Part of my job is looking at new technologies to use in Teaching and Learning. You know the kind of stuff , social networks, mobile phones, digital cameras, online learning platforms, electronic whiteboards etc.
Well the first things I would miss would be my mobile phone, camera and laptop, a day without Facebook, texts, video calling, Moodle, Mahara, Twitter etc. I use my mobile phone as part of my work, family life and as a student on BSL, it is always hanging around my neck. My mobile is my lifeline to contact my family, other students, colleagues and also my tutors (who are deaf). In work we are looking at how we can use Moodle and Mahara to support teaching and learning and as I am also a student we have been able to explore the use of Moodle to display teaching/learning materials, assignments and coursework and Mahara to interact with the tutor and other students using blogs, wikis and views.
It has been great being able to use the blog feature in Mahara to display my homework, add links to supporting documents and post videos of me signing, the tutor can view these files and then feedback to us online or in class. This has been very useful as it motivates you to complete your homework video because you know your tutor can look at the videos as soon as you post them. You are not waiting till you get into class to hand in your homework, although this is still offered to those who have not yet adopted the technology and then wait till the following week for feedback.
As a British Sign Language student it has been very useful to me as I can add links to youtube of people signing, watch BBC iPlayer to view signed programmes. BSL is a visual course and by just being able to use a webcam to communicate with other BSL students or Deaf people using sign language instead of typing text messages makes all the difference as the meaning of the communication can get lost in typed text, whereas if you can see the person you can also read their body language, facial expressions etc.
There are new websites that offer blogs for everyone, deafblogs.net is a blogging site that offers people a chance to communicate within the Deaf community and also advertises events, News reports and other facilities that support the Deaf community. Websites offer video clips of people signing words or sentences that you can watch and practice at your leisure.
I also love using the Interactive Whiteboard, it opens up a new world to students as it can be used to motivate and get students up and interacting with the lesson. Using interactive tools, displaying videos, powerpoints, flash or just having students actively participating at the board in the lesson can make the difference between a good lesson and a great lesson.
TTYL Belinda Caulfield ILT Facilitator
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