Lesson 9. Computers as Information and Communication Technology

In our society today, computer is of great importance. In grocery stores, it is used to calculate data. In companies, it is for storage of important files. In call center agencies, it is use to access communication. In school, it is for educational purposes.

This lesson introduced computers as a source for information and an access to communication. Through internet, one is able to surf the net and search for many important information. One is also able to access communication through emails, blog sites and social networking sites. Different multimedia is readily available in computers. This includes text, sounds, graphics, photos and music. Normally installed programs like Microsoft word, power point, excel, and Internet Explorer could enhance teaching and learning process. Adobe Reader, Photoshoppe and Photoscape can evaluate the creativity of the learners through photo editing. Yahoo Messanger and MSN could also enhance collaboration among learners.

Personally, these programs really contributed to my motivation in learning. It provide various techniques and strategies in learning something. Making blog sites offers more creative and innovative way of making an essay. I am able to write and at the same time design my own blog. Hence, my teacher would not only focus on my writing skills but could also evaluate my creativity.

 

The advantages of using computer have clearly manifested in educational arena. Educational programs offer in computer could not only provide further learning and knowledge to learners but also evaluate more than one skill that a learner has. In this way, teachers could easily see the strength and abilities develop and the things that they need to improve.

 

Let these computers would not replace teachers, instead, let it be a tool that could benefit both teachers and students. Let it provide wide range of knowledge and could produce and authentic and reliable evaluation.

Lesson 8. Higher Thinking Skills Through IT-Based Projects

Developing the higher thinking skill of the student is one of the main objectives of teaching-learning process. Activities are done to tap higher order thinking skills of the student. Different evaluation strategies are formulated to develop and enhance the critical thinking skills of the student. Higher thinking skills truly involves analytical and reflective thinking.

Lesson 8 tackles the four IT-based projects conducive to develop higher thinking skills and creativity among learners. First is the resource-based projects. Through this projects, it would allow learners to find information from different resources. They are not only encourage to scan on the internet but they are also encourage to go to libraries for much learning. This project is anchored on inquiry-based or discovery approach in learning. Second is simple creation. In this project, students are required to create software materials that can help them in their learning. In developing the software, creativity must be consider. Third is the guided hypermedia projects. This projects serve as an instructive tool and as a communication tool. Fourth is the Web-based Projects. This project aims for students to create webpages on a topic. It would allow the students to post in the internet and they can also be linked with other related sites found in the internet. These four IT-based projects and activities can let the learners organize thoughts, synthesize ideas and create presentations. Indeed, it can tap higher order thinking skills of the students.

I have experience those research-based projects. When I was in high school, I have experience making term papers and investigatory projects. In this way, further research were done by my group mates and we gathered facts to support our project. I have also experience making Web-based projects. Back then, we made websites and uploaded it to be viewed by different netizens.

These kind of projects, though it is anchored and done with the use of internet and different educational technologies, would truly tap the higher order thinking skills of the students. As an educator dealing with digital generation learners, let these four basic activities and projects be a guide and blueprint on how are we going to mold learners in order for them to attain higher thinking skills. If we do so, then we would be able to produce highly competitive and productive individuals.

Lesson 7. Evaluation of Technology Learning

It has been previously tackled that there is a shift from traditional way of instruction to an active digital-based instruction. Even the skills that has to develop in every learner upgraded from 3r’s (writing, reading, arithmetic) to six basic fluencies. As a result, teachers must also adopt a new mindset in evaluation. These evaluation strategies must measure the basic fluencies and skills acquired by the students.

The change in evaluation in 21st century is referred to as mass amateurization. It means that there must be a mass reach of student’s output. This mass amateurization does not end the traditional writing essay and reporting, instead it has been upgraded. In writing an essay, systematic planning is being done. Editing, lay outing and designing can be apply which can enhance the conception of idea. The use of different software can make the essay writing much more interesting and fun. Students can then post their work to social networking sites and other publishing avenues that internet can offer. Reporting, on the other hand, can be done creatively. The use of power point presentation will enhance the presentation of the students and can access information that is relevant to the topic. These changes then brought to new evaluation tools and strategies of the teacher.

