All posts by Alisha Cameron

My first digital technologies input.

On Tuesday I had my first insight into my option module of BA1 : digital technologies. I chose this module as I felt it would be extremely beneficial to explore a variety of ways digital technologies can be used effectively within the classroom environment in order to stimulate the children and further their learning. I also feel that this module will help to improve my level of technological skill and knowledge. Being 20 years old it is often assumed that I will be technologically minded. However, this is not the case. I have very limited knowledge of technologies as a whole, the technology I am familiar with are those I come into contact with in my day to day life, and I am looking forward to exploring others.

In today’s society their is an ever growing focus placed upon digital technologies, in day to day life and within the educational environment.  The youth of today are born into a society which is swarmed with technologies and as such these children are digital natives. A digital native is some who is a ‘native speaker’ of the language of computers, video games and the internet (Marc Prensky (2001)). With this in mind, I feel it is crucial for me to be able to work with and have a real understanding of the technologies the children in my care are so familiar with.

Prior to beginning university and being introduced to the importance of digital technology I often wondered why there was such a great emphasis placed upon it, by not only teachers but the government too. The digital learning and teaching strategy for Scotland states that there are four main objectives of digital technology within education, these are :

  1. To develop the skills of the educators
  2. To improve access
  3.  To enhance curriculum and assessment delivery
  4.  To empower leaders of change

(Scottish Government,2016)

Another document which supports the use of digital technologies is the Scottish government (2015) literature review on the impact digital technology has on learning and teaching. This document highlights the positive impact digital technologies can have on children with additional support needs. If used correctly, digital technologies can support learners with communication needs, increase a child’s confidence in presenting their findings and opinions and support reluctant workers in all areas of literacy (Scottish Government, 2015).

Over the next 12 weeks I am looking forward to exploring technologies such as the bee bot, scratch and iMovie. I am also looking forward to gaining a deeper understanding of how these can be used to expand a child’s learning and to do further reading into the benefits of the technology being used. By the end of the module I hope to feel more confident in my ability to teach digital technologies effectively to the children in my care, in order to make learning as stimulating and enjoyable as possible.

References

  • Marc Prensky (2001) Digital Natives Digital Immigrants.
  • Scottish Government, (2015) Literature Review on the Impact of Digital Technology on Learning and Teaching. Retrieved from http://dera.ioe.ac.uk/24843/2/00489303.pdf Last accessed 11th  January 2019.
  • Scottish Government, (2016) The digital learning and teaching strategy for Scotland. Retrieved from http://moodle1819.uws.ac.uk/pluginfile.php/39814/mod_resource/content/2/Digital%20Learning%20and%20Teaching%20Strategy%20.pdf . Last accessed 11th January 2019.