ENHANCED SCHOOL EXPERIENCE:
PREPARATORY TASK FOR ICT FOR MEANINGFUL LEARNING
| Enhanced School Experience: Classroom Observations of ICT Use |
| (I) Specific Observations |
| School Name: Whitley Secondary School |
| Class: 2N2 |
| Profile of the class: (For e.g., the students’ academic abilities, stream and other characteristics)
The class makes up of 43 fourteen year old normal academic students. The students in the class are able to follow the lesson; however they tend to get restless and distracted easily. 2N2 was also notorious in school for being hyperactive and mischevious.
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| Subject: History |
| What ICT tools are used in the lesson?
Use of powerpoint slides, audiovisual such as videos. Computer labs for hands-on experiential learning on the students’ part.
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| Describe how ICT is used for teaching and learning in the lesson.
Depending on the needs of the teachers’ scheme of work and the class profile, different ICT tools are utilized to ensure maximal learning. As the class is a relatively restless group, the use of audiovisual enable the engagement of students’ attention. I personally find that the use of powerpoint slides allows the versatility of my lesson. While it enables clear presentation of information and contents, powerpoint presentation also has different functions that allow insertion of pictures, videos, or special effects that is exceptionally useful in the production of an interesting lesson.
These various tool are nonetheless still a rather passive forming of learning on the part of the students, hence, in conjunction with the MOE ICT masterplan, the school especially set up computer labs for various prominent subject such as English language com lab, and Mac lab. The Mac lab features Mac computers which are useful to develop students’ aesthetic abilities. These labs allow students to learn independently and actively participate in the learning process with the hands-on opportunity. The school is still in the process of developing resources and program to utilize these labs more efficiently. Students are also periodically scheduled to have their lessons in computer labs to create podcast and so on. This allows for independent learning for the students. |
(II) General Observation:
How do teachers in the school feel about the use of ICT for teaching and learning? (For this question, you may want to speak to the HOD/ICT and other teachers you know in the school.)
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The use of audiovisuals for such a restless class is definitely a positive example of how ICT can be harnassed to the advantage of teachers. Most definitely, schools are still in the process of expanding the availability of ICT tools. However, this would possibly take more time then expected. Improvement is already being seen as more teachers (even older ones) are now confident in showing videos and using powerpoint for lessons. Thus, it is evident that there is an increasing acceptance of the use ICT by teachers.
ReplyDeleteI have never been a big fan of powerpoint due to the rigidity of the system. While it does allow insertion of pictures, videos etc It doesn't change the fact that the lesson seems very pegged to the way the powerpoint flows. I prefer a greater flexibility in lessons where the teacher is reactive to changes in the classroom rather than the students reactive to the powerpoint on the screen. That said, I understand that certain teachers might not be able to think on their feet or switch thought processes to accommodate the students as and when they like thus they rely on powerpoint to give their lessons a flow that they are comfortable with. The truth of the matter is there will always be a tension between the structure of the lesson and the flexibility that it entails. I feel a balance must be made because having a structure is important to ensuring the lesson has guidelines and direction. Flexibility is just as important because the teacher must be ready to change or adjust his/her lessons accordingly to maximise learning.
ReplyDeleteAs such the ICT technology seems to not yet have reached the stage where it can meld the two. Rather it seems to impede, in the case of powerpoint, flexibility.
Actually I'm rather surprised that a Powerpoint presentation was sufficient to garner the attention of the class. Well Russell I think that Powerpoint ppt is not that bad as long as it is not only filled with words and the teacher also prepares other activities where students can learn in the more interactive way that you have mentioned. I would think that most young kids are more visual, and so a Powerpoint might be helpful in directing their attention to the lesson... if the teacher has relevant and interesting things to share that is!
ReplyDelete