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.
I must admit I have a close relationship with BenQ too. Every day.
In my Norwegian-as-a-second-language class I teach adults towards a B2-level (CEF). We use a Textbook called ‘Klart det’. These textbooks include a d-book, (digital book). Which means that I can use the books on the screen. I can also use the listening materials because the computer is connected to loudspeakers in the classroom, and the cd-players are now history in my classroom.
The d-book can be used on a smart board, a tablet or a computer.
I use the computer, and our friend BenQ helps spread it out in the classroom. Behind, there is a whiteboard. I can mark or underline interesting words and expressions on the computer, or I can use a marker directly on the whiteboard.
Before we got a projector and the d-book, I remember we used the overhead machines and the plastic sheets. And in hard times, we even used non- water-resistant markers, and we washed the plastic sheets so we could reuse them. Some of our colleagues were more conscientious about this than others, perhaps age was essential here.
It is not always easy to heartily embrace new technology. Why change something that works well? It may be hard to let go of old habits. But one of the advantages of having younger colleagues, is that they keep up to date with new technology. And pride keeps me away from ignoring the new technology. I remember once I was in a colleague’s class, we used the same textbooks in our respective classes, and I was going to be a substitute teacher in her class. She told me I could use her username and password to get access to her notes for this class, in the d-book for this textbook. Eh.. D-book??
Before that day I didn’t know about the d-books. I was embarrassed, she was a new teacher I was not.. I had used a scanned version of the books, without the possibilities the d-books offers. But she patiently explained to me how to use the d-book.
I agree that digital assets in classroom give a multitude of opportunities. Learning a new language requires a huge effort, and we know students learn in different ways and have different learning strategies. It is lovely to be updated on the latest new technology, and BenQ gets a hurray from me too!