ICT as a Situating tools

Firstly the most obvious thing that I discovered was the advantages of using situating tools in teaching and learning. Educators can guide learners in learning and at the same time learners also get supportive service from ICTs. I learnt that using situating tools can makes learners more realistic and rational in real life situation. Educators can make their teaching more meaningful using situating tools. There are many situating tools like simulation, virtual reality and multi-user domain in which learners can learn effectively and educators can teach through various form.

I have also learnt that situating tools are purposeful when certain real-life experience is impossible or difficult to attain. In this case users can experience the context and happening in real life situation. For example if a teacher wanted to show learner a place where they did not even reached like London. He can use Google map with 3D, satellite form, Taren etc to make them feel that they are touring the country in real life.  I found this awesome because I did not that I can locate my house. After Google tracking I could see my real house in which I felt my presence with parents in it.

Experiencing real feelings on plane.

Using Google map we can visit to any places.

Even I have learnt that situating tools is similar to constructive tools that allow users to manipulate variables in the system. It is more on situating students in an environment for certain instructional purposes.

ICT as co- constructive tool

Co-constructive tool

Co –constructive tool is a unique approach where the stress is on mutual or partnership working. The approach includes some more interactional processes such as cooperation and coordination. It is a concept that learners can use to help them learn from others and expand their knowledge. Not only does co-construction among learners assists them with growing in many areas, such as solving issues together, but it also teaches learners how to form relationships with their peers and teachers. Communication and dialogue between the teacher and learners that focuses on learning is one of the approaches for co-construction. The ability for learners to accept and receive feedbacks as well as reflect is an important part of the learning process for the co-construction approach.

Importance of co-constructive tool

Co-construction is important for developing creative partnership within the classroom. In a classroom, cooperation and collaboration is very important. It teaches learners how to effectively communicate with other to solve problems. Also, this is a very important skill that learners need to learn later in life. Co-construction of learning allows learners to have social interactions within the classroom and to have learning be more creative. 

In schools students and teachers can use these tools to construct common perceptive of innovative information. In co-constructive tool the users develops their understanding collaboratively unlike constructive tool where the users work autonomously to build individual knowledge.

Some of the common co-constructive tools that we have been using are Google docs which are very helpful in working simultaneously with team members in same documents. We can invite our friends to work on it and even we can notes or comments in it.  And blogs that we regularly update website or web page, typically one run by an individual or small group that is written in an informal way. And electronic whiteboard that transmit any information written it to a computer or multiple computers. Also allows live interaction with digital objects on the screen.

use of google doc.

use of blog.

ICT as constructive tool

Constructive tool
Constructive tool is a general purpose tool that can be used to manipulate information, build their own knowledge or think about students understanding. Construction tools such as Microsoft word or PowerPoint has a strong impact in the educational environment and is widely used in most organizations in the form of memos, reports letters, presentations and record routine information.

Learners begin to utilize technology tools to build on prior knowledge and construct meaning where teacher make choices regarding technology use. Students use technology tools independently to facilitate construction of meaning. Their deep understanding of the technology tools allows them to extend the use of the tools in creative ways to construct meaning.

Moreover generates new ways of teaching and learning through technology. There is a great shift from teacher centered to learner centered pedagogy where students are actively engaged in learning on their own. This shows that learners already moved out from traditional learning (memorization and rote learning). Teachers are there to facilitate when learners are researching on their studies by using wide range of resources on the net.

For example constructive tool like simulations help learners to explore their creativity by using PowerPoint or other method. PowerPoint is a presentation graphics program packaged as part of Microsoft office for windows or Macintosh. Although generally used for developing business presentations. It is also very advantageous in the context of increase creativity among students. While word processing program is the most common computer applications used, as a spreadsheet like excel is just as important in teaching and learning of English. Learners will be expose to learning design and arithmetical data using the excel program that can be automated through the formula.

