Situating tool

Situating tool

 Nowadays the role of information Communication Technology(ICT), in the education plays an important role, especially in the process of empowering the technology into the education activities. ICT plays a catalytic role in enhancing learning in classroom and beyond.  We are fascinated with technology and it encourages and motivates us to learn in the class. Today we learned many new things like, using google maps and finding places. We also learned how to calculate time of different places. I have learned many new techniques and the real world applications of simulation tool. Simulation tool is a virtual reality extension systems, where the computer can create 3-D images on display to give the feeling that are situated in a virtual environment.  A flight simulation program is an example of situating tool which places the user in a simulated flying environment.

We also learned how to create graphs using graphcalc. It was really fun and useful. We were taught how to read and think analytically how graph will form looking to its equation. We did an examples and it was very useful as we did the activity. I understood how to plot a graph in graphcalc.  It is very useful and we can teach student  how to plot graphs in graphcals  rather than giving them to write manually. 

 We learned how to find places using google map. I learned different features on google map like, we can check the distance of one place to another and we can even see the latitude and longitude of any place from google map and we learned how to calculate time . We explored and found out where our houses were located through satellite view where we could even  make a tour of 360 degree to see the place which was really fascinating and fun to explore those new ideas on google map. 

We even learned about the PhET simulation. It is a simulation that provides fun, free, interactive computer simulation for teaching and learning. It can be run online or downloaded for free from the PhET website. The simulation are animated, interactive, and game-like environments where students learn through exploration. It was really fun to try those simulation and hoping to use those PhET simulation to make student to explore an entire learning worth content in great detail with many different activities. They are designed to be fun and engaging.

Google classroom

Google classroom

On 7^th July, we were taken through Google Classroom and how to create about it.  After three hours session on Google Classroom, I came to learn that Google Classroom is a web-based learning environment where, when logged into it, students can collaborate with their peers and teachers. I was also equipped with how to create and use Google Classroom, advantages and as and when I started using it I was also familiarized with some drawbacks of Google Classroom. Today, I will be discussing what I learnt from two hour session on Google Classroom.

We were made to watch video on how to create Google Classroom, and I learnt that in order to create Google Classroom, one need to have Google account but Google Apps for Education account as any Google account will not work for classroom.  To create Google Classroom, first open a web browser and go to classroom.google.com and sign in with Google Apps for educational account. Then click on to plus sign at the top and click create button. You will be asked to fill out some details, after filling the form click next and you will be asked to type in the username and password. After that type in the requested text in the picture to prove you are not a robot, then finally click button and your Google classroom is ready within a minute.

After creating classroom, I came to learn that through this classroom it is easier to connect teacher and students and it helps teacher to pass notes and assignment. I also learned that, classroom tools lets teacher organize the class by adding topics to posts, where teacher and student can filter the stream for specific topics. All the documents and assignment can be stored in Google Drive, having not to carry a file with papers.

I also came to learn some advantages of using Goggle Classroom. Some of the advantages of Google classroom are; it is accessible from all computers, mobile phones, and tablets, which makes it really easy and can add as many learners as we want. Assignments and announcement are managed by Google document, can add videos, link and file from Google Drive. It also gives opportunity for children who could not open up in the real classroom to ask their doubts and answer the questions. Google Classroom is certainly interested in getting there as soon as possible. By creating eLearning  material in one cloud-based location, where we have the ability to go paperless and don’t have to worry about printing, handing out, or even losing student’s work. It is very nice to see that educators can also join Google classroom as learners meaning that we can create Google classroom with our colleagues and use it for faculty meetings, information sharing, or professional development.

Since Google Classroom is very handy and it creates a safe and easy learning environment, I will make sure that the idea of Google Classroom is known to the school I am going and will encourage the school to implement it. If it goes well, I will also encourage other schools to use it as well.

Reflection on Google Docs

As a part of learning how to use ICT as co-constructive tool, we were divided into groups of three members, and were required to create a ICT integrated lesson plan on various topics of our own choice. We were ask to design lesson plan using Google docs.

What is Google Docs?

It is a free, web-based application that let us to create, share and manage documents online while collaborating in real-time with other users.

