Merepeka Raukawa-Tait: E-learning opens up world to students

Students can use their iPads, notebooks and laptops to access the internet and appropriate learning websites at any convenient time. Photo / File

I envy today's students. Primary, college, tertiary as well. Modern methods of studying and teaching tools used are so different from when I went to school.

I sometimes wish I could turn back the clock. Who knows where I might be today. My problem at school was I had a short concentration span. It probably wasn't really all that short but I got bored easily. I found the subjects boring for the most part. It was teacher at the front of the class with "chalk and talk". They obviously knew their subjects well yet they rarely connected with me.

I got by with my studies but I was easily distracted. Even in church, I would listen for about 10 minutes then my mind would start to wander. The services were boring too. I used to wonder if God was sitting beside me, would he suggest "shall we get out of here and go for a walk".

But I remained sitting and would start my day dreaming travels. I was transported all over the place in my day dreams with some of history's most colourful characters.

There were only two subjects at high school I really enjoyed. English and French. Because of the teachers.

My English teacher, she must have been teaching for 40 years by the time I got to her class, yet she was still fascinated and enthralled with her specialist subject. She made you believe English language was something you didn't want to be without. She used, taught and brought English alive with passion.

My French teacher was young. She had spent time in France so we learned the language as well as the culture. She said: "Travel broadens the mind but when you travel with an understanding of language and culture you connect with hearts."

When I see how technology and e-learning is used to support the learning and educational aspirations of students today, I get a real thrill. Teachers, I hope feel the same way.

When you have a class of 30 students sitting in front of you, how on earth do you know if you're getting through to them? When students become digitally connected at school, at home and in the community, I believe you do see educational achievement start to take off.

Students use their iPads, notebooks and laptops to access the internet and appropriate learning websites. Their chosen subject comes alive on the screen and can be studied at any convenient time.

It appears I was a combination learner: a seeing learner and a touch/experience learner. Now they tell me.

I watch the TV Discovery, History, Travel and National Geographic channels as well as science and various documentary programmes. I see what I am hearing and learning about. I don't get bored. I get fascinated with what I see in front of me, the real deal. It's not the book learning of old. I follow easily and my interest holds.

I watched an American scientist in Auckland give an address.

She was speaking about her career and showed on the overhead screen examples of her work. She said she loved her job. She made science out to be the subject every student should want to study.

The way she explained it, and from what I saw on the screen, they would.

I presume ongoing professional development for teachers includes keeping them current with the latest technology and e-learning products and tools. How they can prepare and deliver lessons that come alive for students. Who then use their personal learning devices at school and home to research and further inform their studies.

We hear so often that education is the key. It opens doors.

With e-learning and internet connectivity in our schools and homes, students will find it's not only doors that will open but the world and its wonders will open up as well. And no student should be found bored and day dreaming.

• Merepeka lives in Rotorua. She writes, speaks and broadcasts to thwart the spread of political correctness.