Bett show 2015

If you are really keen on putting more technology into your classroom this is the week for you.  Starting today at the international exhibition and conference centre ExCel, London. 

The website claims that bett is the world's biggest learning technology event, with 35,000 visitors and 30 years experience. As for me, I will be giving it a miss,  I need to come to terms with the teaching and technology I already have in front of me.

Teachers not gadgets

To follow on from my earlier blogposts 'The value of mobile technology...' and 'Barriers to the effective use of technology...'

"Spend on teachers not gadgets, says heads chief" (Garner, 2015: 17), reads today's education headline today in the Independent's bite-size newspaper 'I'.  It follows the blogpost of Russell Hobby, the National Association of Head Teachers general secretary. 

The central idea that Hobby puts forward is that with the current funding crisis there is insufficient funds to pay for teachers and all the latest technology.  Hobby goes on to make the point "Technology has no value in itself, only in relation to the problem it solves.  We need a reason, a goal, not a glossy brochure or shiny gadget." (Garner, 2015: 17).  

To find out more about Hobbies opinions go to his blog:

http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/news-and-media/blogs/russell-hobby-general-secretary/

References

Garner, R. (2015) 'Spend on teachers not gadgets, says heads chief' p.17

Bibiography

Hobby, R. (2015) 'Tomorrows world looking ahead to the bett technology expo'.  Available at:

http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/news-and-media/blogs/russell-hobby-general-secretary/tomorrows-world-looking-ahead-to-the-bett-technology-expo/ [Accessed: 20th January 2015]

How technology has changed the way we learn

The way technology has changed the way we learn is without doubt the biggest development in education in the 21^st century. 

In this blog post I am going to concentrate on the benefits of Information Learning Technology (ILT).

ILT’s ability to provide access to information, to anyone, anywhere and for him or her to be able to study, whether or not they have a library is a ground shift in education.  It is important, in particular, when considering learners with disabilities (Reece and Walker, 2007: 138) and the difficulties they may face in a conventional library, or people within the developing world with little access to educational resources.

Within a college course, learners can remotely search the college database to find the books they need and access e-books and e-journals held by the Learning Resource Centre (LRC).  Using a VLE the teacher can post course information, which allows the learners access to this information at any time.  Within live chat rooms, or forums, remote conversations can enable learners and teachers to discuss information and explore different interpretations/nuances of subjects collectively. (Reece and Walker, 2007: 190).  All these factors make the VLE perfect for enabling andragogical teaching methods, more suitable in post 16 education than more traditional pedagogical methods.

Outside of the VLE, the learner can research on-line; though this experience can be baffling and time consuming, the final results can be relevant, diverse and inspiring.  Importantly, the information to be found on-line is much more up to date than that held in most libraries (Petty, 2004: 375).

Furthermore, ILT has enabled learning and teaching to become globally connected, it enables cross fertilisation of learning and teaching experiences and information, which again demonstrates and also enriches the way we are now able to read, share and comment on information globally. 

References

Petty, G. (2004) Teaching today (3^rd ed.). Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes.

Reece, I. and Walker, S. (2007) Teaching, training and learning: a practical guide (6^th revised ed.). Tyne and Wear: Business Education.

Bibliography

www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications/annualreport0405/