Module 8 Activity 5: Interactive White Boards

Interactive White Boards are large presentation tools that work with a projector and a computer to allow teachers to create dynamic and captivating lessons.
It is a powerful tool which provides the opportunity for full student involvement in the lesson through the use of manipulatives, images, audio, video and other visuals and once used innovatively they create a wide range of learning opportunities.

Module 8 Activity 4: The One-computer Classroom

The One-computer classroom is a classroom that has one or very few (probably up to four computers to one student) in a classroom.
 As an experienced use of the One-computer classroom concept, it has been  and will continue to assist me in enhancing the effective delivery of the learning objectives through the use of a combination of text, visual images and audio until I am able to improve or transform my classroom into one where there is a computer available for each child in the class. The most important ingredient to make this concept work is that the teacher must be creative and innovative and must engage in  proper organization and planning of the lessons to be taught so that the learning of all students is enhanced.
For the teacher in the one-computer classroom the computer serves both as an administrative tool and as a teaching tool. Administratively it can be used for professional productivity such as creating handouts, worksheets, tests and quizzes, checklists, lesson plans as well as for writing reports.. It can also be used as a storage device for storing large amounts of data e.g.  as an electronic grade book, students attendance records and their biographical data and other records. It can also store content material prepared by the teacher as well as downloaded from the WWW. As a presentation tool, the teacher can use the computer as an assistant to communicate and present the content area of the subject being taught.
The computer in a one-computer classroom can be used to engage the students in cooperative group work activities where the students are given the opportunity to work together on a common goal for mutual benefit. In addition with careful planning and organizing, students can be given the chance to work at the computer individually or in pairs using specific content software to reinforce certain skills through drill and practice exercises created by the teacher as well as using the internet (virtual galleries, web links etc) and CD ROMs with relevant information to complete activities and worksheets created for them by the teacher to reinforce learning.
The success of the one-computer classroom depends on the creativity and innovation of the teacher who will carefully plan and manage the classroom to achieve the best learning outcome.

Module 8 Activity 3: Learning Labs

Learning Labs

Learning labs are a good thing once they are carefully managed and monitored and the users (both teachers and learners) know and follow the rules which govern their use and to use them for the right purposes.
Having a cluster of computers in a single space is often used for the development of ICT "literacy" skills- that is teaching the subject of Information Technology. This also is a good thing but I also believe that it would be more beneficial to not only have computers in a lab setting but that they should be placed in every classroom as well. In the classroom, teachers of individual subject areas would be able to use the technology as a teaching and learning tool in their respective disciplines to help improve and enhance learning.

With the plethora of digital devices  available including laptops, I pads, tablets as well as software that can be used for teaching and learning consideration should be given towards integrating the use of these personal tools into the ICT integration in the classroom process. This means that the learning labs will be extended beyond the physical space and become 'mobile' and thus learning will take place wherever and whenever possible. With innovative initiatives such as this Schools can begin to craft their own ICT implementation plan for the successful use of ICT in their schools.

Module 8 Activity 2: Learning in ICT-enabled Classrooms

Learning in ICT-enabled Classrooms

     The use of ICT in the classroom can empower both teachers and students in terms of the teaching and learning process, promote change and foster the development of 21st Century learning skills and thus creating a well rounded child for the world we live in today. It can transform the teaching and learning process from being a teacher dominated environment to a student centered on which will result in  opportunities for the students to learn in developing their creativity, their problem solving skills and abilities, reasoning and communication skills as well as other higher order thinking skills. This can be achieved through the use of the internet and the WWW where a wealth of  up-to-date information can be found. They are exposed to a wide variety of sources and therefore are able to learn at their convenience and pace.

     However this will only be successful if ICT  is used appropriately by the teacher to compliment his/her existing  teaching practices and there are adequately available technological equipment including computer hardware and software and other devices such as over head projectors, interactive white boards, flat screen televisions, digital cameras, printers and so on.

     In Antigua and Barbuda efforts are being made to begin the ICT integration process in all the schools. The government initiative of giving Teachers a laptop, making available electronic tablets to students and providing internet access in school is a step in the right direction as we have begun to see some benefits.

