Lesson 18 " Tablets for Textbooks in Schools"

let we use them both, and in proper way!!

     Today, books are still the primary medium of instruction in most schools. Already, 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.

      In general, tablets as a primary learning tool can be replacing the textbooks. Tablets are conducive to higher thinking, constructive and participative teaching-and-learning. By that, parents gave full support to the IT advancement. Technology itself may be a key to problem resolution and Filipino ingenuity is called to respond to the challenge facing the digital generation of the millennium.

Having something that can replace heavy bulky books is a good idea, the students will no longer suffer from carrying heavy books and if the only use tablets they can access their books anytime anywhere because it can be brought easily without hassle.

It is no longer impossible as what the students in La Salle were experiencing. Even ordinary college students were no longer buying books in the store especially now that PDF format copies of the books were already available and free to be downloaded.

In the near future this kind of events will be achieve by all levels of schools in the Philippines it may sound impossible because of the current situation in our country that cannot even provide good classrooms and equipment. But nothing is impossible, if there’s a will to become better there will always a way in achieving better and bigger things.

Lesson 16 " The Internet and Education"

Hypermedia is nothing but multimedia, but this time packaged as educational computer software where information is presented and student activities are in a virtual learning environment. Most Educational IT application is hypermedia and these include:

      

●         Tutorial Software Packages

●         Knowledge Webpage’s

●         Simulation Instructional Games

●         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 path of activities thus providing an environment of learner autonomy and thinking skills. This fact makes it therefore important to understand hypermedia in the educational context in order to ensure their successful integration in the teaching-learning process.

        

   

Characteristics of hypermedia applications

        

There are two important features that are outstanding among other features that characterize the hypermedia software:

                        

1.      Learner control. 

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

                           

2.     Learner wide range of navigation routes.   

For the most part, the learner controls the sequence and pace of his path depending on his ability and motivation. He has the option to repeat and change speed, if desired. Of course, at the start, the learner may choose the learning activities he prefers. Meanwhile, the teacher has the prerogative to determine suitable learning objectives.

                           

The learner also has a wide range of navigation routes such as by working on concepts he is already familiar with. They may even follow a linear or logical path, even if the previous activity is half-completed. He may explore other sections opting to return or complete the previous activity.

Experience

I still remember when i was in highschool our teacher tells a story about illiad then after he tells us a story she then gave us a short quiz and the result shows that we havent learn something so she revice her strategy so instead of story telling she let us watched a movie. And then after she gave a short quiz to us he then prove that using multimedia is more effective.

reflection

With the appearance of cutting edge innovation, all parts of man's surroundings have changed. It has augmented his ability for learning and self-change through the PC's utilization and its fluctuated capacities. It truly has changed our life, the way we experience our lives. In the field of instruction, the understudy and also the instructor are supported enormously by this data innovation which has created the term hypermedia alluding to the multitasking of PC, their product as wellsprings of data and understudy focused learning exercises. This would incorporate instructional exercise programming, sites for data, reproduction exercises and aides in gathering or group ventures. In the combination of data innovation or hypermedia in the learning process, the learner is given control over the sort of learning exercises he needs and the pace at which he can take a shot at his school undertakings and prerequisites.

application

Hypermedia gives customized learning exercises as it assists those with slowwing and poor learners. It gives exercises suited to your learning destinations and needs. It presents assortment of media that will truly provide food those quick and moderate learners. Though in a conventional showing strategies, the educator would take additional time, consideration and push to help the understudies who are moderate in comprehension the lessons. With that it gives instructor trouble to grow new procedures and targets for both quick and moderate learners. Along these lines, it is truly useful for the instructor to utilize hypermedia. It is likewise then workable for an instructor to let his understudies inquiry, investigate and find in a customary classroom. Yet, with that, you have to give the understudy an occasion to apply the learning, assets and materials and additionally much time subsequent to the educator needs to look into every one particularly the moderate learners. 

Hypermedia is truly useful for both the learner and the educator yet conventional learning does not mean no change on the understudy. It is still the most ideal route for a country which is not more specific or don't discover it a need with utilizing PCs and data innovation as a part of boosting their financial status. Give us a chance to recall, PCs have impediments and disservices as well!

A view of educational uses of the Internet

Today, even elementary school graders in progressive countries like the

United States are corresponding via e-mail with pen pals in all 50 states. They

ask probing questions like, “What is your state’s most serious problems,” or How

much does a pizza cost in your state? This educational activity prodded by their

schools are paying dividends from increasing the pupil’s interest in Geography

to a greater understanding of how people live in large cities and other places

in the United States or the world.

Educational software materials have also developed both in sophistication

and appeal. There is now a wider choice from rote arithmetic or grammar lessons

to discovery and innovation projects. But the real possibility today is

connecting with the world outside homes, classrooms, and Internet cafes. And

today schools are gearing up to take advantage of Internet access, where they

can 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.

Lesson 15 " Understanding Hypermedia "

Knowledge about Hypermedia!!

