https://padlet.com/modernlanguages/8nv8ol3veqs1 Made with charisma en-us 2018-04-25 15:48:11 UTC 2018-05-04 16:13:42 UTC hello@padlet.com modernlanguages https://padlet.com/modernlanguages/8nv8ol3veqs1/wish/256969139 It was a challenge to overcome the negative intimidating feelings about ICT. However, our tutor Ms Rampersad really tried to put everyone at ease. Slowly my discomfort eased as I realized that change, though  usually difficult at first, is however very necessary.

Ms Rampersad convinced me that competence in  ICT is crucial given the age we are living in and the different types of students that we have in our classrooms.
The term 'digital native' that our tutor employed was particularly enlightening. It caused me to think about how different students are now, as compared to when  I was a student . Technology does not scare them at all. It has the potential to engage them and stimulate them,so educators really ought to use the technology available to maximize the learning experience.

Our tutor reminded us about the 4 Cs: creativity, collaboration, critical thinking and communication. These skills are essential for the 21st century student if he is to be successful in his career in the future. This reminder made me ask my elf if what I was doing in the classroom was preparing my students to demonstrate these skills?  I think embracing ICT and using it in the delivery of my lessons will be a step in the right direction.

At first it was a bit overwhelming considering the pace we were moving at , but I am glad that though our focus was on the MOE's ICT policies, our tutor gave us practical experience with Padlet and Edmodo.

Finally, let me add that I  appreciated the professional cordiality that I experienced among the members of my group and the willingness of the tutor to assist and answer questions. Thankfully, she never displayed surprise at our ignorance of certain technological issues. 


]]> 2018-05-01 17:46:19 UTC https://padlet.com/modernlanguages/8nv8ol3veqs1/wish/256969139 modernlanguages https://padlet.com/modernlanguages/8nv8ol3veqs1/wish/256993091 Equity , though a noble ideal seems to be elusive in schools in Trinidad and Tobago given that our education system is at its core already differentiated. The mere fact that parents have a choice in  where there their children are placed after sitting the SEA exam already affects the social composition of the secondary school.  

Although the MOE may grant every school the same ICT devices, students going to different schools may end up having a different technologically enriched experience. For example,  variables such as creativity of teachers, technical support, teacher training in ICT, teachers' expectations of students' abilities, school infrastructure, differing types of internet packages are issues that will vary from school to school and so equity in terms of all students  receiving the same opportunities to access a technology enriched education seems impractical.

For example , teachers from a Catholic boy school in Port of Spain (school X) reported that there are functioning smart boards in most classrooms. These were purchased and installed courtesy of the Past Students' Association of their school. Students at this school also have access to the internet and are allowed to use their devices at school. In contrast, a government secondary school ( school Y) that does not have a Past Students' Union ,  located in a low income community, though they have been provided with devices from the MOE , is struggling with issues of security. The school does not have an internet package that supports the amount of traffic that would be generated by teachers and students.Hence, there is no reliable internet at the school for teachers and students.  Will the student attending school Y have an equitable opportunity to an iCT enhanced education as a student from school X?  

Inclusion is also a very positive initiative. However, it seems that there is a long way to go since special needs students go to special schools such as the Lady Hochoy Homes and have not been included in main stream schools.  Perhaps the policy is focusing on giving special needs students access to ICT in their own schools rather than inclusion. 

Another consideration is that teachers' abilities to integrate ICT in the delivery of lessons will vary from school to school, from teacher to teacher. If equity is the goal, then the teacher training must be expanded to include teachers all over the nation , in denominational and government school of all different disciplines. The training should not be a 'one time' event but rather an ongoing professional development training. 

Furthermore, the MOE should consider posting a resident ICT expert at each school to whom teachers could refer if they need help with equipment or integrating ICT in their lessons. If that is not possible, at least an ICT expert could be assigned to a small  group of schools for which he is responsible for giving technical support.]]> 2018-05-01 18:35:17 UTC https://padlet.com/modernlanguages/8nv8ol3veqs1/wish/256993091