PROCESS V. PRODUCT

As we end our Mid-term lessons, I was caught off guard with this particular topic that discusses the importance of process and product. It is only through this Edtech2 class that my conviction between these two important elements in learning was strengthened. I admit that I was more particular on the product for this is the basis for any graded outputs. But throughout the lesson, I was able to put up a different point of view with regards to process vs. product.

I learned that the inquiry-based or discovery approach is given importance in resource-based projects. This would mean that the “actors & actresses” in every learning path is the students themselves. This requires that the students, individually or cooperatively with members of his group, relate gathered information to the ‘real world’ which in return produce a more dynamic learner. How magical and essential is that?

Moreover, it is nice to note that the process is given more importance than the project product. It doesn’t matter for example if each group comes up with a different answer to the problem. What matters are the varied sources of information, the line of thinking and the ability to agree in defense of their answers and it’s something to discern especially for us, future educators. Let’s put into our minds and hearts that we are the key to every success of our students. How about putting aside our judgements and expectations and dwell more on the idea of teaching, touching and transforming the hearts and minds of the young’s? The challenge is ours to take!

Lead on prime movers!

NO to PASSIVITY!

HOTS! This four letter word encompasses knowledge in its most effective sense. But one may not like HOTS questions as an effective assessment. More often than not, students would surely complain when a teacher would apply this in most of its test and quizzes.
Personally, my negative perception about HOTS changed. I learned to outdo my passiveness in learning. HOTS provide a higher learning outcome with the help of IT integrated lessons. I learned to become more open minded that a new challenge has arisen for today’s learners.
As an ALS Instructional Manager, I was able to view learning in its greater perspective. It affirmed my conviction that teaching is not simply to achieve learning objectives. Teaching is not just about laying down the lessons in the table. It is more on how the teacher facilitates the class especially when assessing the students learning path. Today, I am greatly convinced that assessment makes a teacher a true teacher.
Moreover, SPOON FEEDING is a NO. We have all the resources around us if we only exert effort in learning and become more adept in technology. IT is here to aid us to become more creative and productive with the help of the methods proposed by the use of computer-based as an integral support to higher thinking skills. Indeed, IT encourages the development of students who can do more than receive, recall, recite and apply the knowledge they have acquired.
In the end, as future educators, we must put into our minds and hearts that learning is an active process and that today’s students are expected to be not only cognitive, but also flexible, analytical and creative. It’s better to be HOTS than just to be passively COLD in dealing with the opportunities in this journey for learning.

A Must: Cooperative Learning in Computer Integrated Class

As the old adage says that “No man is an island” so is my conviction that no student can learn without others. Thus, cooperative learning strategies help students work together specially when integrated with technology.

Sharing one keyboard, one mouse, and one screen is one common scenario in computer classes or computer laboratories here in the Philippines. Reality could never be hidden that schools lack of the appropriate number of computers in the classroom. However, I believe that this disadvantage can be turned into an advantage one when cooperative learning with the computer approach is observed.

Personally I like this kind of approach where I could be in a group. When I work together with my peers, it enables me to experience better acquisition, retention and integration of the lesson. Cooperative learning really promotes self-esteem, positive peer to peer relationships and offers a lighter ambiance especially when it comes to technology lessons. In dealing with technology, we students often need each other's help. Computers can generate a lot of excitement especially to those who find it easy to manipulate it. But as future educators, I guess it would be best if we consider those who find computer, software and program very difficult to deal with. It would surely bring about some anxiety among the students and cooperative learning is the answer to that problem.

The Reporter's Point of View (prelim)

“WOW! Sa AVR ta mag class karon?!
H-A-Y-A-H-A-Y!”

- - - I was extra jubilant when I said this to my classmates. It’s not every day that we’re given the chance to have a class in a very cosy atmosphere. Laptops, Projector, QOMO Interactive Board, Centralized Air-condition Unit, name it the SMC Audio Visual Rom has it. Nothing beats the leisure brought by technology and I personally experienced this and I’m lucky. How nice it is to enjoy these state of the art facilities!

As I was having my report on my EdTech 2 subject, I was able to view learning in a modernized process. Aside from affirming to my discussion about “State-of-the-Art ET Application Practices” I eventually learned many things about technology and modernization in education. My topic made me realize that there were hundreds of roadblocks that really measured me as a student on how far I can go with it. I realized that it is only when I fully appreciate the role of computers in the teaching-learning scene that I will be able to become competent in today’s call of time.