Educational Technology

Lesson 1: A Review of Educational Technology 1

Summary:

Educational Technology 1 showed the four phases of application of educational technology in teaching and learning, namely; setting of learning objectives, designing specific learning experiences, evaluating the effectiveness of the learning experiences vis-a-vis the learning objectives and revision as needed of the whole teaching-learning process or elements of it, for further improving future instructional activities. Education technology refined the distinction between educational technology and other concepts, such as instructional technology and audio visual aids.

Educational technology offers a good curriculum to students nowadays. It provides a useful tool in the teaching and learning process using the advance technology we have in our generation. It helps teachers as well as the students achieve better learning.

Reflection:

Educational Technology 1 introduced and showed us how important technology is in Education. It helped us gain more understanding and helped us bring out the best abilities and creativeness in ourselves. Edtech 1 gave me an idea of how effective learning will be if we use technology in our teaching learning process. Im looking forward to learn more or rather gain more knowledge in Edtech 2 and expecting it to be more advanced and complicated rather than the first one.

Lesson 2: An Overview: Educational Technology 2

Summary

Educational technology 2 is concerned with integrating technology into learning and teaching .Focused on introducing, reinforcing, supplementing and extending the knowledge and skills to become exemplary users. It involves deeper understanding of computer and computer skills. This course is directed at enhancing teaching-and learning through technology integration.

Education needs to utilize and enhance its functions by making use of these technological advancements. Students learn faster, assignments made easier and studying more interesting thru the use of computers and the internet.

The course aims to help the learners to adapt to the rapid and continuing change in information and communication technology (ICT).

The study of this course is a refreshing and exciting study is applicable to all interested to learn including School administrators, department heads and other persons in supervisory positions can avail of this information technology to enhance their functions.

      Reflection:

         Edtech2 will give us a deeper meaning and will be more on hands-on activities.

     Lesson 3: Educational technology 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 difficulty understand since there is now pervasive awareness that a nation’s socio-economic success in the 21^st century is linked to how well it can complete in a global information and communication technology (ICT) region. This imperative among nations has therefore given tremendous responsibilities to create an educational technology environment in schools. And since it is understood that the 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.

Our neighboring countries here in Asia such as New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong are very advance when it comes to technology. They are highly equipped with gadgets and facilities in their educational system. Their educational system is very progressive and advance compared to ours.

Indeed, Philippines is still a developing country. In our educational system here is far more than what is in other countries. Most of the schools here are lack of equipment and facilities, most especially computers. Only few schools have computers but it is not sufficient for every student.

        Reflection:

         In this topic, I learned that in every country, different styles and strategies of learning are applied based on how technology was progressing in their country. i can say that our country is also trying to compete with other countries and as we can see, we're trying our best to enhance what we have and trying to create our own style for uniqueness.

Lesson 4: Basic Concepts on Integrating Technology in Instruction

Summary:

Integrating technology in instruction is not just about the use of PowerPoint presentations or video presentations. In this new technological era, learning technologies are used not only for introductions but also for extension of skills. External results can be seen if the objectives can be achieved only through it and the whole process of learning is mediated with it. Whether in a simple or complex way, the instructional process is presided with technology itself. Simple integration would matter if the teacher uses email and presentations in the class. Middle level integration would involve instructional simulation program with or without paper output. While using technology as the central instructional tool can happen, for example, when a teacher decides to let the students create computer production or encourage video conference to facilitate learning.

In learning the process, there is a process that will be necessary to take. First, a person must be a novice, and then later becomes an expert. There is no end for learning.

Lesson 5: State-of-the-Art ET Application Practices

Summary:

The following are the trends on state-of-the-art-ET Application Practices: first, present day students have become computer literate. Second, teachers have reemphasized rote learning; they spent more time in methods. Third, is the shifting from traditional learning to creative and critical thinking skills. Fourth, Constructivism paved the way for instructional approaches, students rely less on teachers as information-givers. The acquire information build their own knowledge.

There are two obstacles to IT pedagogical practice: first is the use of computer is time-consuming and expensive. Second, is the danger of technology-centered classrooms to replace the teachers in teaching-learning process. However there are possible solutions about this matter, that teachers should balance time for the preparation and application of instructional tools. The School can acquire the most appropriate computer hardware and software and use of ET must be fitted to learning objectives. In addition, teacher should acquire computer skills so that they can serve as models in integrating educational technology in the teaching-learning process.

