Jean C. Cotamora BSED General Science 4
Author
CONTENT
In
this age, we are bombarded with so many technologies that can really help us
which may even reach to the point of replacing us in the working areas.
Computers are among those techs which offers a big help in doing works in the
corporate, industrial or educative aspect.
Here's a video about Computer being a tutor:
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| CAI |
Computer in the teaching and
learning process is of great help in the sense that it assists the teacher in
instruction with the advent of Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI). With CAI,
teachers are relieved from some of their works although computers really cannot
replaced teachers. CAI ensures that knowledge and skills are acquired by the
students in any computer activity. It helps the teacher decide on the
appropriate learning objectives and plan the corresponding activities for the
attainment of the objectives. It also evaluates students by providing tests.
Students in the process learn and apply their learning. Specifically the
computer in “CAI” acts as tutor providing the information and reinforces
learning by providing feedback at the end of the activity.
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| Individualized learning |
Further, CAI
provides individualized learning. It enables the students to learn at their own
pace. Lessons that are supposed to be taught by the teacher or learned inside
the classroom are integrated in the computer. Drills and practice activities
are provided by CAI such as simulation programs which teaches students for
real-life applications. It enables the students to develop higher-order
thinking skills because they get to decide on matters. It also develops
students manipulative skills (example laboratory skills, only that it is
virtual) since it allows students to manipulate models in a virtual manner.
However, activities that are provided by CAI should conform to the lesson that
are supposed to be learned by the students. Moreover, aside from simulation
programs, instructional games are also provided by CAI providing an avenue
learning basic skills such as spelling or math skills. Another, problem solving
soft wares which are a bit higher than simple drill and practice exercises, allows
students to learn and improve problem solving skills. Lastly, multimedia
encyclopedia and electronic books from which students access any information be
it multimedia (video, audio, photo) or textual (Ebooks) in form, are provided
by CAI.
Computers
have become an important tool of teachers in making learning for students fun
and less burdensome. However, computer’s various functions becomes a concern
when appropriateness starts. No matter how sophisticated or updated or new a
computer or computer program is, its usage and function still depend on the
lesson and the expertise of the teacher.
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| How a virtual lab looks like |
EXPERIENCE
I
have experienced how it is being instructed by computer and then learning.
Virtual DNA Laboratory was one of those. I experienced how it is working in the
lab because that software lets anyone experience laboratory works such as
isolating DNA and examining it. In high school, our computer teacher would just
allow us to do our own thing with the computer because she was confident that
the software is enough for us to comprehend. Well, it was, and she guided us all
the way but I think my experience with CAI would have been better if she has
guided us more all along.
Since
CAI can be found in the Internet, I sometimes visit sites which have that and
play along. I can’t remember what site was that but I was able to practice DNA
isolation on that site. I think games installed in the computer are also CAIs
because users can learn and something from them – strategic skills for example.
REFLECTION
No
matter how good CAI is, its effectiveness still depends on the lesson the teacher
wants the students to learn. The teacher has to be present when employing CAI
because there will really be some things that will not be clear to the
students. Though the teacher will just act as a facilitator and not the main
tutor, the teacher’s presence is still very important. The teacher is the
TEACHER, and computer is just and aid in making the lesson easier to learn and
more fun for the students. Many people fear that later in the near future,
teachers will be replaced by CAI or any tech that is programed to teach. But
this should not happen because it is really different when someone REAL teaches
you. CAI only provides the virtual avenue for learning but the classroom with
the teacher provides the learning for the real scenario. We don’t live
virtually, hence we need authentic experiences.  |
| a teacher can never be replaced by anything |
CAI
is indeed helpful most especially if the real thing that needs to be learned is
not available. Good thing is we can now go for the virtual
APPLICATION
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| teachers should also guide the students in employing CAI |
As
a future teacher, I can use CAI to make my students learn our lesson in a “more
fun” way. But I should not forget that CAI is just my tool, my aid in teaching.
As much as possible, I will only employ CAI if the real thing or the real avenue
is not available. I can also make use of CAI if I am not around when I don’t
want to compromise the learning of my students. Of course, I understand
not everyone can have immediate access to CAI since not everyone is fortunate
enough to have PCs or if the lab is available, not everyone may be
accommodated. With that, I think I will consider doing by group. But if it
happened that I get to work in a far flung school without electricity, then I
think I will just have to introduce the important concepts or if I can look
for an alternative for CAI then I think I should go for it.
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