Lesson 1: A REVIEW OF ED TECH 1

 

SUMMARY:         

          The Educational Technology 1 course has truly paved way for the learner to become aware. appreciative and equipped to use educational technology tools ranging from traditional to modern educational media. In ET-1, the learner was also oriented towards the averting dangers of dehumanization which technology brings into societies, through ideological propaganda, pornography, financial fraud, and other exploitative use of technology.On the application of educational technology to instruction it showed the 4 phases of application of educational technology in teaching and learning; setting of learning objectives, designing specific learning, evaluating the effectiveness of the learning experiences, and revision as needed of the whole teaching learning process, or some elements of it for improvement, for future use. 

 REFLECTION:

          Taking up Ed.Tech 1, we learned and become aware of the different educational technology tools, from traditional to modern educational media. As a future teacher, knowing what type of media is appropriate to use in a certain instructional activity is our main concern. In this sense, the computer is what we could use. We realize that the computer is useful in teaching and proper integration of its capabilities in instruction is important. The basic concepts of Educational Technology are made clear for us that the use of technology has its downside, but utilizing and integrating it properly in the teaching - learning process could be a game changer in the classroom setting. 

Lesson 2: AN OVERVIEW OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY 2

SUMMARY:          

          
          Educational Technology 2 is concerned with integrating technology in teaching and learning. Specifically this is focused on introducing, reinforcing, supplementing and extending the knowledge and skills to learners so that they can become exemplary users of educational technology. 

REFLECTION:

          

          The main focus is on the integration of technologies in teaching and learning. We are exposed to the computer to become skillful users, preparing us to be competent teachers in the future. For we all know that we are now in the Digital Era, we student teachers must be capable not only in the use of modern educational media, but also on how to properly integrate it in teaching to enhance learning. In this case, when we will be teaching, we can reinforce and supplement the learning of our students at the same time exposing them to a new learning environment. 

Lesson 3: ET IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION

SUMMARY:          

         
           To provide confidence to educators that they are taking the right steps in adopting technology in education, it is good to know that during the last few years, progressive countries in the Asia Pacific region have formulated state policies and strategies to infuse technology in schools. The reason for this move is not difficult to understand since there is now a pervasive awareness that a nation’s socio-economic success in the 21^st century is linked to how well it can compete in a global information and communication technology.  And since it is understood that state policies will continue to change, it is helpful to examine prevailing ICT policies and strategies of five progressive states, namely New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong.

REFLECTION:

         

          The use of Educational Technology is on a rise at different parts of the world, especially in progressive nations. ICT had become a big part of their educational system in such a way that their learners become competent and skilled in the use of ICT, preparing them in facing the fast- paced digital world which is a part of their societal and economic trend. Educational programs in such countries that incorporates ET and ICT are of big help to the development of students to become that can contribute to the larger world. As for our country, we Filipinos are not so far behind when we talk about the use of technology. We are pretty much updated on new trends in innovation particularly gadgets and computers. But when it comes to educational programs that involves ET and ICT, we are in the early stages. We are starting to integrate technology in the classroom environment, and schools together with the teachers are now integrating different educational technologies during instruction.

Lesson 4: BASIC CONCEPTS OF INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY IN INSTRUCTION

Summary:

          Integrating technology in instruction means the use of learning technologies to introduce, reinforce, supplement and extend skills. The difference between classrooms of exemplary users of technology and technology users is the way their classes are conducted. In the exemplary classroom, student use of computer is woven integrally into the patterns of teaching, as software is a natural extension of student tools. Their is no integrative process if the teacher make students play computer games to give them a rest period during classes. Neither is there integration if the teacher merely teaches students computer skills.

Reflection:

          Some say that computer is bane, that for students it is a barrier for learning. But this is not the issue, and we know that computer can be used as an effective tool in learning. It only becomes destructive when we abuse and misuse it. The use of computer, especially the Internet, social media/networking, games , and other computer capabilities can also be useful and are effective tools in learning. It must be properly integrated in the teaching-learning process. The teacher plays a key role on the integration of this technology in education. In this case, if the teacher just let the students manipulate the computer without facilitating them or just letting them play games in the computer, then there is no integration.

