Lesson 11: Computer as the Teachers Tool

Content

        Constructivism was introduced by Jean Piaget (1981) and Bruner (1990). They gave stress to knowledge discovery of new meaning/concepts/principles in the learning process. Various strategies have been suggested to foster knowledge discovery, among these, is making students engaged in gathering unorganized information from which they can induce ideas and principles. Students are also asked to apply discovered knowledge to new situations, a process for making their knowledge applicable to real life situations.

While knowledge is constructed by the individual learner in constructivism, knowledge can also be socially constructed. Social Constructivism is the effort to show that the construction of knowledge is governed by social, historical and cultural contexts. In effect, this is to say that the learner who interprets knowledge has a predetermined point of view according to the social perspectives of the community or society he lives in.

The psychologist Vygotsky stressed that learning is affected by social influences. He suggested the interactive process in learning. A more capable adult (teacher or parent) can aid or complement what the learner sees in a given tasks or project. In addition, John Dewey sees language as medium for social coordination and adaptation. For Dewey, human learning is really human languag
ing that occurs when students socially share, build and agree upon meanings and knowledge.

The Computer’s Capabilities

Informative Tool

The computer can provide vast amounts of information in various forms, such as text, graphics, sound, and video. Even multimedia encyclopedias are today available on the internet.

Communication Tool

The computer has been used in communication as evident by social networking sites as to facebook, twitter and friendster. We can even chat/talk friends and families anywhere in the globe through yahoo messenger or the one in facebook or view them through the webcam. We can send messages and information through the internet in just seconds or minutes.

Constructive Tool

The computer itself can be used for manipulating information, visualizing one’s understanding, and building new knowledge. The Microsoft Word computer program itself is a desktop publishing software that allows users to organize and present their ideas in attractive formats.

Co-constructive Tool

Students can use constructive tools to work cooperatively and construct a shared understanding of new knowledge. One way of co-construction is the use of the electronic whiteboard where students may post notices to a shared document/whiteboard. Students may also co-edit the same document from their homes.

Situating Tool

By means of virtual reality (RS) extension systems, the computer can create 3-D images on display to give the user the feeling that are situated in a virtual environment. A flight simulation program is an example of a situating tool which places the user in simulated flying environment.


Experiences

As far as I remember, the first time I observed a teacher using computer as a tool, was when I was on the first year of high school. He was using a projector and let us watched a video related to our topic that was about the outer space. I was really amazed when he showed it to us since it was my first time to experience it. I remembered that all of us are very attentive since we were really enjoying watching it. It’s just showed that we were all enjoyed to what we have experienced during that time. And because of that tool (the computer and the projector) used by our teacher, we would be able to understand fully during that time what is the life of the man on the outer space and its implication to us here inside the earth. Computer is infrequently used in my high school years by my teachers as a tool but I was exposed really on it when I was on college and this is the time when I really observed the teacher who used computer as a tool in teaching and learning process.

Reflection

Based on the experiences and the things that I have learned, I realized that it should be a must that we should always know how to apply things to other, we must know how to integrate things and to reflect on the things that we are doing. The experiences that we have and all the lessons that we have been through have different kinds of impact to us if we just reflect on it and think about it deeply, we have differences on some other things, we can view things differently, but still, we can make connections out from these differences to have a good solution and an effective factor that can maybe contribute to what is our prior idea or knowledge that could answer the questions in our mind and to our future student. I also realized that the teacher should be skilled enough not just on the manipulation of computer but also on application of these computers and other technologies to teaching and learning process to have a better understanding on lessons.

Application

I can apply this topic to the future student that I may have, just like on the above statements, I should integrate the topics that I have to the technology available but also considering other factors like interest of the student, year level, and etc. we could really apply it in the future if in the first place we could teach and the resources are all available, not unless we could provide our own materials with regards to this.

Lesson 10: The Computer as a Tutor

Content

           The Computer is a tutor in this new age of learning. It does not replace the teacher, although it assumes certain roles previously assigned to teachers who now has to take the new role of facilitator and guide.

             Also, computer activities are not the end-all of learning since they have to conform to the lesson/curriculum. Integrating computer exercises is the new task of the teacher who can find in the computer and computer software an alternative medium to the traditional classroom practice of delivering information and supporting learning activities.

        In the years ahead, we shall see the computer in schools as a common tool for the enhancement of the student’s thinking, communication and collaboration skills. Computers will become an integral component of the future classroom and not a mere machine that can deliver routine drills and exercise.

Experiences

            I experienced this thing before when I have a little information about computer and can’t still use it properly and during the time when I’m still afraid of pointing something on the computer for I think it would be damaged or broken. The computer taught me on how to widen and broaden my ideas and add on the prior knowledge that I have. I experienced the computer as a tutor when I can manage to find the internet on the computer and search on it. There, I had manage to gain more ideas and information and applied it on my future experiences like on the present situation. I can’t remember anything about my teacher using computer as a tutor during our time since the experienced I had was just based on my own experience without the consent or aid of our teacher before.