So far, we had been discussing our lesson plan of class V maths, on the topic Area and Perimeter in Google docs , one of the biggest benefits of it is the ability to collaborate. When one of our member changes to the word on lesson plan, other can see those changes in real time and respond to them immediately. We can work on the same doc, so there's no need to email updates back and forth, comparing and consolidating individual work. I personally am contended with the kind of work that we did. We get to learn about a topic from different perspective which reinforces learning and interest to learn about the particular topic. Discussing through docs was fun and easy because as we can get new ideas and knowledge after communicating in the comment box. It was all about the team work and depends upon how well we corporate with our members.     Not only that i learned some features of google docs such as chat forum( where we can chat with our friends),   comment forum , got to attach files and how to invite friends.  I found google doc very effective as it allows us to interact and collaborate online thus enhancing our learning environment.            

What are Co-constructive tool?

What are co-constructive Tools?

After going through co-constructive tool,I found integration of co-constructive tool vital in teaching and learning as it provide platform to work collaboratively .  Co-constructive tools are also supporting students' construction of some tangible projects as a manifestation of their construction. However, these tools differ from Constructive tools in that students work collaboratively with them to construct a shared understanding, rather than working independently to construct some sort of personal knowledge. We can integrate the co-constructive tool in our teaching and learning by involving students in learning; by making groups and letting them share their ideas and knowledge on a particular topic as we did in our ICT class. 

Examples of such tools include electronic whiteboarding where students may post their notice to a shared electronic whiteboard or document conferencing where students can co-edit the same document from different places through a network.

Examples:       

ü  Google docs (docs.google.com)

ü  electronic whiteboard,

ü  Blogs and wikis

ü  discussion forum on portals (pce.edu.bt)

The importance of Co-constructive tools

ü  Co-edit

ü  Communicate database, texts & graphics

ü  Enhance collaborative learning environment:

ü  high-level cognitive processes – explanation, problem-finding, problem solving

ü  active & intentional learning

ü  identifying & developing expertise

                                               

Benefits of Camtasia

Benefits of camtasia

Camtasia is not just a simple screen recorder. It’s actually a great deal more than that;

·         WE can edit and customize your videos using Camtasia

·         It can import media from just about anywhere and create stunning interactive content.

·         The videos produced using Camtasia are smoother and it provides a visually appealing look to any of your videos.

·         It consists of a TechSmith fuse which allows users to send all sorts of media directly to the Camtasia bin.

·         It’s integrated with Google drive to allow you to upload your videos without a hitch and in turn also allow you to import videos in your desktop from Google docs. This ensures a smooth workflow and improved productivity.

·         It can record high quality videos in the shortest time possible. Another great thing about Camtasia is that there is no time limit to any video which is recorded. This makes it easier for people who often have to develop tutorials which are varied in duration.

·         You don’t have to be a professional to use Camtasia. It allows just about anyone to create stunning videos using its green screen effect and remove or add different colors.

·         It is very easy to arrange videos, audios and images on an unlimited number of tracks. You just need to get creative and you yourself would be surprised by the kind of videos you can produce using Camtasia.

·         It compromises of pre-installed music tracks, images and videos. This way you don’t have to look for relevant material or waste time. In fact you could simply make use of their already available interesting content and develop powerful presentations.

·         Interesting visual effects like cursor effects, shadows, coloring objects and borders allow you to customize your videos and make them look more professional.

what is Camtasia?

Today I am going to talk about my experience of using Camtasia. I haven’t used Camtasia in my previous years and didn’t hear the name forget about using it. Till now I have been using window movie maker to edit videos. In this module, ICT in teaching and learning, I was taken through how to use Camtasia which was completely a new knowledge to me. I came to know that through Camtasia, I can record video and edit video using Camtasia features. Some of the features that aren’t there in the windows movie maker are there in the Camtasia.

Camtasia  (formerly Camtasia Studio) is a software suite, created and published by TechSmith, for creating video tutorials and presentations directly via screencast, or via a direct recording plug-in to Microsoft PowerPoint. The screen area to be recorded can be chosen freely, and audio or other multimedia recordings may be recorded at the same time or added separately from any other source and integrated in the Camtasia component of the product. Both versions of Camtasia started as enhanced screen capture programs and have evolved to integrate screen capture and post-processing tools targeted at the educational and information multimedia development marketplace.

Camtasia consists of two major components:

·         Camtasia Recorder - a separate tool for capturing screen audio and video

·         Camtasia editor 

After using Camtasia studio, the differences I found is that Movie Maker has lack of effects. There are few pre-selected effects that we can apply to clips, such as giving a film old age looks or fading the clip in or out, but for the most part we are limited. Another limitation is the ability to save as different file types, where as in Camtasia we can capture video from our laptop screen. And it is very handy if we want to do some sort of video tutorial on our computer as it gives space to record the screen. Camtasia also creates and handles various file types such as animated GIF, Abode Flash, Window Media types, and MP3 audio.