Lesson 5: STATE OF THE ART ET APPLICATIONS AND PRACTICES

 SUMMARY:         

          Educators have become more aware and active in adopting state of the art educational technology practices they can possibly adopt today. Following the modern trends in technology - related education, schools should now foster a student- centered learning environment because schools can’t avoid integration of ET in instruction. As the world modernized, present day students also have undergo modernization in terms of computer literacy. This was a twisted learning from traditional, where students rely all their information from the teacher. Constructivism paved the way for instructional approaches, students rely less on teachers as information givers. They acquire information, build their own knowledge and solve problems.

REFLECTION:

          The use of technology in the classroom setting is not new to us. As s student, we have used power-point presentations and other educational media during reporting and discussions. When we become teachers, we already had a background on the different educational media that can be used in teaching. We only need to know how to incorporate this technology in our lessons. Nowadays, students are more curious , more intelligent, and more advance when it comes to new gadgets. So if the teacher is not skillful enough in the use of technology, learning can be ineffective. However, teachers today are flexible and can easily adapt to the changes in instruction. 

Lesson 6: DEVELOPING BASIC DIGITAL SKILLS

SUMMARY:           

          As teachers adjust their teaching to effectively match the new digital world of ICT, they must be clear on what basic knowledge, skills and values ( literacy ) need to develop by digital learners. These basic literacy will not replace the 3Rs, but they will complemented by six essential skills to equip students for success in the millennial world. Rather call them literacy skills these are better referred to fluency skills. These are solution fluency, information fluency, collaboration fluency, media fluency, creativity fluency, and digital ethics. In Bloom’s Taxonomy of Thinking Skills can serve as a general framework of skills, a new era of creativity in the digital world has led to introducing a kind of framework that requires information processing, idea creation and real-world problem-solving skills.

REFLECTION:

          Developing basic digital skills allow us how to use properly different capabilities of the computer and apply these when we will be teaching in the future. We will be able to impart this to our students, teach them how to gather useful information using the Internet, and use this information properly in finding solutions on the problems they encounter at the classroom setting, the school, and in the outside world.

Lesson 7: IT FOR HIGHER THINKING SKILLS AND CREATIVITY

SUMMARY:         

          In the traditional information absorption model of teaching, the teacher organizes and presents information to student- learners. He may use a variety of teaching resources to support the lesson. The presentation is followed by discussion and the giving of assignment. Today, students are expected to be not only cognitive but also flexible, analytic and creative.

REFLECTION:

           Students nowadays are expected to be creative with higher - order thinking skills and flexible in different learning situations. There are methods that propose the use of computer - based technology to support creativity and higher - order thinking skills. In the modern classroom, teachers can't easily get the attention of students when teaching lessons using traditional methods. Learners today are into technology and fond of exploring, so the teacher needs to incorporate technology during instruction to get the appeal and attention of the students, for them to enjoy the lesson and participate in class.  

Lesson 8: HIGHER THINKING SKILLS THROUGH IT-BASED PROJECTS

SUMMARY:

          
           There are four types of IT-based projects which can effectively be used in order to engage students in activities of a higher plane of thinking. (1)The Resource-based Projects, the teacher steps out of the traditional role of being an content expert and information provider, and instead lets the student find their own facts and information. (2)Simple Creations,they can create their software materials to supplement the need for relevant and effective materials. (3)Guided Hypermedia Projects is production of self-made multimedia projects can be approached in two different ways: As an instructive tool, such as in the production by students of a PowerPoint presentation of a selected topic. As a communication tool, such as when students do a multimedia presentation like graphs, photos, interviews and video clips. (4) Web-Based Projects, students can be made to create and post webpages on a given topic. Creativity projects as tools in the teaching-learning process can be achieved with the assistance of advisers adept in the technical use of Internet Resources.

REFLECTION:

          Through IT-based projects, higher - order thinking skills are developed and students are given projects that let them learn in their own pace and pattern, with the teacher acting as a facilitator. Students who engaged in these activities, searching for information, organizing and synthesizing ideas, and creating their own presentations are the ones who demonstrates higher thinking skills and creativity. Learning had become more enjoyable for students and in return they also develop skills for lifelong learning. 

