Tech has never been a tool I was particularly educated on, nor has it been a tool I’ve wanted to layer into my pedagogical styling. Authentic teaching, engagement in material, building academic relationships, honing life-long skills, developing a growth mindset, and supporting students as they “connect the dots” between higher education and their future career pathways—these are the foundations by which I teach and I’ve been extremely stubborn to the idea that tech has a place in this foundation.
Through this module, with the annotations work, answering questions (and responding to my most respected colleagues) with full vulnerability to my in-experiences, and creating a (dream) product (so proud of this and the amazing feedback that came with it) that supported my foundations, including inclusion, I have reached a position that differs from where I started. Questions such as “Does AI and technology hold ground in teaching?” and “If tech choice were more intentional, could they play a bigger—better role in educating our students and?”
I feel being more in”tech”tional (Howard Reingold, that one was for you) is the key to successful tech in the classroom; it can’t all be “doom and gloom” and it needs to be properly reviewed and researched. We (as education providers) need to care and respect technology in our learning environments. I plan to do more extensive research on tech I can learn and use in my teaching, to better engage with my students, and for students to feel they can participate on a level that’s inclusive and adaptable.
I’ve enjoyed this work immensely over these last two weeks. Thank you for the opportunity!