All these suggestions show that teachers and schools can no longer avoid the integration of educational technology in instruction. Especially in the coming years, the approaches to classroom pedagogy must change. Educators should be open for more drastic change in the years ahead.

Lesson 6: IT Enters a New Learning Environment

     Summary:

   It is most helpful to see useful models of school learning that is ideal to achieving instructional goals through preferred application of educational technology. These are the models of Meaningful Learning, Discovery learning, Generative learning and Constructivism. In these conceptual models, we shall see how effective teachers best interact with students innovative learning activities, while integrating technology to the teaching-learning process.

     Though these new conceptual models of learning, we now know that there are better ways to learn other than rote learning or memorization and that learning is for use not only in school but in real life. Now we are prepared to see how these theories of learning can be more specifically applied through the integration of educational technology in the teaching and learning process.

The use of conceptual models of learning such as Meaningful Learning, Discovery learning, Generative learning and Constructivism can be a good tool for as to be an effective teacher. In, meaningful learning, the learner is encouraged to recognize relevant personal experiences. In discovery learning, students perform tasks to uncover what is to be learned. Generative learning let the learners attend to learning events and generate meaning from this experience and draw inferences. In Constructivism, the learner builds a personal understanding.

Lesson 7: IT for Higher Thinking Skills and Creativity

Summary :

The traditional information absorption model of teaching is that the teacher is the one who organizes and presents information to student-learners. He/she may use the chalkboard, videotape, newspaper or magazine and photos. Then the presentation is followed by a discussion and the giving of assignment. But a new challenge has arisen for today’s learners and this is not simply to achieve learning objectives but to encourage the development of students who can do more than receive, recite and apply the knowledge they have acquired. Today students are expected not only to be mentally excellent, but also flexible, analytical and creative.

The Upgraded Project Method

Given these complex thinking skills, the modern day teacher can now be guided on his goal to help student achieve higher level thinking skills and creativity beyond the ordinary benchmark of the student’s passing, even excelling achievements tests. When the ordinary classrooms are lacking with instructional kits, use the project method to bring students to higher domains. In a project method, students work on projects with depth complexity, duration, and relevance to the real world. There is already a revised project method wherein the students would make decisions about what to put on the project, how to organize information and how to package the outcomes for presentation while the teacher guides and facilitates the learning process.

REFLECTION:

I dont think that with the new framework on higher thinking skills and creativity, teachers should no longer make efforts to help students pass achievements test. Of course the teacher has the biggest responsibility for that for he/she is the one who facilitates the learning process. With the new framework, it will give the teacher strategies on how to guide his/her students on the learning process which students would enjoy and with hands-on experience about the topic. With the new framework, there will be no longer spoon-feeding discussions but a new focused one that would surely benefit the students and enhance their thinking skills.

Lesson 8 : Higher Thinking Skills Through I.T based

Summary :

The Four Types of IT-Based Projects

I. Resource-based Projects

In these projects, the teacher steps out of the traditional role of being a content expert and information provider, and instead lets the students find their own facts and information. Only when necessary for the active learning process does the teacher step in to supply data or information. The general flow of events in resource-based projects are:

1. The teacher determines the topic for the examination of the class (e.g. the definition of “man”)

2. The teacher presents the problem to the class.

3. The students find information on the problem/questions.

4. Students organize their information in response to the problems/questions.

II. Simple Creations

Students can also be assigned to create their software materials. Of course, there are available software materials such as Creative Writer (by Microsoft) on writing, KidWork Deluxe (by Davidson) on drawing and painting, and Media Weave (by Humanities software) on multimedia).

In developing software, creativity as an outcome should not be equated with ingenuity or high intelligence. Creating is more consonant with planning, making, assembling, designing, or building. Creativity is said to combine three kind of skills/abilities:

· Analyzing- distinguishing similarities and differences/ seeing the project as a problem to be solved.

· Synthesizing- making spontaneous connections among ideas, thus generating interesting or new ideas.

· Promoting- selling of new ideas to allow the public to test the ideas themselves.

III. Guided Hypermedia Projects

The production of self-made multimedia projects can be approached in two different ways:

1. As an instructive tool, such as in the production by students of a power-point presentation of a selected topic.

2. As a communication tool, such as when students do a multimedia presentation (with text, graphs, photos, audio narration, interviews, video clips, etc. To simulate a television news show.