Reflection

            On the topics and lesson we learned, we could always reflect and learned new things out from it. And because of these things, we would still manage to make things better and help others. Because of it, I realized that in order to learn new better things, we need to experience something that could make us realize about that thing. I think that it is a must that we should always be open minded and be explorative, because by that, we could maybe make mistakes but we can earn something better out from it. we may able to make things worse on first try but we can make something better on the second try if we are open enough to learn and make an effort to make things right. I also learn that in order to learn things, we should also be willing to engage ourselves on it. I realize that just like a computer, we could also be a tutor to our student in the future that can really affect their life. I realized that just like a human being who can enhance our skills, broaden our ideas and can make us understand fully about a certain topic, the computer can really is.

Application

            I think, i can apply it when I am already on the field where I can teach and of course, I have the materials or equipment that I can use when I am teaching already. When I’m good enough in manipulating computer, I can integrate computer by using it on the activity that I can use on a certain topic that I have. Just like a computer, we could not just be a tutor but also a developer to our future students. 

History of Educational Technology and ICT

Content

            This topic explains about the How the ICT and Educational Technology was originated. According to the topic, ICT stands for the Information and Communication Technology which is really a broad field. It includes telephones, cellular networks, satellite communication, broadcasting media, and other forms of communication. The reporter said that the uplifting in communication and technology is from the analogy to technical.  However, the characteristics of digital technology are Media Integrity, Media integration, Flexible interaction, Transactions business, Tailoring, and Editing. ICT undergoes different revolution which includes Computer, PC advances, Microprocessor, Internet which imitated by Unite States and the Wireless Links. On the other hand, History of Educational Technology includes the following: Inquiry of Socratic Method where Socrates used to his students Plato and Zenophon, Sequence of Object-teaching where it used Realia, Affordable Education on 1806-1853 where it used reinforcement and punishment, Distance Education on 1852-1892 where it used stenograph and post-office, Object teaching- Quincy Method where learning by doing is implemented by exposing them to real-life situation, Method of apperception where sensory activity assimilate new concept with old concept, Visual Instruction on 1910-1923 where it is need for mass instruction, Introduction of PC, Satellite TV systems where it provides cost effective method of training from various locations, World Wide Web on 1989-1993 which lead to graphical and text-rich world of internet, Student response System on 1990 which receive feedback to questions in an educational setting, Learning management Systems on 2007-2012 which function is to assist learning, Participatory Journalism on 2007 which the world comments and participate in news, Khan Academy, Edmodo: Social Networking, Legendary Computers.

Experiences

            All of these applications being mentioned were very common especially, I think, I have tried most of it until now. But I cannot remember if all is due to educational purposes. I remember when I use computer first is to play games only. And I started to use computer for searching for our projects when I was in third year high school already though my first time was in grade four. But most of the things that was mentioned was also mentioned during our IT subjects and used it for educational purposes. We did try making our own website but it was blocked since we are paying for it. But still, we would be able to experience it.

Reflection

            After knowing all the things that we have Experienced, I realize that I am still fortunate for I have experience some of the things that others may not experience. Maybe, someday, I could use my knowledge and skills in applying it to real life situation where others can benefit. I think being competent enough on computers now can make you gain more of the interest of your future students that are having their interest on computer and other computer related things. I realized, knowing the History of Educational Technology and ICT make you more feel blessed and appreciate it more because of some innovations that they acquire because of curiosity. I think that it is more appreciable if we could use this in good things that could help our endeavours and inspired everyone the beauty of these things.

Application

            Just like the other things, We could apply these things using those experiences, skills and knowledge that we have so that, we would be able to make them realize the beauty of it and how could it help us if we properly use it and how it could destroy ourselves and our environment if not properly done. We could use ICT in implanting the topic to the students, assessment of these topics and evaluation of your students with regards to the topic that you have. 

Lesson 9: Computers as an Information and Communication Technology

Content

            This topic talks about how the computer becomes a source of information for easily access and a communication tool for better learning. Based on the topic, it become a computer assisted Instruction which has the aim of Individualized learning and realism which appeals with drill exercises and by using colour, music and animations. This computer is really used in education as being mentioned above. The most common nowadays is the PC or personal computer which is a communication media that has an audio-visual media as ICT which is also use in educational media and instructional media. Instructional Media includes the Photo, film, video while the Educational Media includes the Print, film, TV, radio and etc. Personal Computer have many things inside just like the Microsoft office which includes the PowerPoint, Excel, Internet Explorer, yahoo, google, and adobe. this personal computer has the reader, MSN, Media player, Cybelink Power, Game house which can be used in teaching and learning process.

