Five minutes with Leanne Paxton

As a Prep Teacher and participant in the IBM Kidsmart project, Leanne Paxton teaches Gracemere State School's youngest members of the Digital Generation. And while her students might be young, Leanne reports they are amazingly savvy. Most of her students are not just engaging with ICT, they are using technology to take charge of their own learning. Together, Leanne and her students explore the world using virtual classrooms, online project rooms and digital storytelling. Leanne was one of 12 Smart Classrooms Teacher Award winners in 2008.

What's your ICT learning journey been like?
I began my ICT journey with a stand-alone computer and a digital camera to produce pictures to make into class books.

My journey really took shape when I completed the IBM KidSmart program. I now have a vast range of effective strategies to incorporate technology into a play-based curriculum.

I am now looking at more ICT that I can use in my Prep program, in particular an interactive whiteboard.

I am confident enough to try new ICT experiences that promote a deeper knowledge of numeracy and literacy.

How has Smart Classrooms helped?
Smart Classrooms has been an invaluable environment that assists me in making ICT integral to learning at any time or place I choose to use technology.

Smart Classrooms provides information on effective classroom practices and practical student learning opportunities. It has helped by providing a safe space for my students to learn in virtual environments.

When did you first start using ICT for teaching?
I began using a computer and camera in my classroom about 20 years ago.

What was your first ICT activity/project?
Mt first ICT activity was the production of a handbook for parents, explaining how Prep operates.

What's a typical day now like, in your classroom?
In my classroom, it's common to see students move independently between traditional play-based activities such as block or home corner, to activities that involve a digital camera for recording work or enabling reflection. Students also use interactive whiteboards to narrate, draw and save stories; record their ideas on voice recorders; and work in virtual classrooms. They use various software to reinforce basic numeracy and literacy skills.

What would you say is the most exciting thing you do with ICT?
It is hard to identify one activity as much of what occurs is exciting. The activities that present the most rewards are ones that students initiate. These tend to be very hands-on and interactive. Our interactive whiteboard eStories produce amazing learnings, where students design, illustrate, compose and orate their own work.

Do you think using ICT is changing your pedagogy?
ICT is changing my pedagogy. I now distinguish that ICT is not about learning how to use technology. It is about understanding learning outcomes for students who are being brought up in a digital world. My classroom needs to remain relevant to today's learners.

Is your use of ICT benefiting your students?
As I changed my pedagogical practices and technology transcended from stand-alone educational tools to interconnected components of student-initiated learning processes, I have observed that students who were once reluctant to engage in traditional literacy learning experiences were successfully interacting with others and developing a positive attitude to learning.

What have you found to be best thing about digital pedagogy?
I am now confident to try new ICT experiences that enhance, enable, promote and transform flexible learning opportunities in purposeful and meaningful ways.
Digital pedagogy provides an interconnected and integral component of an effective student-negotiated play-based curriculum that makes a significant difference to the learning outcomes of Prep students in the Digital Age.

Any advice for teachers who are just starting their journey to embrace digital pedagogy?
I would advise early childhood teachers to use projects such as Digikids (available through IBM KidSmart) or visit digital classrooms and find a mentor to inspire and inform them.