Module 5 - New Technology

This past fall, I attended a conference where an educator who was an author of innovative educational technology presented. I went back to school and presented to my grade level some of the innovative technology such as Edmodo Animmoto, Voki, YouTube, and Blogger. Most of the teachers were thrilled with the digital tools they can use in the classroom with their students. There were a few negative comments regarding access to YouTube and labs also, learning this technology along with the core curriculum. A few teachers was thrilled and immediately asked me to help create a blog, and lessons that would engage their students. Other teachers expressed an appreciation but said they did not feel capable technologically of maintain a blog for the classroom. I offered to any interested in using any of this technology training, which I did. There were few that followed through in using, after learning how to make their own blog and YouTube video whether for the classroom or for personal use. Keller’s ARCS model could be used to change the motivation of these people, or learners, to encourage success. Keller’s model includes four strategies of gaining and sustaining attention, enhancing relevance, building confidence, and generating satisfactions. It also includes a design process which includes analysis of the audience, defining motivational objectives, and strategies, and trying out and revising as needed. First, I would hold discussions with my colleagues and perhaps survey them to both inform then and to learn about their comfort level, interest in, and technological skills. Then how it could benefit teachers, students, and school thus providing the relevance. This would give me a baseline of information on individual confidence levels also. I may also follow up this initial presentation with an all faculty time in the computer lab where individuals can experiment on viewing other blogs with small groups. I believe working or collaborating with a small group, it is hoped that those with less skill may learn from another person as well as build their own confidence. Lab time may also serve to generate satisfaction because skills could be applied right away. I would also allow for an open question and answer session to provide even more relevance for the faculty as I simultaneously demonstrate how the use of blogs can answer some questions.