#UWinDig

The Technologist module by eCampus Ontario presents the scenario of a Teacher looking to make their classroom atmosphere more engaging through the use of technology. The first and most important key term in the module refers to digital literacy. It is important to understand one’s digital literacy before incorporating any technology into one’s lessons. Developing one’s digital literacy is an ongoing process with which technology will continue to grow. It is also important to note that technology is best incorporated with design-thinking, where students share in finding a solution to their problem. This module offers a 6-step process in design-thinking which I outline in the attached Youtube video. These steps include:

• Empathizing with your students and their needs
• Defining the challenge that faces your students
• Form an ideal way technology will be incorporated
• Create a prototype
• Connect it to the curriculum
• Test your creation

These steps are easy to follow if you understand each along the way. I will let my video explain each in more detail, but ultimately it is important to choose a form of technology that will blend seamlessly into your classroom. One that can be understood and used by most if not all learners and will help resolve a challenge that may be facing them. It is important not to pick a new website or app that you may not be comfortable with, if you do not have any means of learning it beforehand. The best creations are refined before entering the classroom but are still simple enough to understand that students will be able to catch on quickly.

In this multimedia reflection, I decided to try out iMovie and make a YouTube vlog style video. I am happy with the outcome and had a blast creating something that I found amusing and hope that others will, too. The video ran longer than my original script had accounted for, so I had to cut a few elements from it. After some edits, I remained in the 5min range, so I am not too concerned about cutting much more out of it. iMovie is simple to use for Mac users, and I recommend it to those who are just trying to go for a rant style video over something technologically savvy.

I chose to respond to the podcast “HybridPod*: Episode 10 – Questioning Learning”, where Chris Friend and Amy Collier compare standardized education to personalized lessons, using a Powtoon** video. The podcast mentions how “best practices” in education do not mean that the individual is acquiring the skills and knowledge that are right for them. Instead, students are being taught and evaluated the same way, based on a general testing and very generic learning outcomes. This results in “standardized content, standardized delivery and standardized humans,” where the personal purpose of education is absent. Amy mentions how teachers should question their purpose and connection with their students more often. Rather than just wanting students to “understand” content – which is a term that is unmeasurable, and incomplete – it is important to think positively about the learning experience using “rhetoric of opportunity” and ask questions, such as; “For whom is education? Why do we do it?”, “How do we know when they are learning?”, and “What learning outcome would cause me to wonder? To be blown away?”. If these reflection questions are paired up with a teacher who is willing to take risks, embrace discomfort, experiment with unpredictability, and set uncertainty as a goal, then the students will have a real opportunity to thrive in education.

I found this podcast to have an interesting take on the controversial topic of standardized education. The speakers explain both sides of the argument using pros and cons of each, which really left me torn. My opinion on standardized education did not change after listening to this podcast, however I noticed that I do possess a fear of embracing uncertainty in learning outcomes. We are taught as future educators to plan our lessons with specific goals in mind, particularly those of curriculum expectations, but we are in a new era of education where the focus in to inspire our students to be life long learners. The best way this can be done is to focus on the way the students are gaining knowledge, rather than blindly following the old formulaic approach that we are comfortable with. Students should be encouraged to be creative and think for themselves. I hope to one day find a way of educating where I am just as inspired by my students, as they are by me.

When using Powtoon, I felt that the medium allowed for a lot of creativity, but was at times quite confusing. There are several elements to choose from on this platform, which all add value to the media if used correctly. However, it was not easy finding the exact elements that portrayed the message that I wanted (especially when half of them are “pro” elements requiring a $200/year subscription). On a more positive note, the tutorial videos were very helpful, and the templates were a great starting point for my creative process. I did not choose to use a template in the end, but after seeing how they were played out, I was able to see how Powtoon videos can be used to enhance a message, rather than simply describing my idea in words. Overall, I feel that Powtoon is a great example of how teaching (using any form of technology, or in general) can be tricky at first, but with the right guidance, it is possible to make any lesson your own.

Now check out my video for yourself!

*The HybridPod podcast can be found here.

**Here is the Powtoon link to the video: “Questioning Learning”

Out with the old ways of standardized education…

And in with the new! Check out Dan Meyer’s creative way of teaching Math concepts through youtube videos, as an example of this! Chris and Amy reference this concept at the end of the podcast as an example of relishing in uncertainty because the scenarios beg the curiosity that drives the educational experience.