Lesson 9: COMPUTER AS INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

SUMMARY:            

          Instructional media consist of audio-visual aids that served to enhance and enrich the teaching- learning process. Examples are the blackboard, photo, film and video. On the other hand, educational communication media comprise the media of communication to audiences including learners using the print, film, radio and television or satellite means of communication. For example, distance learning were implemented using correspondence, radio, television or the computer satellite system. 

Uses of the Computer as ICT in Education:

The PC

               Communication Media                                                            Audiovisual Media

                      (Internet)                                                                              (Multimedia)

               E-mail (text and video)                                                         Text, sound, graphics, chart, photos                  Chat rooms                                                                          Power-point presentation

               Blog sites                                                                             CD, VCD, DVD player

               News services (print, video clip)                                           Educational Software

               Music/movie/television room                                                          (Internet)      

                                                                                                           Educational websites

                                                                                                           Softwares, coursewares

                                                                                                           School registration/ records                                                                    

Programs normally installed in an ordinary modern PC:

• Microsoft Office- program for composing text, graphics, photos into letters, articles, reports, etc.
• Power-point - for preparing lecture presentations
• Excel- for spreadsheets and similar graphic sheets
• Internet Explorer- access to the internet
• Yahoo or Google- websites; e-mail, chat rooms, blog sites, news services (print/video), educaional software, etc.
• Adobe Reader- graphs/photo composition and editing
• MSN- mail/chat messaging
• Windows Media Player- CD, VCD player, editing film/video
• Cyberlink Power- DVD player
• GameHouse- video games

REFLECTION:

          The use of ICT has become an integral part of our society. Mainly, the computer, the Internet and social media had become a huge part in different aspects of the society; economy, industry, and education. In teaching, ICT is very useful in the sense that information and communication are important elements in teaching. As teachers, we share and give information to our students during instruction. And to be able to deliver this information, effective communication is important. Through the use of ICT,  teachers and students can share and communicate information outside the classroom environment. It can be a tool for information gathering, storing, and communication. The vast capabilities of the computer and ICT are useful and essential in the world today, for it can shrink the global world and we can easily connect with different people from far distance. 

Lesson 10: THE COMPUTER AS TUTOR

SUMMARY:          

          The computer can be a tutor in effect relieving the teacher of many activities in his/her personal role as classroom tutor. It should be made, however that the computer cannot totally replace the teacher since the teacher shall continue to play the major roles of information deliverer and learning environment controller. Even with the available computer and CAI software, the teacher must insure that students have the needed knowledge and skills for any computer activity. The teacher also decide the appropriate learning objectives, plan the sequential and structured activities to achieve the objectives and evaluate the students' achievement by way of tests.

REFLECTION:

          A tutor can also be not human. A tutor can be a thing and that thing is the computer. We are now in a modern world where the use of computer is increasing rapidly. With just one click, access to information is in an instant. And as future teachers, we must be equipped with skills and competency in using the computer. Using computer software that supplements that lesson and act as tutor to students are helpful in the teaching - learning process, and the teacher acts as the facilitator in this kind of instruction. 

Lesson 11: THE COMPUTER AS THE TEACHER'S TOOL

SUMMARY:

Informative Tool. The computer can provide vast amounts of information in various forms such as text, graphics, sound and video. The Internet itself provides an enormous database from which user an access global information resources as well as educational information directly useful to learners.

Communication Tool. Given the fact that the Internet can serve as a channel for global communication, the computer can very well be the key tool for video teleconferencing sessions.

Constructive Tool. The computer can be used for manipulating information, visualizing one's understanding and building new knowledge. The Microsoft Word is an example wherein it allow 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 extension systems, the computer can create 3-D images on display to give the user the feeling that are situated in a virtual environment. A flight simulation program is an example which places the user in a simulated flying environment.

REFLECTION:

          The computer is an effective tool for teachers in teaching and for students to learn. There was a saying "A nail without a hammer is useless", and if you relate it in teaching, without tools the teacher may not be able to teach the students effectively.The computer have a lot of capabilities that a teacher can utilize. Effective use of the computer and proper integration of its uses in instruction changes the manner of teaching and learning. We know we can use computers, all we need is to treasure the benefits it brings in the educative process. 

