Kara-Sensei Rates!
So our teacher decided to make us do something very teacher-y in my part :D we were tasked to rate one of our classmates’ reflections using our own rating scale. So my choice of work, is the work of my friend, Carla Melissa :3 I’ll post my rating here as well as my comments. But first~ here’s her work:
Reflections
1. Discuss the disparity in educational technology advancement in school of industrialized First World country (such as the U.S., England, Japan, Singapore, Australia) and a developing country namely the Philippines.
First World countries are called “First World” because of major advancements in their society which includes advancement in technology. With advanced technology, their educational institutions certainly have a big advantage compared to the educational institutions of Third World countries, specifically the Philippines.
In the United States, schools are more advanced. The teaching materials and tools used by the teachers are no longer traditional. They have computers, interactive white boards, tablets for students and other hi-tech tools that help them in learning. These tools are also always updated and upgraded for convenience. The teachers and students all have access to these tools and make use of it every class. With these, we can say that learning can be easier and the students can explore their topics in different ways. Aside from the tools, they also have advanced or improved internet connection which gives them access to different websites which further help them in their learning. In fact, with computers, laptops, tablets and phones which they can use to connect to the internet, even distant or online learning is made easier. In classes, instead of the usual homework written on notebooks or papers to be passed, the teacher and the students have the option to use emails to send their works and projects. Even students who are not able to attend classes because of different reasons can already catch up with their lessons online.
Aside from these tools, classrooms and laboratories in First World countries are also more advanced. For example, in laboratories, they also incorporate technology in their experiments. Instead of traditional measuring materials that they use or manual procedures to do, with advance tools they can already conduct their experiments in a faster and more convenient matter. There are computers or tools that can measure weight or temperature immediately and store it in their database so that it will be easier for the students to document their experiment.
Compared to First World countries, Third World countries, such as the Philippines, have less advanced technology. Yes, we have also access to computers, tablets and other materials. However it is not as updated or advanced as the ones used in the United States and not all schools have access to these kinds of technology. Usually, only a few private schools in the urban cities have access to this updated technology. Because of this, most schools only make use of traditional materials at school such as the usual blackboards, manila papers and others. Even the classrooms and laboratories (if there are any) in most schools are still designed with traditional materials. We are still relying more on getting information from books and manuals and students pass their requirements using papers and notebooks instead of using the internet. And in more remote areas, some schools don’t even have the ability to produce a lot of learning materials, even traditional ones, so they really would rely on the capacity of the teacher to improvise and make use whatever is available around them.
Because of this disparity, there is a great difference with the learning progress between the two countries. I am not referring on learning capacity of the students, but more on the access to more convenient, conducive and appropriate materials that will really enhance and improve learning. So even if there are smart and bright students in Third World countries, because they don’t have access to technology, they are not able to further explore learning and they do not have access to other information available in the internet. We must admit that there are certain perks that the use of technology can provide. Like for example, big screens, projectors and computers can show simulation about different topics and though a teacher can improvise to teach that topic even with traditional materials, it is still best if the student can watch a simulation.
Also because of this disparity, there is a big difference between the technological literacy of the students and teachers from the First World countries and Third World countries. Since students and teachers in the United States have constant access to advance technology they are more computer literate than most students in the Philippines. And in a world where computers are being used everywhere, the ability difference of the two can be clearly seen.
Yes, there may be a huge difference between the educational technology between the two countries and this can affect or influence the learning process of the students. However, it doesn’t mean that the teachers and students of the advanced country are better than those in the Third World country. They may be advanced, but it is only because of the issue of accessibility. If the Third World countries, such as our country, will also have the same access to these technologies, then we can definitely show that we are all equals in terms of learning ability.
2. Given the lack of resources in our rural areas in the Philippines, what media can still be used for effective learning in school? (clue: traditional media)
Traditional media used at school in our rural areas are mostly composed of the materials that are easy to access like bonds papers, manila papers, boards etc. From these materials teachers make can make use of the traditional visual aids such as diagrams, posters, drawings and illustrations. Teachers also make bulletin boards which they can update and change depending on the topic that they would like to discuss to the students. Even just the traditional blackboard is also used in teaching. It is where teachers can explain ideas graphically either thru text or numbers. With other materials that are available around them, teachers can also make interactive models which they can present to the class. Interactive because it may have parts where the students may be required to manually change or manipulate in order to come up with the desired outcome based on the objective of the lesson. Teachers can also make their own simulation models based on the resources around them. In fact, I have seen a model of a volcano made out of materials that can be found at home, used in a classroom. The teacher was able to show the students what volcanic eruptions look like. And of course, the books, magazines and other reading materials are also traditional media that are used at school. If the students have access to newspapers, it may also be used in learning where the teachers can get information about certain topics that he or she would like to discuss in the class. There are also flashcards and pictures that can be used. Films and videos are also considered as traditional media. If a school has even at least a television and a video player, they can present videos or simulations to the students. Radio can also be used in getting information, especially for social science subjects.
