How Technology has Changed the way we Learn

My initial thoughts about technology in teaching was that it was taking away from the teacher to learner bond and making the teacher surplus within the classroom; however, completing this blog has shown me that technology is not taking away from the teaching but aiding them. Sharples (2002:93) states that “the role of the teacher is not redundant, it changes”. I now know that my training as a teacher will involve stepping out of my comfort zone and embracing technology and all the benefits it has to offer the teaching and learning experience. Technology is forever changing and we as teachers need to ensure that we stay ahead of the game and change with it, to ensure we and providing our learners with the best possible learning experience (Wang et al, 2008).

I have found myself being contradicted many times whilst completing this blog. I initially stated that I did not see the use of Wordle and that I would not use it within my teaching. However, a few weeks later I found myself relying on Wordle to teach a literacy class and had to eat my words as it were. My experiences of technology have been one of trial and error, I believe that by just having a go and not immediately dismissing each application, this allows the teacher to open a whole new world of teaching and learning and can sometimes make their lives a lot easier!

Technology has allowed for a lot more people to return to education with the introduction of e-learning, thus allowing individuals to gain better employment (Wilkins, 2014). As I previously stated within the blog, Sharples (2002) tells us that teaching has now gone beyond the confines of the classroom, and I like this – I would hate to think that one of my learners was worrying all weekend about something, whilst waiting to speak to me on Monday morning. I would prefer for them to e-mail me and check whether I am available over the weekend to offer guidance. I for one, will be continually using technology in my teaching and embracing the changes that are sure to come in this area in future years; although I still stand by my statement that technology is merely an AIDE to teaching!