How did I learn to use Camtasia?

We were given an assignment to make video tutorial. Therefore, I explored how to use camtasia from the given video tutorial in VLE.  I watched the video samples several times to understand how to go with camtasia. The lesson samples that sir uploaded  was very effective and it boots my confidence on using camtasia. I also watched relevant videos from YouTube to get more ideas. After learning and exploring, I practiced it in my laptop but it was not easy to applied my knowledge practically, so i seek help from my friends, who already had the knowledge about the camtasia.
I found that Camtasia is one of the most effective educational app for learners and the educators to impart the knowledge. This application help us to enhance both learning and teaching in a creative and interesting way. After uploading the video we were asked to comment on our friends video. It was another helpful ideas to improve ourselves. We can take their feedback and we can also give our our views on our friends video lesson. I personally found it very helpful as we could view our friends comment and we can learn and improve our video lesson. 
https://vle.pce.edu.bt/mod/resource/view.php?id=60049

 

Constructive tool

                                                                  ICT as a Constructive Tools

Constructive tool is a general purpose tool that can be used to manipulate information, construct their own knowledge or visualize students understanding. Constructive tools are general-purpose tools that can be used for manipulating information, constructing one’s own knowledge or visualizing one’s understanding.  The term ‘constructive’ stems from the fact that these tools enable students to produce a certain tangible product for a given instructional purpose. 

Constructivist approach to teaching and learning emphasis:

ü  students' need to construct their own understanding

ü  learners are the markers of meaning and knowledge

ü  learning is more effective when a student is actively engaged

ü  all knowledge is personal and exits in mind

ü  foster critical thinking and creates motivated and independent learners

ü  it constitute a shift from teacher to learner centered pedagogy

ü  technology triggers constructivist learning by helping learner to adopt explore and practice.

Examples of Constructive tools 

•   electronic bulletin boards/ moodle
•  DPT/in-designs/MS publisher
•  Multimedia authoring tools
•   social networking sites(blogs/Facebook/twitter
•  simulation

Out of many constructive tools, i am familiar with moodle, MS publisher, twitter and Facebook as we are more in touched with this media.

We were taught how ICT acts as constructive tool and as an activity we were asked to produce video using simulation. I designed one page simulated advertisement about my village, Pemagatshel.The learning was very effective as we got to be creative, got to play with our ideas and it provides deep understanding of a given concepts. Simulation are traditionally defined as programs, which simulate real-life environment.
 https://vle.pce.edu.bt/mod/assign/view.php?id=60043

Communication tools

Communicative Tools

Communicative tools are systems that allow easy communication between teachers and students or between students outside the physical barrier classroom. (Chen, D., Hsu, JJF, and Hung, D. 2000). It includes e-mail, electronic bulletin boards, chat, teleconference and electronic whiteboard. Synchronous communicative tools such as chat or video conference enable real-time communication . While using the tools of communicative asynchronous (eg: e-mail and electronic whiteboard) is a system in which exchange of messages between people are not 'live' but somehow delayed. Communicative tool most appropriate for activities requiring more time to think before responding. Utilization of electronic mail is increasing day by day. E-mail is the most commonly used on the Internet. It is easy to use as it is a primarily text-based system and simple communication tool for teachers and students that allows students to dominate class beyond physical barrier.

The two types of communication tools are Synchronous and Asynchronous

1)      Synchronous communication tools are an important and powerful element in the design and delivery of successful learning environments. Synchronous communication is communication that occurs between two or more people at the same time but not necessarily at the same place.

Examples: instant messaging, video conferencing, webcams, MUDs, MOOs, chat..

2)      Asynchronous communication is the exchange of messages, such as among the hosts on a network or devices in a computer, by reading and responding as schedules permit rather than according to some clock that is synchronized for both the sender and receiver or in real time.

Examples are file transfer, email and the World Wide Web, computer bases-training and DVD.

Their Differences are;

Why to use the communication tool in teaching and learning?

Communication tools must be used in teaching and learning because:

•      every individual needs are fulfilled,
•       it  improves engagement.
•       improves knowledge retention,
•       encourages individual learning,
•       encourages collaboration,
•       students can learn useful life skills through technology. 

