Lesson 12: Information Technology in Support of Student-Centered Approach

Rosalie G. Alegarbes  BSEd General Science4  MW 3:00pm-5:00pm

Lesson 12: Information Technology in Support of Student-Centered Approach

Content

The Traditional Classroom

        In here, teachers will pour information to the students. This is based on the belief that a teacher must perform his/her role of teaching so that learning will occur. This learning approach is generally known as direct instruction. It can be observed that classrooms are arrange with neat columns in a row of  the students chairs, while the teacher will stand in front of the classroom or sits behind in his/her desk. This implies by the need to maintain classroom discipline and also to allow the teacher to control classroom activities through lecture presentation and teacher-led discussion. Also, it can be observed that after spending so many minutes di discussion, students tend to be restless and fidgety. To prevent this situation, teachers will give activities that will let the students work individually.

The Student-Centered Learning Classroom

        Students in here are active not passive learners, they interact with other learners, demonstrate independence and self-awareness in the learning process. Generally, the new school classroom environment is characterized by student individually or in groups in: performing computer word processing for text or graph presentations, prepare power-point presentation, searching for information on  the internet, brainstorming on ideas, problems and project plans as needed, the teacher facilitating instruction, also gives individualized instruction to serve individual needs.

Experience  

        During my elementary years and early high school year, I can say that we are more on the teacher-centered approach in teaching in where the teacher will give us all the information, they are the only source of knowledge. As I can remember, we tend to felt bored after a few minutes of instruction because the teacher will just talk and talk in front of the classroom. Most of the time we work independently; the teacher will then ask us to answer questions in the book. I can also say that most of us will study just to pass the exam. However teaching was still effective, but I did not enjoy the learning process during those years.  But today, the advent of computers makes learning more enjoyable because it supports the learner/student-centered approach. In here we were able to work together while the teacher will just facilitate the activities. Because of the ICT, we were able to develop some of our skills.

Reflection

        Information technology really helped today’s kind of teaching approach which is the student-centered approach. Because of this kind of teaching approach, students tend to develop their different skills because a lot of computer applications that the students can use. By the aid of this Information Technology, students will enjoy their learning process. Students can work independently and collaboratively. Most of the time, students will not just study to pass the exam but also to learn how to manipulate the materials provided during the activity. Because of ICT’s, produced graduates tend to be more competitive and skilled as well as responsible.

Application

        As a future teacher; as what I am always emphasizing in the past lessons, it is must for us to be equipped with knowledge and skills on how to operate or use a computer so that we can integrate it in or teaching process. Since we give focus on the student-centered approach, we must be knowledgeable enough so that we can use appropriate activities with the integration of these digital applications. Let us make sure that we will not just give the information but let our students enjoy while they are learning. Let us help them develop their skill and help them be productive individuals in the future. 

     

       

Lesson 11: Computer as a Teacher’s Tool

Rosalie G. Alegarbes BSEd General Science4  MW 3:00pm-5:00pm

Lesson 11: Computer as a Teacher’s Tool

Content

        Computers served to be a handy tool of most teachers, aside from that it can support both the constructivist and social constructivist approach to teaching. Constructivist was introduced by Piaget and Bruner that gives emphasis to knowledge discovery of new meaning, concepts and principles in the learning process. In here, students construct their knowledge individually. While social constructivism is an effort to show that the construction of knowledge is governed by social, historical, and cultural contexts.

      Based on the two learning theories, the teacher can employ the computer as: an information tool- the computer can provide vast amounts of information in various forms such as text, graphics, sound, and video. The internet can provide an enormous database from which user can access global information resources. So for the constructivist, it is not enough that students will just download or gather the information, instead it will be used to construct projects given by the teacher. Constructive tool- the computer can be used to manipulate information, visualize one’s understanding of new knowledge. Situating tool- computer can create 3-D images on display to give the user the feeling that are situated in a virtual environment. Examples of situating systems are Multi-User Domains or Dungeons (MUDs), MUD Object Oriented (MOOs) and Multi-User Shared Hallucination (MUSH).

Experience

        It is so amazing that just a single machine, it can perform a lot of tasks. This only shows that indeed computers are the breakthrough in technology. It also implies that computers are a great help, especially to the teachers. For the past years, teachers have been employing constructivist approach, but because of the advent of computers teachers use it to employs social constructivism.  Because of these computers, teachers as well as students can now acquire high level of knowledge. Today, most of the things we do are too dependent on computers. That is why effective teachers will not just let their students gather information in the internet rather they will let their students use this information in making another one. Just like what we are doing most of the time, we gather the basic information or do some research then after which, the information that we have acquired will be used for the real activity. Most of the time, we do our activities collaboratively. Aside from constructing we develop our social or interpersonal skills.

