A. I am your friend. I don’t work in education. You are talking to me about the idea that we all learn from each other, in all kinds of contexts, and that this can often be richer than more formal classroom based learning. I am sceptical. Tell me about an informal learning experience you have had online in which collaboration was involved, show me a concrete example to help me to see what you mean.
It went back to 2005 when I had my first course online with Oregon University. We used the blackboard as a discussion forum online. My grade was “A”. I had 123/130 marks for all my contributions. The theme was about the implementation of critical thinking in our classroom. There was a group of 20 international participants who engaged a wonderful opportunity and a marvelous course on line. I was really thankful to those people who value knowledge. The latter is an endless process. The more you acquire the more you feel that you know nothing in this huge bulk infinity of information.
It was truly professional development. It took the normal and the sufficient time to review all teaching and instructional materials. I am, now, more confident in indulging and taking risks in public discussions in this issue of critical thinking skills and strategies.
It was an invitation to share this effort with the rest of colleagues and inspire others. The world is changing let’s be one of the tiles that contribute to the perfection of this change. If we do not try, we will be left behind.
Since then, I have introduced technology in my classroom using Yahoo-groups to make better my student performance and achievements. Not only the students were amazed, but also their parents and administration were thrilled by the school results and the etiquettes the students have learnt in their commitment in to contribute and submit their assignments online.
B. We all explore new technologies, some grab our attention more than others, some seem revolutionary, others simply bore us. Tell us about that new tool, or set of tools, you have just discovered that really excites you, talk about the potential it has to change your work. What do you want to do with it?
It is nice to talk about the PBwiki experience this year and the amount of knowledge and expertise I have become learned. The PBwiki team was patient and care to share. Now, I am persuading my colleagues and inviting my students to have their own PBwiki. I am planning to have a common PBwiki for every class as a platform. I participated in the competition of back to school challenge
http://www.backtoschoolchallenge.com/
This morning, I am the second one in the leader board out of 6264 participants. I have 1465 points. This PBwiki experience open me many doors to enhance my technology skills and train other teachers to be acquainted with the use of technology. My students will be the first to benefit from what I have learnt.
C. Do you see yourself as a pioneer? Do you think you are more innovative than others in your organisation? Do you think your organisation is lagging behind? Tell us how you feel about this?
I would say I am among the pioneer in my area. I have contributed a lot. I was the one who set an English regional resource center and keep maintaining and encouraging more students and teachers to join for the sake of knowledge and experience. Also, I was behind the idea of setting a local branch of the Moroccan Association of teachers of English http://www.mate.org.ma/. This association was behind the enrichment of my professional development. What’s more is the experience in Kent State University in Ohio where I learned better through designing instruction course and technology class and through participation in the ongoing seminars and conferences.
