This week's Mantra is:
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| Ed Tech Quote. (2020). Uploaded by Kirsten Thompson. Available online at: http://fishbowlteaching.blogspot.com/ |
Last week I encouraged us all to carve out some time to reflect on experience of distance instruction. For many of us, the suspension of classes led to the implementation of:
- new tech tools
- different content delivery practices
- different assessment methods
- new curation/organizational structures
- and much more!
One topic that I have had an opportunity to discuss and write about in the past is, "Why I Replaced Myself With a Machine". This concept was based on the work of Zhao who encourages educators to allow technology to fill a unique niche in their classroom environment so that they are freed up to complete those niche tasks that are unique to them. I think that for many of us the suspension of classes, and distance delivery of content, made it glaringly obvious what teaching components from your practice did not transfer well (or at all) via distance.
Moving forward it would be my hope that teachers are able to recognize the niche that technology can play in their unique teaching and learning environment. The niche of the teacher is one that is deeply centered on relationships and connections so if technology is able to alleviate some of their daily tasks then they can have more time to be one-on-one with their students that need them. For example, if teachers were to continue posting their assignments and handouts online then they would not have to worry about lost time when students forget their binder, misplace their copy, or are absent. I would also hope that this will bring about an increased flexibility for our learners who are unable to come into the classroom regularly, regardless of what that reason may be.
How do you see your classroom practices changing moving forward? Do you feel that there will be an increased use of purposeful technology in your practice?