IV. Web-based Projects

Students can be made to create and post webpages on a given topic. But creating webpages, even single page webpages may too sophiscated and time consuming for the average student. It should be said, however, that posting of webpages in the internet allows the students (now the webpage creator) a wider audience. They can also be linked with other related sites in the internet. But as of now, this creativity project may be to ambitious as a tool in the teaching-learning process.

Reflection :

I was the one who introduced and discussed this topic, so for me it was a great experience being the speaker in front of our class. In this lesson, the thinking skills will be developed into higher steps of thinking with the help of the four IT-Based Projects. When we say "Thinking skills" goes through a lot of processes involved in learning and problem solving.This IT based projects will help the students become more creative and responsible towards learning.

Lesson 9 : Computer as Information and Communication

Summary :

Much Like reading, the modern student can now interact with computer messages; even respond to questions or to computer commands. Again like writing, the learner can form messages using computer language or program.

Some computer-assisted instruction (CAI) was introduced using the principle of individualized learning through a positive climate that includes realism and appeal with drill, exercises that uses color, music and animation. The novelty of CAI has not waned to this day especially in the basic education level as this is offered by computer-equipped private schools. But the evolving pace of innovation in today’s Information Age is so dynamic that within the first decade of the 21^st century, computer technology in education has matured to transform into an educative information and communication technology (ICT) in education.

The Personal Computer (PC) as ICT

Until the nineties, it was still possible to distinguish between instructional media and the educational communication media.

Instructional media consist of audio-visual aids that served to enhanced and enrich the teaching-learning process. Examples are the blackboard, photo, film and video.

REFLECTION:

Even if the students are not in school, they can still continue to study, explore and search. Aside from that, PC’s are also used in communication. One can communicate from a person in the far using the computerlike thru skype or can watch a movie anytime online. It can also be used as a radio for we can listen to music anytime. Typing a project would not be difficult at all for one can delete wrong words or sentences without erasures.

Lesson 10 : The Computer as a Tutor

Summary :

The computer is one of the wonders of human ingenuity, even in its original design in the 1950s to carry out complicated mathematical and logical operations. With the invention of the microcomputer (now also commonly referred to PCs or personal computers), the PC has become the tool for programmed instruction.

Educators saw much use of the PC. It has become affordable to small business, industries and homes. They saw its potential for individualization in learning, especially as individualized learning is a problem since teachers usually with a class of forty or more learners. They therefore devised strategies to use the computer to break the barriers to individualized instruction.

Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI)

The computer can be a tutor in effect relieving the teacher of many activities in his personal role as a classroom tutor. It should be made clear, however, that the computer cannot totally replace the teacher since the teacher shall continue to play major roles of information deliverer and learning environment controller. Even with the available computer and CAI software, the teacher must:

· Insure that the students have the needed knowledge and skills for any computer activity.

· Decide the appropriate learning objectives

· Plan the sequential and structured activities to achieve objectives.

· Evaluate the students’ achievement by ways of tests of the specific expected outcomes.

REFLECTION

So for me, the computer is a big help for us students nowadys, but it can never replace the role of a teacher when we talk about learning. A computer cannot assess and insure if the students have the needed knowledge and skills for it does not have any intellect, a teacher can decide the appropriate learning objectives while computers do not, a teachers can plan any structured activities to achieve objectives suited to the needs of its students and a teacher can evaluate the student’s achievements by ways of tests of the expected outcomes. The computer only gives us information but as we all know not all information given here are proven and correct.

Lesson 11 : The Computer As a Teacher Tool

Summary :

Constructivism was introduced by Jean Piaget (1981) and Bruner (1990). They gave stress to knowledge discovery of new 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 situations, a process for making their knowledge applicable to real life situations.

While knowledge is constructed by the individual learner in constructivism, knowledge can also be socially constructed. Social Constructivism is the effort to show that the construction of knowledge is governed by social, historical and cultural contexts. In effect, this is to say that the learner who interprets knowledge has a predetermined point of view according to the social perspectives of the community or society he lives in.

The Computer’s Capabilities

Informative Tool

The computer can provide vast amounts of information in various forms, such as text, graphics, sound, and video. Even multimedia encyclopedias are today available on the internet.

Communication Tool

The computer has been used in communication as evident by social networking sites as to facebook, twitter and friendster. We can even chat/talk friends and families anywhere in the globe through yahoo messenger or the one in facebook or view them through the webcam. We can send messages and information through the internet in just seconds or minutes.