Even though rural areas don’t have access to advance technology or may not be given the opportunity to have computers, projectors or other electronic devices that are used in urban areas, it doesn’t mean that the teachers won’t be able to discuss or facilitate learning in class. In fact, in such a challenging environment, the teachers are required to utilize their creativity and resourcefulness to deliver their topics. Lack of new media may really seem to be a disadvantage to many people, however it also helps the teachers to develop and improve themselves in terms of innovating. In this case, the students will also learn that attitude of resourcefulness which they can see in their teachers.
Yes, it is good to have new media and new technology to enter our educational system as to further improve the teaching-learning process, but if it is not available, it should not be an excuse to have a low quality kind of learning.
3. Computer shops are pervasive around schools, but these are mainly used for playing games. Without judging on the possibly dehumanizing effects of excessive computer game habits, how can a learner best use computer resources as they may be available in schools or at home?
The most popular use of computers in the world of education is for processing and getting information. In fact, I think it is really the most basic use of computers for learners. Computers are able to store information which can be accessed over and over again. Even if you don’t have books available, if a computer has software that contains educational materials (encyclopedia, e-books etc.) the students can utilize it for his or her learning. And since computers now also have access to internet then the process of getting information just became easier and more convenient. Students can finish their assignments and projects easier if they have access to computers with internet connection because in just a few clicks they can already research on the topic they are looking for. However, students must just be critical in assessing the information they are getting online because some may not be valid
Other than using computers for getting information, students can make use of the computers to store data. Aside from using papers and notebooks to store their notes, students can compile the information that they have gathered using computers. If they can save their files using a flash drive or even online, then the information can be stored in a longer period of time compared in writing it in notebooks, there is a possibility that the information can be lost completely if the notebook is lost or destroyed.
Computers can also be used in actual learning. With interactive software or programs available, the students can learn about a certain topic by accessing the program in the computer that is designed to teach the students about the topic in a progressive manner. There are educational games that the students may play and they may even watch simulations online.
Students may also use computers as means of communication. In education, computers are used in distant learning. Teachers can just communicate with their students online and the outputs of the students are submitted to their teachers online. In fact, teachers can also teach online and the students would just need to have access.
Computers can also be used in creating outputs and projects. Before, written projects and works are made by manual writing and drawing, but with the use of computers, students are able to design more creative outputs by utilizing software and programs that specialize in doing so.
These are only some of the uses of computers in education. In fact, there a lot of other things that a computer can do which the students may utilize to help them in their learning. That is why even though computers are very popular among the youth because of the “games”, it is important for the educators to guide the students and enlighten them about the other and more important use of computers particularly in education. If the students won’t be able to understand the use of computers in education and see its importance in learning, even though they may use computers for school works, they will never really appreciate it and may only make use of it is required. But by using computers during lessons and making a fun and interactive learning environment, the teachers may develop this sense of appreciation towards the use of computers among the learners.
That was long XD well anyway, here’s my part!
Reviewer’s Criteria: a 1-10 scale Criticality – 4 points. Details are important; especially in these types of essays which requires not only the opinion of the person, but also hard facts that will support the claims. Cohesiveness – 3 points. Anyone can provide their opinions as well as search and question in order to get the facts they need, but a good essayist or even one that desires to fully express his thoughts, knows how to put the facts and opinions together in harmonious sets of paragraphs. Diction – 3 points. Choice of words can be very important in a discussion or even essays, ergo, a writer/essayist should know which words to use for the target age of his audiences. Review: The writer of this paper provided both her opinion and facts, which I infer came from the internet, the news, and possibly her own experiences; into tight-knit, lengthy paragraphs. Her discussions not only focused on what were required to be answered, but also gave detailed descriptions of other related situations. An example of this would be seen on the first question’s answer. She did not only discuss the rather huge difference between said countries, but also hinted on her last paragraph; the idea of not having these difference should the Third World Countries gain access the same way the First World Countries do; thus rising hope to those that will be able to read her work. Another citation would be how she connected the role of educators, found on the third question’s answer, around the later paragraphs, in the proper usage of computers as aid to students. Though it was not mentioned in the question, providing such details proved the whole answer to be more convincing rather than just citing and directly answering what was asked. Her work is nicely done; a tiny error of the word “make” was the only thing that can be considered a fault; and I deem this to be unintended. Nonetheless, this paper receives 3.5 points in Criticality, 3 points for Cohesiveness and 2.5 for Diction; for a total of 9 points out of 10.
