Lesson 11

The Computer as the Teacher’s Tool

Constructivism as an approach allows students to construct their own concepts and meaning about anything. Constructing can be done socially, so the term social constructivism emerged. Constructivism as an approach is employed when a teacher makes use of computer as a tool in teaching.

It is now easier for teachers to provide avenues in which higher-level of thinking can be achieve by students since computers now can have problem-solving and simulation programs installed in it. Specifically, a computer can be used by the teacher:

·         as an informative tool – A computer can provide vast amounts of information in any form (text, graphics, sound or video). With the Internet, a computer can provide global information on anything. Computer alone is helpful but with the Internet, it becomes even better. A teacher can use this to teach his/her students develop researching and evaluative skills (choose among sources which is/are reliable).

·         as a communication tool – With Internet, communication has become better. A teacher can have a virtual class thus defying space and still pursue the teaching and learning process.

EXPERIENCE

I have become a constructivist since I got hold of a PC. I get to express my ideas and create anything through it. I get to develop certain skills (like basic editing, text, video, photo, and audio). I get to communicate with other people through the Internet. I was able to share my works to others. Indeed, a computer is just a tool of the teacher because what we are learning from the soft wares are just additional to what we are learning in reality. DNA fingerprinting software for example, we are already taught on how to do DNA isolation manually and the software just served as an additional drill to master more the technique.

REFLECTION

Nothing beats the real experience but when the real thing isn’t available, one can always go for a virtual alternative. It is important for every teacher to develop in his/her students the skill of being a constructivist since it’s the root cause of originality. Computer is never a replacement of the teacher. It is just a tool in making the instruction a whole lot better. Computer is a teacher’s tool and by definition of what a tool is (device that aids in accomplishing something), a computer helps a teacher accomplish his/her task. With the sophistication present day technology is reaching now, computers have made it easy for both the teachers and students to access to information, provide the avenue for creativity, and it has made communication easier.

APPLICATION

I will use the computer only when needed. There are so many soft wares but still not effective because they are not use according to their appropriateness in the classroom. If I use computer in my instruction, then I will see to it that I am present when my students are doing the computer activity to guide them. I will make use of the computer as tutor if I am not around but when I come back I will reinforce the learning of my students by giving additional discussion and assessment because I really believe that the computer is not my replacement, it is just my tool.