Final Culminating Statement

When asked to write about my ideas towards e-learning in the classroom i began to reflect on my own learning as a child. The technology introduced during my schooling days was one that lacked anything and if it was ever used it was widely restricted by the teachers. I remembered the use of computers in the library and how much i wanted to learn more about them. This memory coincides with many of my major points toward e-learning in the classroom. The need for students to remain on task, be motivated and develop as the new world and economy does are key points that have impacted my beliefs about e-learning. The ability for teachers and students to learn together, reflect on individual learning and construct meaning by exploration are my key ideas that have continuously developed over the course of several months. The inability for students to remain motivated, discover and develop through intructional teaching are an increasingly important area of teaching that needs to be constantly assessed (Littlejohn, 2007). Allowing students to construct and uncover their own meanings through manipulated experiences such as educational computer games as they are the access to success in education. The need for teachers to keep students motivated and ecourage positive influential learning can be brought upon by e-learning in the classroom (Donnelly, 2008). Such technologies include; smart boards by which students and teachers can interact with each other and learning resources and homework on the internet (these have been discusses in my pages and posts). The ability for students to be actively engaged is important as students can conserve the information presented for many years to come.

Through this blogging experience and the e-learning subject i have learned new and increasingly productive ways to teach. I have also began to learn about the alternate use of strategies when teaching to students. Originally i believed that teaching was about instructing students to manipulate a task by which students can remember and re-use as they develop. However, through the discovery of e-learning i have become to understand that education is only brought upon the need for students to continuous construct new meaning from that which is already stored. This coincides with the use of technology in schools. The ability for student to create digital stories about what they have learned and use podcasts to inform other students of their achievements allows students to construct their own individual learning- the true meaning of education.

I now recognise the true importance of teachers in the concept of educating. Incorporating e-kills and the ideas presented during this course has allowed myself to move away from the common source of teaching- instructionism- and move towards the ever-so changing realm of constructionism through the use of technology in my class. Allowing children to self-explore through alternate technologies will enhance my ability to teach a class. The collective use of blogging as a communication resource will be a definite in my teaching as i believe that communication between the parents, student and teacher are vital in a child’s education (Hils, 2001). The ability for constant communication is a great way to maintain this level of discussion. The use of alternate presentation strategies is important to provide children with encouragement. The ability for students to be constantly incorporated in these alternate ways of presentation e.g. digital stories and podcasts, can add to a child’s perception of learning and praise those students who do not regularly receive it. The ultimate implication for teaching is that of allowing children to self- explore and discover through the use of alternate technologies- although it my be time consuming and need guidelines i truly believe it will raise the level of education and incorporate new teachings styles not only in my class but hopefully in the rest of the school.

Reference List

Dancheck, M (2002). Bringing Affective behaviour to e-learning. Canadian University: Canada.

Donnelly, R (2008). Applied e-learning and e-teaching in education. Hershey PA: Information Science Press.

Hills, C (2001). Making a Transition to e-learning: strategies and issues. Hershey PA: Information Science Press.

Little John, A (2007). Preparing for blended e-learning. New York: Routledge Publishing.