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XueChen Wang

In-class Content Response II

McGill University
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What are the new technological skills you learned this semester and how will you use
them in your future classroom? What could be the possible challenges you may face in
terms of integrating these learned tools in your future classroom? How does Neil
Selwyn’s video relate to your learning experiences of EDEC 262?

In order to make us professional and technologically well-equipped teachers before our

first field experience, the prof showed us how to properly search for information and media
online, edit videos, edit images, create a graphic novel (comic strips), create storyboards, edit
audio files, code a simple game, work with Prezi (inserting path and YouTube videos) as well as
build up a whole website with Weebly, Wix and WordPress. To do so, we have used great tools
(many free open-source apps) such as Canva, Adobe Spark, GIMP, Audacity, Scratch, Touch
Develop, Youtube, Prezi, etc. I have also learned to manage my files by using MyCourses and
Google Drive. As a teacher, great file management would be as important as desk cleaning:
being able to find the paperwork I need right away is the first step stone to all daily tasks of a
teacher. Moreover, I will be able to use Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides and Prezi to create
visual supports for my lesson (replacing the conventional writing board); I will be able to create
podcasts for my students by using the Audacity app; I can create my own video clips with the
lovely Adobe Spark or present to my student high-quality educational videos already uploaded
to YouTube, such as Khan Academy, Geography Now, Coaching Badminton, etc.

There are so many ways to take full benefits of the technology in my classroom and it
would be impossible to name all of them. However, it would essential to keep my critical
thinking, brainstorm and reflect often on the usages and the benefits of my technologies and
apply the SAMR model while infusing technology into my teaching and my student’s learning. It
is in fact very difficult because our society is constantly and ever-changing. Thus, it is a lifelong
ongoing process of learning and adjusting to match the needs of society and students. In
addition, it is hard to move forward in the learning and acquiring of new technology skills. For
example, if I am familiar with Microsoft PowerPoint and feel comfortable preparing all my lesson
lecture slides using PowerPoint, it would be hard for me to get out of my comfort zone
(PowerPoint) to try out the alternative tools that can replace that tool (such as Google Slides or
Prezi). However, without having tried all three and compare all three side by side, it would be
impossible to tell which tool matches my lessons the best. It is difficult to come out of one’s
comfort zone and invest extra time and energy to discover new educational tools. It is so easy to
remain sedentary in this quest: slow down the pace, stop walking forward and stay where we
are forever. In my opinion, it is normal to have our favourite tool, but it will never be an excuse
for not having an open spirit. This is a crucial reminder for myself.

In his lecture, Doctor Neil Selwyn truly touched my heart when discussing his third
question: “How can we move forward?” While talking about it, he mentioned how hard is moving
forward in the integration of digital technology in education. He also mentioned that we have
already tried doing so since about forty years ago, but it is still difficult. This strongly relates to
my learning experience within the course of EDEC 262. The famous ancient Greek philosopher
Socrates once said to his disciples: “the more I know, the more I realize I know nothing.”
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Similarly, the more I get in touch with technology and learn about integrating technology in
education, the more I realize and acknowledge the complexity and diversity of technology. This
can be explained by many factors: the complex nature of technology, the speedy evolution of
technology world, the difficulty of teaching, the complexity of human brain (memory, learning
style, psychology, affections, etc.), the numerous needs of children, the ever-changing social
norms and values, the bureaucratic ministry curriculum and requirements, etc. In reality, during
my learning within the course of EDEC 262, we have discussed the concept of “privacy”.
Indeed, technology makes our daily life, teaching and learning more convenient. However, such
a tool that is leading the current social transition phenomena (informatization and digitalization)
is also exposing our privacy and private life in risks. There is always a dark side on the Moon. I
think that this partially explains why the full integration of technology in education has taken
such a long time and still hasn’t stopped. Nevertheless, there’s no way I, as a professional
teacher trained by McGill University, am giving up during this lifelong process of discovery and
learning (technology).

Thank you for your passion throughout the whole semester! Enjoy your summer!