What is digital pedagogy? Digital pedagogy is not using
digital technologies for teaching but rather approaching these technological
tools from a critical pedagogical perspective.
The article asks an important question regarding digital
pedagogy: does it have to be electronic? Technology has become such a big part
of our lives and we simply cannot imagine our day to day life without it which
brings us back to their question: can digital pedagogy exist without it? There
are both positive and negative connotations linked to this debate but one thing
is for certain, the digital and non-digital are both tools that can be equally
helpful when teaching.
The article suggests that we must not only explore
unfamiliar technologies but also de-familiarize those we think we already know.
This is very important since it is assumed that everyone is on the same page
when it comes to the use of technology. For example, it was expected from the
students in my PGCE class to create their own blog and link this with their
current or new twitter account. It occurred to me after our lecturer briefly
explained how to set up both accounts that there are still people who struggle
to understand the concept of technology and that this might not be the most effective
tool to further their knowledge. This does not mean their abilities are
considered inferior to those who thrive on technology; it simply means we
cannot assume a general method for each learner since this might lead to
conformity which in my opinion is not the best practice... Anyway, back to the
article:
José Bowen, a dean at Southern Methodist University suggests
we start “teaching naked”. This means removing all the computers and projectors
from the classroom. He promotes in-person discussions that have been displaced
by these technologies. Similar approaches have been followed by high school
teachers. To me this is a very drastic approach. Although I agree that the
focus has been placed on the technology rather than the actual information
teachers are trying to get across, I firmly believe this has happened since not
enough time has been spent on intertwining the two tools in a way that the
learners do not get side tracked by e.g. the video being showed rather than the
content that is being given. Teachers merely have to be more creative when
combining lessons with technology.
To answer the articles question whether or not digital
pedagogy has to be electronic, I would say no. This does not mean other ways
have to be used to work around technology when teaching but simply that when
these digital tools are being used, they should not be used for the sake of only
using them but rather ensuring they serve a purpose and further the learners’
knowledge.
No comments:
Post a Comment