Situating Tools

Situating tools are system which situates users in an environment where they may experience the context and happenings. From my perspective, I feel that this tool is authentic and very interactive in nature where the user feels that they are situated in a real environment in their learning. Examples of such system include simulation, virtual reality, and multi-user domain. With this application, learners can conceptualize their thoughts to the real world by applying theories into practice.

ICT as a situating tool are purposeful when a certain real-life experience is impossible or difficult to attain. As a teacher, what we can do is that instead of showing fragmented pieces of information 

Simulation on the construction of circuit

about Bhutan, the teacher may take students on a trip to a MOO where students will be able to experience the cultural context of Bhutan. Another example could be the construction of circuit which will help the learners to situate themselves in an environment and experience on their own by manipulating the variables in this simulation.

As an educator, we can use such tools to involve learners in cooperative learning activities where they are challenged to use their critical thinking and kinesthetic abilities. It’s one of the best learning approaches where learners are actively involved in addressing real-world problems. As the practice implies, learners are situated in the learning experience and knowledge acquisition becomes a part of the learning activity, its context, and culture which is developed and used. Since most of the senses of the learners are involved in this kind of learning approach; the knowledge retention of the learners will be higher when compared to traditional teaching as they get hands-on practice.

I think situating tool is similar to constructive a tool that allows the users to manipulate variables in the system. It is more about situating learners in an environment for certain instructional purposes. Examples like experiencing the culture of different places. For this reason, depending on the instructional objectives a simulation can be a constructive tool.

Camtasia as a constructive tool

Camtasia

Camtasia is a powerful video editing software which supports a range of media formats for educators to create video tutorials and other instructional videos. It is a complete e-learning platform and has lots of features that allow the users to capture, edit video and create interactive learning experiences. In 21^st century, it is very important to keep ourselves update with technology and integrate such technology in the field of education so that children get exposure to new learning environment. As a result, transition from traditional teaching will take place.

Now a days, video tutorials are gaining much popularity in educational environment. We were asked to make a video tutorial on a given topic using Camtasia. Creating a video tutorial using Camtasia was fun and a new experience for me but at the same time it was challenging as being a beginner. For

Video tutorial using Camtasia

me who had never used such software, I had a hard time figuring out the different features available in the software. Camtasia is one of the constructive tool and exploring the various features while producing video tutorial helped me to construct new knowledge and gain new experiences. With the guidance from tutor, friends and serving internet for more information I was able to create my own video tutorial successfully.

The current situation of our country; we know that all the schools, institutions and universities are closed due to COVID 19 pandemic. However, teaching and learning are taking place successfully with the help of technology. Educators are able to communicate with the learners and teach the lessons through e-learning platforms which helped them to keep the learners themselves engaged with the lessons effectively. So I realize that as a future educator, it very important to use software such as Camtasia and many other video editing programs to deliver the lessons regardless of the situation.

Being able to create one’s own video tutorial gave me a great satisfaction and at the same time it was an enriching experience despite of difficulties being faced while creating one. I realized that Camtasia is one of the most effective constructive tool that we can incorporate in the lessons to enhance children’s learning experiences. Through such video tutorials learning becomes more fun and comprehensible. In a way, children will be able to retain information for a longer period of time. Moreover, there will be a shift from teacher to learner centered pedagogy. Therefore, educators must be encourage on using such ICT tools in educational environment for effective teaching and learning.

Video tutorial on 'Turning' from class III

Co-constructive Tool

Co-construction is a distinctive approach where the emphasis is on collaborative work which includes interactional process such as cooperation and coordination among the learners. Learners can use co-constructive tools to work cooperatively to develop knowledge instead of working individually. Co-constructive tool are applications that support the construction of knowledge through a shared understanding that is collaboratively consolidating ideas. It in fact supports the constructivist and social constructivist paradigms of constructive learning.

Co-constructive tool includes Google docs, electronic whiteboard, blogs and wiki, discussion forum like Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) that we use are some of the examples of tools which we can use to co-construct our knowledge. I felt, it is imperative to integrate such tool in the field of education and educate students on such tool to create an avenue for the learners for collaborative work whereby they can co-edit other’s work, communicate to share ideas which in turn promote collaborative learning. In a way, learners are involved in series of cognitive process like explanation, problem finding and problem solving. Here, learning becomes more active and intentional as students participate to edit, refine and construct their work.