In my experience, I have done reporting both with and without technology. To weigh the advantages of the traditional and digital-based instruction, I can site some points. First is the creativity. In traditional reporting, I have to cut pieces of pictures that are relevant to my topic and can make it as a design to add creativity in my visual aid. In digital-based reporting, templates from power point presentation can make my visual aid a lot more creative. I can also add videos and moving pictures that can enhance my presentation. Second is its convenience. Traditional reporting would let me bring many things such as cartolina, manila paper and more. Contrary to digital-based reporting, it is convenient because all I have to bring is my flash drive. Indeed, traditional reporting has been upgraded and makes reporting a lot more informative and interactive.

The changes brought by technology has brought big impact to both instruction and evaluation. As what other people can say, technology has brought positive effect towards instruction. It greatly benefit both teachers and students. Likewise, it can also bring advantages to evaluation. It would greatly measure what has to be assess in the skills and competencies acquired by students.

As a future teacher, I am motivated to learn more about technology so that I can use it effectively to my future instruction and evaluation.

Lesson 6. Developing Basic Digital Skills

The aim of education is to develop various skills a learner must have. These skills are essential in producing an equip and competitive learners. In the digital generation, teachers must help students to develop these skills for them to be able to use it in their future jobs. As a challenge, teachers must also adjust to the changing educational interest of the students. The use of teachnologies and other educational media must be thoroughly utilize so that the skills that the student has to develop could be attain. These skills include solution fluency, information fluency, collaboration fluency, media fluency, creativity fluency and digital ethics.

 

Solution fluency refers to the ability of the students to solve problems. This could be a problem regarding class discussion or problems in real life situation. Solution fluency involves critical thinking ability as well as the systematic approach in solving a problem. Information fluency refers to the ability of the students to gather information that can be relevant to a certain topic. A student who develop this skill has an ability to access information not only in internet but also other sources like CD-ROM software. This information does not only limit to text but also images and videos. Collaboration fluency refers to teamwork interaction among learners using social sites and online games. Through educational technology, school to school partnership is now possible for more fun and active learning process. Media fluency refers to the ability to use digital sources such as radio, television, magazine, etc. as channels of communication. Through these media, one will be able to publish or retrieve messages and information. Blogs is an example to media used for educational purposes. Creative fluency refers to the ability to use different font, color, pattern and lay-out to produce an artistic work of art. Templates for PowerPoint presentations as well as creative text fonts are available and accessible in internet. All of those fluency discussed above has to do with the use of educational technologies. Therefore, digital ethnics must also be practice. This kind of fluency refers to the principles and ethics that must be followed in using different technologies especially the ones that has to do with communication access in social sites.

 As a learner exposed in digital age generation, I can say that I have attain those skills mentioned. My teachers have mold me to be a problem solver, able to access information on my own and can use different media as a channel to communication. My teachers have let me work collaboratively with other learners and I have develop my social skills. Through projects, I have develop my creative skills. Right manners and conduct are being taught in school, hence, I can say that I am sensitive and tactful digital citizen.

I have reflected that in all the skills that a learner must develop, never will the ethic is out of the line. Attaining those different skills but lack manner and conduct is useless. For this reason, teachers must make sure that a learner will be holistically develop. They must not only attain those important skills, but nothing is more important than having good manners and being a sensitive person.

Lesson 5. Preferences of the Technology Generation

  The environment that we are in influences our preferences. If we are living in a religious family and we are expose to going to church, read the bible and pray, there is a tendency that we would prefer to listen Christian songs and read inspirational books. If we belong to a class who is competent and aggressive in studying, we might as well become studious and industrious in terms of learning. If a child is expose to books and many reading materials, he might be a book reader as he grows up. It is our surroundings that influence our preferences.    

                Lesson 5 shows differences of digital age learners to the traditional ones. In terms of illustrations and visual aids, traditional learners are into textbooks. Most digital learners prefer video clips than reading an entire novel. In terms of learning activities, traditional learners are into independent study while digital ones prefer to social learning activities wherein they can interact and exchange views with their group mates. On the way a teacher discusses, traditional learners hear a linear, logical and sequential way of teaching. Digital-learners tend to get boring if their teachers do that. Hence, they are into logical and reflective way of teaching. Teachers have to tap the critical thinking skills of the students. In terms of assessment, traditional learners would prefer paper-pencil evaluation while digital learners prefer hands-on evaluation where they can exercise the skill they have develop.

