Lesson 17 Tablets for textbooks in Schools

   

• This lesson discusses about the tablets being a replacement to textbooks in classroom setting or in the teaching- learning process. Today, books are still the primary medium of instruction in most schools. Yet there is a disadvantage of using books for learning that are being debated upon. The errors in public school textbooks have also been exposed, errors resulting from wrong information, technical mistakes and editorial lapses. Today, technology is being viewed as a savior because the students are enamored by computer games.By that, the educators have begun to think that the computer screen can very  well serve as a power point educational medium.
• As  to the application, future educators cannot meet this if they are assigned to the public or government schools as well as not all private schools will agree to this. So for us it would be a challenge on how we find alternative ways upon integrating process for the students to learn far better. We can employ different activities and strategies that will not solely based on textbooks or the students keep on reading with their textbooks without comprehension. But we should not also close our minds that someday all the textbooks will be replaced by tablets or even by the technologies that are being planned to be created for the new millennium learners. By, that we should always be prepared because whether we like or not , these inventions will stay and progress from generation to generation.

Lesson 16 The Internet and Education

       

                           - 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 ( TCP/ IP). To gain access to the Internet, The computer must be equipped with what is called 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 overwhelming challenge to those who wish to navigate it. The most atrractive 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 text, images and sounds are likened 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 and Internet cafes. Today schools are gearing up to take advantage of Internet access.

         Imagine the 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.

Lesson 15 Understanding Hypermedia

        HYPERMEDIA - 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 learner autonomy and thinking skills.

          There are three important features that are outstanding that characterized 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.
   

          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 him 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 14 The Software as an Educational Resource

• 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.

There are two kinds of software:

1. The system software. This is the operating system that is found or bundled inside all computer machines.

2. The application software. This contains the system that commands the particular task or solves a particular problem.

1. 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.
   
2. 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.
   
   
   

• 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 13 Cooperative Learning with the Computer

COOPERATIVE LEARNING WITH THE COMPUTER

   - Singapore has set the global pace for student - centered learning with a 2 : 1 ( pupils with 1 computer ) ratio in its master plan for IT in Education. This shows that even in other progressive countries, the 1 : 1 pupil - computer ratio is still an ideal to be achieved. Reality, therefore, dictates that schools face the fact that each classroom, especially in public or government schools, may not be equipped with the appropriate number of computers.

   The creativity of the teacher will have to respond to the situation, and so cooperative learning will likely be the answer to the implemention of IT supported learning in our schools. But the situation may not be that bad since there are motivational and social benefits to cooperative learning these can compensate for the lack of hardware that educators face.

    Defining cooperative Learning

                Cooperative or collaborative learning is learning by small groups of students who work together in a common learning task. It is called group learning but to be truly cooperative learning, five (5) elements are needed:

1.  A common goal
2. Interdependence
3. Interaction
4. Individual Accountability
5. Social Skills

     Therefore not every group work is cooperative learning since students working on their work sheets physically sat around a table may be working together without these features of cooperative learning.
         From several studies made on cooperative Learning, It is manifested that cooperative Learning in its true sense is advantageous since it:

1. Encourages active learning, while motivating students;
2. Increases academic performance;
3. Promotes literacy and language Skills; and 
4. Improves teacher effectiveness.

          The teacher is assigned several tasks in order to ensure collaborative Learning. These are:

1. Assigning students to mixed - ability teams
2. Establishing positive interdependence
3. Teaching cooperative social skills
4. Insuring individual accountability
5. Helping groups process information

           The computer is a natural learning vehicle for cooperative learning. It promotes cooperation and collaboration within students working on a same tasks, 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 interdependence 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 12 Information Technology in support of Students - Centered Learning

 

     In this lesson, we shall see now the teacher can expand his option to make himself more effective and relevant in the 21st millennium information age. In particular, the lesson shall respond to questions on student-centered learning approach, particular helps on designing and adapting students-learning activities shall be examined.

in addition, suggestion shall be made on how a student-centered classroom (SCL) can be supported by information technology (IT)

The Traditional Classroom

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

The SCL Classroom

          In industrialize societies we find knowledge-based economies in which workers depend on information that can be accessed through information and communication technologies (ICT's). Desiring to gain effectiveness, efficiency and economy in administration and instruction, schools in these developed economies have also adopted the support of ICT's. Their 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:

• Performing computer word processing for text or graph presentations
• Preparing power-point presentation
• Searching for information on the Internet
• Brainstorming on ideas, problems and project plans
• As needed, the teacher facilitating instruction, also giving individualized instruction to serve individual needs.

Lesson 11 The Computer as the Teacher's tool

    CONSTRUCTIVISM - was introduced by Piaget ( 1981) and Bruner ( 1990 ). They gave stress to knowledge discovery of meaning concepts principles in the learning process. Various strategies have been suggested to foster knowledge discovery, among these, is making students engaged in gathering unorganized information from which they can induce ideas and principles. Students are also asked to apply discovered knowledge to new situation, a process for making their knowledge applicable to real life situation.

    SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIVISM - Is an effort  to show that the construction of knowledge is governed by social, historical and cultural In effect, this is to say that the learner who intercepts knowledge has a predetermined point of view according to the social perspectives of the community or society he lives.

    CAPABILITIES OF COMPUTER

• 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 communication, the computer can very well be the key tool for video teleconferencing sessions.

• Co- Constructive Tool - Students can use extension systems, the computer can create 3D images on display to give the use 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.

• Situating Tool - By means of virtual reality extension systems, the computer can create 3D 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.

          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 the tools the teachers may not be able to teach students effectively. The computer have a lot of capabilities that a computer 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.