To understand more about communication tool, we were given an activity to create a blog  related to Information Communication and Technology. It is a kind of reflective or learning profile about integration of ICT in teaching and learning . Through this  blog we can express and our understanding and the benefits  of integration of ICT in teaching and learning.

Not only that we can share our knowledge, refine writing skills and earn more exposure to communications tools. I found this tool very necessary to integrate into classroom teaching as it will provide platform for the students to develop effective communication skills. 

ICT as information tool

Levels of technology integration (Reflection)

On February 20^th, we were introduced about the level of technology integration(Basic, middle and high level). In the basic level of technology integration the new technological techniques do not involve a substantial change in learning and teaching process.  In the middle level of technology, ICT replaced the traditional teaching from teacher centered teaching to the learner centered learning by providing practice questions through the projector in the classroom. This is easier for the teacher without the traditional way of teaching. ICT provides enough practice and gives exposure to the students to learn more. Even in the absence of the teacher, the student can work and complete the work through online and when possible, the teacher will go through it and provide necessary comments. It is more of a student-centered classroom than a teacher-centered classroom. Teacher acts as a facilitator. The student initiates and explores the information on the topic they have chosen. The teacher monitors and clears the doubts when needed.

In the high level the technology  is used by students to help them through a variety of important learning processes. It allow students to make links among member of content areas and uses various learning tools and develop thinking and creativity skills.

The five types of ICT tools;

1) Informative tools

Informative tools are applications that provide vast amounts of information in various formats such as text, sound, graphics or video.  Informative tools do not really ‘do’ anything; rather they are considered as huge, passive repositories of information.  Examples of informative tools include multimedia encyclopedias or resources available on the World Wide Web (WWW).  It provides a vast amount of information, such as text, graphics, sounds and videos. Students can download relevant information using a computer as an information tool. The computer provides us all the necessary information as it is n informative tool. It allows one to be in touch regardless of the distance and time.

With access to information tools, we can easily download relevant information . Subsequently, we can use this captured information as source materials, which should be reorganized for our component assignment or presentation projects. When integrated  with lessons , Informative tools can provide information for students to manipulate and form which knowledge can be constructed.

We were asked to reflect on how we can integrate the informative tool in teaching and learning. In order to integrate the informative tool in teaching and learning, teachers can support students to process information by helping them to organize new information, link it to their prior knowledge and use memory aids to retrieve information. Teachers must provide information for the students in the beginning or during or after the activity. It is also the responsibility of the teachers to motivate students to construct their own knowledge and meaning so that the students learn to integrate relevant ideas, analyze the information, develop information search skills, enhance critical thinking and they learn to evaluate resources on the internet.

There are various sources that are used to search for information such as the internet, radio, television. I prefer to choose the source internet in the top priority because it is the source where we can get information in the short period of time and the internet provides us useful information, data, and knowledge for the personal, social, economic development. It has the ability to connect billions of computers and devices to each other and it creates convenience in sharing and receiving information between users. To understand more on the informative tools we were assigned to prepare and present slides on the topic 'Is Hitler a gay?'

http://vle.pce.edu.bt/mod/assign/view.php?id=57679

Important troll taken by ICT on today's society

                                                             Reflection

Since 18th July of 2008, Bhutan has been pronounced as a GNH driven country where we have the privilege to educate ourselves without having to pay a penny besides other aspects .Under the leadership of successive monarchs , Today almost 90% of our citizens  have been entitled to free education and has given access to various international assistance.

As addressed by his majesty, "climb higher on the shoulders of past achievements- your task is not the fill the old shoes or follow a well trodden path, but to forge a new road leading towards a brighter future." So, as a responsible citizen, I personally feel the paramount importance to be given in the field of information and communication technologies (ICT) in order to enhance and shape a effective future to the coming generations.

Having the liberty to learn and teach, I have come to a conclusion where ICT has taken massive troll on individuals overall understanding. It is vital for educators to use computing methods and techniques while teaching that will enable the learners to use their knowledge more efficiently. In this computerized era of 21st century, majority of the task is done with the use of computer or technology and it has become a necessity.  Learners are advantaged with various methods of teachings  with the use of video effects such as slide shows, motion graphics and info-graphics.

This paper describes and analyzes on different types of information and communication technologies (ICT) used in engaging students in better learning. The five types of ICT tools discussed are informative, situating, constructive, communicative tools and co-constructive tools.

