Lesson 11: The Computer as a the teachers tool

Constructivism was introduced by Piaget ( 1981 ) and Bruner ( 1990 ). They give stress to knowledge discovery of new meaning /concepts principles in the learning process. Various strategies have been suggested to foster knowledge discovery, among these , is making students engaged in gathering unorganized information from which they can induce ideas and principles. Students are also asked to apply discovered knowledge to new situations, a process for making their knowledge applicable to real life situations.

While knowledge is constructed by the individual learner in constructivism, knowledge can also be socially constructed. Social constructivism is an effort to show that the construction of knowledge is governed by social, historical, and cultural contexts. In effect, this is to say that the learner who interprets knowledge has a predetermined point of view according to the social perspectives of the community or society he lives in.

The psychologist Vygotsky stressed that learning is affected by social influences. He therefore suggested the interactive process in learning. The more capable adult (teacher or parent) or classmate can aid or complement what the learner sees in a given class project. In addition, Dewey sees language as a medium for social coordination and adaptation. For Dewey human learning is really human language that occurs when students socially share, build and agree upon meanings and knowledge.

Experience

In instruction using instructional tools are necessary in teaching because these will aid the teacher in teaching the class well in order for the students to really grasp the concept of what the topic is all about. Well, nowadays because students are more visual learners and they will learn best if they would be able to see the microscopic concept instead of just oral explanation that’s why most of the teachers are using computer/laptops by projecting images on screen for the benefits of the students. Also, some of the teacher are using film showing as part of their instruction to help students in their learning.

Reflection

Without integrating computer in instruction maybe we are still using the “BITAYMAX” which is stressful for the teacher’s part. But because of computer assisted instruction, and using computer as part of the instruction, it will be very convenient for the teacher to teach because aside from simulation, images can be seen in order for the students to grasp the topic well if they are visual spatial learner.

Application

Because of using computer as the teacher’s tool, learning is easy and class is not boring because student’s interests are already taken into consideration. Thus, there will be an active participation between the teacher and the students. One important application of these is by using an LCD television in class discussion wherein students can freely see the movements of the atoms in a microscopic scale.

Reference:


Lucido, P. I. (2012). Educational Technology 2. LORIMAR PUBLISHING INC.