How has Technology Changed the Way We Learn.

Possibly the greatest benefit of technology for the classroom is that learning has become a very individual matter, teachers are not stuck to worksheet without being able to be flexible to the individual. Technology allows for a much more investigative learning experience, a more student-led process as each learner have their own learning objectives, agendas and abilities and now the availability of a research library as the online resource of the internet(K,Facer 2011) 

I asked my art students to bring out there mobile phones and to find out when Van Gough was born, within seconds they all had the answer,(that I hope they want forget), what dawned on me was that sitting in their pockets is the `world of art history` that goes as far back as cave drawings, what a resource that is available to them. This has changed learning as students have much more options and these options can be accessed at home in the coffee shop, on the bus, boat, train and so on. Students have a different set of expectations, they can solve problems on the spot, they are no longer spectators but active members of the learning experience.

As an example the way we now have access to all sorts of arts facilities has prompted a new way of learning. At one time the only way to view the art collection at a museum was to visit. Now the availability of virtual tours that can be viewed through online channels as You Tube and online videos and provide us with a invaluable tool. This has made learning and information more accessible to everyone allowing all to learn and see an image of almost any works of art they wish and to learn valuable information about any artist they wish. 




Facer,K(2011) Education, technology and social change. Routledge, Taylor and Francis group, London and New York.

  

The Value of Mobile Technology in Teaching and Learning.

There are considered to be six forces in education that are vital if effective learning is to be truly successful. They are activity, expectations, cooperation, interaction, diversity and responsibility(Chickering and Gamson 1987). 

Research shows that by implementing these powerful forces in education which is considered to be of good practice, the outcomes have proven that education and learning holds much more meaning for the learner. These forces are a robust tool in helping all do better in the classroom.

Addressing not what, but how we teach.

Does technology stand up to research and hold any value to learning and educational outcomes?

Surveys and investigations mapping the value of technologies within education have certainly identified the usefulness of technologies. One instance is the availability of online open learning courses. These have become accessible to all sorts of individuals and while they are normally conducted outside of the classroom they have become a useful in academic purpose affecting student experience.

Research has also identified the positive influence of technology as regards entrepreneurial potential and productivity and the ability to more readily integrate with modern life. There is no better starting point for this than the classroom. 

Research also shows that there has been a strong increase technology as the preferred method of learning. Student surveys clearly show that IT in education is a powerful tool and provides students with good opportunities to preform and improve in all aspects of learning(E, Sandler 2010). 

  

W, Chickering & Z F Gamson, (1987). Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduates. Washington Centre News.

E, Sandler, (2010). Teaching and Learning with Technology: IT as a value-Added component of Academic Life. American Educational Research Denver.

Elizabeth Gilbert

Your elusive Creative Genius

The magic of keeping going as a creative.

Making the choice to take a course as a creative person and to find a means to support ones-self in a creative vocation, can often be seen as a high risk choice to make.

Elizabeth Gilberts approach to coping with the pressures that come along with creative practice is innovative and inspirational.

"I think her main message is not to absorb negativities surrounding creative practice and comments toward creative practice personally".

If we can find away to detach ourselves from the pressures and high expectations that we often put on ourselves as artists through internal and external pressures, this can be to our benefit. Gilbert suggests this can help to elevate tension and help us focus on a continued creative practice. Gilberts suggestions are remarkable and help creative individuals focus away from personal egos and embrace a more shared experience of the creative process.

Inspiration is a gift given from external powers and not something we posses of ourselves. We do better to consider ourselves as mediators or custodians or simply that creativity is on loan to us.

Gilberts encouragement is for us to keep turning up on the job to do our part, that is what is important the rest may or may not happen from there. 

Resistance to technology is futile.

Have you ever heard the comment "We managed before we had mobile technology" I believe this to be the die hard comments of those who resist change. But, I believe that resistance is futile. 

Included in this was my-self, I made a contract with my-self to only embrace a small fraction of technology a mobile phone at most, that I could text and make calls on `you know in case of an emergenciy`. I was determined that I would only use what was to my benefit, I was going to be different and not to be sucked in to the chasm, the black hole that I believed technology to be and fall in to the hands of blood sucking businessmen, out to cream in and make themselves rich. Oh, yes and by the way social media, I think I was the last person ever to sign up to Facebook.