     However, it must be noted that the ICT integration process despite its numerous benefits two major hindrances which prevent its implementation are the lack of enough hardware and software ( need to implement the 1 laptop per child initiative) as well as the need for adequate training of teachers to be able to use the technology to assist them in using it effectively in their classrooms. Some teachers are equip with ICT skills and are doing their best to implement the integration process while others have begun to embrace the change. Yet there are still others who are are resisting the change.

     As teachers who are already integrating the technology in our classes, not only do we need to continue to adapt the technology to suit our particular needs but we need to invite other teachers into our classes to experience and be a part of our class sessions so that they can see the effectiveness of the powerful nature of this tool and will want to become a part of the change process.

Learning in an ICT-enabled classroom is:

Module 8 Activity 1: Classroom Management Principles

According to Rebecca Alber in her article "Ten Tips for Classroom Management", if students "are engaged, they are managed." I agree with this statement. However for this to take place there must be rules and guidelines put in place by the teacher to govern the use of the classroom and the use of the tools and machines in the classroom as well. Both the teacher and students must take ownership of the classroom.

      As an Educator  for the past 27 years, to make management of the classroom easy I am of the opinion that  the teacher must first build a positive and safe learning community. This can be done by first building good relationships: teacher-students, student-student, thus creating a classroom community with a friendly  environment. I also take the time out to  get to know their names and to call them by their names when asking questions or asking them to do a task and to commend them when they do and say things correctly.

     I usually greet the students at the classroom door, inviting them in with a smile and involve them in designing and laying out of the classroom (visual arts lab). They are then exposed to the rules which govern the classroom, their expectations ans consequences of the rules if the expectations are not adhered too. I also ask if they have any additional rules they would like to add, and would discuss and add them if they will help in the management of the class. Doing this helps tremendously in having fewer behavioural problems. It also means that they knowing what is expected of them will be ready and eager to learn and will be focused on the tasks at hand. To conclude one can therefore say that the most important element of classroom management is the TEACHER'S PRESENCE.

           

Module 9: Final Reflections....

     This module "ICT Leadership in Schools" was a rather interesting, engaging and informative module for me. The various activities and the varying ways in which they could be done and the flexibility sure has enlightend me about new teaching strategies I can use in my classroom and has allowed me to get through the module as well.
     Leadership and team work is an integral part in creating change in any organisation and or institution and as I reflect on the module and on my practice I realise that the responsibilities and activities I have been involved in and practicing are those required for being a leader. As a Year level Head and a HoD, my colleagues have constantly teased me about being "Deputy Principal no. 2" and I have constantly shrug them off as I just want to simply be a teacher, an effective teacher. But I guess that I have been in denial and this module have forced to to face the reality that I am a leader and that I have leadership qualities and have been functioning as a leader in my school.
     Leadership is teamwork and to be effective the leader must first beleive in him/herself and in his/her vision and must be able to convince others to buy into and to share thier vision. Hence both the leader and the individuals involved must have a similar understanding of and share the vision and be supportive of each other and the change process.

      As a leader I realise that a Good leader delegates. A good leader listens and take on-baord the ideas and suggestions and criticisms of others and that a good leader engages all the stakeholders involved and has the responsibility of education them on the importance and value of the ICT vision that is shared.

 Taken from my E-Diary:

Question: Has the journey so far been smooth or hard going? The lessons that I have learnt so far?

Response:  As mentioned before in activity 9 in my E-Diary the journey through this course was a challenging but rewarding one. Despite my illness I was able to persevere and performed to the best of my ability and learnt a lot throughout.

Leadership is not only for those "in charge" like the Principal of the school but it is for anyone who has the capacity to get the support of others in accomplishing a common task. The articles read and the activities engaged in were very rewarding and based on what I have done I now have a different view of who or what a good leader is and the qualities of a good leader. 

 I have learnt how to negotiate, developed my interpersonal skills, my writing skills and also my ICT skills have been improved as well.

I am motivated to move on... the evolution continues...

Module 9 Activity 9: Creating a Shared Vision

For a shared vision, the individuals involved must hold/have similar understanding of the organisation/institution's purpose, its goals and abjectives. By asking questions, and learning to listen carefully to the answers, the sense of a shared vision grows as individuals involve dialogue, consult and execute.

To realise  the shared vision of ICT integration, it is very important that the leader(s) in the change process get the support  of all the stakeholders who must see the need to become involve in executing the change so that the vision  can be realised.