The LwICT Model.” Manitoba Education and Training, Government of Manitoba, www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/tech/lict/resources/posters/index.html
