Learning area expanded

Originally I decided to learn about the meerkat telescopes but I also warned that I would very likely change my mind and I have. This past month the Cape seems to have been engulfed by flames. Fynbos needs to burn every 10 to 15 years. I know the reasons why; seeds being activated by smoke, old growth being removed and nutrients being cycled. What I am unsure of is how these natural fires start. This is what I will be investigating.

Pedagogue vs teacher vs curriculum technician

What is the role of training? Are some people born with the ability to be an excellent teacher or are they born with the desire to become one? What role has training had in my journey thus far?

I think training plays a very important role, but that the desire to be a good teacher needs to be there first. The term pedagogue has some negative connotations such as being pedantic and very strict. Is this as a result of training? I think that is partly nature, but also the system that the teacher finds them self in, there are so many minor administrative details which have to be correct, so many forms which must be filled in. Further training if it is too legalistic may create the need for teachers to become like this if they wish to pass the training.

Curriculum technicians I think are produced by the education system. This has forced teachers to follow a set regime and has removed so much chance for imagination and creativity.

Teachers I think find a balance between curriculum expectations, administrative duties and still add the personal joy which originally lead them to follow this career path.

MeerKAT

I'm not very sure of the subject that I want to learn about yet, I mean there are so many interesting things out there, but I also want something substantial and which can be applied to my subjects (Life Science, Natural Science and Mathematical Literacy). So I decided to research SKA (Square Kilometer Array) telescope. This more preliminary, knowing me I will probably find something more interesting and change my mind. Like a meerkat popping in and out of its hole.

Question of the Week 2

The different approaches to digital pedagogy

Interdisciplinary learning - Combining different subject areas. Through the use of digital media various subjects are combined and make more applicable to everyday life.

Discovery learning - Activities designed in such as way that pupils discover knowledge for themselves. Technology makes this very easy and accessible.

Differentiated learning - Different learning styles are sued to develop cognitive and effective domains. Through the use of technology many different senses and ways of thinking can be developed.

Experiential learning - Experiences are used as learning, similarly to discovery learning, pupils find knowledge for themselves an learn how to apply it through experience. Teachers need to facilitate the process and encourage it.

 These are some of the approaches to pedagogy and can be heightened through the sue of technology. How this would be applied in the classroom is up to the teacher.

Reference

http://resources4rethinking.ca/en/resource-review-tool/pedapp