Lesson 15: Understanding Hypermedia

Jean C. Cotamora BSED General Science 4

Author 

CONTENT

Here's a video about Hypermedia in the Classroom: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oFCdK1DAQc 

Multimedia refers to the audiovisual packaged including one or more instructional media (text, graphics, audio animation and video clip). Hypermedia is a multimedia, only that it is packaged as an educational software where students could access information and perform activities. IT applications are usually hypermedia and may be in a form of tutorial software packages, knowledge webpages, or simulation games. The presentation of information in a hypermedia is not chronological hence a student can have a full autonomy over his/her learning by deciding on which path to take first. An outstanding hypermedia has the following characteristics: learner control – the learner decides on his/her learning, which to take first or what to take; learner wide range of navigation routes – the learner can choose to speed up or slowdown in learning, skip those concepts already learned, or repeat other activities or lessons – all depending on the student; variety of media – a hypermedia uses more than one media but this does not mean it uses all, it only uses those that are necessary.

EXPERIENCE

Hypermedia is not necessarily chronological, although it can be chronological too, but it is up to the user which to tackle first. Encarta I say, (aside from the fact that it is a software) is a hypermedia (based on the definition of hypermedia). With Encarta, I get to decide what to read or learn first, not based on the arrangement of the lesson but on my preference. I decide which to explore first. I think the Internet too is hypermedia in nature since I decide on what I should learn not based on what it suggest but based on my interest. I get to access to text files or multimedia files as sooner as I can because they are just a click away, no need to go through a long chronological arrangement of information.

REFLECTION

From the statement above (referring to content), a teacher should then select correctly the hypermedia to use depending on it advantages, functions and limitations. Even with all these, a hypermedia does not replace the teacher, instead it helps the teacher in making instruction for and learning of the students easier and fun, less boring and not traditional. In employing hypermedia, the teacher must get first the learners’ attention, recall prior learning for connection, inform learners of the lesson objectives so that they too know what to do, introduce the software and is features for them to get familiar, guide their learning, provide feedback for them to be better, check on their learning, and enhance retention and learning transfer by constantly reviewing and letting them teach their co-learners.  

APPLICATION

As a future teacher, I think hypermedia is a very good software to use if I am promoting self-directed learning in my students since learning through multimedia is based on preference and interest of the learner. I would suggest the use hypermedia to my students but of course only those that I have examined. Since hypermedia offers a non-chronological way of learning, I think I would first introduce my students to the concept of the lesson and leave to them the reviewing or relearning of the concepts that aren’t clear to them with the use of hypermedia soft wares.

Lesson 14: The Software as an Educational Resource

Jean C. Cotamora BSED General Science

Author

CONTENT 

When people think of a computer, they think of that rectangular or square device that projects images or shows videos, or they think of a machine from which anything can be searched. A computer however is not a computer just because of its appearance but it is because of the programs and soft wares that run it. A computer would just be a useless thing if no program or software run it. There are two kinds of soft wares: system software – this is the operating system of the computer built in all computer machines, and applications software- a system that commands a particular task or solves a particular problem. An application software by the way can be: custom software – performs a specific task for a specific company or client, and commercial software – for personal computers performing specific task.

Microsoft windows/Windows is the operating environment between the user and the computer operating system; this enables the computer to work. This provides user convenience - a file or a program is just a click away to run, a new look – fancy appearance of the computer (borders, streamlined text), information center – windows puts all communication activities and configures the computer for Internet, and plug and play  - configures computer for sound and video. An instructional software can be visited via Internet or purchased via dealers or software shops.

EXPERIENCE

Soft wares are not just big help in running the computer, also in learning. Some soft wares like Virtual DNA Fingerprinting (which I have used) enabled me to learn how to do DNA isolation and somehow learn and appreciate the work of a crime scene operatives. I also learn a lot from Encarta; its game and encyclopedic features teaches me a lot, sometimes I use this as a reference in my researches. Ginger also (a “concerned with grammar” software) helps check my grammar whenever I write compositions; in the process I learn about more about grammar and its dos and don’ts.  Games also make me strategic and sometimes make me think deeper – in the process I develop higher-level of thinking.

REFLECTION

It is up to the teacher the decision on what material to use in employing computer-based learning by considering its availability, tangibility, appropriateness and function and may even consider the reviews of the software. It is important for a teacher to be cautious in picking software to use since others contain virus or may be just be a scam. It is important for a teacher to consult first his/her objectives or lesson before picking up a certain software to use. He/she must see to it that the software he/she will use is user friendly. Of course in the process the teacher should be there to guide the students.

 

APPLICATION

As a future teacher, if I employ the use of certain soft wares in my lessons, I will make sure that I know how to use the software/s for me teach it well, also to answer queries if my students. I must make use of soft wares that are within my reach. I will consider the appropriateness or suitability of the software in my instruction. I will not use any just for the sake of being “digital” or “in,” in teaching, but will only use a software if the real thing or avenue is not available or if I want my students to practice before engaging in the real activity or drill in the classroom for them to  be more prepared.

Lesson 13: Cooperative Learning with the Computer

Jean C. Cotamora BSED General Science 4

Author

Students sharing computer

CONTENT

Truly, the 1:1 ratio of computer and students is still an ideal to be achieved because even progressive countries are still in the running in achieving that. But this should not be taken so negatively since it has benefits. This situation offers the way for cooperative or collaborative learning to come in. Since students have to share computers, they also in one way or another get to learn together with other students and share their ideas.  

Here's a video about Cooperative Learning with the Computer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIOn16A4nKI 

Cooperative Learning

Collaborative or cooperative learning is learning in groups to achieve a common goal. However, in order for a group work to be called cooperative, it must have the following: common goal – the group must have a unanimous target so that they can work together towards the achievement of that goal; interdependence – members of the group must depend on each other (but not totally be dependent like leave the task to others) in a manner that the job is shared and everyone has its job; interaction – everyone in the group must interact and participate in the work; individual accountability – each one must take responsibility and do his/her job in the group; and social skills – members of the group must not only be interactive but must also know how to establish and maintain good relationship with other members of the group. From the prerequisites above, it can be said then that not every group work is a cooperative one. A group of people may do the same thing in the same place but may have different targets.

Cooperative learning also has its benefits. This type of learning is active and students in the process are motivated to learn. Since it encourages group work there is big chance that students will learn more since they can learn from their group mates and in the end there is an increase in the academic performance of the students. Above all, the teacher becomes more effective since he/she is also manifesting the other functions of a teacher being a facilitator of learning (since in this approach students learn together from their group mates and the teacher is no longer the sole source of information). Students develop socially and personally.

EXPERIENCE

Working with somebody in the computer was nice because I got to exchange ideas ending up with a good output. The sad thing about that project was that only those in my group that are knowledgeable with the computer did more of the job. In the real scenario that also happens, only those that are much knowledgeable tend to do more of the job.

REFLECTION

With computers, cooperative learning has become better because students can work together to come out with a very good output. Students can brainstorm and express their ideas through computers. Working together in computer makes students interact with each other for advice and help. However, computer works does not necessarily mean cooperative because there are computer works that are better off individualized. Hence, teachers should assign students their task, must be able to establish interdependence among students, teach cooperative skills, make everyone aware of their responsibilities, and of course help the student’s process information.

APPLICATION

 

I will make use of computer in my teaching later. Since computer activities develops cooperative learning, I will give activities that will require them to do so, like require them to make a documentary on the life of a butterfly. I will see to it that everyone’s participating. There are activities however that are better off as an individualized activity, hence I will make it sure that the activity that I am giving is appropriate and suits my instructional objectives.