Constructive Tool

The computer itself can be used for manipulating information, visualizing one’s understanding, and building new knowledge. The Microsoft Word computer program itself is a desktop publishing software that allows users to organize and present their ideas in attractive formats.

Co-constructive Tool

Students can use constructive tools to work cooperatively and construct a shared understanding of new knowledge. One way of co-construction is the use of the electronic whiteboard where students may post notices to a shared document/whiteboard. Students may also co-edit the same document from their homes.

Situating Tool

By means of virtual reality (RS) 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 of a situating tool which places the user in simulated flying environment.

REFLECTION

The computer has provided us different uses, gives us advantages and convenience. The trend nowadays is information technology which makes use the computer in all its applications. Computers have been already used in schools to provide and facilitate students’ learning. It is obvious that even the youngest generation knew about it and how it is being used. Student’s make their assignments, create projects, and do researches with the use of computer.

Lesson 12 : Educational Technology in Support of Student-Centered

Summary :

The idea of student-centered learning is not a recent idea. In fact, as early as the 20^th century, educational educators such as John Dewey argued for highly active and individualized pedagogical methods which place the student at the center of the teaching-learning process.

The Traditional Classroom

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

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 manage misbehaviour in class as students start to talk among themselves or simply stare away in lack of attention.

The SCL Classroom

John Dewey has described traditional learning as a process in which the teacher pours information to student 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 kinds of learning outcomes. The problem with it is that the approach in learning, however, is the fact that the world’s societies have began to change. It may not be felt strongly to countries in which on countries who depends mostly their economy to factory workers. Traditional and direct instruction is very useful in these countries.

REFLECTION

As we all know, in the traditional classroom, a teacher can discipline and manage his/her students. But the difference is that in the traditional classroom, a student can sometimes feel intimidated and bored since it is always the voice of the teacher that is being heard most of the time and leads the discussion. While in the student centered learning environment, it can give the students to interact with each other, be motivated so that everyone can participate and enjoy. It gives the students independence and self-awareness.

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, 5 elements are needed:
1. common goal
2. interdependence
3. interaction
4. individual accountability
5. social skills

Cooperative Learning and the Computer

Researchers have made studies on the learning interaction between the student and the computer. The studies have great value since it has been a long standing fear that the computer may foster student learning in isolation that hinders the development of the student's social skills.
Now this mythical fear has been contradicted by the studies which show that when students work with computers in groups.

Lesson 14 : The Software as an Educational Resource

Summary :

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 environment between 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.

REFLECTION

The computer has a great and big effect in learning nowadays,. It has given us a lot of advantages from the time it has been invented. Now the computer has been used widely in our educational system. Most of the educational materials used by the teachers nowadays are web-based softwares. It is attractive with colourful graphics,intersting pictures, sounds and videos. 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 anymore but instead play online games instead like those in facebook.

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
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.

Characteristics of hypermedia applications:

1. Learner control- the learner makes his own decisions on the path, flow of events of instruction.

2. Learner wide range of navigation routes- the learner has a wide range of navigation routes such as by working on concepts he is already familiar with. He 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.

3. Variety of media- Hypermedia includes more than one media (text, graphics, audio, animation and video clip) but does not necessarily use all types of media in one presentation. Since only virtual learning activity takes place, it is important from the standpoint of the teacher to optimize the learning process by identifying the characteristics of media application, as well as the advantages and limitations of such an application.

REFLECTION:

Hypermedia is really helpful for both the learner and the teacher but traditional learning does not mean no improvement on the student. It is still the best way for a nation which is not more particular or do not find it a need with using computers and information technology in boosting their economic status.

Lesson 16 : The Internet and Education

Summary :

The invention of the computer and the subsequent software programmed for its use has totally changed the whole concept of progress and communication. Every part of the world can now be reached and contact with other persons where ever they are can be done through the internet. The internet is the system that enables the user of a computer to gain access to whatever he needs be it for information, for communication, for business or for personal reasons. Missing relatives can even be found thru the internet by using different search and social sites. How much more for the field of education; the internet has become its partner in the ever changing learning process. Students can interact with students in foreign countries, they can share information, learn and grow with each other. They can search any topic and subject they want to research. The globe becomes smaller and its inhabitants become closer and relations between countries are improved and strengthened.

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