18 February
2016
Thoughts on
Digital Pedagogy
Before coming
to university I had nothing to do with a digital pedagogy. I didn’t even know
that the concept or practice existed. The high school I attended used the very
traditional method of instruction, rarely relying on anything digital, except maybe
for a cd player used for a listening comprehension. I myself am not big on
digital devices or social media, which made the transition into a sort of
digital pedagogy on undergrad level a little difficult, and now with PGCE even
harder. I struggle with it quite frankly…
However, I do recognize
and acknowledge the need and gap for a digital pedagogy in classrooms up until
university level in this day and age. We have to move with the times and as
teachers and future teachers we have to teach our learners with tools, and use
methods that are applicable and relevant to their educational, technological and
social context.
The use of
digital devices in the classroom can be used to engage, motivate and interest
learners into wanting to learn more and do more and to ultimately be more
creative with their devices. Children are using these devices from a much
earlier age these days. I believe that the use of these devices improves their overall
language competences as they learn how to read and write (text) at a much
earlier age. It also improves their communication and social skills, as they
learn to engage and interact on these digital platforms.
Digital
pedagogy can be used in combination with the traditional methods of teaching as
to not lose the “humanity” of teaching and learning. Digital devices do not
necessarily have to replace traditional methods or the traditional role of the
teacher, but can be used as a teaching aid to make learning exciting and to
keep learners/ students actively involved in the teaching and learning process.
These learners are already spending so much time on digital devices, as their
teacher you may as well utilise the practice and turn it into something
educational.
Digital pedagogy
doesn’t necessarily have to involve a digital device. It just has to be a tool
which enable learners to learn in a direct manner. So here it also challenges
the teacher’s creativity. I think that the best way to engage and keep learners
engaged in the classroom is to enlighten, inform and teach them about concepts
in a fresh, creative and entertaining manner and this can be done with a
digital pedagogy.
