Perhaps at this point in time, I wish to let Dr Towndrow know how much I enjoyed reading his book; our textbook for the Digital Literacy module. It is so easy to read, and minus all the computer jargon, I was beginning to enjoy reading it like a novel. Subconsciously, my fear of 'anything digital' was beginning to subside or to put it in another way, the 'digital divide' will have a lesser relevance for me as time goes by and I get more conversant and knowledgeable with ICT.
At one sitting I read the first 15 pages of Dr Towndrow's book, up to 'The Use of ICT' where he advocated that language learners should learn new ways of using ICTand harness its power rather than be harnessed by it (Towndrow, 2007 p.15).
Indeed the potential for using ICT for language learning is limitless, very much akin to the slogan used for advertising the Toyota brand of cars ie "Whatever the mind can dream, that, we can achieve."
The time now is 5.30 pm. Got to go now, otherwise I'll be late for the DL class.
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Hi WIlson,
ReplyDeleteI also like reading Dr T's book.. it makes me more aware of things that I have already known before but not consider them seriously. The idea of using ICT in schools for language has been advocated in schools for a number years, yet teachers do not take take the advantage to tap on the facilities provided nor do they make any effort to plan a lesson incorporating ICT, reason being, no time, no confidence, fear of technical glitches that may affect lesson flow and so on. However, with new teachers equipped with ICT skills and new strategies and approach learnt, I believe learning in school will be a slight different. Well, that doesn't mean we'll have to do away with the traditional methods. Most practitioners nowadays celebrate a balance approach!
Dear SitZac
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting.
Coincidentally, this morning, I was reading an article on the NET entitled "Digitally Literate Teachers Needed" in response to the question posed by Dr T in class last Wed ie "Do teachers need to be digitally literate to be able to teasch students to be digitally literate."
The article was written by Paul Resta, Director of the Learning Technology Centre, The University of Texas at Austin. In his article, he advocated that teachers in the 21st Century must be prepared to use technology and to know how that technology can support student learning and that these skills must become integral with all other skills in every teacher's professional repertoire. Only then can they design and develop digital-age learning experiences, work and assessments for their students to help them become competitive in a rapidly changing technology and knowledge-based global society.
Personally, I am pleased with myself for having taken the first step ie signing up for the Digital Literacy Elective.