Keep things interesting

“Pedagogy has at its core timeliness, mindfulness and improvisation.”

So. There I find myself again contemplating the concept of digital pedagogy. Not only is it a strange word to pronounce but it gets even stranger when trying to identify what it means. Digital obviously has to do with technology and Pedagogy well that’s just a weird word right? Wrong. Digital pedagogy is not simply the use of technology is classrooms. Nor does it refer to teaching online (and I’m sure a few of us thought it did) or posting class notes online. So what is digital pedagogy? Well that’s a really good question.

Digital pedagogy is a way of living (yes I said it). It’s not strictly about the tools you use, the way you speak or going online. Pedagogy is a concept that forms part of who you are as a teacher. I know this sounds weird so let me explain further. First let’s drop the “digital” for a moment. According to @slamteacher pedagogy is present wherever learning is taking place. Pedagogy is about engagement between people that enables learning. Pedagogy is about innovation. Reinventing the way you teach when the situation demands it. It aims to create a passion for learning that doesn’t simply disappear when the exams are done (as most of our “knowledge” disappeared during school).

Pedagogy at its core refers to innovation and improvisation. So what does this mean? It simply means that a pedagogue (yes that it a word) always looks at what they are teaching and think, how can I improve this? How can I change what I am doing to make this a worthwhile experience for my learners?

Now for the “digital” part. Digital (pedagogy) is about adapting to the technological revolution our generation is experiencing. However (if you read my previous post, plus thank you for doing so) it’s not about bombarding your learners with technological tools in the class room. It means you don’t need to be afraid of it. According to @jessifer you as a teachers should teach your tools not simply let your tools teach you. Use the computer if you want but don’t let technology replace who you are as a teacher. Then you’re not a pedagogue and definitely not a digital one. So use the tools (don’t be one). And discover new things along the way. There’s no shame in stumbling around in the dark because how else are we supposed to find something new and interesting if we don’t go look for it in unknown places?

So no, digital pedagogy is not about teaching online (I hope we established this), nor is it simply about going “digital”. Pedagogy is a way of thinking and it’s a way of being teachers. It’s about seeing how thing are and what is being done and thinking how can I improve this. So be pedagogical (I really didn’t know this was a word but I guess it is!) and reinvent the way you teach. Take your learners outside to inspire them to write a descriptive essay, play monopoly to help them to understand money (I am not a math teacher so try this at your own risk). Screw around with different techniques (yes this material has some very dubious chose of words) and keep learning new things and play around with how you teach. Do something different and keep learning how to establish new ways of teaching and keep things interesting.