Lesson 4: Bridging the Generation Gap

Jean C. Cotamora BSED General Science 4

Author

CONTENT:

            It may not be all, but the previous generation, basically from us, have fears that they might not be able to relate to what we use now. They feel like there is a “generation gap” between us and them. These are just simple things but may often lead to conflicts in relationships.

            The previous generation includes some of the teachers today. In this fast changing world, teachers too, as I have always emphasized teachers must adapt. There, teaching styles should be updated. With ICT in education, communication is faster and better and sometimes may go through borders such as in “country-country” communication. But I believe, teachers who are born on the previous generation are also exerting efforts in coping up with the demand of the world, (thanks to DepEd for providing trainings).

EXPERIENCE:

Some find it hard to understand concepts

            The reporters showed pictures and comparing the past and the present and made us realized the implication of the gap between us and the previous generation with respect to technology. When I was in high school, there are some subjects that I find hard to understand because I simply can’t visualized what my teachers are teaching. When I went to college, because of the manner of teaching, I come to understand those concepts because of the use of technology (example, topics about cell, it took a while for me to relate what was my teacher saying because I can’t imagine what a mitochondrion looks like or golgi bodies, to name a few).

REFLECTION:

            Teachers belonging to the previous generation were not acquainted with technology during their time and the teaching strategies they have learned are different from the students now, hence, students should understand their teachers who teach traditionally but teachers should also should learn to adapt to the learning styles of their students too (I used third person because it seems to me that my teachers now are up to date). Teachers must never hate technology and think of it as a burden because technology in education is intended to help not to add to problems.

APPLICATION:

            In my teaching later, I certainly will use technology not just to improve my mode of instruction but also to make it easier for my students to understand what I am teaching to them most especially the conceptual ones.

            If it happened that I have a student who is not acquainted with technology, then I will finds ways for him/her to cope up. (Perhaps, I can group him/her with students who have gadgets and that s/he’ll be able to learn easily). 

Here is a video on how  ICT changes the way teachers teach. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SumC2O5OX4

Lesson 3: Understanding Technology Learners

Jean C. Cotamora  BSED General Science 4
Author

CONTENT: 

Understanding

     “It is not easy to understand learners - technology learners,” I must say. Education must cope up with the trends of the world. In the same way, teachers and students too must adapt. Why? Is there really a need to adapt? This could be opinionated, but, we just cannot deny the fact that even before the advent of technology in education, schools have already been producing very good students. Some people may even say, “Learners now are only smart because they know how to use technology, but old times ‘smarties’ are different from now.”

Based on the assertion above, what then are the significant differences of learners yesterday and learners today? What makes a traditional learner better than a technology learner, or the latter better than the other? Are the two even comparable?

It is indeed a need for Education as a whole, to adapt to what is in. I cannot say that without technology, a teacher is less effective but I want to emphasize that with technology, teachers’ teaching will become better. If teachers will not adapt, there is a big tendency that students will become passive learners and will easily get bore because in the environment now, everyone needs to do something to learn. If students will not adapt, they will find a hard time in school (say, submitting requirements, getting informed, and accessing information). In the future where technology will become a necessity, anyone who sticks with the traditional may not be able to understand the language of world (figuratively!). It may be true that intellectuals have been products of traditional schools, but human as we are, we change, we innovate, and we find ways to improve things.

Let me define the following terms

Traditional Learner

Traditional Learner – basically, a leaner who makes use of traditional ways of learning; one who studies from books and other second sources of information.

Technology Learner- Anyone who makes use of man-made inventions such as books in learning. HOWEVER, in the context of Educational Technology, we are referring to TECHNOLOGY LEARNERS as DIGITAL LEARNERS, a learner who learns with the use of technology, anything that is digital. 

Digital Learner

In my opinion, there should be no comparing of traditional learners and technology learners because I believe the latter is just the transition of the other, it may even just be a shifting! You may disagree with me, but if we just come to think, no one has ever learned to do anything without going through the traditional way of learning. Let me ask this question, how did a child learn to differentiate the voice of his mother and his father? Do you think the mother use any device just to teach her child to differentiate her voice and her husband’s voice? No, right. By mere talking to the child, the child gets to learn his mother’s and father’s voice – that is natural, traditional. Allow me to cite myself as an example, I learn to read by reading books – traditional; now, I read Ebooks at times because they are less bulky – I am a technology/digital learner. See? From being a traditional learner I turned into a Technology learner. (There are even times that I shift styles because going through the traditional makes me learn better than doing the digital way). (I may have answered differently from the report)

A traditional learner is indeed different from a technology learner, in terms of the medium used. But as I say, the other is just the transition of the other, they may even shift depending on what’s necessary.

