The Naked Teacher :)

A low-tech approach to teaching? The kinda class that forms its basis around the interaction between learners and the teacher, co-constructing meaning. In an environment that isn’t ENTIRELY focused on technology??? YAAAASSSS!

However let me not be entirely obtuse. I am NOT oblivious to the advantages of digital pedagogies.

This here will be my rant about my love-hate relationship with technology and how it’s being used in a pedagogical (pretty sure I’m still saying pedagogical wrong) setting.

Teaching NAKED! Naked Teaching! I think naked teaching forms its basis on actually considering classroom content, and implementing the most effective way of translating that to students and trying to connect with them. The best classes are the ones that stimulate an interest and bring about enthusiasm. And if you can do that more effectively without the use of technology, why not?

My feelings toward technological advances within an educational sense are based entirely on experiences I’ve had within the classroom. I do think that when teaching and using technology, as educators we have to think of the possible interruptions or interferences technology can bring to the learning process. In some classes, technology has been completely overused; if most of the teaching is done using a computer, or a powerpoint presentation students' needs are NOT being met. Technology should be used to SUPPLEMENT or ENHANCE the curriculum, not be relied on as the sole source of learning.

I think I do need to highlight that I’m definitely not ‘anti-technology’ rather just anti the way it’s currently being used. The issue actually isn’t even technology, but rather creating an environment where technology is used well and effectively.

This is not to say that education needs to be free of technology. The future is digital, hate it or love it and to educate students without developing digital literacy is going to leave them unprepared. So, to simply eliminate technology isn’t actually addressing the central issue.

Whether educators introduce technology into their teaching or not, students are still going to be taking notes on tablets or Ipads, texting each other about the class, creating Facebook or WhatsApp study groups, etc. etc. etc. I do however hope that there might be days when a good old-fashioned, low-tech or even no-tech discussion takes place