When asking my-self the question of how technology has benefitted me over the past ten years? I am staggered by the amount of benefits that have come way, because of technology and being specific, mobile technology in particular. It has benefited my family life, business life and benefits me as I train to teach others. When I think of the communication benefits of personal phone calls,texting and more recently picture messaging, it has enabled me to keep in touch with relatives and friend that with-out such devices I would have had little or no contact with for long periods of time. It has helped me to communicate with customers and help grow my business as an artist, and as images are paramount to me as an artist, I have recently messaged potential clients in Santa Monica California, all from the comfort of my armchair. 

The mobile device has become a research tool,I have used it as a dictionary, thesaurus and  have researched many artist, investigating and compiling information that relates to art history and how art has developed over the centuries into modernism and post-modernism. 

Oh yes and where would I be without my satnav? 

I think the problem lies not in technology itself but, in how you use it. An aeroplane can take people abroad on holiday or it can be used to drop bombs, we have a choice it is up to us. 

Technology used correctly is an amazing tool it can help the poor as much as the rich, it has no boundaries if used to the benefit of all.

I am not just Converted,I am its advocate.

  

   

The Way We Handle Technology in Education

https://www.edsurge.com/news/2016-02-10-technology-and-its-implementation-in-schools-is-widening-the-opportunity-gap


Everybody in the western world is connected to an increasing stream of information and apps that is now accepted as the norm. Wherever we go peoples heads are peering into a screen viewing images, text, shopping and socializing and lots more. 

But how acceptable is the use of personal mobile devices in education, within a classroom setting?

Is there an opportunity for each individuals mobile devices to be used in the classroom setting or is it to be viewed as, not the time and place?

I supposed the problem is that the device could be a distraction to students and used for personal use during valuable learning time. Maybe younger students are distracted more easily. Yet it provides a equalizing of the learning experience as all student generally have a personal hand held device (to the exception of a minority, if any).

Some students only access to the internet is through a mobile device. If rules were implemented so that the students understood the doo's and don'ts of mobile use within the classroom, a clear difference between personal use and an educational use, then this would provide students with guidelines and a positive mind set as to its advantages within a classroom setting. Or alternatively an app could be designed to switch on an educational use of a mobile only.

There are many benefits to consider, firstly the financial cost to schools and educational budgets. Every student has a personal mobile device which would cut down the cost of school and colleges purchasing technological devices that so frequently become out of date, in the blink of an eye. 

Changing the perspective of the mobile devices for a student from social to educational would also be beneficial. Mobile devices hold a wealth of educational material and if used correctly become a powerful research tool for students to learn from. If attitudes and perspectives were changed this would aid all learners to increase practical skills through (you tube tutorial videos) and
increase knowledge and understanding of more disadvantaged learners.    

The Benefits of Reflective Writing.

It is important as a teacher to consistently inform ourselves as to whether our teaching styles and strategies are effective for the learner. If we desire to be a good or even excellent teacher and would like to be an inspiration to others it will greatly depend on the amount of reflective thinking that we do as regards our teaching practice. Reflective writing can aid a teacher to identify areas for improvement to bring about a better teaching experience.

One of the main aims for a teacher is to develop skills within a learner, that contribute to an improvement of opportunities for the learner, as regards future employment and individual performance and development.

Reflective writing helps teachers to be self-critical and to identify the quality of the teaching they are providing. We can determine if our teaching is to a high standard, if we are motivating and inspiring the student to engage with the learning experience. We are able to ask ourselves what is working and what is not and make the necessary changes in our teaching. Are we consistently developing new skills and knowledge in the student, are their attitudes positive or negative to our teaching methods. Are our communication skills effective and contributing to effective learning or is our teaching style a barrier to learning outcomes.

Reflective writing is a necessity for teachers, it is vital for a teacher to continually and consistently improve their teaching quality and practice. Adapting our approaches to meet students needs is essential, reflective writing is a relevant diagnostic means for self-assessment and for teachers to recognize and identify strengths and weaknesses.