Experiences

            I have experience using all of these applications. At first, of course it is really hard to memorize the patterns and to operate it. But with the help of practice, you would be able to make it and operate it with ease. And based on the experiences it is really useful especially in doing things and searching for something. It is very convenient and comfortable to use. Though, there are those hard to operate because I’m not used to it but still, we can keep that thing aside first. From the IT subject to that we had up to the Educational Technology 1 that we have experience, I think, all of those things were covered and given an activity using those applications and programs. Nowadays, it is rally normal in using and being exposed to these things since mostly of the homes now are having their PC which makes them acquainted with programs and applications. On the other hand, I still observed that there are still those who do not know how to operate well a thing like his. but still, there are those who are afraid of using it.

Reflection

            Based on the Experiences and Observations that I have, I realize that nowadays, it is very common that you are having you personal computer at your house. Although there are still places which these kind of technology never acquainted or meet. Beyond the great impact of these technologies to us, I realize that it starting making the human beings so dependent on it and making them lazy sine they grew up in an era where everything can get easily. As a future teacher, we should know better ourselves if we are a catalyst of change for better or for worse. We should be a good reflector, model, mentor and agent so that in everything we do; we can inspire goodness and improvement. I realize that I should observe more, learn more, and reflect more from the environment that I belong and to those I cannot reach. I realize that we should be responsible enough to our actions so that we would aware if we are doing right or not

Application

            We could apply these things when we started to teach no just in our student teaching but also in our future teaching. We should be equipped enough with knowledge about these and skills on how to operate it. We should be competent enough in our future teaching that we could apply these skills that we have learned for implementing and assessing the students that we may have. We should expose our student in different aspects of these so that they would be competent also not just in operating it but also on integrating it to their learning and future use. we should let them realize also on how to use this properly and appropriately so that they would be nurtured not just with knowledge about these but also with values and attitudes that could inspire others and make a better future

Lesson 8: Higher Thinking Skills through IT-Based projects

Content

            This topic focus on the Resourced based projects which compares the learning model and the learning resource model. Here, they discussed about the simple creation which have the sub division of five key tasks to develop creativity which includes defining the task, brainstorming, judging the ideas, acting, and adopting flexibility. On the other hand, guided hypermedia Projects divided into two which includes the Instructive tools and Constructive tools. The differences between the two divisions are quiet clear. And the Web-based projects are the last that was presented.

Experiences

Though, I am not that creative kind of person, I can still think of something I think which is creative. I noticed that most of the projects that I have experience are under the Simple creations. The most common medium that we are using is the paper. Although these kinds of projects really construct and instruct something, it does not have any use of technology that we are talking about. Yet, I have experience having a Hypermedia-based project when I was in high school, third year, when our teacher in computer required us to make a powerpoint presentation about something and use excel in calculating something. That was our first time in making a project of computer but because we do not have any regular class in computer subject, those who do not know how to operate felt so bad about it including me. Honestly, I just experience making projects using web-based is in college, during our educational technology 1 and IT. It is in College that I experience all of these kinds of projects.

Reflection

            Through the Experiences that I have been through, I realized that exposing of the learners in different kinds of projects is necessary for better learning and therefore making them more competent and confident enough to another experiences and challenge in the future. I think, one of the factors that could make hindrance in applying these projects by a teacher or a school, because they don’t have a clear curriculum which implement this and do not have enough equipment that would cater all the students. I think the best thing to consider is the budget of the school and the initiative of a teacher, because, it is easy to say that we could cope up with these problems but when you are already on the real scenario, it is hard to cope up and integrate all the materials available in teaching. I think that the stakeholders of a certain school are not strong enough to give everything in making the students’ use of these things. I realized that in designing the projects for a topic, you really need to consider everything that could affect it. It is not only on the technology that can show our creativity but also the small things that can we make using simple materials.

 

Application

            You can apply this project in your teaching using different media if you yourself have all the materials and equipment in implementing it. You can also apply it if your student could really relate to it, if these students are good enough in operating these kinds of things. But still, if you are having a hard planning what kind of material is appropriate in your topic, you can still use simple creations that would really an outstanding product of their imagination and creativity. As a future teacher, you should know what is the standing or position of your student so that you would know if a certain project could be applicable to them. You can apply these things if you are competent enough of your skills and knowledge about it. But don’t forget that you can still think of an alternative in making a project a good factor of learning.

Lesson 7: Evaluation of Technology Learning

Lesson 7: Evaluation of Technology Learning

Content

            This topic talks about how we are going to evaluate or judge technology as a whole or specific. According to the topic that we had, we should have Mass Amateurization. It means that we should be also good enough for the changes that our environment has. We, as a future teacher should be good enough on the things that we must be improve. We should remember always and do not forget that the goal of this is to bridge the gap between the amateur individual to those professional ones. We should not let our student have even a single leaner to be amateur in using this technology. We should adapt to the change that is happening to our environment, this would include on how we are going to evaluate our students in doing their activity. we should remember that the evaluation we are applying to the activity that our student have done should be in line with the assessment/ activity have undergone. This evaluation should not just be good enough to make them feel the instant reward that they expecting but also should cater not just their skills but also their logical and critical thinking skills.

