Teachers encouraged to make use of technology

Challenger said significant strides have been made in  technological learning
Challenger said significant strides have been made in technological learning

Dominican teachers have been advised to become orchestrators of learning and were told to make use of technology by Principal of the Dominica Seventh Day Adventist School, Carlotta Challenger.

Challenger was the keynote speaker at the Dominica Association of Teachers (DAT) 12th Biennial Conference held on Wednesday morning under the theme “Enhancing Education through Technology, the Educator’s Role.”

She explained that the education system has made significant strides in the use of technology and educators have come from every era.

“Our education system boasts educators from every era,” she stated. “There are those who enter the system when all that was needed to enhance the learning environment were notebooks, pens and pencils, others came aboard where textbooks were introduced, another group came aboard in the desktop and laptop millennium … today we have those who use power points to teach every lesson.”

According to Challenger, teachers must take a ‘hands on’ approach to learning and technology must be maximized.

“We are encouraged as educators to maximize the use of technology to enhance the quality of education delivered in our teaching and learning environment,” she stated.

She noted further that although technology in the classroom carries many benefits, it also carries a number of detriments but if it is well managed, technology is beneficial as an educational tool.

“Whereas chalk and talk may be overused leading to boredom, there is no such thing as too much technology in the classroom … it is a necessity,” Challenger stated. “In a technological age we as educators cannot afford to be technologically illiterate. Educators need to be educated with regards to that which will enhance the classroom.”

Meantime, Minister for Education Petter Saint Jean noted that technology training for teachers should be focused on application for instruction.

“Educators must experience a rebirth in the degree of receptivity to the active use of technology in the modern classroom,” he said. “In order for you as educators to embrace technology as a learning tool you must feel comfortable with the use of technology yourself as an individual. Hence, technology training for educators should focus less on administrative functions, assessment and communication and more on application for instruction.”

Saint Jean pointed out further that the rapid and constant change of pace in technology is creating opportunities and challenges for the education system.

“With the use of technology as a natural component of our daily life there is renewed urgency to make technology part of the daily classroom experiences for our students,” he said.

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14 Comments

  1. anonymous2
    April 26, 2014

    This is why the kids get out of school and still don’t know anything. Gadgets should be secondary. Relying on computers will leave you holding the bag when the controllers cut you off.

  2. Pestle
    April 24, 2014

    Mrs. Nicholas should start negotiating for teachers to get:

    an increase in their salary.
    appointment for all teachers.
    better working conditions.
    materials for doing an effective job.

    Instead of that conference telling teachers what they should be doing every year.

  3. Pestle
    April 24, 2014

    I agree with Mrs. Challenger, but are these technonolgy readily available at the school?

  4. Davianna
    April 24, 2014

    I am so happy that this is being inforced but I’m most proud of my aunt for doing this to help other children in other countries AUNTY YOUR AWESOME LOVE YOU :)

  5. Laura
    April 23, 2014

    Exceptional presentation Mrs. Challenger. Technology is a viable tool that teachers need to utilize to meet the desperate need of our low performing students. As a Special Educator/Inclusion Specialist I can attest to the strides that my students have made with the introduction of technology in the classroom.

  6. Anonymous
    April 23, 2014

    welll done

  7. Pastcolleague
    April 23, 2014

    I am so proud of my past principal, mentor and friend. Without a doubt she webbed all the era’s together well, to bring across the point of the learning curve. Well done Mrs. Challenger may God continue to use you to educate, inspire and motivate his people.

  8. Anonymous
    April 23, 2014

    We do need technology at schools and its nice to listen to those well written speech, BUT how many schools have good computers and the materials for the technology. I know its not many of them.

    • Anonymous
      April 24, 2014

      With all due respect to Mrs Challenger, I certainly agree with you! Her school is one that is lacking for sure! So I hope she is not stressing out the teachers there to “work miracles”. A vision like that must be backed up by proper resources and equipment and each school should be encouraged to work within its technological limitations and progress as needed resources are available! We should not seek to bite off more than we can chew!
      Great speech though, well delivered. God Bless!

  9. Attendee
    April 23, 2014

    The keynote speaker did an excellent job, she was poised and delivered with such confidence. Yes we were encouraged to maximize technology as we change the mode of our classroom. Great job Mrs. Challenger.

  10. anonymous
    April 23, 2014

    :roll: :oops:

  11. Anonymous
    April 23, 2014

    yay : :roll: :oops:

  12. Anonymous
    April 23, 2014

    indeed!!

  13. Anonymous
    April 23, 2014

    I agree with you. But does someone stop and think, teachers teach, give but a alas it is time for an increase in salary or benefits, an insurance something please

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