Lesson 18: Tablets for Textbooks in Schools

Today, books are still the primary medium of instruction in most schools. It is doubtful if these will totally be replaced by digital technology reading tools, but there are now perceptions that virtual literacy may very ease out textual print literacy. However, because of the issues regarding books such as books are backbreaking because of their weight and size, too expensive in publishing and printing, some books have errors resulting to wrong information, technical mistakes and editorial lapses; technology today is being viewed as a savior. Classroom instruction which rides the vehicle of gaming admittedly makes learning more effective and more fun. From studies, educational video gaming has been shown to inculcate competencies that relate to learning concentrations, lasting memory recall and higher visual literacy.                      

Use of tablets in public schools in the country maybe difficult considering certain factors: cost of one tablet for one student is not within budget capability or beyond capability of government which cannot even fully comply with one book for one student; books have more durability compared with electronic gadgets due to handling, energy charging, heat and moist; technical expertise for the learning software is not widely available.

Technology itself maybe a key to problem resolution and Filipino ingenuity is called to respond to the challenge facing the digital generation of the millennium.

Educational process nowadays is very advance; but here in the Philippines, I can say that we are still not into this kind of classroom-- the tablets for textbooks. We are very much still dependent on books as the primary source of information. Unless in some schools, especially in urban areas, some schools there are somewhat advance where students are allowed to bring their tablets in school. However, in rural areas, most of the schools here are still into books. Even some of the teachers in this place will not allow their students to use any gadgets while the class is still going. But fortunately, our educational system is trying to adopt on what is new today, we are still on the process. One manifestation of this is the implementation of K+12 in our country.

Lesson 17: Educational Technology 2 Practicum

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 Educational Technology 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 the 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

The tutorial familiarizes each individual learner to the basic of Microsoft Word. The tutorial coverage includes: Microsoft word menus and toolbars, creating, formatting, editing and saving documents, assigning page layouts, inserting tabs and tablets, templates and wizard, and painting.

Upon successful completion, the learner shall be able to: create, open and save word documents and files, inset graphics, tablets and chats in documents, manage files in folder, apply format on the text, sentences and paragraphs, interlink documents, and create standard documents using template.

2.   Microsoft PowerPoint

The tutorial is a familiarization on the basis of Microsoft PowerPoint. The coverage includes: PowerPoint fundamentals, enhancement of PowerPoint presentation with the use of graphics, charts, audio and video, use templates and masters (slide, handout and notes) and present and print a slide shows.

At the end of the tutorial, the learner will be able to: create and open PowerPoint presentations, insert objects (clip arts), pictures, graphics, charts, audio and video to create effective presentations, and use the templates to enhance presentations.

3.   Internet as tool of Inquiry

The tutorial will facilitate the finding of sources of information appropriate to a learning task. The following are the course coverage: accessing the Internet, use the Internet tools and search techniques.

At the end of the tutorial, the learner will be able to: search and retrieve information from the Web, acquire skills in the 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 information tree, and learn the ability to execute the search.

        Overall, the Filipino teacher shall be empowered to meet the technology challenges of the 21^st century digital age.

Lesson 16: The Internet and Education

   

  

      The internet also called as 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 by the internet through the standardized protocol (or set of rules for exchanging data) called Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). To gain access to the Internet, the computer must be equipped with what we call as a Server which has a special software (program) that uses the Internet protocol. Originally developed and still subsidized by the United States government, the Internet connects not only commercial, industrial, scientific establishments but all other sectors including education and each libraries, campuses and computer centers.

        The most attractive way to move around the Internet is called browsing. Using the program is called a browser; the user can use a mouse to point and click on screen icons to surf the Internet, particularly the World Wide Web (the Web), an Internet’s subset of text, images, and sounds are linked together to allow the users to access data or information needed.

         Today, schools are gearing up to take advantage of Internet access, where they ca 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.

          Internet has been the center source of information for the past years and maybe in more many years to come. Latest news, trends and all can be accessed through the Internet. Communication has been improved,  and Internet has the great role in it. Your family in other places are within reach because of this video call, chat, skype, etc., and this is because of the power of Internet. In school, we can observe that most of the activities and assignments given can already be answered by just surfing in the Internet. Different software applications that can be downloaded are also be possible because of this Internet, which is obviously a great help to teachers as an instructional aid. Downloading and uploading of requirements are also very rampant  nowadays. These virtual classes, tutoring and etc are also being made possible because of the Internet.

All the tings that we do connects with the use of  Internet. Some people may even say say they cannot live a day without it.

Lesson 15: Understanding Hypermedia

    Hypermedia is nothing but a multimedia, but this time package as 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 packages, knowledge webpages, simulation instructional games, and learning project management. The presentation of information-learning activities in hypermedia is said to be sequenced in a non-linear manner, meaning that the learners may follow his path of activities thus providing an environment of learner autonomy and thinking skills.

