Lesson 18

 Tablets for Textbooks in School

         With advent of Tablets, reading, and learning as a whole have become less cumbersome. If books makes someone’s back ache, tablets are now here to take that burden away. Today, books however are still the number one medium of instruction in schools. Books are more durable than tablets but many educators now prefer the use of tablet in the teaching and learning process. Aside from the fact that it is less bulky, it offers a wide and faster way in accessing information because it cannot only contain books but also access the net. A book has its advantages, a tablet also has its pros – either of this two may prevail today but we cannot deny the fact that we are towards the digital realm where digital things are inevitable. With the present condition of the Philippines, it is still difficult for the government to provide all students tablets. For now, school administration, teachers, and parents must agree upon the notion of using tablets in school since tablets for now are very expensive, if there is a want to use tablets in the school. 

          As an experienced, I have my own tablet. Yes it very handy and I am comfortable to use because it has the capabilities and abilities that the computer has. I even made and read powerpoint on it. I also made documents and other things that are useful in my studies. So I can say that tablet is essential in teaching and learning process but I must also read books and does not only rely on my tablet.

            Implementing tablets instead of books in the school can be possible only in the school or institution which they can afford. But in the rural areas it can impossible because of the students are not all wealthy to provide a tablet as their source of information. And it also causes a double jeopardy to the teacher because the teacher must teach his/her students how to manipulate tablets. Unlike in the urban areas they are more updated and they are more engage to technology.

            For me as a teacher someday, I must use only the available materials in the school as a tool of my instruction. I must also creative and innovative in doing it. Tablets are fun to use but I must consider my students if they can afford it or not.

Lesson 17

Educational Technology 2 Practicum

           Much like field studies in teacher education, Educational Technology 2 offers students the experiential process of adapting to technology integration within a student-centered paradigm. This is the practicum phase of the course which can be done, as seen fit by the teacher, either at the end of the more theoretical lessons or inserted between lessons.

              The practicum phase consists of hands-on computer tutorials which the student teacher or professional teacher-trainee will need to make him / her capable.

              The essential requirements for the ET 2 practicum phase will be:

·  A computer laboratory / special computer classroom with adequate sets of computers for      hands-on tutorial learning

· Participation of computer lab tutor/assistant-as the teacher’s technical assistant-to assist       the learner in the use of computer and its various programs

· Assigned number of hours in conformity with the course requirement. Tutorials are                 preferably done during weekends in order to provide continuous hours of computer hands-   on training.

The practicum phase consists in:

1. Basic Microsoft Word (6 hrs.)

         The tutorial familiarizes each individual learner to the basics of Microsoft Word. They will learn to use menus and toolbars of the software. They will be taught to type, edit and format text, sentences and paragraphs.

Tutorial coverage:

·         Microsoft word menus and toolbars

·         Creating, formatting, editing and saving documents

·         Assigning page layouts

·         Inserting tabs and tables

·         Templates and Wizard

·         Printing

Upon successful completion, the learner shall be able to:

·         Create, open and save word documents and files

·         Insert graphics, tables and charts in documents

·         Manage files and folder

·         Apply format on the text, sentences and paragraphs

·         Interlink documents

·         Create standard documents using template

2.  Microsoft PowerPoint (6 hrs. )

         The tutorial is a familiarization on the basics of Microsoft PowerPoint. It will train the learner to prepare PowerPoint presentations to enhance the teaching of subjects.

Coverage:

·          PowerPoint fundamentals

·         Enhancement of PowerPoint presentation with the use of graphics, charts, audio and            video

·         Using templates and masters (slide, handout and notes )

·         Presenting and printing a slide shows

At the end of the tutorial, the learner will be able to:

·         Create and open PowerPoint presentations

·         Insert objects  (cliparts), pictures, graphics, charts, audio and video to create effective            presentations

·         Use the templates to enhance presentations

3. Internet as tool of inquiry (4 hrs.)

         The tutorial will facilitate the finding of sources of information appropriate to a learning task.

Course coverage;

·         Accessing the Internet

·         Use of Internet tools

·         Search techniques

At the end of the tutorial, the learner will be able to:

·         search and retrieve information from the Web

·         acquire skills in locating appropriate information on the Internet

·         acquire ability to use Internet tools such as search engines

·         gain knowledge of search techniques such as browsing through an information tree

·         learn the ability to execute the search.

REFLECTION

            This lesson is a practicum by the teacher and offers students the experiential process of adapting to technology integration within a student-centered paradigm.As a future teacher we practice to use the different technologies as a strategy in teaching, it will be more effective and pleasing to the students.

