Robert’s Blog

The blog of “who’s teaching who” caught my eyes. Not only were there so many reactions on this article, but also it really got me to think about the importance of my professional development in relating to classroom use of ICT.

In order to engage digital native student into effective learning, educators need to know the language of today’s students. Today’s students, grown up with new technology, are different from those of past. We need to learn and incorporate technology into our pedagogy and facilitate technology enriched learning environment to motivate today’s students actively involve in constructing knowledge and help them achieve better learning outcomes. Otherwise, the embarrassed situation could happen in classroom when a teacher is taught by some students how to use technology. How are other students thinking about?

I have read Tania’s comments on the article. It triggers me to reflect on myself. I found out that I am pretty much similar to the third teacher Pamela with 30 years experience who had reserved attitude to tbe use of technology although she was open to use technology in her pedagogical practice. What I learnt from this article are:

-  The technology-enriched pedagogy shold be promoted in secondary classroom. Use technologies that are relevant and available such as CAS calculators, computing software to help students understand mathematical concepts rather than use them as computational tools.

-  The role of a mathematical teacher should be transformed from a teacher-centred practitioner to a learner-centred practitionner. Use of technologies could facilitate student-centred learing environment and encouge students to graphically explore and better understand mathematical ideas and principles. It depends on to what extent we understand and employ constructivst approaches to teaching and learning.

- As a pre-service teacher, I am aware of that the prefessional community  of mathematics teachers will have an impact on a teacher’s attitude to use technologies, and vice versa. I need to update the knowledge of technologies and prepare for the technology-enriched pedagogical practice.