 There are two important features that are outstanding,which characterized the hypermedia software:  

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

2.   Learning wide range of navigation routes- the learner controls the sequence and pace of his path depending on his/her ability and motivation. He/she has the option to repeat and change speed, if desired.

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. Since only virtual learning activity takes place, it is important from the standpoint of the teacher to optimize the learning process by identifying the characteristics of media presentation, as well as the advantages and limitations of such an application.

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 and elicit performance, provide learning feedback, assess performance and enhance retention and learning transfer.

It can be observe that most of the student’s activities are done virtually, where they decide on their own. Students are  in control of the activities given. Students do what they want just to acquire the desired outcome. Hypermedia has been used to provide activities that are authentic yet in a virtual setting. This kind of classroom supports the student-centered approach in teaching. Some of the classrooms nowadays are governed or somewhat dependent on computers, and that computer made the teaching and learning process more effective as well as more enjoyable. Since hypermedia includes tutorial software, students can learn and master more the lesson or topic. If they wish to review, they can have it at home. Aside from that, still, students can acquire skills and knowledge while doing the activity.

Lesson 14: The Software as an Educational Resource

There are two kinds of software: the system software—where it is the operating system that is found or bundled inside all computer machines and the application software—where it contains the system that commands the particular task or solve a particular problem. Application software can be: custom software that is made for specific task often by large corporations or commercial software packed for a personal computer that helps with the variety of tasks such as writing papers, calculating numbers, drawing graphs, playing games and much more.

Microsoft Windows

        It is an operating environment between the user and the computer operating system. It is also called as a shell; it is a layer that creates the way the computer should work. Windows uses a colorful graphics interphase called GUI that can be seen in the computer screen or monitor whenever the computer is turned on. The user can work with on screen pictures (icons) and suggestions (menus) to derive at the desired software. Windows 95 is software designed for Microsoft Windows. Windows is a self-contained operating system which provides the following: user convenience, new look, information center, plug and play.

Instructional Software

        It can be visited on the internet or can be bought from software shops or dealers. 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, the text legibility, effective use of color schemes, attractive layout and design, and easy navigation from section-to-section are also must be evaluated, observe clarity in the explanations and illustrations  of concepts and principles, maintain accuracy, coherence, logic information, being current since data/statistics continually change relevant and effective in attaining learning objectives absence of biased materials (gender, racial).

As a future educator, I must really develop such critical and evaluative mind if I wish to use instructional software. Since it is very obvious that in the near future, there will be a lot more software applications that will come out which would be very helpful in the teaching and learning process. But as a future teacher, it is our role to evaluate it and consider a lot of aspects before implementing that kind of software in our instruction. I must also consider if it will be helpful in achieving the learning objectives and if it is appropriate to the lesson being discussed.

Lesson 13: Cooperative Learning with the Computer Conten

Cooperative or collaborative learning is learning by small groups of students who worked together in a common learning task. It is also called as group learning but to be truly cooperative learning it must have these 5 elements: common goal, interdependence, interaction, individual accountability and social skills. From several studies made on cooperative learning, it is manifested that cooperative learning in its true sense is advantageous since it: encourage active learning, while motivating students; increases academic performances, promotes literacy and language skills and improves teacher effectiveness. In addition, there are studies shows that cooperative learning enhances personal and social development among students of all ages, while enhancing self-esteem and improving social relations between racially 

and culturally different students.

Cooperative Learning and the Computer

        Studies showed that when students work with computers in groups, they cluster and interact with each other for advice and mutual help. Psychologists think that computer fosters this positive social behavior due to the fact it has a display monitor-- just like a television set—that is looked upon as something communal. Therefore researchers agree that the computer is a fairly natural learning vehicle for cooperative learning.

Components of Cooperative Learning

        The following are the things that the teacher must do to ensure collaborative learning and these are: assign the students to mixed-ability teams, establish positive interdependence, teach cooperative social skill, insure individual accountability and help group process information.

Experience

        Computers are seen as destruction in developing the social/ interpersonal skill of most young children but that’s not true. I’ve been experiencing a lot of school activities or school requirements that requires computer, but I’ve done it together with my classmates. One time, we were asked to construct a poem but it should be in pair. It should also be encoded and of course print it. So by this activity, we were able to work together to have a good poem. Another one which is very common especially to those college students; the reporting, in which it connects to making a PowerPoint presentation. Most of the time reporting is done in pairs; so this kind of activity requires cooperation with your partner. We must plan on how we are going to present the topic, the information we are going to put in the PowerPoint, and the activities that we are going to give to the audience. Through this not just the cognitive skill was developed but also our social skill.

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

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 thestudents 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.