Not a path through the woods, but a compass

I must say pedagogy is still a word that I struggle to pronounce. I think I have it and then it runs away from me again. The same goes for its meaning, you think you have a grasp of it and then new information comes to light. But I think that, that in essence is what pedagogy is, especially digital pedagogy. It is an ever changing, ever adapting concept. No single sentence can fully explain it but instead it is something that you need to take the time and gather understanding on it. This is done through reading and experience.

I think the best quote to me that described digital pedagogy was this:

“Digital Pedagogy is not a path through the woods. Its a compass”

These two articles, or well one article with two parts, was very informative and really challenged your thinking. Not challenge as in “I don’t agree with you” but rather got you to think about the aspects that you already knew about but hadn’t managed to find the words to explain. And the best part was, it was more about the pedagogues than the pedagogy.

It’s so difficult to single out a few sentences or things that were said due to the fact that there was so much that I agreed with. This probably is the reason why I thoroughly enjoyed the article. The main thing that stuck out for me was this: yes online learning has its restrictions but only if you are just an online educator/teacher. But if you are a digital pedagogue, well then being online is full of limitless possibilities. There is such a difference between a pedagogue and a teacher. The one is earned through years of experience and relentless playing around and experimenting while the other is just a qualification followed by the job of relaying information to others. Not all teachers are pedagogues (even though they should be) but the amazing thing is that you do not need to be a teacher to be a pedagogue. Pedagogy is where learning takes place through new and interesting styles and ways. So by this, a pedagogue is someone who facilitates the learning of content through these fun, alternative tools/ways. Learning can occur between a student and a teacher, or a student and a student, or anyone for that matter. Pedagogy and being a pedagogue is not limited to teaching in a classroom, but rather allows the freedom to explore many different ways to ensure that learning takes place. And with digital pedagogy, the only limit is your imagination. The options and opportunities are limitless!

That’s my say, short and quick…if you want a full on detailed essay on all my thoughts for this article then just drop a comment, but Im sure no one is that bored…yet.

Remember! Keep your eyes on the board!

We are living in a digital world and I am a digital girl (sometimes)

I think the hardest thing about blogging is trying to harness and refine all your thoughts into one steady laminar flow. Too often my thoughts are just flying around in my head and sometimes I manage to catch one or two of them (which do not always make sense anyway) but as for the rest of them, well lets just say they are not too compliant. So this is an attempt to take all my thoughts regarding Digital Pedagogy Unplugged, and translate it into words and sentences and paragraphs that will hopefully make sense.

The problems that arise with Digital Pedagogy are generally misunderstood. When one hears digital pedagogy, they think of using technology as an aid in teaching and learning, which is the correct definition. However when one thinks of technology, they think of tablets, laptops, smart boards, search engines, etc. These are all examples of digital pedagogy but one often forgets the original forms of technology that were once seen as revolutionary, something as simple as paper, books, pictures, etc. This is pointed out in the article where Fyfe states:

“…Digital Pedagogy is often presumed to be something that uses electronic tools or computers – this limits the teaching to the extent of the tools…”

Here we can see that most people presume that digital means electronic which is not the case. If it were the case then there would be limits on teaching according to the electronic tools at hand. Electrical technologies can only take you so far before it fails you. There is the challenge of trying to use the electronic tools in balance with the older technologies (paper, etc.) in which to optimize learning. I feel that either sticking to the one or the other is not the most effective way of teaching or learning. By having both available to the students, they experience an ease at getting information while also benefiting from the advantages of writing things down. This is just a simple example which should be touched on again later.

A way that some educators tried to use Digital Pedagogy to optimize learning is in the examples of the Classroom Flipping, or Teaching Naked. Both quite simply put the digital resources in the pedagogical peripheries of the classroom. So there wasn’t much electronic technology being used in the class but instead they talked and discussed matters. Then after the class, learners could access and go back to the technologies that were otherwise kept from them in class. I found this to be rather brilliant as there are certain skills, such as arguing, critical thinking, etc. that you cannot develop from behind a computer, etc. There is also something about discussing certain topics with fellow class mates that has a positive effect on remembering content. So by the learners engaging with each other face-to-face, information is more readily absorbed and retained. It also keeps the learners interested and involved which is effective in teaching and learning.

Another example of where electronic technology took a back burner was with the example given to us by Brad Pasanek. He told a story of how he took the prescribed reading and highlighted the themes where ever they became apparent. Then when he went into class the next day and showed the various themes and colors in the book, the students responded and were in awe and thoroughly interested.

His reason for this was simple. He wanted to facilitate in the development of lost skills that are becoming less and less important as technology progresses. Skills such as reading, pattern matching, sharpened attention, analysis of works, etc are all becoming less vital. This is due to the fact that everything is so readily available online. So usually if students wanted to know the theme of the set work book, then they could just put it into a search engine and have the answers right in front of them without having to actually read through the book and look for them. So by promoting the old technology of the textbook, with the colorful highlighter, he is promoting and facilitating old important English skills.

I find that through the ways that the author and educators use digital pedagogy, one finds that the learners more readily absorb knowledge and develop skills. The perfect balance between the old school technologies and the new technologies is seen here and is seen to facilitate true learning. I believe Digital Pedagogy is a good educating assistant, so long as the balance is correct (as seen in the class examples in the articles and above). So I feel Digital Pedagogy Unplugged is only a great idea if it involves balancing the technologies. Rather keeping the electronic technologies unplugged and the more practical mediums (paper, textbooks, etc.) active and used in class, seems like the best way to optimize and facilitate learning.

That’s my long say I guess…hope it makes sense….and as per always:

Keep your eyes on the board! 

Module Framework

Good Afternoon class

I am Miss Moore and I will be your teacher for the remainder of the year. I hope it will be an enjoyable experience for all of us and that we will learn as much from each other as we can.

Im here just to run you through the Module Framework to this blog:

Contact info:
You can get hold of me via the comments or the email provided in the blog

Assessment:
There is no set test dates but spot tests may be given as I see fit.
Your participation awards may be collected from my office at the end of the year.

Overview:
This blog is just here to run you through the experiences and information that I come across while doing my PGCE (Postgrad Certificate in Education). I will try to keep the content as diverse and interesting as possible so long as you can take everything with a pinch of humor.

That's my short say for now. Keep your eyes on the board!!!