Lesson 18: Tablets for Textbooks in Schools

Today, books are still the primary medium of instruction in most schools. It is doubtful if these will totally be replaced by digital technology reading tools, but here are now perceptions that virtual literacy may very well ease out textual print literacy. Publishing and printing million of books for millions of public school children are just too expensive for the public purse. Today, given the facts that students are enamored by computer games which take much of their time at home, educators have begun to think that the computer screen cab very well serve as a powerful educational medium. For the experience of De La Salle School, instead of books, students use tablets as a replace for textbooks. In survey it shows a positive effect to the students because it promotes concentration and memory retention.

Most of the time I’ve been using it but not the tablet but through my phone especially in my case I have no laptop by that I should be resourceful enough in the availability that I have through electronic books downloaded pdf and research I can easily read the things to be read. there are really some school practicing this like the De La Salle and Ateneo but again its very expensive .

In my own perspective , the vision of the educators to replace the textbooks with tablets is a dream for the improvement of educational learning but in reality there is a lot of factor to reconsider because not all students can afford the expensive gadget and some learners are computer illiterate which can also hinder for their learning ( no offense).Even though BOOKS alone has its own advantages like for example a elementary pupil the load of the books and workbooks for every children are backbreaking and bulky to carry due to its weight and size an also because this tablet has a radiation that is really bad for the health of the child but still tablet is very useful but should not replace the textbooks it is OK to use it just sometimes.

Lesson 17:

Ed.Tech 2 aims to provide new teachers to use the new trend of technology in the teaching learning process of students. Educational technology 2 promises to bring the student teacher and the professional teacher trainee to the challenge of a new age-integrating technology in teaching-learning process. It is said to be the preparation for the future teachers to counteract with the challenges in teaching in this new generation. Beginning form Lesson 1 up to the end lesson we have learned that everything needs to be applied. Through practice everything would be perfect. And by knowing the basics you can then be able to understand on how to enter in a more complex program that can be more efficient in the educational system. The practicum phase consists of hands-on computer tutorial which the students teacher or professional teacher-trainee will need to make him or her capable.

EdTech 2 Practicum is a performance phase, which offers students the experiential process of adapting to technology. This is the practicum phase consist of hands-on computer tutorials and requirements such as:

· Computer laboratory or special classroom with adequate computers for learning

· Participation of computer lab assistant- to assist the learners in the use of computer

· Assigned number of hours base on the requirements needed by the course

The practicum phase consists of:

1. Basic Microsoft Word - Tutorial familiarizes each individual learner to the basics of Microsoft Word by learning how to use the toolbars and software; they will be taught how to encode, edit and format text; creating, formatting, editing and saving documents and printing as well.

2. Microsoft PowerPoint - Tutorial is focus on the familiarization on the basics of Microsoft PowerPoint presentations to enhance the teaching of subjects. Coverage of learning includes PowerPoint.

3. Internet as tool of Inquiry - Tutorial will facilitate the finding of sources of information appropriate to a learning task. Its coverage includes accessing the internet, use of internet tools and search techniques.

Lesson 16: The Internet and Education

The internet, also simply called the Net, is the largest and far-flung network system of all systems.Surprisingly, the internet is not really a network but a loosely organized collection of about 25,000 networks accessed by computer on the planet.It is astonishing to know that no one owns the internet. It has no central headquarters, no centrally offers services,and no comprehensive online index to tell users what information is available in the system.

How is everything coordinated through the internet? This is done through a standardized protocol ( or set of rules for exchanging data) called TRANSMISSION CONTROL PROTOCOL/INTERNET PROTOCOL (TCP/IP). To gain access to the internet, the computer must be equipped with as is called as server which has a special software that uses the internet protocol.Originally develops and still subsidized by the united States Government,the internet connects not only commercial , industrial,scientific establishment but all other sectors including education and its libraries,campuses and computer centers.

The great atractions of the internet is one the sign up fees Are paid, there are no extra charges.Electronic mail,for example, is free regardless of the amount of use.Incontrast,individuals using the internet on their own personal computers must pay ungoing monthly fees to whoever is their service provider.