APPLICATION

               Educational technology 2 as we all know that Educational technology is all about technological tools in learning. I  will apply this in my every day life especially in my studies because it will help more and useful.we use this also in our teaching activity because educational technology is more on analyzing, devising solutions to those problem. and understanding the impact of technology on learners and organizations.

Lesson 16

THE INTERNET AND EDUCATION

               Today schools are gearing up to take advantage of internet access, where they can plug into the Library of Congress, make virtual visits to famous museums in the world, write to celebrities, and even send questions to heads of states.

REFLECTION

       

               In this lesson, internet is one of the reason why the world today has more access in everything. It is useful, convenient and effective for everyone. Name what you want and the Internet can give you all the access to it. Now in our education, we also use internet to gather information, facts and data for the topic we want to know. In this lesson, the Internet and Education is always connected to each other because, when one speak the word “Internet”, the word that will pop in our mind is “information”, and information, data and facts are always related to field of education.

APPLICATION

             we apply this in our studies even in our jobs we use this as our resource based and make a video  presentation this help us everything. 

Lesson 15

Understanding Hypermedia

     Hypermedia is nothing but multimedia, but this time packaged as an educational computer software where information is presented and student activities are integrated in a virtual learning environment. Most educational IT applications are hypermedia and these include:

·     Tutorial software;

·      Knowledge webpages;

·      Simulation instructional games; and

·      Learning project management, and others.

Characteristics of hypermedia applications

                There are two important features that are outstanding-among other features-that characterize the hypermedia software:

1. Learner control. This means the learner makes his own decisions on the path, flow or events of instruction.

2. Learner wide range of navigation routes. For the most part, the learner controls the sequence and pace of his path depending on his/her ability and motivation.

3. Variety of media. Hypermedia includes more than one media (text, graphics, audio, animation and video clip) but does not necessarily use all types of media in one presentation.

In the use of hypermedia the following instructional events will prove useful to the teacher:

·         Get the learners’ attention.

·         Recall prior learning.

·         Inform learners of lesson objectives.

·         Introduce the software and its distinctive features

·         Guide learning, eliciting performance.

·         Provide learning feedback.

·         Assess performance.

·         Enhance retention and learning transfer.

The Internet and Education

                The Internet, also simply called the Net is the largest and far-flung network system of all systems. The Internet is not really a network but a loosely organized collection of about 25,000 networks accessed by computers on the planet.

Everything is coordinated in the internet through a standardized protocol called transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). To gain access to the Internet, The computer must be equipped with what is called a Server which has a special software program that uses the Internet protocol.

The great attraction of the Internet is that once the sign-up fees are paid, there are no extra charges. E-mail for example is free regardless of amount use. The vast sea o information now in the Internet is an overwhelming challenge to those who wish to navigate it. The most attractive way to move around the Internet is called browsing. Using a program called the browser, the user can use a mouse to point and click on screen icons to surf the Internet, particularly the World Wide Web, an Internet’s subset of text, images and sounds are linked together to allow users to access data or information needed.

          Educational software materials have also developed both in sophistication and appeal. But the real possibility today is connecting with the world outside homes, classrooms and the Internet cafes. Today schools are gearing up to take advantage of internet access. 

REFLECTION

In this lesson, in educational software the materials are developed its sophistication and appeal to enjoy it more. And today, schools are now gearing up to take advantage in internet access.

APPLICATION

This means the learner makes his own decisions on the path, flow or events of instruction. The learner has control on such aspects, as sequence, pace, content, media, feedback, etc. that he/she may encounter in the hypermedia learning program.

Lesson 14

The Software as an Educational Resource

            It’s more difficult to realize, however, that the computer hardware can hardly be useful without the program or system that tells what the computer machine should do. This is also called the software.

                

There are two kinds of software:

1. The systems software. This is the operating system that is found or bundled inside all computer machines.

2.  The applications software. This contains the system that commands the particular task or solves a particular problem.

In turn the applications software may be :

(a)    a custom software that is made for specific tasks often by large corporations, or

(b)   a commercial software packaged for personal computers that helps with a variety of tasks such as writing papers, calculating numbers, drawing graphs, playing games, and so much more .

Microsoft Windows

            

          Also referred to as a program, Microsoft Windows or Windows for short is an operating environment between the user and the computer operating system . Also called shell, it is a layer that creates the way the computer should work .