Hypermedia is nothing but multimedia, but this time packaged as educational computer software where information is presented and student activities are in a virtual learning environment. Most Educational IT application is hypermedia and these include:

      

●         Tutorial Software Packages

●         Knowledge Webpage’s

●         Simulation Instructional Games

●         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 path of activities thus providing an environment of learner autonomy and thinking skills. This fact makes it therefore important to understand hypermedia in the educational context in order to ensure their successful integration in the teaching-learning process.

        

   

Characteristics of hypermedia applications

        

There are two important features that are outstanding among other features that characterize the hypermedia software:

                        

1.      Learner control. 

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

                           

2.     Learner wide range of navigation routes.   

For the most part, the learner controls the sequence and pace of his path depending on his ability and motivation. He has the option to repeat and change speed, if desired. Of course, at the start, the learner may choose the learning activities he prefers. Meanwhile, the teacher has the prerogative to determine suitable learning objectives.

                           

The learner also has a wide range of navigation routes such as by working on concepts he is already familiar with. They may even follow a linear or logical path, even if the previous activity is half-completed. He may explore other sections opting to return or complete the previous activity.

reflection

With the appearance of cutting edge innovation, all parts of man's surroundings have changed. It has augmented his ability for learning and self-change through the PC's utilization and its fluctuated capacities. It truly has changed our life, the way we experience our lives. In the field of instruction, the understudy and also the instructor are supported enormously by this data innovation which has created the term hypermedia alluding to the multitasking of PC, their product as wellsprings of data and understudy focused learning exercises. This would incorporate instructional exercise programming, sites for data, reproduction exercises and aides in gathering or group ventures. In the combination of data innovation or hypermedia in the learning process, the learner is given control over the sort of learning exercises he needs and the pace at which he can take a shot at his school undertakings and prerequisites.

application

Hypermedia gives customized learning exercises as it assists those with slowing and poor learners. It gives exercises suited to your learning destinations and needs. It presents assortment of media that will truly provide food those quick and moderate learners. Though in a conventional showing strategies, the educator would take additional time, consideration and push to help the understudies who are moderate in comprehension the lessons. With that it gives instructor trouble to grow new procedures and targets for both quick and moderate learners. Along these lines, it is truly useful for the instructor to utilize hypermedia. It is likewise then workable for an instructor to let his understudies inquiry, investigate and find in a customary classroom. Yet, with that, you have to give the understudy an occasion to apply the learning, assets and materials and additionally much time subsequent to the educator needs to look into every one particularly the moderate learners. 

Hypermedia is truly useful for both the learner and the educator yet conventional learning does not mean no change on the understudy. It is still the most ideal route for a country which is not more specific or don't discover it a need with utilizing PCs and data innovation as a part of boosting their financial status. Give us a chance to recall, PCs have impediments and disservices as well!

Lesson 14 " Software as an Educational resource"

     When people think about computers, they imagine the computer machine with monitor screen, keyboard, and “the box” or CPU which contains the electronic parts and circuits. It is more difficult to realize, however, that 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.

2 types of software:

1. Systems software- this is the operating system that is found or bundled inside all computer machines.

2. Applications software- this contains the system that commands the particular task or solves a particular problem.

Microsoft Windows

This is also referred to as program. Microsoft Windows or Windows for short is an operating environmentbetween the user and the

computer operating system. Also called a shell, it is a layer that creates the way the computer should work. Windows uses a colourful graphics interface (called GUI- “gooee”) that can be seen on the computer screen or monitor whenever the computer is turned on.

Instructional Software

This can be visited on the internet or can be bought from software shops or dealers. The teacher through his school should decide on the best computer-based instructional (CBI) materials for the school resource collection. But beware since CBIs need much improvement, while web-based educational resources are either extremely good or what is complete garbage.

OVERVIEW 

The computer has paved the way for learning in a new light. It has given human race a lot of advantages from the time it has been invented.  Now the computer has been used widely and optimally in educational settings. Most of the educational materials used by the teachers nowadays are web-based softwares. It is attractive with colourful graphics, sounds and videos; so catching that you really want to download it.

The sense of patriotism among us has slowly faded away because of computer. Children and young adults do not find it fun to play traditional games like tumbang preso, luksong-tinik and etc. Most of us are fond of playing online games like Farmville, cityville and more or download games from the internet like Plants vs. Zombies. But in so much of these, it has really change lives of people and gives us the realization that man is really ingenious and resourceful.

Lesson 13 " Cooperative Learning with the Computer"

What is Cooperative Learning?

This is learning by small groups of students who work together in common learning task. There are 5 elements of cooperative learning:

·        A common goal

·        Interdependence

·        Interaction

·        Individual accountability

·        Social skills

Therefore, not every group work is cooperative learning since students working on their worksheets physically sat around a table may be working together without these features of cooperative learning.

