1 b)

Description

My interest in learning technologies began whilst a classroom teacher. In the mid 90s. Recognising the importance and impact that new technologies, especially the Web, I began developing the skills I would need to exploit the potential on offer. This began with short courses in Web authoring applications like NetObjects Fusion, supplemented and to a large extent dominated by self-study and personal development. It was shortly thereafter that a change in career led to me providing support and guidance for fellow teachers in a wide range of varied applications. I became an interactive whiteboard trainer and since I needed to assist others with office applications, i gained certification in a range of them, together with taking web authoring a stage further. In the same role, I also need to support staff and schools in their adoption of esy.info, the South Yorkshire eLearning Programme’s VLE, so commenced my skills development and understanding of virtual learning environments.

Around the same time, Web2.0 applications and social media were making the authoring and production of content for delivery through the web so much easier. Encouraged as a learner on a Masters programme, I began blogging and exploring social media as the means through which to nurture a professional learning network. This connectedness led to a host of new possibilities, requiring me partly to fulfil the obligations of study, partly in the capacity of my new role as ICT Development Manager and partly out of a keen interest, to become more familiar with and knowledgeable about new technologies.

I now maintain several blogs:

In the pICTure (Wordpress) - discussing the issues around learning technologies.

Practically in the pICTure (Wordpress) - discussing practical examples of the use of technologies in learning

366Web2.0 (Wordpress, with AudioBoo) - a podcast series introducing over 400 Web 2.0 applications.

I use social bookmarking to collect, ‘catalogue’ and share resources:

Diigo for weblinks

Zotero for research papers and articles.

I started a wiki to support other students undertaking research and have a YouTube channel to deliver and curate useful videos.

I used a Google site to 'publish' my second Masters dissertation - 'Student Perceptions of Learning'.

In addition, to support colleagues in their use of our learning platforms, I have needed to become adept in the use of Moodle, SharePoint and now Realsmart/GAfE.

Reflection

Maintaining an awareness of and capability in the range of tools which are now available is quite a challenge … but it’s the challenge which makes it interesting! Without a good grounding in a range of tools, guiding a colleague or student to the right tool to address the task they need to resolve might prove less efficacious. However, given the rate at which new tools become available, colleagues rightly query how it is possible to keep current. The answer is largely that tools from within a particular genre of applications will have similar features, whatever the source. So when using video editing applications, animation software or charting tools, the same basic features in a particular genre can be found across them all; it’s only differences in nuance and perhaps interface that have to be accommodated.

I find that I am to some extent a tinkerer or explorer by nature, so when I come across a new application, I feel obliged to test it out and find whether or how it might be applied within our environment. Gaining familiarity is only possible I feel, by engaging in a realistic activity, so this also requires me to seek a use scenario appropriate to our teachers’ and learners’ needs. By putting myself in their shoes, and creating a meaningful artefact, I feel much better informed and better placed to advise. A serendipitous consequence is that my digital footprint often grows larger with each new tool used, thereby ensuring that I provide a good role model as a learner and with digital citizenship.

In addition to the aformentioned sites and resources, I gained certifications as follows:

• Dreamweaver MX Developer
• ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence)
• Microsoft Office Specialist Master (requiring certification in the following:)
• Microsoft Office Specialist - Access
• Microsoft Office Specialist - Excel
• Microsoft Office Specialist - Outlook
• Microsoft Office Specialist - PowerPoint
• Microsoft Office Specialist - Word

(Copies of certificates can be found below)