GETTING AROUND THE NET

The vast sea of information now in the internet, including news and trivia,is an overwhealming challenge to whom who wish to navigate it .Everyday,the net user population and the available information,continue to grow , and new ways are continuously being developed to tour the internet.

The most attractive way to move around the internet is called browsing. Using a program called browser, the user can use a mouse to point and click on screen icons to surf the internet, particularly the World Wide Web (the Web) , an Internet, s subset of text,images, and sounds are linked together to allow users to access data or information needed.

The future of the internet seems limitless. Already its complexity has spawned and continue to spawn Net sites including new demand for services to business, indstries , science, government, and even homes. Many eroert predict that the internet is destined to become the centerpiece of all online communication in the planet and in some future time in the solar system using interpkanetary satellite communication stations.

A view of educational uses of the Internet

Today, even elementary school paraders 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 problem?,” or How much does a pizza cost in your state? This educational activity prodded by their schools are paying dividends for increasing the pupil’s interest min Geography to a greater understanding of how people live in large cities and other places in the United States.

Educations 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, classroom, and Internet cafes. Today schools are gearing up to take advantage of the 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

Hypermedia is also the commonly known multimedia but with the inclusion of educational computer software where students are exposed to virtual learning environment. In hypermedia, information-learning activities are presented in a non-linear manner that encourages autonomy and thinking skills for students.

Hypermedia applications can be learner controlled and learner can have wide range of navigation routes and he can use variety of media. This would mean that learners have the control for the flow of instruction but also depending on the ability and motivation of the students. Nevertheless, the teacher will always determine the suitable learning objectives. And also, hypermedia includes more than one medium that can be used by the students. And the teacher’s task is to identify the characteristics of media application as well as its advantages and limitations.

Indeed, information and communication technology cannot replace the teacher altogether because only teachers have the capability to understand and identify the hypermedia that is suitable and appropriate for the learners.

The use of Hypermedia is encouraged in the school. Since this is about using the different media then I believe we are now into applying of Hypermedia. Rightly, hypermedia encourages independence and creativity and critical thinking in the part of students. Like for example in making a video presentation, we are not just making any video that we want rather we need to understand the concept and the media that we should incorporate in the presentation we will make. But on the other way around, we are given the chance to be independent in our own learning because we are not controlled to a linear presentation. It would just depend on us. So I think the experience we have made us a lot more serious about our learning.

Hypermedia in any case provides us various ways in making our projects and activities. Through using hypermedia, our learning is not limited to only one pace but we are opportune to explore a lot of things about technology. But also, as learners we will know of our limitations with the help of our mentors, our teachers that will lead us to the right usage of hypermedia in improving and enhancing our skills.

Understanding Hypermedia is important in the educational context to ensure its successful integration in the teaching-learning process. As teacher soonest, it is my duty to experience how to use hypermedia and be literate about it to give to my students the quality facilitation of their learning. “I cannot give what I do not have”. So through understanding hypermedia I will be able to share to them the advantages and limitations of such applications.

LESSON 14: THE SOFTWARE AS AN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE

This topic considers the Software which is found inside the computer as an education material for students’ learning. The software can be system which operates the system of all computers and application which commands a particular task. And application software can also be custom (for large corporation) or commercial (for personal use).

The most common software is the Microsoft Windows wherein accordingly, which I also believe that this program provides user convenience, new-look smooth texts, information center, and plug and play. All of these features are very helpful in the learning of the students.

And in choosing Instructional software, the teacher must decide the best computer-based instruction (CBI) materials for the school resource collection. And she is to consider the quality as well as the usefulness, practicality and utilization of that software.

I think all of us would agree that the software present in our generation is much more convenient than the type writers and all other obsolete machines before. Most of us are using the Microsoft to write letters, use excel to solve grades, save our file documents inside it and all other stuffs that can be done by the computer’s software, we already do. We, as students find it easy to access information, watch videos as well as encode our paper works. The software I think is used by all.

