I remember when I started my career as a teacher, I mainly focused on traditional classroom designs. However, during the pandemic, this completely transformed into a technological format. As I read in one of the books, these transitions can be seen as old wine in new bottles where traditional teaching methods were simply adapted into digital formats. This shift began with practices like online classes and recorded sessions, which increased access and flexibility for students.
Initially, I had technophobia and always avoided using digital gadgets. However, COVID-19 forced me out of my comfort zone to adapt to technology and make my teaching more effective. During this time, I learned how to use blended learning methods, which completely changed my teaching style. This not only enhanced the quality of education but also made classrooms more interactive, fascinating, and engaging.
If I talk about challenges, in the beginning, I faced issues such as unfamiliarity with digital tools, network glitches, and the time-consuming nature of preparing online activities. It required extra effort and patience to overcome these hurdles.
Once I got past these challenges, I realized the immense opportunities technology offers. It became the easiest way to teach students, allowing for more flexible and interactive classrooms. It made education more effective and impactful, especially for students pursuing remote studies. As it is mentioned in the given video too.
Thus, this integration of technology not only enhanced my teaching but also helped me move beyond traditional methods. Thanks to these advancements, I am now confident in using technological tools and can continue to improve my teaching practices.
Hey Sonia
Your journey from technophobia to embracing technology in teaching is truly inspiring. It’s clear that the pandemic forced many educators out of their comfort zones, but it’s great to see how you turned challenges into opportunities. Your experience shows that while the initial transition to online and blended learning can be daunting, it can ultimately lead to more flexible, engaging, and effective classrooms. Your story reflects the growth and potential for teachers to adapt and thrive in a tech-driven educational landscape.
Hi Sonia!
An interesting blog about how you progressed from being a technophobic person to someone who is comfortable integrating technology in the classroom. I read your linked article about how the streamed lectures are sent online for students who want to attend online and realise that I have watched a similar class. It was of the Professor Vinay Lal. There are, as your videos depicts, many advantages of learning online and once we redesign the course, there is flexibility for the students.
Hi Sonia,
Your journey from technophobia to confidently using blended learning is truly inspiring! It’s amazing how the pandemic, despite its challenges, pushed educators to explore new ways of teaching and learning. Your comparison of digital education to “old wine in new bottles” is thought-provoking—it highlights how traditional teaching methods were adapted rather than entirely transformed.