Importance of ongoing Professional Development with Digital
Tech
Australian Institute for Teaching and School
Leadership Standard 6.2 requires Educators to engage in ongoing
professional learning and overall improved practice. This expectation is arguably
of greatest immediate importance in the realm of Information Technology and the
use of Technology in, and as, the classroom. Every time you turn around there
appears to be a new social media platform and app, meanwhile since covid there
has been increased pressure on learning institutions to provide comprehensive,
tailored and students friendly education platforms. Further, as of 2021 the
almost 5 billion social media users were accessing upward of 6 social media
platforms each month. So not only is there an impetus for educators to be able
to engage with and provide opportunities for technology in the classroom, but,
perhaps more importantly, be across ways to ensure young people become digitally
literate, to know their roles and responsibilities in the online world, as well
as how to protect themselves and their personal information (Sheffield,
Blackley & Moro, 2018, p. 487).
My Digital Tech Professional Development Needs
The process of developing a website with relevant,
engaging, safe and appropriate resources, content and experiences highlighted
that which I was already aware of… I have a dire need to dip my toe back into
the rushing river of technology. At the point of Facebook and Online Banking I
felt enough was enough, the bombardment of everything from Twitter to Insta, whatever
MineCraft is, and don’t get me started on TikTok was simply overwhelming and I
thought better to give up, then add extra stress to my existence. However, for
an educator, and indeed a contributing global citizen, the head-in-the-sand
approach is simply not an option. To be part of and relevant to the ever-moving
culture is to be engaged with technology. Further, this pandemic has
highlighted not only the need for, but the great advantages, of engaging with
technology as a teaching tool and learning platform.
I was frustrated that the platform I used would
not allow me to upload PDF, PPT or word, as it was my intention to allow
students access to scaffolded lessons, note takers and activities. Further, in
Kahoot, because I am not a paying customer, I was unable to access the ‘Open
Answer’ option where I was hoping to request students write their analysis of a
historical impact using the learned historical concepts.
Rather than this highlighting the limitations
of technology, it shows my limited knowledge of what platforms, online methodologies
or relevant online options there are for me to deliver the learning experience
I wish to. Further, it also highlights that my approach to developing learning
experiences, while not archaic, may lack the potential dynamism should I have a
better grasp of what is possible.
Resources & Opportunities for Digital Tech
Professional Development
It is therefore my intention to:
a) Bravely dip my toe BACK into the roaring river
of digital technology
b) Seek out materials that develop my
understanding of what is possible such as:
a. Tech
in the Classroom - Website Article
b. The Dynamic
Classroom - Journal Article
c) As well as learning about the advantages and
dangers of technology in the classroom:
a. TED Talk - Tech in the
Classroom
d) And, when opportunities arise, attend face to
face learning experiences where I can ask questions, get support and build
connections with experts in the field
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