Implementing and Reflecting on EdTech in My Teaching Practice

Pedagogy should drive the technology and not the other way around

Allan Carrington


While pursuing my MA in Learning and Teaching at Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT), I had an opportunity to learn the module 'Innovating Learning and Teaching’ (ILT) that I am convinced completely transformed my attitude towards my learning and teaching practice.

Studying this module, we were exposed to a wide range of innovative tools and educational platforms. Each lesson was a discovery for me, where I could learn how to integrate latest technologies and explore educational platforms. While getting acquainted with every single new thing for me I immediately put it into my teaching practice. I was inspired and motivated to bring this knowledge to my students and created a variety of activities and could adapt them to my learners’ level of proficiency. I learnt how to use Ghat GPT ethically and turned our interaction to an educational experience where I learnt how to use different strategies and methods, how to integrate a particular activity depending on the objective that I want to achieve. 

I found out a great number of AI tools and platforms that I did not know existed such as AI slides that can help to create presentations in a very short time and make it attractive and easy to use. Moreover, I could design a variety of games and online activities using websites Book widgets, Bamboozle, Quizzes, Canva, Padlet that made my lessons more engaging and dynamic. I realized AI tools and new technologies facilitate interactive and collaborative learning.

Currently, I am integrating Educational Technology (EdTech) tools into my teaching practice to improve the learning experience of my students. Through the use of digital learning platforms, I have the chance to offer equal opportunities to all students to learn. Regardless of abilities or disabilities, they can access and engage with the educational program. In addition, I realized that it is not necessary to do one and the same homework or test in order to show the understanding of the context (Nagar, 2023). If one of the formats is suitable and doable for one, this can be unattractive or impossible to cope with for another. But it does not mean this student does not know the subject. It means I should give them a chance to show their knowledge by other more appropriate methods.

Now, I am on my way to become digitally savvy and flexible in order to teach my digital native learners that require completely another methods and approaches. I believe that today’s teachers need to prioritize the needs of their learners and adapt their approach by adjusting the curriculum. Making learning accessible and diversified is essential to meet the demand of this new digitally driven generation (Haleem et al., 2022).

 

References

Haleem, A., Javaid, M., Qadri, M.A. and Suman, R. (2022). Understanding the role of digital technologies in education: A review. Sustainable Operations and Computers, [online] 3(3), pp.275-285. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susoc.2022.05.004.

Nagar, K. (2023). AI in Education: How EdTech Startups Can Implement It? [online] MindInventory. Available from: https://www.mindinventory.com/blog/how-ai-is-transforming-education-industry/.[Accessed 15 December 2023].

 

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