Excel

MS word

Simulation

ICT as communicative tool

ICT as Communicative tool

Communicative tool is an application which enables easy communication. These rooms enable the interaction between members of the team work involved in different stages of integrated products, processes or manufacturing systems development. These allow learners to learn and interact with each other, and the instructors. Effective communicative tools include chats, Skype face book, Gmail etc.…. These are the mediums or channels used to transmit information.

In today’s e-learning environment the type of learning that takes place is generally divided into categories that is synchronous and asynchronous. Both learning strategies have their own pros and cones, and the technique that is right for students greatly depends upon their method of absorbing the information that is being provided. Ideally, effective e-learning course should include both asynchronous and synchronous learning activities. This allows students and teachers to benefit from the different delivery formats regardless of their schedules or preferred learning methods. This approach provides students with access to immediate help if needed, while still giving them the ability to learn at their own pace. 

Examples of e-learning are online chat, telephone call, and videoconferencing. Any learning tool that is real-time, such as instant messaging that allows students and teachers to ask and answer questions immediately, is synchronous.

Rather than learning on their own, students who participate in synchronous learning courses are able to interact with other students and their teachers during the lesson. This learning allows students to avoid feelings of isolation. They are in communication with others throughout the learning process.

 However synchronous learning is not flexible in terms of time as students would have set aside a specific time slot in order to attend a live teaching session or online course in real-time. So it may not be ideal for those who already have busy schedules. Multiple threads of discussion are difficult to follow and slow connection distracts and fails to keep alongside each other of interest.

Asynchronous learning, on the other hand, can be carried out even when the student or teacher is offline. Coursework and communications delivered via web, email, and message posted on community forums are perfect examples of asynchronous e-learning.

Virtual learning EnvironmentWe Chat

In these instances, students will typically complete the lessons on their own and merely use the internet as a support tool rather than venturing online solely for interactive classes.

However there are few difficulties of asynchronous communicative tool. The discussion through asynchronous tools minimize frequency of the discussion sine it involve delayed responses which also fails to maintain interest of the participant. Since it does not involve instant discussion, checking for the post and replies is an additional task for the person. Therefore these natures of asynchronous communicative tool may discourage learner’s participation which would affect their learning.

Reflection on informative tool.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education is the mode of education that uses information and communications technology to support, enhance, and optimize teaching and learning. We live in a world that is moving fast, using technology in education is now not an option, it is essential. There are five tools in ICT to lend a hand on effective teaching and learning. Out of which I will reflect on ICT as informative tool.
Informative tools are applications that provides large amount of information in various formats such as text, graphics, videos, or sounds.  Information can be reached out through radio, television, and internet etc...For example, learners use computer as an informative tool which has a capability to reach out to vast information’s, communicating worldwide and it is also a social knowledge building and meaning making. Unfortunately, to get this benefit we have to pay a price.
We learn to integrate relevant ideas in teaching and learning. And also give a thought to the information that we access. I know how to search information from authentic resources and latest updates which helped me to be more critical thinker. Internet is a great research tool. I think that all learners should be proficient at using it. It is a public forum so; we should know how to consume it. The internet will continue to have a universal appeal for people of all ages. We are using internet more and more for commercial and communication purposes. It is important to teach and learn technology using skills and critical analysis techniques so that we can differentiate between trustworthy sources and shady ones.
To consider present scenario of Bhutan, due to the pandemic (COVID-19) Bhutanese students and office workers are asked to stay home and do online work. They make use of internet to the fullest whereby in past most of them engage in playing games, chatting and video chatting rather than engaging in educational purpose. Now students are getting accesses to education through virtual learning environment and television ect...This shows that informative tools plays a vital role in every day learning.

The above scenario shows that the informative tools are fully utilize in learning and teaching. Learners become effective independent learners, gearing them for their future. Experts says that using technology in teaching and learning can increase children’s engagement in class, more than an old school textbook can as devices and apps are where today’s students live their lives. This is a benefit for all learners as app centre to all level of ability and uses various teaching methods to support learning. Apps also help teachers’ new ways of teaching the same thing, for game to virtual field trips.