Lesson 12: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN SUPPORT OF STUDENT - CENTERED LEARNING

SUMMARY:        

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

        In the student - centered classroom ,the students have now become active not passive learners, who can interact with other learners, demonstrating independence and self-awareness in the learning process. Generally, the new school classroom environment is characterized by student individually or in groups who are performing computer word processing, preparing power-point presentations, searching for information in the Internet, and brainstorming on ideas, problems and project plans as needed. The teacher facilitating instruction also gives individualized instruction to serve individual needs.

REFLECTION:

          The usefulness of the computer is a main concern when it comes to student - centered learning. With the computer's vast capabilities, it allow teachers to let students be independent learners and not merely being spoon - fed with information by the teacher. They can search and gather information on their own, exploring answers to their questions independently developing their higher thinking skills. The students are the primary concern for teachers and they become the center of the teaching - learning process. Information Technology supports this kind of learning environment.

Lesson 13: COOPERATIVE LEARNING WITH THE COMPUTER

SUMMARY:       

          Cooperative or collaborative learning is learning by small groups of students 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: a common goal, interdependence, interaction, individual accountability, and social skills. It encourages active learning while motivating students; increases academic performance; promotes literacy and language skills; and improves teacher effectiveness.

         The teacher is assigned 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. It is also important for the teacher to limit learning group clusters  (six is the ideal number in a group) so that there can be closer involvement in thinking and learning.

REFLECTION:

          The computer is a natural learning vehicle for cooperative learning. It promotes cooperation and collaboration within students working on a same task, also it develops enthusiasm and a sense of belonging between individual within a group  who shares a common goal. Every individual is given a sense of responsibility to do his part in achieving the goal. Each responsibility is important for the other members where each result is interdependent with each other to achieve a good overall result. Social skills are also develop while students interact with each other, boosting their self - esteem. 

Lesson 14: THE SOFTWARE AS AN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE

SUMMARY:        

          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: the systems software, which is the operating software that is found or bundled inside all computer machines; and applications software, which contains the system that commands a particular task or solves a particular problem. In turn, the applications software may be; a custom software that is made for specific tasks often by large corporations, or 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,  is an operating environment between the user and the computer operating system. Actually, Windows is in itself a self-contained operating system which provides user convenience, a new look, information center, and plug and play configurations.

        Instructional software can be visited on the Internet or can be bought from software shops or dealers.  But beware since computer-based instructional materials need much improvement, while web-based educational resources are extremely good or what is complete garbage.

REFLECTION:

          In using the computer, software is being used. There are software for entertainment, business, and also for education and instruction. Software is important because the computer is useless without it. It cannot function in the way that we know if there is no software, nor it can be useful to us. Choosing appropriate and updated educational software as teaching material is the responsibility of the teacher and the school. Somehow, learning is quite interesting when educational software is used.  

Lesson 15: UNDERSTANDING HYPERMEDIA

SUMMARY:          

          
          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 packages, knowledge webpages, simulation instructional games, and learning project management and others.

          The presentation of information- learning activities in hypermedia is said to be sequenced in a non-linear manner, meaning that the learner may follow his own path of activities thus providing an environment of learner autonomy and thinking skills.

          There are three important features that are outstanding that characterize the hypermedia software:

1. Learner control - the learner makes his own decisions on the path, flow or events of instruction. 
2. Learner wide range of navigation routes - the learner controls the sequence and pace of his path depending on his ability and motivation. 
3. Variety of media - which includes more than one media but does not necessarily use all types of media in one presentation.

REFLECTION:

          Hypermedia is an example of an educational software that we could use in the teaching - learning process. Among these are different software that are useful and effective in a certain type of instructional activity. In using hypermedia, teachers allow students to follow his own path of activities and control the flow of instruction while making his own decisions. In the classroom environment, the learner will develop a sense of autonomy and independence at the same time developing higher - order thinking skills.

Lesson 16: THE INTERNET AND EDUCATION

SUMMARY:           

          
           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 Internet cafes. Today schools are gearing up to take advantage of Internet access.

REFLECTION:

          Imagine a world without the Internet. We all know we can't imagine such a world. The Internet is one of the reason why the world is the world we know today, a digital world. It is useful, convenient and effective. Name it and the Internet can give you access to it. I'm not exaggerating here but my point is that the Internet gives people access to different information beyond borders, connecting lives and linking vast networks of people and culture who shares a common interest. The Internet for me is a powerful innovation of man, and made for the use of man.