Entering the classroom, I saw BenQ staring down at me from his bolted position in the ceiling, not knowing that he put quite a fright in me, making me feel quite lost…
It takes time to adapt and take advantage of all the resources that a pc, a BenQ and the Internet provide. Using digital assets in classroom gives a multitude of opportunities. When you start to see the benefits, for me as a teacher; being updated on the latest new, having access to music, pictures and videos for whatever the topic might be, I truly enjoy having everything two clicks away. Nevertheless, this also gives me a responsibility to give the pupils enough structured training so that they may to become independent and wise users. With the objective to give them sufficient digital competence.
According to The English Subject Curriculum the pupils are to be educated in both using digital tools in their learning process, and being critical and aware users of the vast resources digital access gives. Often the pupils have quite good digital skills and plenty of experience of using a computer. Many of them spend several hours a day on different social media, Youtube or gaming. My impression is that their awareness of essential guidelines online, is more limited, and it is truly necessary to provide adequate basic skills in implementing safe online usage.
Using a computer for the purpose of learning, is a great help for many. A lot of the activities at school are based on reading texts, comprehending what was read and in one way or another, the students are supposed to learn and have some opinions about the text. For children who have a hard time reading, the traditional way of learning can be quite challenging. Digital resources can be very beneficial for these pupils. The possibility to listen to a text is very helpful for pupils with reading difficulties. By listening to a text they can actually comprehend more. Worth mentioning, efficient pre-, while and after reading skills are still required. Writing on a pc, where you can adjust the size, color, font of the text, with the technology to listen to what you write and predicator of words you’re about to use, can be of such compensating aid in their learning process. This is also very including in the sense that even though you have quite severe reading and writing difficulties, you can still be part of the activity and learn from a text.
To differentiate my teaching to the different levels in my class, can be challenging in itself. I find this much easier to differentiate when I can use digital resources. There is always more information to be found for the ones that learn quickly and are on a high level in English. For those who need more time to learn the basics, there are plenty of online programs that help students to learn. If we focus on giving in-depth learning situations, you can find diverse activities to stimulate learning from many perspectives. Not least, for me as a teacher, the access to teaching resources, ready made plans and printables; I’m loving it!
Furthermore, educational games like Kahoot! and fun videos from YouTube, wow, say no more, what a wonderful way of engaging the pupils in making intricate questions for their peers and challenging themselves on a different aspect of learning. Letting them show funny videos that make us all laugh, yes, I like teaching in a digital classroom.
By the way, BenQ and I have become the best of friends. I even change the batteries in his presenter when needed, because I desperately need him to work and depending on him to give his best, and if, for some reason he can’t, I am lost.