Digita is the transition of the traditional learning style

The most important question is, how then should we understand the technology learners? One must go back to the basic. The teacher must identify first the strengths and weaknesses among his/her students. He/she must give activities catering the strengths and weaknesses of his/her students to develop what needs to be developed. If there be deviations, that this the time the teacher makes the analysis leading him/her understand his/her students.

EXPERIENCE:

            Integration of technology in education really helps. I am a traditional learner but I am also a technology learner. Sometimes I shift my styles to cater my preferences in learning. Sometimes I prefer reading books rather than just read the softcopy of it.

            Moreover, it is important for a teaching to have an understanding of technology learners, what are they and what makes them that.

            I failed to answer one of the questions thrown during the report because I failed to differentiate what a “traditional learner” and “technology” is. The question is kind of hard. It’s like differentiating a human and papers. It is somehow distinct but I think I got the essence of understanding technology learners. Being digital learners, learners construct their own meanings which are sometimes crooked. That is why the teacher should be there to assist.  

REFLECTION

            The following are among realizations on this lesson: it is not good to compare students with regards to the type of learner they choose to be. Instead, a teacher must be the aid of the students in transforming into learners they are supposed to be, to be in conformity with the trend of global education. The change must not be abrupt so as not to shock the students.

APPLICATION                                                                         

                        A traditional learner is indeed different from a technology learner in terms of the medium used for learning. As a future, I must not make any comparison with the learning styles of my students. Instead, I must develop the necessary skills they need to have to compete with the world. Not all students prefer technology all the time, some prefer the traditional. Hence, it goes back to the issue of appropriateness. As a future teacher, I must evaluate the usefulness and application a certan technology

Below is a video about understanding technology learners. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S1h6q0Mpc4 

Lesson 2: An Overview of Educational Technology 2

Jean C. Cotamora BSED General Science 4

Author

CONTENT:

Overview

             

           This lesson is an overview of what to expect In Educational Technology 2 (EdTech 2). In EdTech 2, the general focus on the integration of technology in the teaching and learning process. This encompasses the teaching and sharing to the students the knowledge and skills to become better technology learners. Not only to the students, teachers and aspiring teachers are taught an updated on the new trends in educational technology so that they may be able (we may be able) to use technology in teaching students. It will help teachers adapt to technological changes.

            Educational Technology 2 will talks about providing understanding about computers and its functions and services, specifically applications/soft wares that cater computer-based activities that will truly help students and teachers.         

Computer as tutor

As said above, it is about integrating technology in education. Specifically, it aims the following: (1) providing technology in instruction – technology is basically incorporated to education for the purpose of uplifting teachers’ teaching and students’ learning for a better educational system. (2) Impart learning experiences in instructional technology-supported instructional planning - by this, teachers teaching will become better. It will be easy for the teachers to make students understand because illustrations are better. As for the students, they will get to know how to use technology in their learning. (3) Acquaint students on IT-related learning theories with the computer as a tutor – to the students, computer will not just be for entertainment, but will be a teacher (but not the point of substituting the teacher) in the sense that there applications in the computer that can help the student learn on their own. (4) Learn to use and evaluate computer-based educational resources - as said above, students can learn on their own with the help of computers, but they also get to evaluate will computer application for them is helpful base on learning preferences; students will not just passive learners but they are active learners in this context.  (5) Engage learners on practical technology – by making use of technology students skills become better; they develop skills, say, practical or presentation skills; they get to cooperate with others and develop social skills; they develop independent learning with the help of the Internet. And (6) Inculcate higher-level thinking and creativity among students while providing them knowledge of IT-related learning theories – students construct their own ideas, through that they will think critically and develop higher-level thinking. 

Below is a video about "Practical Ways to Integrate Technology in the Classroom"

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgLNRKQR3AI

EXPERIENCE:

            When I was in high school, the only subject that integrates technology in my learning is “Computer.” Now in college, almost every subject makes use of technology. I think, without technology integration to my teachers’ teaching today, instructional process would really take time. Technology has helped me coped with the kind of education I am having today. I have become a better learner. I have developed skills I never think I would ever develop. I have learned how to use several soft wares which I think would be very helpful in my teaching later. I have never thought I’d be able to do simple video, audio, and photo editing.

            With EdTech 2, I think I will get to know more of the computer-applications will really be of great help later. I will become a better evaluator of technology and its application – I get to choose which is more appropriate for instruction. I have learned to conceptualized things and come up with an output. I am looking forward for my practical and presentation skills to be better. All these and more, as I get through this course. 