Experiences

            On the experiences that I have on my high school years, I think that my teachers before are not equipped enough with skills that they should possess since I observed that they usually don’t apply this thing to us. I just observed this kind of evaluation when I was in college already where different teacher of mine are using different strategy in doing their evaluation that just not cater our thinking skills but other skills rather than this. I noticed that it is not also the fault of teacher before in not using this kind of evaluation, maybe because our school before lack some of these things that could be used in evaluation and making the students involve in this. I experienced using computer when I was in high school in second year level and fourth year, the problem is we just made some research and the guidelines and rules are not clear and specific resulting to a nonsense product. I observed that this kind of evaluation can be noticed in a school where the teacher really loves teaching and the school is having complete materials and equipment. I observed that those teachers who does not undergo any training about the skill of it really striving to cope up with it but there are still those who do not care

Reflection

            Based on the experiences that I have, I realize that sometimes, no matter how tried we do, we cannot achieve something because it is beyond our hands, it beyond our capability, and beyond our reach. Sometimes, we tend to do anything in achieving these things but forget those important ones. I realized that sometimes, the things we have done for good result to chaos. As a future teacher, we should be prepare enough not just to those technology that may arise but to the effects it could have to you and to your student in the future. You need to practice in balancing everything, because based on the observations and experiences; I realized that everything should be in balance so that the learning of the student is really there. You need to be a good scriptwriter in making a story that is very comprehensive and very substantial to them that is having a smooth connection from the topic that you are discussing up to the evaluation that you are using with the aid of technology. I realized that we should be aware enough of the impacts of these to our students in the future.

Application

            In line with the reflection and the experiences that we have undergone, we could apply this in implement in doing evaluation to your students in the future. You could use technology based evaluation if you think it is more appropriate. It means that it depends upon the topic that you have. It can be more applied in doing laboratory activity like virtual game we did in our cell biology. We could use PowerPoint in having quizzes or doing something actually using the PowerPoint as a guide, in that, we could say that we are having an evaluation using technology.

Lesson 6: Developing Digital Skills

Content

            This topic is all about how the basic skills could be develop. According to the report and the source, it has six (6) new generation fluency which includes collaboration, media, information, creativity, digital ethics and solution fluency. In developing Basic skills, learner should know how to share, collaborate, create and have purpose to develop this literacy. Collaboration can bridge for partnership and can be virtual interaction through discovery learning. Media fluency is for mass communications. Creativity fluency occurs when you are doing/creating something using technology. However, in Digital ethics focuses as a positive or negative impact of this to the student or learner. They emphasized also that you should develop these skills because you might encounter in your student a more skilled in computer.

Experiences

            I remember when I first tried to use computer, I always think that when I just accidentally click one button, maybe the computer will be damaged or crash. As a student now and as a preparation to the future teaching, I really let myself expose to different things. As I go along to my journey, I observe that most of the students of a public school, still, don’t know how to operate even a single computer since the school where they are in are just making these computers as figurines that stopping them to develop the skills being mentioned above. I also observe that most of the learners who are good enough in operating computers are not equipped enough with these fluencies. Some may acquire these all but mostly are not. Some are good enough and really skilled on one of these fluencies but other fluencies are being stagnant. And based on the observations that I have, collaboration, media and solution are mostly abundant to most of the students especially boys, since most of the boys nowadays are enjoying playing online games which enable them to make strategies and making them think easily of some tactics and solution to the problem they face

Reflection

            Based on the Experiences that I have, I realized that being a teacher soon, it should be crucial for us to face this dilemma. But it also makes us challenge on facing it. I think that as a teacher, we could relate to the students ideas and interest, we should not make these technology our opponent to the students’ interest. But still, we should let them realize the importance and advantages of applying technology in appropriate way; we should let them develop their digital fluency. Because I realize that Digital fluency is the most unnoticed fluency that most of the students lack nowadays. I realize that we should use these fluencies for a better future. And as a future mentor of these technologies, we should still be equipped with this fluency so that the student would learn and inspired by us. we should not just tech them with these principles but we must involve them so that, they would learn and realize something.

Application

            We could apply this topic whatever it is because it can be applied easily when teaching. Since, this topic is like teaching good values and attitude the students. It is like teaching them with the scientific attitude but also tech them with the effects of these If properly used and if not. We would be able to let them see the Beauty of it if appropriately applied and the Ugliness of it if otherwise. It can be applied if we, ourselves are good enough with these different fluencies.