FEYZA SUNÇA
english teacher I translator I life-long learner
Philosophy of Educational Technology
Even though I was born long before the spread and adoption of digital technology, which makes me a digital immigrant, I am fully aware that as a teacher I need to keep up with the digital natives who have been interacting with technology since their infancy. I believe, technology is an indispensible part of both our lives and education. Schools started to embrace technology a pretty long time ago and teachers are asked to engage in digital teaching environment in order to create more active participation and motivation. Thus, I believe it is imperative for teachers to adopt new technologies, learn how to use and implement them into the classrooms and make the most of the technology.
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As a teacher, I know the importance of the technology use in the classrooms and sometimes I experience challanges - it is not about knowing how to use the technology but knowing how to implement it. The classroom may be fully equipped with advanced technological devices but the real challange is keeping students motivated, included and engaged in the tasks designed with technology. Teachers should find out how technology can direct learning in the classroom and they should reconsider their methods and activities accordingly.
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As John Dewey once said “If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow.” It makes a greater sense today as we are in the age of information and we need to combine education and technology. From my point of view, teachers of today cannot simply insist on using traditional methods or the same old materials and then expect good results. We must seek for innovative ways to integrate technology to our classrooms effectively and challange students with critical and analytical thinking, problem solving, decision making tasks. The technology is supposed to be used to offer authentic learning atmosphere and student-centered environment. It should also be noted that bringing technology to classrooms alone will not be sufficient. A teacher should adopt the new thinking ways and merge them with technology to foster an effective and constructivist environment of education. It is a must for teachers to connect digital learning with real-life apps. Teachers need to be flexible and well-informed to facilitate and also guide students for the most appropriate and beneficial way to use those apps.
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As a life-long learner myself, I want my students to be aware of life long learning and try to keep up with the world as it constantly changes, to adopt novel skills that would fit the requirements of their personal and professional development. For the technology usage in education, I want to be a digital inspirer, mentor and facilitator for them. It encourages and motivates me to see my students using various technologies in order to solve problems, find solutions, collaborate and construct their own learning styles. I want to see that my students are not just sitting around as passive-listeners but actively participating and engaging as doers.