CHAPTER 9 BLOG: TECHNOLOGY TO SUPPORT LEARNING

INSPIRATIONS:

Source: “How People Learn”, Bransford, etc. al, 2000, pp. 206-230

“Technology has its capacity to create new opportunities for curriculum and instruction by bringing real-world problems into the classroom for students to explore and solve. (p. 207)”

“The interactivity of theses technology environments is a very important feature for learning. Interactivity makes it easy for students to revisit specific parts of the environments to explore them more fully, to test ideas, and to receive feedback.” (p.209)

“Technology- based tools can enhance student performance when they are integrated into the curriculum and used in accordance with knowledge about learning.” (p.216)

“Technology can make it easier for teachers to give students feedback about their thinking and for students to revise their work.” (p.216)

“Modern technologies can help make connections between students’ in school and out-of-school activities.” (p.224)

“Many issues arise in considering how to educate teachers to use new technologies effectively:

1) What do they need to know about learning processes? About the technology?

2) What kinds of training are most effective for helping teachers use high-quality instructional programs?

3) What is the best way to use technology to facilitate teacher learning?” (p.230)

THINKING OUT LOUD

“Just like what our forefathers had done…

I would like to put technology into a perspective that is more hopeful than frightening.

First, the word technology means “the practical application of knowledge is a particular area”. It may immediately connote to something newly designed, or to something that is an innovation. In whatever form it may be, technology is simply a thought in action (in human or material form) done in a particular time or instant. Hence, the invention of the first wheel was a technology. This is true with the past introduction of pencil, paper, pen, light bulb, or typewriter. Today’s technologies are the internet, the multi-media phones, smart boards, MP3 players and blue-ray discs.

From these mentioned few, it is true that human beings are no stranger to technology. Since the beginning of time when the first wheel was introduced until today with blue-ray discs, we have been always adapting to each of them and applying them in ways that would improve our life. There is nothing new to this reality – it is part of our daily existence. I would say adapting to technology is the same as breathing: an indispensable reality of life and an essential element to survival.

Therefore, being said, I think embracing these “new practical applications of knowledge in our teaching” is part of being human – a reality and survival. It is what we are and is what we are expected to do. Like our forefathers, we need not to resist educational technology. We have to use them for the betterment of the students and of ourselves as teachers. We do not have to complain and to denigrate our attempts to use these “practical applications”. We should not be intimidated by the complexity of innovations which are just made by humans like us. We should not be discouraged by any naysayer who opposes progress. Like our forefathers, we show our humanity when we seek for the betterment of others.

Hence, as teachers, we should welcome any tool that will benefit our children. We should learn the educational potentials of the internet, of interactive games, of iPods, of PSPs or PS3s, of MySpace.com, of YouTube, and countless more. These are part of our learners’ lifestyle. They can better learn math, science, social studies, and reading when they use tools that will engage them.

We should use blog sites as venues for creative writing. We can use chatting software as effective tool for long-distance learning. We can use MOODLE as our class real-time syllabus. We can listen to PodCasts that discusses current events and concepts which are part of the curriculum. We can use video streaming (from National Geographic, or Discovery Channel) to bring into the classroom cultural experiences of far reaching countries. We should use Smart Boards as teaching tools to engage our learners.

Technology will always be part of everyday life as men continue to find better ways to improve our life. As teachers, embracing technology to enhance our teaching is our obligation. As teachers, embracing technology to enhance learning is a reality that we must instill into our students. The well-being and survival of the world depends on them and we are to ensure that.

Just like what our forefathers had done.”