I thoroughly enjoyed my lab session on e-books. I was able for the first time to follow the instructions from beginning to end and create an e-book. More importantly, I felt a sense of achievement at the end of the session. I could easily see the connection to my classroom teaching and immediately I started speculating on how I will be using e-books in my classroom, in the new term. Right away I recognized its applicability in the teaching of phonics, comprehension and most importantly, fluency. I kept wondering why this session was not used earlier in the course to enable us to experience a sense of success, and be motivated to attempt the other challenging aspects of assistive technology. Everyone left the class smiling and many of my colleagues agreed that they did not feel the sense of hopelessness which we normally experience at the end of previous sessions. On the contrary, this session left me motivated and anxious to share the technology with my colleagues at school.
I want to suggest that the session on creating and using e-books be done earlier in the course, thereby allowing students to move from the known to the unknown, and linking previous knowledge of the Microsoft power-point program, which most teachers are familiar with, to new learning in a stimulating and constructive way.
Hi Arleen,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your views. I came out of that session elated. Its like when a student in your class says,"Miss I had fun today." Imagine how our struggling readers will feel if we create ebooks for them to read at their reading levels. It is exciting, colourful and so interactive. Our digital natives students will love them. I believe ICT should be taught to all teachers so that they will be equip to teach the students using the various technologies. Teaching and learning will not be the same again. I know it is difficult for some of us because we are afraid of trying new ideas but we are in the Technological Age and we have to be equipped to teach our children otherwise we will lose more of them.
Hi Arleen
ReplyDeleteI was thankful as well that the e-book session was quite easy to follow. This is because I was absent on that particular day but because it was so simple, I was able to catch up in the ensuing session. I am also visualising many uses for the e-book in the classroom. One such way is in the Creative Writing area. Students can be placed in groups to create a story using an e-book, as a project. Can you imagine them in their lab sessions constructing their stories, adding pictures, learning to spell the words they wish to use, and actually seeing their own story come “alive.” It will be exciting! I also cannot wait to use this technology with my students.