Lesson 11: The Computer as the Teacher’s Tool

Jean C. Cotamora BSED General Science 4

Author

Constructing own idea

CONTENT

Constructivism as an approach allows students to construct their own concepts and meaning about anything. Constructing can be done socially, so the term social constructivism emerged. Constructivism as an approach is employed when a teacher makes use of computer as a tool in teaching.

Here's a video about Computer as a Teacher's Tool

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

It is now easier for teachers to provide avenues in which higher-level of thinking can be achieve by students since computers now can have problem-solving and simulation programs installed in it. Specifically, a computer can be used by the teacher:

computer as communication tool

·         as an informative tool – A computer can provide vast amounts of information in any form (text, graphics, sound or video). With the Internet, a computer can provide global information on anything. Computer alone is helpful but with the Internet, it becomes even better. A teacher can use this to teach his/her students develop researching and evaluative skills (choose among sources which is/are reliable).

·         as a communication tool – With Internet, communication has become better. A teacher can have a virtual class thus defying space and still pursue the teaching and learning process. 

·                                                                 as a constructive tool – With the programs installed in the

one can make anything in the computer

     computer, students can construct their own works. They can organize their ideas into multimedia presentations or through texts. A teacher can use the computer to allow his/her students to develop their own concepts or express themselves through computer creativity activities. 

   ·  as a co-constructive tool – Students cannot only do an original work in the computer but they also can share their works with others. The teacher can make use of this computer function to develop cooperation among his/her students.

EXPERIENCE

ideas can be expressed in many ways

I have become a constructivist since I got hold of a PC. I get to express my ideas and create anything through it. I get to develop certain skills (like basic editing, text, video, photo, and audio). I get to communicate with other people through the Internet. I was able to share my works to others. Indeed, a computer is just a tool of the teacher because what we are learning from the soft wares are just additional to what we are learning in reality. DNA fingerprinting software for example, we are already taught on how to do DNA isolation manually and the software just served as an additional drill to master more the technique.

 

REFLECTION

Nothing beats the real experience but when the real thing isn’t available, one can always go for a virtual alternative. It is important for every teacher to develop in his/her students the skill of being a constructivist since it’s the root cause of originality. Computer is never a replacement of the teacher. It is just a tool in making the instruction a whole lot better. Computer is a teacher’s tool and by definition of what a tool is (device that aids in accomplishing something), a computer helps a teacher accomplish his/her task. With the sophistication present day technology is reaching now, computers have made it easy for both the teachers and students to access to information, provide the avenue for creativity, and it has made communication easier.

Students learning in group

APPLICATION

I will use the computer only when needed. There are so many soft wares but still not effective because they are not use according to their appropriateness in the classroom. If I use computer in my instruction, then I will see to it that I am present when my students are doing the computer activity to guide them. I will make use of the computer as tutor if I am not around but when I come back I will reinforce the learning of my students by giving additional discussion and assessment because I really believe that the computer is not my replacement, it is just my tool. 

Lesson 10: The Computer as a Tutor

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: 

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

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. 

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.

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

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.