Lesson 11: The Computer as the Teacher’s Tool

Ganancial, Estela L.  BSEd General Science 4

MW 3:00-5:00 PM

Educational Technology 2

Lesson 11:  The Computer as the Teacher’s Tool

Content

The lesson talks about the significant contribution of constructivism to the learning of the students. Constructivism was introduced by Piaget (1981) and Bruner (1990). They gave stress to knowledge discovery of new meaning/concepts/principles in the learning process. Social constructivism is an effort to show that the construction of knowledge is governed by social, historical and cultural contexts. This was stressed out by Lev Vygotsky that learning is affected by social influences. Dewey, on the other hand, sees language as a medium for social coordination and adaptation.

The Computer’s Capabilities 
With the speed of flexibility and sophistication, the computer can provide access to information, foster creative social knowledge-building, and enhance the communication of the achieved project package.

Based on the two learning theories, the teacher can employ the computer as a/an:
1. An information tool

As an informative tool, the computer can provide vast amounts of information in various forms such as text, graphic, sounds, and video. Even multimedia encyclopedias are today available on the internet.

2. A communication tool 
Internet plays a great part in this function. It serves as a channel for global communication; the computer can very well be the key tool for video teleconferencing sessions.

3. A constructive tool 

Computer itself can be used for manipulating information, visualizing one’s understanding, and building a new knowledge. Example is the use of MS Word.

4. As co-constructive tool 

Students can use co-constructive tools to work cooperatively and construct a shared understanding of new knowledge.

5. A situating tool 

By means of virtual reality (RS) extension systems, the computer can create 3-D images on display to give the user the feeling that are situated in a virtual environment. 

Experience

Honestly, I’ve encountered those functions of computers mentioned above as a student. I owed a lot of my learning and academic achievements with the help of this machine even I don’t have one. Every now and then, we are bombarded with so much paper works that require us to look for references, make slides for reporting and so on.  Most of the activity are through encoding and making slides as well as browsing internet.

Reflection

We can’t deny the reality that computers really affect our way to achieve the learning outcomes as students. It is now actually part of learning because without computers, learning would not be that convenient. Probably, we would find it hard to study especially for compliance of projects or requirements. However, we must know the limitations as we deal through this machine. We should bear in mind that computer must use for educational purposes only and not for anything.

Application

Since I’ll be teaching science concepts to my future students soon, I will not really disregard computer as long as it is always available. With the use of computers, the students will appreciate science more they will be the one who will explore for it more while I’ll just be there to facilitate and guide their learning. Students’ learning would be very effective if technology is integrated in science concepts.

A student actively doing her activity on the computer