Reflection

        Indeed computers have been a part of everyone. It can perform a lot of work. Doing things are easier and convenient. For the teachers, computers have been a great help in achieving learning objectives. Aside from that, learning becomes more enjoyable. It is really true that computers are handy tools especially in employing constructivist and social constructivist approach to teaching. By this computers, students become more independent and confident on their works in a sense that they will not just depend on the knowledge that a teacher can give. Interpersonal skill will also be developed because most of the activities require collaboration.

Application

        As a future teacher, one of our goals is  to employ teaching approach that would cater the needs and interests of the students. Computers are already there, all we need to do is to adopt and use the things that the computer can offer us. That is why, we, future educators must be knowledgeable enough on the capabilities of a computer. Through this, we can think of activities that will go beyond gathering information.

Lesson 10: Computer as a Tutor

Rosalie G. Alegarbes  BSEd General Science4 MW 3:00pm-5:00pm

Lesson 10: Computer as a Tutor

Content

        Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI)

        Even if computers and CAI are available, the following are the things that a teacher must do: ensure that students have the needed knowledge and skills for any computer activity, decide the appropriate learning objectives, and plan the sequential and structured activities achieve objectives and to evaluate the students’ achievement by ways of tests the specific outcomes. However in CAI, the students can also play their own roles as they: receive information, understand instructions for the computer activity, retain/keep in mind the information and rules for computer activity and apply the knowledge and rules during the process of computer learning. CAI will also play its role during the activity of the students: acts as a sort of tutor, provide a learning environment, delivers learning instruction, reinforces learning through drill-and-practice and provides feedback.

Experience

        The rampant use of computer has been adopted in the educational process nowadays. That is why a lot of computer applications, specifically software applications that are very useful as an instructional material. Different fields of discipline have their own applicable applications that are very useful in the teaching and learning process. Games such as word puzzles, 2048, 4pics1word, text twist are just some of the software applications in where students can develop their thinking skills and students will also enjoy as they perform it. There are also a lot of software like virtual tutors, just dance and the like that a teacher can use in achieving the learning objectives. There are also applications, specifically in music like piano8 that are already available. If the school cannot afford to buy a piano and the teacher wishes to teach his/her some piano lessons then he/she can use it. These applications are very accessible to everyone who wishes to have it.

Reflection

        As these different software applications arise, achieving lesson objectives is not that difficult for the teachers. Because of these different applications, learning becomes more enjoyable too. Through computer, different skills of the students will also be develop and practice. If computer software are properly use, teaching process will be very effective. This only shows that computers are great help both to the teachers and to the students. But this only implies that since teachers are the one who will introduce or implement that kind of application, they have the great role in monitoring the use of computers.

Application

        Teachers must be reminded that computers must not replace them so as a future one; I must keep in mind this statement too. In my future teachings, it is a must that I have the knowledge on where, what and how to use these software applications. Since I’m into science subjects, there are a lot of software applications with I can use as an instructional aid. As a future educator, I must keep in mind that the growth of computers is inevitable, so I must adopt. However using computers a tutor should not replace the role of a teacher (as what I have mentioned), let it be our help in achieving our learning objectives and to be an effective teacher.

Special Topic: History of Educational Technology

Rosalie G. Alegarbes    BSEd General Science4      MW 3:00-5:00pm

Special Topic: History of Educational Technology   

Content

            There is no written evidence which can tell us exactly who has coined the phrase educational technology. Different educationists, scientists and philosophers at different time intervals have put forwarded different definitions of Educational Technology. Educational technology is a multifaceted and integrated process involving people, procedure, ideas, devices, and organization, where technology from different fields of science is borrowed as per the need and requirement of education for implementing, evaluating, and managing solutions to those problems involved in all aspects of human learning.

            Educational technology, broadly speaking, has passed through five stages.
The first stage of educational technology is coupled with the use of aids like charts, maps, symbols, models, specimens and concrete materials. The term educational technology was used as synonyms to audio-visual aids. The second stage of educational technology is associated with the 'electronic revolution' with the introduction and establishment of sophisticated hardware and software. Use of various audio-visual aids like projector, magic lanterns, tape-recorder, radio and television brought a revolutionary change in the educational scenario. The third stage of educational technology is linked with the development of mass media which in turn led to 'communication revolution' for instructional purposes. Computer-assisted Instruction (CAI) used for education since 1950s also became popular during this era. The fourth stage of educational technology is discernible by the individualized process of instruction. The invention of programmed learning and programmed instruction provided a new dimension to educational technology. A system of self-learning based on self-instructional materials and teaching machines emerged. The latest concept of educational technology is influenced by the concept of system engineering or system approach which focuses on language laboratories, teaching machines, programmed instruction, multimedia technologies and the use of the computer in instruction. According to it, educational technology is a systematic way of designing, carrying out and evaluating the total process of teaching and learning in terms of specific objectives based on research.

