Five minutes with Kay Denning

Kay Denning of Hannaford State School won a Smart Classrooms Teacher Award in 2008. She says just when she thinks she's found the most exciting ICT ever, she discovers something else. Kay chats with us about how she has made ICT so integral to teaching and learning.

What's your ICT learning journey been like?
It's ongoing, with time being the only major limitation.

How has Smart Classrooms helped?
It has provided me with some fantastic opportunities. I was involved in the personal digital assistant (PDA) trial in 2005 where I learned the value of portable technology devices asides from laptop computers. The Smart Classrooms website is always useful for finding out what is new and currently happening around the state.

When did you first start using ICT for teaching?
It was in my first years of teaching that I began using ICT, but I focused more on skills than pedagogy. I was working in a preschool setting and we had just purchased new iMacs for the kindergarten and preschool rooms. I had a set of skills that students worked on and demonstrated to receive independent access to the computers.

While it seems a bit draconian now, at the time most students did not have access to a computer at home and were prone to just clicking randomly, a few thousand times. After students had completed the skills lessons, they were proficient at turning the computers on and off and using them appropriately. They also had extended their vocabulary and had a metalanguage to use when they talked about how they used computers.

What's a typical day now like, in your classroom?
It varies greatly depending on the activity. Students can work independently on research activities using the materials available in the virtual classroom as a scaffold.

Collaborative and brainstorming activities involve the interactive whiteboard. These activities can be whole-class or small-group (teacher directed and independent).

Students in activity rotations use computer games consoles such as Nintendo DS Lites to develop cognitive and visual processing skills. They may also use the Wii to develop fine and gross motor manipulative skills, hand-eye coordination, and literacy and numeracy skills.

What would you say is the most exciting thing you do with ICT?
Trying new things whenever the chance arises. Checking out websites that friends recommend. Trying new devices, allowing students to explore the potential of programs and devices. Just when I think I have found the most exciting thing, I discover something else!

What are you doing now, that you were not doing before you began using ICT for teaching and learning?
I am using my laptop constantly in the classroom, and using an interactive whiteboard and a virtual classroom.

Do you think using ICT is changing your pedagogy?
Yes it is because I find I am more flexible in my approach and students are more involved and have more control over the direction their learning takes.

Is your use of ICT benefiting your students?
Yes because they are learning skills they will transfer to their lives beyond school: at home, in the community and in their future work.

When did you really warm to the concept of digital pedagogy?
Since I have been working at Hannaford State School, I have really embraced the concept of digital pedagogy. I think this is largely because I have control over the resources I need. I have also seen first-hand how students respond in such a positive way. They are more actively engaged in the learning experiences and gain more real-world skills.

What encouraged you to warm to that concept?
The great response from students and the way it has enhanced their learning.

What have you found to be best thing about digital pedagogy?
It supports scaffolded learning as well as high-quality collaboration. It also promotes higher-order thinking skills.

Do you think all teachers should embrace digital pedagogy?
Yes because our world is changing and if students aren't equipped to live successful lives within that environment using the tools available to them, then we are doing them a disservice. Despite some initial challenges, I have found the use of digital pedagogies just makes good teaching better!

Any advice for teachers who are just starting their journey to embrace digital pedagogy?
Everybody has days when they get frustrated when things don't work the way they should. Don't give up! It sometimes makes you more creative! Set up a peer network to support and challenge each other and to pat each other on the back when you have successes.