The teacher's role

Teacher’s role has experienced a dramatic change with the introduction of IT during the recent years. Teachers used to be the authorities of a special field and the only source of information. However, students now can search whatever information on the web, and the technological part of the teacher's job has been taken place by computers. So knowledge delivery is no longer the key of the teacher’s role; it has been shifted to help students become autonomous learners. Teachers’ may become facilitators, helpers, guides, counsellors, advisers, managers of learning resources.
In fact, it is not easy for them to change their role from purveyor of information to other roles as mentioned previously. Many teachers cannot let go this role because they probably think that it is their responsibility to make sure that everything is taught and made clear to the learners. it still need some time for a full change of teacher’s role.

sources of information
http: // www. edu.cn
http: //www.chinaonlineedu.com

Bill Gates' predictions and the reality in China

In his The Road Ahead, Bill Gates depicts a wonderful picture about how IT could change our lives, the way of educaiton in particular. From the inspiring descprition, we are positive about the future of teaching environment. Generally, three facors have been changed. One is the geographical change, the other is the teaching method, the last one is the relationship among students. As a matter of fact, IT technonology has also been adopted by educators in China. Teachers use on line materials for listening and reading. Some teachers make students to hand in the soft copy of the assignments via e-mail. Students have free access to the webs that they think are useful. and most importantly, there is a strong encouragement of student-centered learning and collaborative learning. however, differences also exist. For example, the very traditional chalk-and -blackboard method still work well in the delivery of some courses; teachers still refer to the written textbooks in their teaching,etc. So, in China, IT has not been given a full play.Besides, the biggest sideeffect IT has brought about is the electronic games. young people are crazy for it, students stay up for the whole night playing it. I don't know whether it is typical to China or it is a universal phenomenon.

new start

i have set up a blog today