Field Trip
Our last week´s session did not take place as usual in one of the computer rooms of the Philfak, instead we visited the Martin Luther Schule in Marburg to take a closer look at their media equipment. Our teacher arranged a guided tour through the school and the classrooms. For us, as future teachers, it was really interesting to see in what extend today´s schools already make use of new media and thus, how our daily classroom routine will look like in a few years.
_The tour started on the ground floor, where we visited the staff room. Besides the usual furniture as tables and chairs, this room also had two computers for the school´s media booking system. Teachers are able to book media equipment such as laptops, DVD-players, overhead projectors, beamers or computer rooms. Moreover, it is even possible to make use of the system using your own computer at home. So, while teachers prepare their lessons, they cannot just include the media equipment they can easily even book it. Furthermore, teachers use the system to enroll class tests.
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The next stop was the library which offers a great
diversity of books as well as four computers with internet access. Although pupils
are allowed to use the computers during their breaks and free periods, they
need a so-called internet license to make use of the internet access. Thus,
pupils have to register with a special ID containing the signature of a parent
which permits the internet usage. In today´s everyday lessons the internet becomes
increasingly important and part of the education. Thus, pupils get introduced
to the internet in almost all subjects. Often they have to work with it e.g. in
research projects. So, those pupils who did not have the parental permission of
the internet usage are nevertheless allowed to work with the internet under the
supervision of a teacher.
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Then we visited a classroom that was provided with a
media locker. The locker contains all necessary media equipment such as a big
flat screen, loudspeakers and a laptop to be able to give media oriented lessons.
About every second class is equipped with that kind of locker. If necessary
teachers can swap classes in order to make use of the media equipment.
Additionally, the school has two SMART Boards, whereas one is just used by the biology department and the other one is available for all classes. Since the SMART Board usage is new, teachers are allowed to work with it during free periods and breaks e.g. prepare lessons, test functions etc. to achieve a profound knowledge and make adequate use of the SMART Board during classes.
Additionally, the school has two SMART Boards, whereas one is just used by the biology department and the other one is available for all classes. Since the SMART Board usage is new, teachers are allowed to work with it during free periods and breaks e.g. prepare lessons, test functions etc. to achieve a profound knowledge and make adequate use of the SMART Board during classes.
_ Moreover, the school owns a laptop carriage with 16
laptops. Again, it is a portable tool and makes teacher´s life easier. You do
not need to book the computer room, which is located in the top of the building
and therefore do not provide a good working atmosphere especially during hot summer
days. You can rather take the laptop carriage into your classroom and immediately
start working. Furthermore, the school offers a “working room” for the teachers,
where they can correct class tests or simply prepare lessons without getting interrupted
by noises. In that room a computer with internet access is also available. Unfortunately,
WiFi is not yet receivable in the entire
school but only in a few rooms in the main building.
Media concepts
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The Martin Luther Schule provides their students right
from the beginning with a flash pen on which they have a digital schoolbag. Thus,
pupils are introduced to new media already at a young age. They can save
research materials or homework on it. Moreover, pupils in grade five and six are
taught how to use the computer and internet more proper, for example they have
to work with Microsoft Word. Surprisingly enough, teachers do not get advanced trainings
in new media usage. They have to teach and train themselves and collaborate
with other teachers in order to tighten and enhance their computer skills. Currently, the school participates at a test
run called “Moodle” which is an online learning platform, where e.g. different teaching
units from different departments should be linked together. All in all, the
school receives 50.000 Euro each year. With that money they have to buy copy
paper and all necessary media related items.
Reflection
_In my opinion new media is getting increasingly important
in future classrooms and education. The Martin Luther Schule already provides a
good diversity of different media. I think teachers have to act as role models
and therefore I was really surprised by the fact that they do not get advanced
trainings in media products. In my opinion that should really be changed, since
the internet and new media are getting more and more common. It should be obligatory for teachers to participate in advanced media trainings. Thus, those trainings should be held regularly. Nevertheless, the MLS offers good media concepts and introduces their pupils to media handling already at a young age. In comparison to my school, the MLS could be regarded as a kind of prime example in new media usage.
All in all, I like the concepts of new media and I think that it is really important to attach them to school. Besides a founded knowledge, teachers should also be aware of its risk. Especially the internet could be dangerous for the pupils. Thus, teachers have to explain and work with the media on the one hand but on the other they have to protect their pupils against possible risks. Moreover, I like media-related lesson because pupils are introduced to it already at a young age in order to insert their knowledge properly.
All in all, I like the concepts of new media and I think that it is really important to attach them to school. Besides a founded knowledge, teachers should also be aware of its risk. Especially the internet could be dangerous for the pupils. Thus, teachers have to explain and work with the media on the one hand but on the other they have to protect their pupils against possible risks. Moreover, I like media-related lesson because pupils are introduced to it already at a young age in order to insert their knowledge properly.
Educational Trade Fair
Although the video is from 2007, it gives a good overview of the different new media tools such as SMART Boards, projectors, cameras etc. Moreover, some teachers point out their expectations towards new media in schools.