Hypermedia or multimedia? (Week 9)

       My lecturer began the class by writing five words on the board; connection, swimming pool, alcohol, submission and assignment. She then told us to create a story using those words in the story. This is called scaffolding, we had learned about this in week 3.

        In the middle of the class, a group of us were excused from class to go for a briefing about flipped classrooms. Universities like MIT and Harvard uses this method of teaching. In “flipped classes” students watch online video lectures recorded by lecturers. This is so that during a normal class session, teachers are able to have more time to work one-to-one with students and offer help as needed. Classmates can engage more in discussions, or collaborate on assignments. The downside of this approach however, is the need for access to technology and internet and the student’s own motivation to watch the videos.

        The main subject of today’s lesson was to learn what hypermedia is and how we can, as future educators, use hypermedia in our classes when educating students.  First of all, the difference between multimedia and hypermedia is that multimedia is the different kinds of media, like television, radio, YouTube, etc. while hypermedia is the media we get via links. It allows links to be embedded in multimedia elements like power points and Microsoft Word; users can add hyperlinks to any word and even add links to pictures or videos.

        I feel that hypermedia can be used anywhere and anytime in a lesson; before, during or even after. Swan and Meskill (1996) had examined how effective current hypermedia products support the teaching and acquisition of critical thinking skills in reading and language. I feel that hypermedia can be incorporated into nearly any lesson and may help generate excitement by delivering content in a new and exciting format. However, future educators need to be equipped with the knowledge of how to use hypermedia and hyperlinks because majority of students lack the knowledge as to what types of technologies are available and how they can be used.

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Tip : Use TIP Model (Week 8)

      In this week’s lesson, we looked deeper into models that helps teachers, especially those new to technology, understand how to integrate technology into their teaching. Technology Integration Planning (TIP) Model and Teck-PACK are created as a guide that ensures the efficiency of integrated technology about whether it meets the needs or not (Roblyer & Doering, 2014, p.66). This model is designed to help teachers plan for effective classroom uses of technology. The model consists of seven steps within three phases which are, Phase 1; “Analysis of Learning and Teaching Needs”. Phase 2; “Planning for integration” and phase 3; “Post-instruction Analysis and Revisions”. These models are really effective as it is a training ground for teachers to keep up to date his/her understanding of the technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge to ensure successful planning and implementation of this unit.

        The TIP model and Tech-PACK are useful for students who are planning to be future educators as technology continues to evolve from day to day.  This is a way for them to also think analytically and always consider the benefits of using different methods compared to the current ones now and then decide if the benefits are worth the effort and cost. In phase 3, post-instruction analysis and revisions, teachers will review the evidence of their integration strategies and how successful they are. This is where concept checking comes in, an approach that tests students at the end of class to see if they understood the lesson and check if the teacher’s integration method works or not. At the same time, teachers can also ask for student’s comments to know how well was the methods implemented. This way, classroom environments will also have more of a two-way interaction.

        All in all, TIP model should be used more and implemented in any educator’s lesson plan especially for us, future teachers to be. This information is important as it gives step by step questions to ensure us to cover all the necessary issues involved when using technology in the classroom. 

Body language is crucial (Week 7)

      Other than having our peer video presentation which is part of our assignment, we were taught about important software tools for educators. A few of them included, word processing, spreadsheets and presentations. Benefits and drawbacks come together with these tools. For instance, word processors saves time because of its editing programs, plus it is much faster to type than write. However, students will become more dependent on auto-correct which will cause them to struggle spelling correctly later on in their life. 

        Powerpoint was emphasized more in this class because this tool can be used for multiple purposes, from presentations to digital portfolios. Many students nowadays love using powerpoint in classes because it stimulates them and captures their attention. Despite encouraging students to pay more attention, powerpoints have their disadvantages too. Over-simplifying information is one of them and it also makes students become lazier.

