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.