                In classes nowadays, we can truly see that teachers are now facing the digital age learners because different strategies are exercise by the teacher. They would let their students explore and be the best they can in any activity. In my classes when I got in college, most of my teachers make learners as the center of the teaching-learning process. Activities are done and we work in groups. We talk a lot and perform what we have learned.

In a digital age environment, learners nowadays have different preferences unlike to traditional learners. Indeed, teachers of today must adapt to the ways and preferences of the learners, or else, adversities and difficulties will a teacher encounters. Teachers nowadays are facilitators in the teaching-learning process. They are to assist the students and make straight their paths towards academic excellence.

As a teacher, let us be the person who will bring out the best of our students. They are unique and competent, intelligent and creative. We just have to be a TEACHER, who will guide them all throughout their learning process.

Lesson 4. Bridging the Generation Gap

Women before are to stay in the house and do the house chores. They were to clean the house, wash the dishes and care for the kids. Now, women prefer to work and save money for the family. In terms of educational system, secondary level has 4 years of learning. Now, students have to spend 6 years to finish secondary schooling. As time pass by, changes occur in any aspect of human life. As CHANGE happens, GAP occurs.

                In this lesson, it encourages future educators to bridge the gap of the previous generation to the digital world ahead by learning how to make use of these educational technologies as they will soon face the digital professional challenges.

              

  My aunt who graduated at the year 1987 and she was very much expose to traditional teaching. For many years in her teaching career, she uses traditional approach. But as the trend of time today, she decided to take computer class every Saturday and learn more about computers. She graduated and even received certificate of completion. Now, she can relate to her students and able to integrate technologies in the teaching and learning process. 

                My aunt’s action showed how she bridge the gap between her traditional teachings to the recent trends in the educational environment. Through her action, she is still competent in her teaching career and became a good teacher, ready to whatever the world wants. Even if we are a product of a traditional approach in teaching, there is no reason for us to stop learning and coping with the trends of time. We can learn and still be effective teacher of all ages.

                As a future teacher, let us not be afraid of many changes that comes along the way. It is part of our professional challenges and all we have to do is to be ready and equip. Do not let those challenges shaken us because no matter what happens, no one can replace a teacher. Just be prepared!

Lesson 2. Educational Technology History and ICT

            We might observe a caterpillar will soon undergo metamorphosis and will turn into a beautiful butterfly that fly so high. We, ourselves have gone through process of changes from a small organism turning into a lovely baby and now. How much more now! We are growing and renewing each day, changing to be a better person. In our community today, constant changes is also evident. In the physical attractions, buildings around are getting bigger. Cellular phones are getting smaller for convenience. Population are getting larger and territories are getting occupied. In the same way, different strategies and educational technologies are getting upgraded in the field education for an interactive and realistic teaching and learning process.  

                The evolution of computer is one of the great advancement in any field of business, education and media. In this lesson, we will come to the glimpse of how educational technology came into being and  how computers were made and develop into a more convenient possession a person could have. In the history of educational technology, it all started in the year 1920 when audio-visual media were accepted in the field of instruction. In the year 1926, educational films were available to supplement learning. Until in the year 1932, the first television program was aired at the State University of Iowa. Many schools then adapted the way of instruction with the use of various educational technologies. 

                With the rise of many educational technologies, computer was included. But before it came into being, it actually started in a small computational device which was the Abacus. With the Abacus, Blaise Pascal was inspired to make another device that can perform computations faster that abacus. With the influence of Abacus, he invented the calculator that could perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Another device was made which is called Punch Card Devise that was invented by Joseph Jacquard. From this influence, electronic computer was then made. From the birth of electronic computer, it evolve into smaller and more convenient device. At this present time, computers are still evolving and upgraded which can be use for many educational purposes. 
               From the evolution of computer, I have come realize that everything in the world is a constant change. Nothing will change except “change” itself. These changes brought positive and advantages to human beings. Yet, too much reliance to changes will bring destruction to humankind.

                As a future educator, adapting to changes will give us an edge on dealing with our future digital generation learners. With these technologies, it can help us in many things in the teaching-learning process. Aside that it can make our teaching career more updated and stress-free, we will be able to impart a lot of knowledge and facts through many sites made available in the Internet. Let us make the best of what educational technology can offer. As a teacher, all of the benefits we can get in technologies are in our hands. It is just UP TO US.