Co-construction is the concept that students can use to help them learn from one another and expand their knowledge. One way of effective co-construction is through the use of Google docs. For example, working collaboratively on creating lesson plan via Google docs. It was quite interesting and a new experience for me to work on assignment collaboratively with my group members. It was very helpful as it created active interaction among the members, whereby we were able to generate new knowledge through shared understanding, formative feedbacks, discussion, and editing friend’s work on the spot. Moreover, I found myself commenting, providing feedbacks, and receiving formative feedbacks from the group members as well which helped us to produce a good quality lesson plan. 

The most interesting thing about this tool is we need not have to come together physically rather we can do it from anywhere. Not only does co-construction among learners assist them to learn better but it also help them to develop relationship with peers and teachers. Facebook and blog is another way of using co-constructive tool where participant post and comment one another’s work which helps to improve the quality of work. For example, posting a video on Facebook and publishing blog helped me not only to refine my post after receiving formative feedbacks from the tutor and mates but also I found myself supplementing and providing feedbacks on my friends work enhancing collaborative teaching and learning.

I believe ICT serve as a teacher’s tool in the sense that the teacher use ICT tools as their instructional materials in supplementing the cognitive development of the learners. It has a great advantage for both the teacher and the learners; for educator it facilitate their instructional methods and for the learners it contributes a lot in their learning experiences. Thus, ICT tools are also transformational tools which, when used appropriately, can promote the shift to a learner centered environment.

The link given below will take you through the lesson plan that we worked on collaboratively using Google Docs
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mZVDbw4iaTHLMQaq8bUqUID2Xk92jn_SJWd6QAKIDec/edit?ts=5eb4329b

Video on ICT tools that promote Constructivism

Constructive tool

With the rapid development in technology, the traditional method of teaching do not suits today’s learners. Therefore, ICT should be integrated in the lesson to match the taste of the digital natives. Learning is effective when the learners construct their own knowledge based on their prior knowledge and experiences. One of the components of ICT that help learners to construct their own knowledge is through constructive tools. It is a tool whereby learners manipulate information, visualize one’s understanding and construct one’s own knowledge. Thus, it constitute a shift from teacher to learner centred whereby learners explore on their own to construct knowledge based on their prior knowledge.

Simulation using PowerPoint tool

Constructive tool such as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint in the form of memos, reports, presentation, record routine information and many others has a strong impact in the field of education. Utilization of such tools not only help the learners to present their work in an attractive form and construct meanings but also helps in learning second language. Microsoft Word helps us to make correct sentences and texts as well as modern word processors which includes spell checking and dictionaries and grammar checkers. PowerPoint is one of the constructive tool, where learners can use their creativity to construct their own knowledge. For example, designing PowerPoint simulated advertisement on my village to attract tourist was difficult for me at the beginning. Though I had a basic knowledge on designing PowerPoint presentation it wasn’t enough to create a PowerPoint simulated advertisement. Nevertheless, through self-exploration and watching videos on different features available in Powerpoint presentation especially animation features helped me to create one of my own simulated advertisement. Thus, constructing knew knowledge based on my prior knowledge and experiences through exploration.

I realized that using constructive tool in teaching and learning environment help the learners to become more independent and responsible for their own learning. I was less dependent on my tutor as I did my own work even in the absence of tutor through exploration which helped me in constructing my own learning. It generate new ways of teaching and learning through technology indicating a shift from teacher to learner centered pedagogy where learners are actively engaged in learning on their own. It’s a self-directed learning where it breaks the monotonous ways of teaching and learning. In line with that the use of constructive tools help the learners to have better retention of knowledge for a longer period of time as they get hands on practices.

