This blog entry is about a field trip to the Alfred-Wegener-Schule in Kirchhain. I am going to try to answer two questions about the use of New Media in this school.
Questions:
1) How do the older colleagues react to the use of New Media?
2) Do the teachers at the Alfred-Wegener-Schule think that the use of New Media improves the learning process?
Answers:
1) I found this question very interesting, since we have been talking about the problems with older teachers and the use of New Media during the seminar several times. I really wanted to know whether it is a prejudice or reality. Mr. Schuler, our “school guide”, told us that it is reality in many cases. Many older teachers do have problems to use New Media or to learn how they work. Although the idea is to include New Media in the syllabus, many older teachers argue that they are too old to learn the use of New Media.
2) With this question I tried to investigate what the advantages of New Media are according to an experienced teacher. Mr. Schuler told us that New Media are especially useful in order to motivate the students. The huge variety of possibilities helps the teacher to include every student. Although it is not possible to say that learning becomes more efficient, it is certainly true that teaching has changed and it might become far more interesting for many students.
All in all, the field trip was really interesting, since it provided an insight into the use of New Media in school.
Hi Fabian,
good questions (esp. that one about the old teachers
. Since I wasn’t able to attend your field trip, I’, thankful to get at least sth. to know about Kirchhain’s teachers and their attitude towards New Media, thanks to your blog entry.
I just wonder what the students themselves have had to say about New Media; their perspective may vary from that of the teachers, I guess. But as our lesson has just started, I’ll get to know much more about your trip in a minute, probably…
Cheers,
Matt
By: Matthias van der Minde on June 23, 2009
at 6:25 am
I think that you adressed two very relevant questions about the use of new media in schools. The refusal of older teachers to use new media is certainly a problem, but as Mr. Schuler said. Time will “take care” of this issue.
The second question is important, too. As new media are relatively young, there also needs to be more research on the effectiveness of new media in the learning process.
By: Jan Schweitzer on June 23, 2009
at 6:28 am