REFLECTION:

APPROPRIATENESS

            “To be able to teach, one must learn first.” Technology is helpful, but its helpfulness depends on the appropriateness of its usage. No matter how sophisticated and how proven a certain technology is, the extent of its help still depends on its usage because “no size fits all.” Teachers must not use technology just for the sake of using technology but must bear in mind that technology is used in education to make teaching and learning better.

            In this fast changing world, teachers must adapt. Teachers must make use of the technology students are so fascinated with in to something that can be used in education to turn the bane into boon. 

Lesson 1: A Review of Educational Technology 2

Jean C. Cotamora, BSED General Science 4

Author

This encompasses EdTech

CONTENT: 

     Educational Technology 1 has open the way for students/learners to get to know more the technological tools that can aid them in their learning as well as the teachers in their teaching. Specifically, educational technology 1 has made it clear to the students (to us, to me specifically) the real meaning of technology. There was an emphasis that technology in education is not always an advantage because it has its major disadvantages too, like when it is not used appropriately would to damages. The role of educational technology has been made clear and well-defended - in this fast changing world, teachers has to cope with what’s new and what’s in. Teachers must become digital teachers to improve their ways and means of teaching. The systematic approach was also introduced which says that it should start with defining objectives, then choosing of appropriate methods, follows choosing of appropriate experiences, then selecting of materials and equipment, assigning personnel role, implementing instruction, evaluate outcomes, and lastly refining the process. The above said approach ensures that there is an orderly relationship and interaction of human, technical and environmental sources to fulfill the goals. 

Teachers has to cope with what’s new and what’s in

The cone of experiences has also been tackled which shows the degree of experiences that the students can experience in educational technology which is arranged based on abstraction not on its difficulty. It was also emphasized in EdTech 1 the using and evaluating of instructional materials – it should follow the guideline “PPPF” (Prepare your Self, Prepare your students, Present the material, and Follow up). There was an emphasis on direct, purposeful experience as the firsthand experiences that serve as the foundation of learning. It is also useful to use contrived experiences if the real scenario is not available. Guidelines in demonstrating were also elaborated. Importance of field trips, power of film, video and TV in classroom has been elucidated; these are helpful tools in instruction (say, showing how mitosis happens in video presentation).   

Students make projects;
a proof of learning

     EdTech 1 has emphasized the used of visual symbols in teaching which can help summarize lessons. There was also a notion of maximizing the use of overhead projector and chalkboard if in case sophisticated technology is not available in the school. Project-based learning:  its meaning and as a strategy has also been elaborated – it is important that the teachers of the 21st century, must determine the knowledge and ability of students through projects. Guidelines in assessing students’ learning in a constructivist technology-supported classroom have also been elaborated – guidelines are given. Lastly, the role of educational media center has been explained thereby providing information on how student makes most of the center and learn a lot.

EXPERIENCE

Pic. 1. Photo-output through
Adobe Photoshop

       In EdTech 1, we did not only have learned so much from the textbook but we have also learned how to use several softwares. Our presentation skill was enhanced as well as our practical skills. We learned how to use software such as Adobe Photoshop as Cyberlink Powerdirector. We were made to submit an edited picture (see pic. 1) and a movie as an output.

Pic. 2. Comic Strip made through Toondo.com

        We were also made to make our own rubrics using Rubistar4teachers.org and our own Comic strip using Toondoo.com (see pic. 2). We also reported topics using different graphic organizers. We get to have online classes through Edmodo.com. We learned so many things which we can use in our teachings later. 

REFLECTION

I have come to the realization that it in this fast changing world, it is not enough that you only have the principles to become an effective teacher but you should also have the practical skills needed in the 21st century. You must never stop learning instead, cope up and adapt to the changes. One must really embrace new methods in teaching with the association of technology to better cater the needs of the 21st century students. One must involve technology (if available) and make use of it in the most productive and generous manner possible and not just store it in cabinets where dust and time make it obsolete. One must never overlook the disadvantages of technology because after all technology is here to ease our lives. 

However, I have also come to the realization that there should also be limit in using technology in education because once it is not is not used properly, it becomes a disadvantage. Technology is not the substitute of a teacher, it is just an aid. No matter how good that a certain innovation is, still nothing replaces a teacher. 

APPLICATION

With the advent of technology,
learners can learn on their own.

As a future teacher I will involve technology in my teaching. I will be open to the new teaching strategies and be willing also to learn how to use new devices and gadgets and their encompassing applications and services for me to become a better 21st century teacher. I will make use of what is available even if it’s not what is latest. I will involve my students in my teaching not just make them mere audiences and hearers. I will maximize their skills by requiring them to submit learning outputs and by that I will know that they really have learned. I will deviate (as much as possible) to the traditional way of teaching, instead, I will apply my learning in Edtech 1 (and of course 2) to make me a better and effective teacher.