Experience

            The innovation of educational technology, as what I have been observed shows that as the time pass there is a change and as it change there is improvement. In the past generations, teachers use charts and maps to an aid to instruction. Teaching how to add and to subtract is being represented by pictures like apples, mangoes, pencil, etc. In my elementary years, I cannot remember my teachers bringing computers in our classroom.  The teachers as well as the students depend much on printed books. Learning experiences given, if there are, are still more on the books—letting us answers the questions that are found at the end of a story or a poem or letting us answer the unit check-ups at the last part of the unit. I could only remember when there is a start of computer integration in the teaching and learning process is during my high school years, but not really rampant. Even making a write ups, assignments and projects are written on a paper, that why we are trying to write it clean and legibly. I could also still remembers when is the first time that our teacher use a PowerPoint in presenting her topic—it is during our fourth years in high school.   That year is really the start of computer integration in teaching because that is the start where I learn how to use computers because of our computer subject.

     

Reflection                                                         

        This topic talks about how educational technology has evolve from a simple charts, maps, models and etc. to a more advanced--- programmed instruction,  multimedia technologies and the use of computers in instruction. This only shows that there’s no room on being stock on the past. From a simple form of aid in instruction which is more on printed materials to a much high-tech one. Past, teachers used to be the only source of information but as the time pass by, students can also contribute to every ones learning. From a simple book to electronic books and from a traditional library to electronic library also shows the progress of educational technology. That is why, traditional teachers need to adopt to these development because as being mention in the past lesson, learners tend to lose their interest in learning because most of them are digital learners which requires digital instruction. That is the also reason why a teacher must bridge the gap between his/her learners and change their ways not just to instruction but also in terms of evaluation.

Application

            Change is the only constant in this world, and if there is change there must be improvements. This only shows that as a future teacher, it is a must to adopt to what is new to cater the interest of the students. The integration of computer in instruction is a great help in achieving the aim of developing basic digital skill and higher thinking skills. There are still advancements that wait in the future, so as a teacher, we must be ready to embrace the new ways in the teaching and learning process. But as for now, it is our role to integrate what is in today. 

Lesson 9: Computers as Information and Communication Technology

Rosalie G. Alegarbes   BSEd General Science4    MW 3:00-5:00pm

Lesson 9: Computers as Information and Communication Technology

Content

            The first revolution in education is the invention of the printing press, the second one is the introduction of libraries and the third one is the invention of computer.   Through computer technology, educators saw the amplification of learning along computer literacy. Soon computer-assisted instruction (CAI) was introduced using the principle of individualized learning through a positive climate that includes realism and appeal with the drill exercises that uses color, music and animation. Instructional media consist of audio-visual aids that served to enhance and enrich the teaching and learning process. While educational communication media comprise the media of communication to audiences including learners using the print, film, radio, television or satellite means of communication. The following are programs normally installed on a personal computer: Microsoft office, PowerPoint, excel, internet explorer, yahoo or google, adobe reader, MSN, windows media player, cyberlink power and game house.

Experience

            Everyone would still be amazed how a single computer can hold a lot of programs which are really helpful and useful not just in school matters but also in different industries. I could still remember how traditional instruction is being done by my past teachers, and now we are already in the digital instruction where the advent of technology is being used in the educative process.

I could also still remember how my teacher would let one of my classmates write the lesson on the board and let everyone of us copy it on our notebooks. I could still imagine myself when I was in grade 3 pointing a stick on a manila paper and let my classmates read on what was written there.  I could still recall how we memorize what’s inside the book because our teacher will have an exam and it needs mastery of the topic. But today, the advancement of technology helps us students to think that learning is fun, getting the information that we needed is really accessible and doing things is much easier. By just a single click, then everything is thereJ. Technology did really influence the educative process. In the past, we depend on what the teacher would dictate to us, they are our only source of information  but these days, teachers will just give instruction on what we should do, then facilitate and it’s for us how are we going to solve or find solution on the given problem or task.

Reflection

            Computers are really a great product of technology. It makes our work even easier, accessible and convenient. Just a single computer, it can do a lot of things. One of the programs being installed here is the Microsoft excel which is really helpful in computing the grades of the students. It enhances the teaching and learning process because a teacher can use a program installed in it to enrich the learnings of the students. Computers would really be a help for the teachers as well as to the students to communicate each other. The invention and the advent of computer made the way to digital instruction. The aim of changing the ways of evaluation, acquiring basic digital skills as well as developing the higher thinking skills is the result of the arrival of the computers. The need to adopt to new world is the result of computers. This shows that computers are really influential.

