Students hold the key to helping their teachers use new technology in the classroom, a panel of experts concluded yesterday, as educators raised complaints over their lack of training.
University lecturer Philip Bonanno pleaded with them to use their students’ intuition for inspiration.
“The moment I got my tablet device my daughter hijacked it. Since then whenever I need to figure something out I just ask her and she knows. Children are incredibly intuitive,” he said during a debate organised by the Institute of Computer Education.
The activity formed part of a series aimed at raising awareness on the use of technology in the classroom.
Teachers present raised concerns over the lack of training available on the use of interactive tools.
“It’s not as easy as walking into class and using the equipment. There is a whole body of work that needs to be adapted,” one teacher said.
Members of the audience insisted they needed comprehensive training before “abandoning” established methodologies.
“Some older teachers are scared to even touch interactive boards and devices, let alone base their whole method on them,” another teacher lamented.
Those yet to enter the classroom also faced a lack of training, according to a University student claiming she had received no instruction on the use of technology in the classroom.
“I have already started my teaching practice as a trainee teacher but I haven’t had a single training session on new technologies,” the student said, adding that she faced a possible fail mark if her technology skills were found to be below par.
Assistant director of e-learning Emm-anuel Zammit said he was aware of the situation and committed to finding a solution.
He told the audience that the lack of training was mainly down to the limited number of hours and human resources available for training teachers and students.
Asked how to tackle the “technological generation divide” by moderator Godfrey Vella, Dr Bonanno said teachers had to get away from established methodologies.
“Teachers must stop looking at themselves as the source of information and rather as the source of guidance towards information,” he said.