This is Li-Chun Wang and I am from Taiwan. I am a doctoral student in Instructional Systems. We also discuss the role of technology in learning in our program and most people are positive to the use of technology in learning. I am interested in integrating technology in teaching and learning, I use twitter, facebook, blogs, video but I am interested to follow new technologies even only for catching up to the trend. I am able to use them in a basic or intermediate level but not ask myself to be an expert. I am not too quick on learning technologies so that I do have a concern on students’ comfort when asking them using any technologies.
Though I think the use of technology is beneficial to teaching and learning, I have doubts on how people use them, especially instructors. I was a teacher in Taiwan and required to use technology in the classroom. Based on my personal observation, technology use offers fun, authentic materials, convenience of distributing class materials, etc. Of course, there are absolutely excellent advantages but I do not see much radical changes. I am curious that whether we have not pay attention to other important issues when integrating technology in learning and teaching. Besides, we also face problems and challenges when having technologies and understanding them, rather than giving up, is probably the best way to diminish the disadvantages.
As my personal interests, I enjoy reading, listening to music, sleeping, and watching TV and movies. In addition to those that can be done alone, hanging out with family (though I cannot have this now) and friends are equally important to me.