From several studies made on cooperative learning, in its true sense is advantageous since it:

(a)  Encourages active learning, while motivating students

(b) Increases academic performance

(c)  Promotes literacy an language skills

(d) Improves teacher effectiveness

Cooperative learning and the computer

Researchers have made studies on the learning interaction between the student and the computer. Given the opportunity to work individually or in group, the students generally wish to work in computer-based and non-computer-based activities. Psychologists think the computer fosters this positive social behaviour due to the fact that it has a display monitor-just like a television set-that is looked upon as something communal.

Components of cooperative learning

·        Assigning students to mixed-ability teams

·        Establishing positive interdependence

·        Teaching cooperative social skills

·        Insuring individual accountability, and

·        Helping groups process information

Discussion:

1.     Discuss the difference between peer competition and positive interdependence in a group. Simply said, aren’t there debates in group work?

Peer competition is the learning that happens with peers. They exchange ideas with each other. Confidence in peer competition is more exercised. In positive interdependence, there is learning within the group. Others may be shy and others may be confident enough to share their ideas.

2.     What can be done in case some members of a group do not show positive interpersonal and communication skills? Can the teacher help in this situation?

ü There are persons who are too shy to express what they want and share what they know. The teacher may help by letting them contribute one by one so that they can overcome their shyness.

3.     Do skills in listening, negotiating, compromising, punctuality, tolerance (giving others a chance to speak) part of the social skills needed in group work?

ü These things are probably the most important things in a group work. It can surely help to let the students enjoy peace while learning.

4.     How can group members ensure that each member of the group is also accountable for the group work, and not totally depended on others? In practical terms, how can the teacher grade individual students fairly in a group activity for one single output?

ü The participation of everyone in the group must be strictly observed for the teacher to know how he/she gives grade to each and to be fair for those who actively and willingly contribute to the topic. One from the group may be obligated to list all the names of contributors to each topic they take.

5.      While cooperative learning is a very good avenue for teachers to help students learn effectively, why is it not to be adopted in all classroom learning situations?

Cooperative learning should be applied often but the teacher should also have the time to discuss so that students may also learn from the teacher and not just only from the group.

Lesson 12 " Information Technology in support of Student-Centered Learning"

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 desks. This situations is necessitated by the need to maintain classroom discipline, also they allow the teachers to control classroom activities through lecture presentation and teacher-led discussion.

Noticeably, however, after spending so many minutes in lesson presentation and class management, students can get restless and fidgety. Often enough, the teacher has to also mange misbehavior in class as students start to talk among themselves or simply stare away in lack attention. To prevent this situation, teachers often make students take time to work individually on worksheets can help the situation.

Another option is now presented and this is adopting the idea of developing students to be independent learners with the end of making them critical and creative thinkers.

The SCL classroom

          John Dewey described the traditional learning process in which the teacher pours information to students learners, much like pouring water from a jug into cups. This is based on the long accepted belief that the teacher must perform his role of teaching so that learning can occur. This learning approach is generally known as direct instruction, and it has worked well for obtaining many kind of learning outcomes.

              The problem with the direct instruction approach to learning, however, is the fact that the world’s societies have began to change. Of course, this change may not be strongly felt in many countries in which the economy longer depends primarily on factory workers who do repetitive work without thinking on the job. The traditional classroom and direct instruction approach to learning conform to this kind of economies.

           In contrast, industrialized societies we find knowledge based economies in which workers depends on information that can be accessed through information and communication technologies (ICTs). Desiring to gain effectiveness, efficiency and economy in administration and instructions, schools in these developed economies have also adopted the support of ICTs. 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 group:

·         Performing computer word processing for text or graph presentation

·         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 individual instruction to serve individual needs.

            Observably, there is departure from traditional worksheet, read-and-answer, and drill-and-practice activities. Students also no longer need to mark the test of peers since the computer has programs for test evaluation and computerized scoring of results.

Given this trend in teaching-and-learning, it must be pointed out, however, that traditional classroom activities-especially in less developed countries-will continue to have a strong place in the classroom. In spite of this setback experienced in some countries, the option has now been opened for the modern teacher to shift gears to students centered learning.

Lesson 11 " The computer as the teacher's tool "

                       It is now easier for teachers to provide avenues in which higher-level of thinking can be achieve by students since computers now can have problem-solving and simulation programs installed in it. Specifically, a computer can be used by the teacher:

·         As an informative tool – A computer can provide vast amounts of information in any form (text, graphics, sound or video). With the Internet, a computer can provide global information on anything. Computer alone is helpful but with the Internet, it becomes even better. A teacher can use this to teach his/her students develop researching and evaluative skills (choose among sources which is/are reliable).

·         As a communication tool – With Internet, communication has become better. A teacher can have a virtual class thus defying space and still pursue the teaching and learning process. 

·           As a constructive tool – With the programs installed in the

 computer, students can construct their own works. They can organize their ideas into multimedia presentations or through texts. A teacher can use the computer to allow his/her students to develop their own concepts or express themselves through computer creativity activities. 

        As co-constructive tool – Students cannot only do an original work in the computer but they also can share their works with others. The teacher can make use of this computer function to develop cooperation among his/her students.