From the first session, I could understand the core meaning of information and communication technologies which is a collection of technological tools and resources. ICT is used to communicate, design, develop and manage information's. Examples of ICT in teaching and learning is about enhancing teaching and learning process, motivates students, and helps to achieve the lesson objectives.

The importance, advantages and the disadvantages while integrating ICT in the classroom are, the creativity and motivation of the teacher plays a crucial role in enhancing better teaching and learning process. We must make use of this skill set to educate students on how  and when to use the ICT for learning advancement. The IMPORTANCE/VALUE of using ICT in the classroom includes;

1.      Development of  practical and presentation skills

2.      Helps both the teacher and the learner in knowledge comprehension.

3.      Provides opportunities for teacher and students to operate, store, manipulate, and retrieve information.

4.      Communication; relationship and extraction of information.

5.      Gains more knowledge.

The BENEFITS of using ICT in the classroom include;

1.      Gives a break from monotonous classroom.

2.      Interactive class to improve students’ concentration and attendance.

3.      Encourages slow learners with the online resources.

4.      Teacher can help students with their doubts online.

5.      Students can improve knowledge retention for longer period of time.

Paradigm shift explains that the educational experiences provided today must prepare students for the future. It is important to have a change in paradigm in the process of teaching and learning for a better change. For decades, our country has been trained to traditional pedagogy approach in teaching and learning. The teacher lectures and the knowledge are transmitted from teacher to the learners. Traditional pedagogy ICT takes vital roles in education where students can work online and independently. ICT has brought change and made the nature of work easier.

The shift from teaching to learning will help the student become self-regulated learners. Self-regulated learners are those who are aware of their own knowledge, understanding, knows best of what to do and what not to do. It develops communication and early literacy skills and allows a child to collaborate which helps them develop moral skills. This develops social interaction with friends while working in a team.

 (Digital native and Digital immigrants)

We learnt about the reason why we use technology in our classroom and one of the prominent advantages of using technology is that it motivates learner in learning in the sense it makes the class more interesting and the learning takes place efficiently. With the use of ICT tools, students are fully engaged in their learning process and they perform their given tasks in a collaborative manner. Use of technology in our classroom also improves knowledge retention where students can keep the information that they gained for a longer period of time. It also encourages individual learning and students can learn using life skills through technology.

We also learned on the topic of digital native and digital immigrants. Digital native is when students from kindergarten to colleges are grown up with the technologies. People who have much familiar using computers, videogames, and digital music players, cell phones and other digital tools age falls under digital native. Digital immigrants are peoples who born without much knowledge of technologies but they learn technologies later in life. By learning this two topics on digital native and digital immigrants, I understood that digital natives receive the information very fast at the very young age and they have gained lots of knowledge on the usage of technology. As they are brought up with the technology, they become more knowledgeable and life for them becomes much easier. For the digital immigrants, since they learn technologies later in life, I think it will be challenging for them with the usage of technologies and they won’t learn the same way as the digital native students do. Their ways of learning and the way they believe in the technologies will be different as they are not grown up with the technologies.

 Different learning styles

We discussed on different learning styles. Visual Auditory Kinesthetic (VAK) style helps us design learning methods and experiences that match people’s preferences. Every person’s learning style is different and unique. It can be either or combination of auditory, visual, and kinesthetic in terms of way he or she learns the best. There is no style that teaches all the best. It depends on the individual. Students tend to learn more by hearing, seeing or moving information as a part of processing it. We prefer it in our way to learn and understand. While learning, individual differences prevail. This is why it is important for a teacher to apply different styles of teaching in our daily life as a teacher. Different ways of learning depends on the background knowledge, environment and their understanding level. 

A primary teacher in making must focus on kinesthetic and visual ways of teaching and learning in order to gain their attention and to keep them preoccupied. Kids are always interested in kinesthetic activities where they need to make use of their gross motor skills. A certain interval is must for the kids in order to keep them interested in the class activity. A different learning style develops different skills, such as, social interactions, improves thinking skills and becomes expressive. Right style must be used for the right learner and that would help them learn and understand drastically. Auditory learners learns the best through listening, visual learners learns the best through teacher’s body language, gestures and facial expressions to understand the lesson, and Kinesthetic learners learns the best through games and activities, where there is bodily movements. This is the reason why a teacher needs to include all the styles while teaching for the learning to take place.