Traditional teaching has been now replaced by ICT integration. So I feel that it is important to learn skills to operate those constructive tools especially for future teacher like us. We can provide multiple means of presenting information to meet the needs of diverse learners. I found that constructive tool is very interesting and engaging where students get to explore through different tools to construct their own knowledge and also helps to keep the learners engage in the lesson. Unlike the teaching in normal class we can integrate constructive tool in our lessons by manipulating information and planning the lesson in different forms which will not only help us to convey the concept in comprehensible manner but also help the learners to learn in a better way.

A short clip from my simulation advertisement on Thimphu dzongkhag

Blog

Blog is a kind of social media tool that allows one to share ideas with authentic audience and engage the audience in conversation. It falls under communicative tool. Blogging is used to showcase individual work by enabling them to publish text, video clips, audio clips, maps, images and many others on a particular subject. For example, bloggers like Wangchu Sangay blog, Tshering Blog, and Passang Tshering blog whereby the authors share relevant articles depending upon the situation in a county.

My blog page

Even we were asked to create a blog in ICT module and start blogging on different ICT tools in teaching and learning environment. Exploring blogs was challenging as being a beginner. However, with the guidance from the tutor and exploration through internet helped me to operate the features of blog and post reflection on ICT tools successfully. Blogging is quite interesting as it present, organize, and protect our work as digital portfolios and we can communicate with each other, post images, videos, audios of our work as well. Moreover, the feedbacks that I received from the viewers in the comment section helped me to refine my writings and produce a good quality write-ups. Blogging for almost more than two months motivated me to read more and write again.

It is widely popular in education. Blogs are useful, not only as a teacher-student and student-student interaction tool, but they further develop student’s skills in their interaction outside of the classroom framework. It provide a space where teacher and students can work further develop writing and other skills with advantage of instant audience. It’s an excellent opportunities for students to read and write. It can be used as an instructional resources, in which educator can post tips, explanations or samples to help students learn and students can practice and benefit from peer reviews.

Blogging can be used in a classroom environment for reflective writing or any other journal entry as a tool to link communication between author and audience. Blogging provides opportunity for students to discuss topics outside of the classroom. With a blog, each individual has an opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions. Giving students a peer of audience for what they write and asking students to respond with comments to what their peers have written promotes the active discussion among students. Thus, it promotes autonomous learning by providing opportunities for students to take more control of their learning.

Communicative Tools

Online Chats

Communicative tools are the latest devices which are used by the teacher and students now a days to enhance teaching and learning. It promotes easy communication among the students as well as between the teachers and students beyond the physical barrier either by space, time or both of the classroom. Communicative tools includes e-mail, chats, video conferencing, electronic bulletin board and many others which helps in exchange of information and assist interactive and collaborative teaching and learning environment. For example, in current situation in our country due to COVID 19 pandemic, most of the teaching and learning are taking place through communicative tools helping both the teachers and students to continue with their lessons.

Video conference

I came to know the two modes of interaction and communication in online learning: synchronous and asynchronous communicative tools. Synchronous communicative tools such as chat or video conference enable real-time communication and collaboration (face-to-face) in the same time but different place mode. In other words, participants communicate at the same time from different locations using the same communication tools. For instance, we had a video conference in ICT class where we could have a face to face interaction with sir and friends who all are residing in different places. Here, the teacher communicated directly to the group of students whereby it allows immediate feedbacks and meaningful interaction.

Vle discussion forum

However, while using the tools of asynchronous system (eg. email, vle discussion forum, wechat and whatsapp) in which exchange of information between people are not live but enable communication and collaboration over a period of time through a different time-different place mode. Asynchronous tools are easy to use as it is primarily text based system and allows the people to connect together at each person’s own convenience and schedule. Therefore, it makes possible for the learners to log on to an e-learning environment at any time and download the documents or send messages to teacher or peers.

Thus, online teaching and learning has transformed the role of a teacher from being the sole body of knowledge to being facilitator of the learning process. From my perspective, I think effective e-learning courses should include both synchronous and asynchronous tools which allows both the students and teachers to benefit from the different delivery formats regardless of their preferred schedules or preferred learning methods. Therefore, those two tools should not be evaluated in isolation instead it should supplement one another. If the teacher relies primarily on the use of asynchronous communication students may feel less engaged with the course but this approach provides with access to immediate help, while still giving them time the ability to learn at their own pace.