Final Project Video: Critical Thinking in Distance Education

To access the PowerPoint for the final project, click HERE.

Module 5: Moving Toward Dynamic Technologies

Link to Graphic Organizer

Moller (2008) describes online technologies as being found on a continuum, from static to dynamic. Static technologies imitate the traditional classroom instructional practices whereas dynamic technologies allow the learner to do more than reproduce what someone has told them (Moller 2008). In my own classroom practices, I feel that I fall somewhere along the middle of the continuum. As a seventh grade Language Arts teacher, I incorporate wikis, blogs, and online projects which allow my students to create new knowledge; however, I definitely have room for improvement in terms of moving to the dynamic use of technological tools. Due to a lack of resources and computer availability in my school, I often encounter issues with the implementation of technological resources, especially those available online. Through my educational endeavors, specifically my current classes, I have been exposed to online resources that I had previously never heard of or considered using in my own instructional practices. Through scaffolding and differentiation of instruction, I could definitely incorporate these technologies to engage the learners and meet the needs of my diverse student population.

In addition to my own classroom practices, I can use my current knowledge of static and dynamic technologies to assist my coworkers in improving their current uses of technology. Although I may not have mastered the use of online technologies, I am continuously reviewing various resources and tools. Some teachers lack time and/or the motivation to seek out these online resources. By informing others of this information, I can assist others with the adoption of these innovations while also improving my own practices. Students who are not consistently exposed to opportunities permitting critical thinking often struggle in classrooms which require students to manipulate information and reflect on what they know. Therefore, using online technologies to engage learners should be a community/school wide effort. Online technologies have great potential in the classroom for all learners and it is my responsibility as I pursue my degree in Educational Technology to convey the potential of such technology.

Reference:

Moller, L. (2008). Static and dynamic technological tools. [Unpublished Paper].