Kereen Tatham

My name is Kereen Tatham and I'm from Jamaica. I'm a Senior Lecturer/Instructional Technology Coordinator at Bethlehem Moravian College. My theory of teaching aligns with the Constructivist orientation. I believe that through the active process of knowledge construction, effective learning environments will engage learners in representing the world around them. As such, divergent and reflective thinking among students must be encouraged to help learners examine identities, clarify values, analyze education and internalize learning. Of central importance, I see education as more than mere curriculum and strategies.It holds in it the value of culture-shaping through interactions.

As an educator, my primary objective is to provide an environment which fosters learning, cultivates personal growth and challenges students to think critically in the selection and use of technology in education. Because reading, writing and public speaking are important in every context, they are accentuated in all my classes.

Another element I believe is conducive to establishing such an environment is promoting respect for self, others and the environment through an open sharing setting. Teaching is a lifelong learning process and it is important for me to reinforce knowledge so that students can apply what they learn to other areas of their lives. As such, I try to [as much as possible] make myself accessible outside of the classroom to all students who wish to further enhance their understanding of specific issues. The Internet is an invaluable resource and computer skills are becoming a requisite for all professionals; hence, digital tools are often encouraged through given assignments.

I'm the founder of GoTeachers(www.go-teachers.com), an online professional learning network and education marketplace. GoTeachers affords Caribbean teachers the opportunity to share in discussions about topical issues in education, while allowing them to also connect with buyers and sellers of educational resources.

Feel free to check it out and join in the discussions.