        I’ve also learned that, as a future educator, hand gestures and movements are very important. This is vital because without these, educators will not be able to reach and connect with the learners. Without body language, one cannot reach their audience. According to Vanessa Edwards (2014), there are a few body language that captures students’ attention. One of them is the ‘eyebrow raise’ which is a universal, non-verbal gesture to say “Pay attention.” How? When a teacher suddenly raises his/her eyebrows, students might realize the sudden change in facial expression and start paying more attention. Other than that, ‘the head tilt’ is a subtle but effective body language that tells listeners “I’m listening”. Tilting can similarly indicate curiosity or query which shows students that the teacher is relatable and charismatic.

        By the end of this week’s lesson, I learnt how vital body language is as a form of communication, which can make or break a presentation. It is essential for an educator, which can help bond with students and learners. When my body language is deliberate, it shows that I am in control, doing what I should be doing. Non-verbal communication is so impactful, it can either reinforce my verbal message or contradict it.

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Time for Plan B! (Week 5)

       As usual, we were given a question to ponder on, in a small group of 3-4 people, at the beginning of the class. We were told to discuss what alternate plans should instructors and educators have if students are not in the mood to learn or not motivated enough for a current lesson plan. Educators and instructors should always have a back-up plan if in case anything does not go as planned. In this case, students don’t seem lively and awake before class which might lead to them not paying attention during the lesson. Therefore, there should have been a ‘Plan B’ already prepared. I think that a good way to overcome this is by positive reinforcements, teachers have a quiz for the students and give small prizes, like chocolates or cookies as a reward, for those who answer the quiz correctly. This way, students will be more awake for the lesson. Other than that, teachers should sometimes incorporate outdoor learning, to give students a feel of different environments from classrooms.

        Instructional software also helps in keeping a class interesting. Instructional software is loosely defined as computer programs that are designed to deliver instruction or to assist in the delivery of instruction on a specific topic. Their sole purpose is to support instruction and learning. Instructional software falls into five basic categories; drill and practice, tutorials, simulation, instructional games and problem-solving. All these are useful in any lessons if used wisely.

        I would choose to use more of simulation. This software is a computerized model of a real-life or imagined system. There are two types of simulation software; products that teach about something, which include physical and iterative simulations and products that teach how to do something, like procedural and situational simulations. By using simulation software, students get to understand the concept of what they’re learning more deeply. For example, time can be compressed or slowed down so students can see exactly what is happening during a specific process. Other than that, simulations are done in a safe environment, unlike being in labs, using chemicals and students have access to opportunities they would not necessarily have. For instance, if a research requires a student to travel somewhere far, he/she would not have to if not for the simulation software. This can also save money, time and other resources. The video below shows an example of an innovative online program that enables nursing students to learn from sophisticated, digital representations of patients. Students can practice critical assessments in an interactive clinical environment that complements their on ground nursing experience, at no risk to real patients.

         Instructional software provides many advantages for 21st century classrooms. When educators have done their research and use instructional software for specific purposes, and expose students to quality programs, students’ learning can be positively impacted.    

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Passion is not an action (Week 4)

      “What is the difference between a teacher and technology?” was the first question we were asked to answer, in groups. Some of us came up with ideas that said there is always a two-way communication between teachers and students while technology is just a tool for teaching, where it is just a one-way communication. Other than that, teachers can function on their own. However, as for technology, it requires humans touch and control to function. The one most prominent difference between a teacher and technology is ‘passion’. Too many teachers nowadays are teaching about things they are not passionate about. Passion cannot be faked. With passion, educators who are filled with passion make students feel like they mean something. For example, in the video below, Chris Ulmer sets aside time before beginning his class to compliment each and every one of his students. The passion he has to actually make the time and effort to say something meaningful to his students will make them more enthusiastic to learn.    

Good teachers will find a way to get more interested in what they are teaching and to make things more interesting for their students. It requires a little more work and a little more imagination. The best teachers make learning interesting, exciting and important for their students. With all that’s been said, I think passion and technology go well together as they make a good team for learning.