LESSON 13: COOPERATIVE LEARNING WITH THE COMPUTER

A lot of countries who tried to apply the use of Information Technology in SCL are finding it hard to provide individual unit for the students. That is why the book suggested a very good way of engaging the students to the ICT’s without compromising the quality of their work and that is Cooperative or Collaborative or Promotive Learning. So this is learning by small groups (utmost six members) who work together for a common task. In here we are to consider five elements: a common goal; interdependence; interaction; individual accountability; and social skills.

This cooperative learning is accompanied with the computer. Students working with computer in groups will cluster and interact with each other for advice and mutual help. Psychologists believe that with this phenomenon, computers foster positive social behavior which is very useful in the real arena.

Truly, it does not mean that when a computer is present there can be cooperative learning right away. With that comes the role of the teacher to guide and facilitate the learning goals that the students should achieve. Specifically a teacher should: assign students to mixed ability teams; establish positive interdependence; teach cooperative social skills; insure individual accountability; and help the groups process information.

We are exposed to this type of learning. In school, we are always group in most of our activities especially those that require the use of computer because not all of us in class have one. This is I think good for those who are also mentally challenge where they can be helped and cope with those who are already advanced. In our experience in school, our collaborative work really matters. If one of the members will not work, the product is not that good. That is why though we are in a group, we are still given specific task for us to be responsible in our own learning and be responsible in the group as a whole.

Cooperative Learning is not new to us especially that our facilities in school are also limited. But looking at the positive side, working with a group with use of computer develops our communication skills, social skills, and also taking responsibility of our assigned task in the group. Being in a Cooperative Learning is an authentic training for us since we are also in a collaborative situation when we are to work. It’s just amazing how educators find ways to integrate computer in the learning arena of those who have limited access to technology.

Cooperative Learning is very much necessary in this 21st century since our goal is to have a globally competitive individuals. In cooperative learning we are all exposed to working with other people and learn to communicate our ideas to them. With the integration of computers to this kind of learning, we are not just solving the problem of scarcity of the computers but as well as we are trying to uphold the social, mental, emotional and all aspects of a student. In connection, this is a challenge for us teachers on how we can better use Cooperative Learning in a way that we cannot compromise the quality of learning of our students.

Lesson 12: Information Technology in Support of Student-Centered Learning

The idea of student-centered learning is not a recent idea. In fact, as early as the 20th 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.

In this Lesson, we shall see how the teacher can expand his options 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 approaches in the classroom. From the traditional teacher-centered learning approach, practical helps on the designing and adapting student learning activities shall be examined.

In addition, suggestions 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 teachers stands in front of the classrooms or sits behind his/her desk. This situation is necessitated by the need to maintain classroom discipline and also to allow 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 lack mange misbehavior in class as students start to talk among themselves or simply stare away in lack of attention. To prevent this situation, teachers often makes students take time to work individually on work sheets can help the situation.

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

The SCL classroom

Desiring to gain effectiveness, efficiency and economy in administration and instruction, schools in this 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 a awareness in the learning process.

John Dewey has described traditional learning as process in which the teacher pours information to the student learners, much like pouring water from a jug into cups. This is based on the long accepted belief that the teachers 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 the direct instruction approach to learning, however, is he fact that the world’s societies have begun to change. Of course, this change may not be strongly felt in many countries in which the economy no longer depends primarily on factory workers who repetitive work without thinking on the job. The traditional classroom and direct instruction approach to learning conform to this kind of economies.

In contrast, in industrialized societies we find knowledge-based economies in which workers depend on information that can be accessed through information and communication technologies (ICTs). Desiring to gain effectiveness, efficiency and economy in administration and instruction, schools in this 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 a awareness in the learning process.

Generally, the new school classroom environment is characterized by student individual to or in groups:

performing computer word processing for text or graph presentation

preparing power-point presentation

searching information on the internet

brainstorming on ideas, problems and project plans as needed, the teacher facilitating instruction, also gives individualized instruction to serve individual needs.

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

Given this new 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 student-centered learning.