                Windows as (now improved with Windows 2003, 2007 ) is a software designed for Microsoft Windows. Actually Windows is in itself a self-contained operating system which provides:

·  User convenience –just click a file name to retrieve data or click from program to program as easy as changing channels in your TV screen

·  A new look-fancy borders, smooth and streamlined text fonts

·  Information center-Windows puts all communications activities (e-mail, downloads etc. in a single  screen icon ); adapts/configures the computer for the Internet.

·  Plug and play-configures the computer with added components , such as for sound and video .

Instructional software

     Instructional software can be visited on the Internet or can be bought from software shops or dealers . The teacher through his school should decide on the best computer-based instructional  (CBI ) materials for the school resource collection . But beware since CBIs need much improvement, while web-based educational resources are either extremely good or what is complete garbage . In evaluating computer-based educational materials, the following can serve as guidelines:

· Be extremely cautious in using CBIs and ‘ free ‘ Internet materials .

· Don’t be caught up by attractive graphics , sound , animation, pictures, video clips and      music forgetting their instructional worth .

·  Teachers must evaluate these resources using sound pedagogical principles.

·  Among design and content elements to evaluate are the text legibility, effective use of color schemes, attractive layout and design, and easy navigation from section- to-section ( such as from game to tutorial to drill-and-practice section ).

·  Observe clarity in the explanations and illustrations of concepts and principles

·   Maintain accuracy, coherence, logic of information

·   Are they being current since data/statistics continually change

·   Are they relevant and effective in attaining learning objectives

·   Observe absence of biased materials (e.g. gender bias or racial bias)

REFLECTION

    

         In this lesson, I learned that, when we are using computer, there are a lots of softwares are being used.  Softwares are important to a computer because they are the ones to put sense to the computer. Without software we can’t use the computer.

APPLICATION

 

            As a future teacher if we all know about this software we must to share it into another in order to learn them as well us like you/me. it help will more perfectly. 

Lesson 13

Cooperative Learning with the Computer

Cooperative Learning or Collaborative Learning is learning by small groups of student who work together in a common learning task. It is often also called group learning but to be truly cooperative learning five (5) elements are needed:

1.  A common goal

2.  Interdependence

3.  Interaction

4.  Individual accountability

5.  Social skills

From several studies made on cooperative learning it is manifested that cooperative learning in its true sense is advantageous since it;

(a)   Encourages active learning while motivating students;

(b)   Increases academic performance

(c)   Promotes literacy and language skill; and

(d)   Improves teacher effectiveness

Cooperative learning and the Computer

                

               Researchers have made studies on the learning interaction between the student and the computer. The studies have great value since it has been a long standing fear that the computer may foster student learning in isolation that hinders the development of the students social skills. Researchers agree that the computer is a fairly natural learning vehicle for cooperative (at times called promotive) learning.

                

Components of cooperative learning

              Educators are still vary about the computer’s role in cooperative learning. Thus they pose the position that the use of computers do not automatically result in cooperative learning. In that case, therefore assign the teacher several tasks in order to ensure collaborative learning. These are:

·         Assigning students to mixed-ability teams;

·         Establishing positive interdependence;

·         Teaching cooperative social skills;

·         Insuring individual accountability; and

·         Helping groups process information.

 REFLECTION

   

              In this lesson, when we are working with group, there will be more ideas to form and contribute to everyone, plus the cooperation you had when you working together will give more interesting moments with your friends.

APPLICATION

             We need to enhance more the skills or ability of our students to improve their self and to learn them on how to be an independent learners but we need them our guidance.

Lesson 12

 Information Technology in Support of Student-Centered Learning

        The idea of student-centered learning is not a recent idea. In fact, as early as the 20^th century, educational educators such as John Dewey argued for highly active and individualized pedagogical methods which place the student at the center of the teaching-learning process.

The Traditional Classroom

It may be observed that classrooms are usually arranged with neat columns and rows of student chairs or desks, while the teacher stands in front of the classroom or sits behind his table. This situation is necessitated by the need to maintain classroom discipline, also allows the teacher to control classroom activities through lecture presentation and teacher-led discussions.

Noticeably, however, after spending so many minutes in lesson presentation and class management, students can get restless and fidgety. Often enough, the teacher has to also manage misbehaviour in class as students start to talk among themselves or simply stare away in lack of attention.

