Teaching Technologies
Introduction
Technology, if used appropriately, improves learning. In the 21st century, technology has enabled both students and teachers to solve real-world problems in school and non-school settings. In the new curriculum, technology is helping students gain a concrete experience. However, schools such as the Clearwater Primary School have not incorporated the technology due to poverty. Socio-economic status is the greatest barrier to the use of technology and therefore the school is limited to use digital resources. The school use the traditional style of teaching since it is difficult to access digital learning tools. Fortunately, there is significant progress in that the school will receive substantive resources to support technology integration in schools. I have chosen the senior learning community (Grades 5/6) in my report. The purpose of technologies curriculum for this specific grade is to help students use emerging technologies to think critically and innovatively, and more importantly, develop knowledge and understand the virtual worlds. In this particular grade (year 5-6), students need to use digital systems to define problems and design solutions. Students should use collaborative digital projects to communicate and share ideas.
Resources and pedagogical approaches
First, it is important to understand that technological resources are designed to meet the cognitive and developmental needs of this particular grade. The important thing to put in mind is that learners in grades 5 and 6 that is; 10 to 12 years, need to use devices to identify problems and find digital solutions (ACARA, 2012). Another important point for this particular grade is that technology should allow students to consider the ethical impact in local and global settings. In other words, the technological activities provide the students with a sustainability perspective that will enable them to use creative solutions to the complexity and uncertainty (ACARA, 2012). Note that students need knowledge and understanding of the real world and use this technology to bring the environment and social changes. In this case, sustainability means using technology in solving current problems and use the information system to solve problems in the future. Below are the technologies and resources that I believe will help students care about innovative solutions.
Binary coding
The first resource that I would use in this classroom is binary coding. This resource has features such as two symbol systems and computer processor instructions. The purpose of this digital technology is to allow students to store information on computers. First, students will understand the binary numbers and then learn how to use a system of encoding. As an instructor, what I want students to know is that numerical data can be converted into characters such as text and store them into digital devices (Australian Computing Academy, n.d). In simple words, I want students to learn about computer applications and digital communications. As a result, students will develop logical thinking, foster creativity, visualize abstract concepts, and gain literacy skills for problem-solving. The best pedagogical approach when using this resource is integrative approach. Note that in delivering knowledge, it is important to use the best pedagogical approach that promotes a positive teaching-learning process. In using these resources, an integrative approach will connect the students will the real-world and as a result, students will gain conceptual, practical, and experimental knowledge (HEIKKINEN et al, 2011). Note that the integrative approach integrates both theory and practice. In learning about binary coding, students will be able to solve problems not only through the use of formal knowledge but also using practical knowledge.
Binary coding is a problem-based task and therefore students will investigate the software tools and other techniques to represent data. This resource is effective in the 21st century teaching in that by the end of grades 5 and 6, students will know the binary numbers and more importantly, they will develop skills about the digital system, components, and their role in representing data types (Australian Computing Academy, n.d). Another important point to note is that in the 21st century, binary coding will play a significant role in the curriculum in that students will analyze problems and design solutions in terms of data. For example, as students work in collaboration projects, in academic setting, and in the real world, they will provide validated data with the help of information systems (Australian Computing Academy, n.d). Also, binary coding technology is important in that we are in a digital world where data is stored in computers in a binary system. Thus, students need to learn about the technology and more importantly, learn how to represent numbers and letters to communicate information.
Lesson plan template for teachers and timeline template for students.
The second resource that I will use to support the teaching of technology is a template. The Australian Curriculum requires teachers to have curriculum planning for evaluating the student's needs, current practices, and integration point (TpT, n.d). The purpose of the template is to help teachers align the learning program with the curricula. In the 21st century, the lesson plan template will support teaching and learning in that teachers will know the intended outcomes of the curriculum, will understand the students' level of learning, and will use the best teaching style. They will also avoid unnecessary repetition, save time, and align the teaching activities to the curriculum. Finally, the template will enable teachers to plan elegant programs that meet the needs of every student. The school will also develop transparency by having an insight into what is taught and identify areas of improvement. In using the template resources, I will use the technology-based plans to evaluate the achievement standard and the level of proficiency. I will allow the students to have a unique opportunity to record the chronological order of what they have learned and assess their skills (TpT, n.d).The constructivist pedagogical approach will help in creating templates. This approach is student-centered and I will create a plan considering what learners know and what they need to learn (Albion et al. 2017). The goal of this approach is to ensure that the learning activities bring educational change.
Conclusion
In the 21st century, the school curriculum aims to improve teaching and learning and support intellectual curiosity. Schools have recognized the role of digital technologies and they reflect the reality of the digital era. Schools such as Clearwater primary schools has shifted from traditional methodologies to digital technologies to enhance learning.Teaching resources such as Template and binary coding will be integrated into lessons and they will help students gain knowledge and skills that they will apply in the real-world. Students will not only experience a positive learning environment and they will feel like part of society and education. They will develop life-long skills and useful information which they will apply at school and in the real world.
References
AUSTRALIA CURRICULUM ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING AUTHORITY. (ACARA). (2012). The Shape of the Australia Curriculum Technologies. https://docs.acara.edu.au/resources/Shape_of_the_Australian_Curriculum_-_Technologies_-_August_2012.pdf
Albion, P., Campbell, C., & Jobling, W. (2017). Technologies education for the primary years. Cengage
Australian Computing Academy. Unpack the Curriculum. Understand the Australian
Curriculum: Digital Technologies. https://aca.edu.au/curriculum/representation/
HEIKKINEN, H. L., TYNJÄLÄ, P., & KIVINIEMI, U. (2011). 5. INTEGRATIVE
PEDAGOGY IN PRACTICUM.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286824940_Integrative_Pedagogy_in_Practicum
Teachers pay Teachers. (TpT). Planning template Australian curriculum. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Search:planning%20template%20australian%20curriculum/Grade-Level/Fifth
