It is time to reflect on
7 th week. This week was dedicated to discussion on learner autonomy and
teaching in one computer class. I learned
to use wallwisher as online message board. Students are working with course project.
Learning is life long
process. To be autonomous learners means be able to take charge of own learning
as Holec suggest. We have very closed system in Nepal. There is very little
room for learners’ and teachers’ autonomy in Nepal. One size does not fit all. Almost
all decisions regarding learning needs, goals, content, time, and resources are
imposed by external body. Introduce learners autonomy at once in such context is
more harmful than useful. What a teacher needs to do is gradual transition from
traditional setting to learner autonomy. Learners feel insecure and confused if
they are left on themselves. Learners’ autonomy demands changed role of
teachers. Self access center, study skills training can be instrumental to the journey
toward learners’ autonomy.
Computers are still thing of luxury in most of the
institutes in Nepal. We can do a lot with a computer class. What a teacher
needs to do is learn time management with different learners group. One
computer can be used to keep administrative records, display visual, browse
web, send e mail, process words, and view content on CD ROM, writing process
etc. Projector, loud speaker and printer make teachers job much easier in one
computer class. Dividing students in different group to access and work turn
wise ensure that everyone take advantages of
computer. Otherwise one computer becomes
easy to see and difficult to use tool in the class.
Project work demands learner’s autonomy. Learners go through
transition period before they fully become autonomous learners. My B. Ed students are doing course project. They are using
their mobile phones to browse contents. I want them to much time with computer. They expect much guidance than I offer.
I need to modify my project a little. It is very difficult for me to use lab computer
because of power cut. I am thinking of quieting Nicenet activity now. There is power problem every other day and it
is only forty minutes periods. I will ask them write their essay on copy rather
than post on Nicenet.
I liked the
wallwisher as it gather varieties of resources together. I taught a poem yesterday. I asked students to
write the message of poem on white board similar to our wallwisher. Many students came and wrote on white board. I did
little experiment with virtual techniques on real class. The students loved it.
I think it can be used to brain storm
ideas before the class and consolidate ideas
after the class especially with intermediate students.
Let see how far the
project go. I am waiting 8 th week.