ICT as co-constructive tool

ICT as Co- constructive tool

What is co -constructive tools?

I understood co - constructive tools as applications that support the construction of knowledge through a shared understanding (collaboratively consolidate the ideas). Students can use constructive tools to work cooperatively and construct a shared understanding of the new knowledge. Here are co-constructive tools that we have used so far.

Google docs (docs.google.com)

 Blog

 Discussion forum on portals (pce.edu.)

Face book

I learnt that there are many importance of co- constructive tools. They are as follows;

v  Co-edit

v  Communicate database, texts & graphics

v  Enhance collaborative learning environment:

v  high-level cognitive processes – explanation, problem-finding, problem solving

v  active & intentional learning

v  identifying & developing expertise

Camtasia video tutorial

When we were given task to prepare a video tutorial using camtasia I was worried as I didn’t have good idea on using it. I have used camtasia to prepare video during my first year second semester but during that time I had opportunity to discuss with my friends unlike this time where I had to do every on my own. I had difficult time to make use of the features of camtasia however; I could overcome the obstacles after going through videos uploaded by the tutor and I also learnt from different videos from YouTube.

In order to create the video, first, I prepared eight slides presentation using power point.

Here is the presentation on a poem “My mother saw a dancing bear” that I have prepared.

To record the presentation and voice narration using camtasia I have used screen recorder. I have found out that there are two options in camtasia for recording that is “screen recorder and Adds-Ins”. I preferred to use screen recorder as it was convenient for me and I could synchronize my voice narration and the lips movement. I also learnt many other features like importing images and videos, adding transition, cutting out unwanted part from the video and removing background noise.

After exploring all the features of camtasia and coming up with the video tutorial, I realized that camtasia is one of the best Applications for the teachers to use to prepare video lesson for the students. This kind of video tutorial will help students in better understanding and it is one way to make lesson interesting and engaging. So, in the future I will make use of apps like camtasia to provide good lesson to my students.

Here is my video tutorial.

 

ICT as Constructive tool

Under the topic ICT as constructive tool, the first thing that we have learnt is Constructivism. I understood that constructivism is an approach to learning that holds that people actively construct or make their own knowledge and that reality is defined by the experiences of the learner.

Constructivist approach to learning was emphasized by Piaget and Constructivism believes in personal construction of meaning by the learner through experiences, and that meaning is influence by the interaction of pre existing knowledge and new events. Constructivist approach to teaching and learning emphasizes on students’ need to construct their own understanding.

I have gained knowledge on how ICT is linked to constructivism. The use of ICT as constructive tool generates new ways of teaching and learning through technology. This shift teacher centered to learner centered pedagogy. Because of that it decreases memorization and rote learning. Learners can even learn in absence of teacher. Moreover, technology triggers constructivist learning by helping learner to adopt, explore and practice.

What is constructive tool?

 It is applications such as Microsoft publisher, power point, word, simulations and social networking sites (face book and bogs) that help learners to manipulate information, construct own knowledge or visualize one’s understanding.

We were asked to prepare power point simulation about our village using just one slide. In order to prepare the simulation I had to explore many sources and watch videos as I had no idea of what simulation is and how to prepare. As I go through various sources I gained idea on simulation and different features of Microsoft power point. I learnt about how to make good use of animations and one interesting thing I learnt about MS power point is that it has a feature to record narration.

Here is the simulation that I have prepared using power point.