Introduction

ACTIVITY 1

 

1. Discuss the disparity in ed. Tech advancement in schools of industrialized first – world countries such as U.S., Japan, and Singapore and a still developing country, the Philippines.

                 In terms of technology, countries such as the U.S., Japan and Singapore, are known for their pioneering innovations. If a new technology arises, either one of these countries would most definitely have invented it or they would be the first to make use of these advancements. It would also follow that their educational system would utilize these technologies and integrate it in their schools.

                Researches conducted worldwide indicate that using technology has a positive impact on the teaching and learning (Almekhlafi and Almeqdadi, 2010) in the sense that these new technologies would greatly increase students’ interest in learning. In the U.S., for example, most public schools enjoy the benefits of having technology as aid in classroom discussions. These schools have multimedia rooms which would include computers, LCD Projectors, VCRs, Cable TVs, internet access and other devices that could make teaching and learning more interactive and fun.

                Here in the Philippines, mostly private schools could afford to have the so – called technological advancements. But, of course, the government, with the help of some private companies dealing with technology, is making a way to bring multimedia classrooms to public schools in the country. These are the called e – classrooms which is now used in several schools as of today. However, they cannot yet afford to grant this e – classrooms to all public schools. Hopefully, they would be able to do that soon.

                Given that we cannot afford most of the technological devices in our educational system as other countries do, Filipinos as we are, we will always make do with what we have. We may not yet compete globally in terms of educational technology, we will be getting there. As of now, we could still make teaching and learning fun, the traditional way.

2. Given the lack of resources in our rural areas in the Philippines, what media can still be used for effective learning in schools? (CLUE: Traditional Media)

                 In a typical public classroom setting here in the Philippines, it is apparent that there is a lack of the latest technologies that classrooms of other countries enjoy. Because of this, public school teachrers are confined to make use of traditional ways in their teaching. Since technology is not available, teachers don’t have a choice but to use whatever educational materials that are available as aid in their classroom discussions.

                There are a lot of traditional materials that a teacher could choose from. There’s the PICTORIAL MEDIA, such as photographs, illustrations, flashcards, and other flat or still pictures. This is probably the cheapest and most readily available educational material that can be used. But of course, the teacher should follow the proper guidelines in teaching with the pictorial media to maximize its learning efficiency.

                There is also the Chalkboard and other display materials such as Bulletin Boards. The chalkboard or commonly known as Blackboard is a permanent fixture in every classrooms of our public schools. This is an educational material which can be used as an interactive tool in classroom discussions. A teacher should be able to use the board not just for copying notes but for board works so that learners could actually participate in the class. Bulletin Boards could also promote learning depending on the display that the teacher put in it.

                Among other educational materials, perhaps, the contrived experiences would offer great learning. In this media, the learners are allowed to create a simulation of an environment in a small scale to be controlled and observed. An example of this material is the Diorama or a three – dimensional representation of events, ideas or concepts against a scenic background. This is a type of exhibit that can cause learners to think creatively and aesthetically.

                Other educational materials include the Visual Symbols which could be diagrams, charts, graphs and maps. The Audio Media, including recordings and broadcasted radio programs, an inexpensive material that could offer learning through stimulating verbal messages. There are also other three – dimensional instructional materials such as specimen and object, models and mock – ups and the globe. All of these educational materials can still compensate the technological devices we cannot afford to use.

                A good teacher should be able to know which instructional material to use in every lesson. Traditional it may be, but a class can never be boring even without these techie stuffs. It only depends on the teacher’s creativity and resourcefulness in order to make a class interactive, effective, interesting and FUN.