Google classroom

                                 Google classroom

On 3^rd July 2020, classes resumed for student teachers of final year after a long break. We had our first class on ICT. During that class, discussion was on how to integrate Google classroom in learning. From the discussion I knew that Google classroom is creating online classroom   platform where   both teacher and students can interact. In this classroom page teachers can post assignments, materials related to particular topic and can initiate the discussion. As we go on discussing more on this online classroom, it was understandable as it is similar to vle forum (virtual Learning Environment). They share many of the similar features like in both, materials can be uploaded and downloaded, can conduct test or quiz and also there can be a discussion forum.

There are many things that I have learnt about this online platform such as, it consist of three main separate tabs of stream, classwork, and people.  Stream focus on announcement and classroom discussion. On this tab students can see the notifications for new assignments. The classwork page provides teachers with a space to post assignments, raise questions and post resources related to the topic and can also set quiz forum. The people page provides a hub for adding and deleting students, parents and teachers.

From the practical session on this topic Google classroom, I felt that, this is a great tool to be used in present situation of Covid-19 because is same like learning in real classroom and learning will be more fun , at the same time students can explore more on this online learning system. There are many other interesting things like if I post an assignments with a due date, it’s automatically added to the class calendar for students to see.  If my students have regular accesses to this online class then it will help me to cut down photocopying of teaching resources as my teaching will be paperless. And more over students can communicate with teacher and their peers by sending emails, post to the stream and private comments on assignments and provide feedback to each student about their assignments.

After exploring Google classroom, I felt that we can save a lot of time and energy and can make learning more effective with integrating ICT.

                                            Photos of different tabs in Google classroom 

ICT as con-constructive tool

                                          

                                          ICT as co-constructive tool

Con- constructive tool are application that support the construction of knowledge through a shared understanding, shared ideas and thoughts. Here learners reconstruct and add knowledge from different users. However, this tools differ from constructive tools. In this students work collaboratively with them to construct a shared understanding, rather than working independently to construct some sort of personal knowledge.

Some of the examples of this tools are google docs (docs.google.com), electronic whiteboard, blogs, wikis and discussion form on portals (pce.edu.bt).  For an example google docs which is online word processor that let us create and format documents with other users in real time. Other one can be electronic whiteboard where students may post their notes in shared electronic whiteboard where students can co-edit the same document from different places through a network.

Some of the importance of using co- constructive tools are, cognitive level of students increases as learn they need to explain, find and solve problems related to their work. As students are engage in collaborative knowledge construction, it enhance effective communication and team work. It an active and intentional learning because all the work (edition) happen at real time so, students have to participate actively and they learn as they go on working.

 Co- Constructive tool will be one of the effective way in which teachers can us in order to enhance student’s collaborative learning and share their understanding of new knowledge as a result there will be positive outcome

Vle discussion 

Google docs

ICT as constructive tool

                                              ICT as constructive tool

From the session, I learned that constructive tools are those used for manipulating information, constructing one’s knowledge or visualizing one’s understanding. The constructive characteristic describes learner centered instructions that allows students to use technology tools to construct new information to their prior knowledge. Example desktop programs allow users to organize and present their ideas in an attractive format and also web page users empower users to create own web page and communicate their ideas to the world.

ICT and its tools have connection to constructivism approach of teaching and learning.  As students need to construct their own understanding and learning is more effective when a student is actively engaged and it fosters critical thinking, and creates motivation and independent learners. As learners get hands on experience, all the knowledge exist in their mind as a result decrease memorization and rote learning.

There are various application that benefit knowledge construction. Construction tools such as word processor, spreadsheets, multimedia authoring tools (PowerPoint, Hyper Studio), social media sites and the simulation. Example, word processors are very useful in supporting instruction on writing process and can also have capabilities that spell- checkers, grammar-checkers. Spreadsheets are designed mainly for the manipulation of numerical information. Therefore, they can be used in formulating mathematics models.

Constructive tool has vase benefits for learners because it is more of learner centered and it encourage active participation through of use of its application. Constructive tools are particularly useful to manipulate a certain type of information from which they may construct a deep understanding of a given concept. This tool is particularly useful in supporting “playing with ideas”

PowerPoint

PowerPoint

MS Word

Spreadsheet 

ICT as communicative tool

                              ICT as communicative tool 

 From discussion on ICT as communicative tool I learned that it is a systems which enable easy communication between the teacher and students or among students. Communication tools allow learners to learn and interact with each other or with teacher beyond the physical barrier either by space, time or both of the classroom. Examples of communicative tools include e-mail, electronic bulletin boards, chat, teleconferencing and electronic whiteboards.

Communicative tools can be divided into two sub-categories, Synchronous and Asynchronous. Synchronous communication tools (e.g., chat, electronic whiteboards or videoconferencing), enable real time (simultaneous) communication. These tool   is use for instructional activities that require higher degrees of interaction, both the person should be online at the same time as a telephone call and video conference for solving urgent problems or issues.

While using Synchronous communication tool we can get immediate response, instant feedback and can act upon it. But it lack to provide time to think what we want to say or our response to another. Synchronous communication would be difficult if speed of data connection are slow and due to many other side discussion, many lose focus.

Asynchronous communicative tools (e.g., e-mail, electronic bulletin boards, vle discussion forum, we chat, blog and etc.) here the exchange of information between people is not ‘live’, but somehow delayed. This tool is more appropriate for activities that require more time in analyzing before responding or those that are not urgent in nature. It does not require the people communication to be logged on the internet at the same time.

As we get more time to analyze the message, given answers can be even more meaningful as it has gone through process of elaboration. Some of the disadvantage of using Asynchronous communicative tool can be no immediate response, we don’t even know if the other person has received your message and the message loses human contact

                                                     vle discussion forum

                        Exchanging information on we chat 

                
Fig: using Google hangout for video conferencing

Reflection on informative tool

                                         ICT in teaching and learning

 First class on END419 has been discussing on how to integrate ICT in teaching and learning. From the discussion I knew that ICT have a potential to transform the nature of education- where and how the students learn and role of teachers in learning process. ICT provide powerful tool to help leaners access vast knowledge resources, consult with experts and solve complex problems using cognitive tool.  Due to ICT in teaching and learning teacher are no longer the source of information so in that case they can as a facilitator to validate and synthesize information collected by learners.

                                          ICT as informative tool

From the Session in informative tool, I knew that it includes all the applications that provide vast amount of information in various forms, such as test, graphics, sound and video. As ICT has become large source of information provider learners can find as many information as they want, this clearly indicate that ICT is used as informative tool.

Information provided by ICT can be used by teachers for planning lessons beside this students has ample of opportunities to choose any style of learning based on their ability. Example, I learn better through video and graphics (visual learner) so, I can choose information based on that format. Not only the information but the format provided to learners play a vital role in consuming the information.

We have different source of information like television, internet, radio and mobile phone. Among the mentioned source internet (social media, mail and blogs) rank top followed by others. Because internet is a worldwide source of information as it provides an enormous database from which the user can access global information and most people prefer it. If I relate it to our current situation, shutting down schools and college due to COVID-19 learning and teaching are happening through use of ICT. Students are taught through television as information can reach to every students around the country. College students use VLE (Virtual Learning Environment), mail and WeChat forum where tutor upload notes (videos, audio and graphics) and discuss.

Informative tool play important role in learning and teaching. For students it add on what they know and enhance their critical thinking as they need to verify the information they obtain. This is how ICT is consider as informative tool.