Application

            The innovation of these computers is inevitable. That is why past lessons are emphasizing on the need for the teachers to adopt to what is new--- in terms of instruction as well in evaluation. The combination of instructional media and educational communication media can be found in a computer. So, as a future teacher, I can use this one as a help in achieving my goals in instruction. I can us computer as an instructional media by making my lesson more interactive with the use of computer applications or programs. By letting my students see a video, it will help enhance their knowledge more on that topic. Through the use of computer, my students can acquire information by surfing on the net--- by this, me as a teacher will not just the source of information. A computer is also an educational communication media in sense that I can still communicate my students even outside the classroom with the use of facebook, gmail, edmodo and etc. Furthermore, computer as an Information and Communication Technology reflects the skills of the teacher on how a teacher will facilitate the learning process and help the development of their basic digital skills as well as their higher thinking skills.

Lesson 8: Higher Thinking Skills through IT-Based Projects

Rosalie G. Alegarbes   BSEd General Science4     MW 3:00-5:00pm

Lesson 8: Higher Thinking Skills through IT-Based Projects

Content

            This lesson will discuss the four types of IT-based projects which can effectively be used in order to engage students in activities of a higher plane of thinking. These projects will represent constructivist projects which contains the key elements of a constructivist approach to instruction. On the other hand, students will be the one to demonstrate the higher thinking skills and creativity through such activities like searching for information, organizing and synthesizing ideas, creating presentations, etc. So, here are the IT-based projects which will help develop higher thinking skills and creativity of the students. Resource-based projects­-- in here, teacher steps out of the traditional role and the let the students find their own facts and information. The central principle of this is to make the students go beyond the textbook and curriculum materials. Students’ are encouraged to the modern extension of library, the internet. Inquiry-based or discovery approach is given importance in which students, individually or cooperatively work to relate gathered information to the real world. The webquest which is an inquiry oriented activity in which most or all of the information used by the learners are drawn from the web serves as an internet approach to support this kind of IT-based project. Simple creations--- students will be assigned to create their software materials to supplement the need for relevant and effective materials. In developing software, creativity as an outcome should not be equated with ingenuity for higher intelligence. So to develop creativity, here are the 5 key tasks to be recommended: define the task, brainstorm, judge the ideas, act and adopt flexibility. Next is the guided hypermedia project--- which serves as an instructive tool, such as the production by the students of PowerPoint presentation, then as a communication tool, such as when students do a multimedia presentation. Then the last one is the web-based project--- students can be made to access to create and post webpages on given topic.    

Experience

            After developing basic digital skills, higher thinking skills will follow. Developing higher thinking skills is a challenge, not just for the students but also for the teachers. Since we are emphasizing the impacts of the advancement of technology and the change of evaluation, IT-based projects can be used to develop such skills. In these IT-based projects, the teacher is focusing on the student-centered approach. As what we are experiencing nowadays, teachers are focusing on giving activities on which students are in control. Examples of resource-based projects are the laboratory activities which uses inquiry or discovery approach. In here, we collaborate in the group to find solutions or answer in a certain activity. Sometimes, our teacher will give as an assignment which requires answer from the internet. Information being studied is more on downloaded PDFs, while teachers act as the facilitator of the learning experiences given. Most of the time, we are required to report a certain topic in which PowerPoint is a must. This means that studying and mastering the report is not the only work of the student, we are also required to make our own PowerPoint presentation and in making this, our creativity will really enhance.

Reflection

            The use of IT-based projects in developing higher thinking skills of the students is very effective. In here, students will develop their social skills, creativity, evaluative minds, etc. a teacher will step out as a traditional source of information, and instead they act as the facilitator which indicates the student centered approach. In order to equip the students with the skills needed to face the digital world, basic skills ae not enough. In addition, in these IT-based projects, gathering information and finding solutions to a problem with the use of information technology cater the interests of most of the students. Through IT-based projects, the aim of the teacher to change their ways of evaluation will also be fulfilled.

Application

            It is really a challenge for every future teacher to help develop the higher thinking skills of the students. Technology has the great effect in the educative process that is why it is a must for us to learn the appropriate use of these technologies in the teaching and learning process. Since the main goal of the school to produce graduates that will function effectively in the future, as a teacher, it is our work to help them be equipped not just by knowledge but also skill by giving them activities requiring the use information technology since we are now on the digital world.