Do you think that the medium of instruction has become too much the focus of our attention instead of the students?
Yes, interesting observation. I do think that the focus lies currently on the tools or media to innovate teaching and learning and as such diverts the attention to what is indeed the objective of applying/integrating specific media.
I agree with you, Jef. It seems that in some cases using ICT in the classroom does not promote learning anyhting other than the use of ICT. That's not the goal of the lesson, however, is it? What is more, there are quite a few colleagues who, by using ICT in the classroom, have actually returned to the teacher-centred approach, only now the teacher hides behind the laptop / ipad, or what have you.
In fact, knowledge is independent of the medium of instruction. Assamese was the medium of instruction In my school days. Thereafter, English was the medium of instruction. It is true that one can find books of top quality written in the English language. However, school level education in the vernacular medium is better for acquiring knowledge. At the school level, one does not really need reference books after all.
This is a pertinent question and I would have to agree with the thesis. My observations of change over 33 years is that an innovation becomes the best thing for teaching, then slowly just becomes one of the tools. This is currently happening with ICT, flipped teaching using videos etc. To me this is evidence that everything new just eventually becomes a more or less useful tool, but the focus of the excellent teacher ALWAYS comes back to the learner and their needs.
Thank you Mark for your comment. I totally agree with you that it all boils down to learners' needs and also resources and constraints at each learning and teaching environment.
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