…by those edubloggers who are classroom teachers, and still find time, not only to incorporate an engaging and inspirational use of technology in their curriculum, but also to blog about it.  Since I have returned to classroom teaching, it appears that the majority of my energy is consumed in keeping on top of curriculum planning and settling into a new school, and my blogging  (and blog reading) has fallen by the wayside. 

I must also adjust to the change, from a classroom environment with access to technology such as laptops in every Year 7 & 8 classroom, to one that is just starting to build its ICT infrastructure. At this present point in time, I cannot implement many of the ICT activities I would like to, due to a lack of access to technology in the classroom.

I am confident that the coming year will see a great improvement in those areas - we have plans to purchase IWB’s, Data Projectors - hopefully even new laptops.  And I will be working to encourage and educate teachers as to the possibilities of ICT, and hopefully removing some of the potential barriers, such as overzealous Internet filtration.

Unfortunately, I foresee a change in how I will need to direct my energies.  While the end goal of my work as an educational technologist has always been an improvement in student learning and engagement, that has become a much more real and practical priority when I am dealing with my own classes. I am concerned that I will not be able to keep momentum on my personal reading and reflection through the blogosphere.

Hopefully, once I am more settled in my current role and have a handle on the experiential program I am teaching in, I will have more time to explore in writing some of the issues we are facing.  At this current stage, even if we did have easy access to computers in class, it would be hard to include resources such as Web 2.0 publishing capabilities, when the details of the curriculum are, by necessity, being planned only a day or so in advance.

So, I tip my hat to those who, while working on the coal face of education, have also continued to contribute meaningfully to the global conversation about ICT in education.  I hope to be able to follow in their footsteps… eventually.

Well, here in Australia (well, my little corner at least) students went back to school today.  So, the time for leisure is over and its time to jump into my new role with both feet.

Today was an interesting day.  It’s obvious from the outset that it is going to be difficult to get the students to wholeheartedly accept the new teaching and learning style we are implementing. Despite feeling like they are flexible and ready for anything, many students are very resistant to change, and their approach to education is no different.

The eLearning focus of my blog might be missing a bit for awhile - the experiential learning project I am in involved in does not have a lot of technology resources so far, although it is an area we will definitely be pursuing.  I am hoping that blogging, a Ning Community, and use the of mobile phones and gps units will be some aspects we explore.

But for the moment, just getting students to be adventurous, to trust us, and each other, that this new approach has benefits, will be a major accomplishment. Many of the activities we tried today fell flat, which was due in the most part to students being unwilling to ‘give it a go’ and being self conscious about the activities.  I think we are going to have to build up an environment of trust before we can expect them to engage in activities that they cannot see an immediate benefit to. 

One of the students said to me today “But we arent learning anything”.  When I queried that fact, she acknowledged that they ‘were learning life stuff’.  I thought it very ironic that she was astute enough to realise she was learning, but that she had no appreciation of the importance of those skills, or why we would teach them in a formal environment. “Dont we just learn them through life?” she asked. It’s is going to take awhile before the students understand how valuable that experience can be.
What a learning curve for all of us! - staff and students, but it should be an interesting ride!

Well, after 3 years, my time as a full-time Educational Technologist has come to an end. The school year is over, and after a wonderful 5 weeks to rest, recharge and recuperate, I will be moving on to new challenges. Of course I will still be focusing on technology in education, as the eLearning and Innovation Coordinator at a new school, but I will also be returning to the classroom for the first time in 3 years and moving into a leadership role in the school.  So, as I have mentioned before, no doubt the focus and tone of this blog will change, as may the frequency of my posts.  I intend to use this blog to be more self reflective about my teaching experiences, especially with technology in the classroom.  But, for the next 5 weeks, things might be a little quiet around here.  I intend to take full advantage of this Christmas break, so I may not post for awhile. I’d like to say I will be enjoying the sunshine of a Melbourne summer, but it’s actually been pouring for almost a week….

I have worked with a fantastic team of people for the last three years - I wish them all the best of luck and a very Merry Christmas to everyone!