            The next session of our class, we played a game and the purpose of this game was to help us recap the various learning theories and their teaching and assessment methods. From this activity, I’ve learned that it is very effective to incorporate fun activities into lesson plans. This might help students remember a particular lesson better. It may not be possible to incorporate classroom activities into every lecture, but finding room for a little bit of fun in the curriculum can go a long way in facilitating meaningful learning. “Incorporating fun classroom activities into your lesson plan can be intimidating at best, but sometimes our students need more than just a lecture.” (Semma, 2015). Most of us in class remembered the theories clearer after that activity. Hence, it is vital for an educator to try his/her best at keeping lectures exciting and stimulating.

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Technology implemented in classrooms. (Week 3)

       This week in class, we studied the foundations for effective technology integration. I thought to myself, “Is it necessary to integrate technology into our education?”. Giving it a long thought, it may not be necessary but it can enhance the learning experience in classrooms. When it comes to technology integration, there has been controversial debates that has arose. In my opinion, incorporating technology in studies is a good way to encourage students to participate more in classrooms because they’re understanding of the topic may widen. For instance, a student might raise his/her hand and say, “I know exactly what you mean! I remember that YouTube video that was shown last week in class.”. Integrating technology in classes is an interesting technique to catch students’ attention. Word processing, using power points and e-books are varying tools that students would enjoy using as it is different from traditional methods, like writing. There are even online games that are educational. According to Staff Writers (2012), 70% of teachers said using educational video games increases student engagement.

Other than that, technology integration in classrooms helps students learn life skills. They learn how to create presentations, differentiate reliable from unreliable sources on the Internet, write emails and many more. These are all vital skills that students can learn in the classroom and master it before heading out to the working world. 

There are two perspectives on effective instruction, one; directed instruction where teachers transmit a pre-defined set of information to students through teacher-organised systems. Directed instruction is based on objectivism, meaning learning is just transmitted knowledge. Teaching should be directed, systematic and structured. Two; inquiry-based instruction where learners generate their own knowledge through experiences. This view is usually based on contructivism which allows students to show what they have learned in different ways, not just in written tests. Constructivist models were shaped by constructivist theories like scaffolding, social learning, discovery learning and multiple intelligence theories.

        Both views on effective instruction have their importance in educating. It is important to hold onto and learn from both views to form a new and powerful approach to solving some of the major problems of the educational system. It is vital that, as a future educator, to use both directed and inquiry-based models as they each carry out different roles in educating. Directed models include integration to support efficient and self-paced learning while constructivist strategies include integration to foster creative problem solving and metacognition, also integration to allow for multiple and distributed intelligences. Hence, future educators should hold onto both teaching strategies.

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Special technology for special students (Week 1 & 2)

I never knew how much impact technology or rather, educational technology, actually had on us until I sat for my first Educational Technology class. What I learned from the lecture is that teachers usually do not develop technology materials or curriculum. Teachers are not developers of technology, they only now how to use it and this may not change in the future. Therefore, as a future educator, I think it is wise and pertinent for me to start equipping myself with useful IT knowledge. I feel that in today's world, a teacher not only have to be an educator but also an IT specialist. They not only have to know their content but also know how to integrate and operate advanced equipment and computer programs. Therefore, it is important for me, as a future educator, to be constantly adapting to stay current because as the role of technology in education is increasing, teachers cannot be obsolete in this area.

In the first lecture of this module, not only did we learn the different perspectives on technology users or the history of digital technologies. We also learned about the different types of technology facilities, both hardware and software. I never knew that there were many different types of hardware and software applications for teaching. For example, there is something called an interactive whiteboard which I didn't know about. To me, I think the most important or essential tool in teaching is one where it helps disabled students or students with special needs to have a more comfortable  and adaptable learning environment. E-readers and braille typewriters are very significant educational technologies created. An organisation, 'The Family Center on Technology and Disability released an awareness series called 'Assistive Technology in Action' to spread awareness of technologies that can help people with disabilities to participate better in school. In one of their video, they introduced a device which helps a woman with cerebral palsy. To me, I feel these are the kinds of advancements that governments should invest in.

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