The SCL Classroom

         John Dewey has described traditional learning as a process in which the teacher pours information to student learners, much like pouring water from a jug into cups. This is based on the long accepted belief that the teacher must perform his role of teaching so that learning can occur. This learning approach is generally known as direct instruction, and it has worked well for obtaining many kinds of learning outcomes. The problem with it is that the approach in learning, however, is the fact that the world’s societies have began to change. It may not be felt strongly to countries in which on countries who depends mostly their economy to factory workers. Traditional and direct instruction is very useful in these countries.

          In contrast, industrialized societies we find knowledge-based economies in which workers depend on information that can be accessed through information and communication technologies (ICTs). Desiring to gain effectiveness, efficiency and economy in administration, schools in these developed economies have also adopted the support of ICTs. Their students have now become active not passive learners, demonstrating independence and self-awareness in the learning process.

REFLECTION

          
            SCL environment is very useful especially if a nation wants to progress and develop. There are some schools here in the Philippines who already adopted the SCL environment in instruction. Others object from it since they think that and SCL can be noisy and unwieldy.

          As we all know, in the traditional classroom, a teacher can discipline and manage his/her students. The teacher in that has always the first and final say in the lesson. But the difference is that in the traditional classroom, a student can sometimes feel intimidated and bored since it is always the voice of the teacher who echoes most of the time and leads the discussion. While in a SCL environment, it gives students the venue to interact with each other, be motivated as everyone can participate and enjoy. It can be as noisy as it is, but it gives the students independence and self-awareness. It does not mean that in a SCL, the teacher can no longer do classroom management. The teacher still is the one more knowledgeable than his/her students, but he do not anymore act as the teacher who do talking most of the times, but he/she is now a facilitator, open to ideas, problems and resolutions from his/her students. I believe that SCL is fun, memorable and healthy just like training or a workshop.

Lesson 11

The Computer as the Teacher’s Tool

In this lesson, we shall again look at the computer, but this time from another perspective the computer as the teacher’s handy-tool. It can in fact support the constructivist and social constructivist paradigms of learning.

Constructivism was introduced by Piaget (1981) and Bruner (1991). 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.

          While knowledge is constructed by the individual learner in constructivism, knowledge can also be socially constructed. Social constructivism is an effort to show that the construction of knowledge is governed by social, historical and cultural contexts.

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

Learning framework	Constructivism	Social Constructivism
Assumption	Knowledge is constructed by the individual	Knowledge is constructed within a social context
Definition of learning	Students build their own learning	Students build knowledge influenced by the social context
Learning Strategies	Gather unorganized information to create new concept/ principle	Exchange and share from ideas, stimulates thinking
General Orientation	Personal discovery of knowledge	Students discuss and discover meanings
Example	8*5 -8 + 8 + 8 + 8 + 8	Two alternative job offers Option 1 – 8 hrs. /day for 6 days/week Option 2 – 9 hrs. /day for 5 days/week

The Computer’s Capabilities

                

         Given its present-day speed, flexibility and sophistication, the computer can provide access to information, foster creative social knowledge-building, and enhance the communication of the achieved project package.

              

Based on the two learning theories, the teacher can employ the computer as a/an:

·         An information tool

·         A communication tool

·         A constructive tool

·         As co-constructive tool

·         A situating tool

      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.

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

        Co-constructive tool. Students can use co-constructive tools to work cooperatively and construct a shared understanding of new knowledge.

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.

REFLECTION:

        

       Computer is an effective tools for the students to learn. The effectiveness of a classroom can be depending on how the teacher let the students use a computer in their class. If you don’t incorporate the computers, the class will be a bit boring.

APPLICATION

 it is effective to the learners but we need to guide them first on how to use this properly and what are advantages and disadvantages.

Lesson 10

THE COMPUTER AS A TUTOR

It should be made clear, however, that the computer cannot totally replace the teacher since the teacher shall continue to play information deliverer and learning environment controller.

• 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 teacher who now has to take the new role of facilitator and guide. 
• Computer activities are not the end-all of learning since they have to conform to the lessons/curriculum.
• Computers will become an integral component of the future classroom and not a mere machine that can deliver routine drills and exercises.

REFLECTION

      I have learned that not all tutors can be always a human; it can also be a thing like “computer”. We are now in the modern world , the use of computer is rapidly arises. And in just one click, there will be more information provided to us. 

APPLICATION

      Today, educators accept the fact that the computer has indeed succeeded in providing an individualized learning environment so difficult for a teacher handling whole classes. This is so, since the computer is able to allow individual students to learn at their own pace, motivate learning through a challenging virtual learning environment, assist students through information needed during the learning process, evaluate students responses through immediate feedback during the learning process, and also give the total score to evaluate the student’s total performance