WESTMEAD INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

TECHNOLOGY FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING 1 “…the environment as a

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possibilities for us to use”
Introduction to Technology for Teaching and Learning

Technology ushers in fundamental structural changes that can be integral to achieving

significant improvements in productivity. Used to support both teaching and learning, technology
infuses classrooms with digital learning tools, such as computers and hand held devices;
expands course offerings, experiences, and learning materials (US Department of Education).

Basic concepts to be defined:

Technology - means the systematic application of scientific or other organized
knowledge to practical task.
Instructional Software is a computer program designed to assist in the delivery of
instruction. The primary purpose of instructional software is to support teaching and
learning. Examples are Tutorials, Simulations, Drill-and-Practice, Educational Games
and exploratory environment software.
Educational technology is based on theoretical knowledge from different disciplines plus
experiential knowledge from educational practice (Natalie Descryver)
- Development, application and evaluation of systems, techniques and aids to improve
the process of human learning” – Council for Educational Technology for the UK
- A systematic way of designing, implementing and evaluating the total process of
learning and teaching in terms of specific objectives, based on research in human
learning and communities and employing a combination of human and non-human
resources to bring about more effective instruction. – Commission on Instructional
Technology, USA

Different perspectives that Define Educational Technology

If educational technology is viewed as both a process and a tool, it is important to
examine four different perspectives of this view, all of which have helped shape current
practices in the field. These influences come from four groups of education professionals from
different areas of education.
1. Educational technology as media and audiovisual communication
One group of educational professionals believe that media are more effective in
providing better learning outcomes than lectures and books, because they open more concrete
avenues for learning.

2. Educational technology as instructional systems and instructional design

Another group based their view on efficiency studies and learning theories from
educational psychology. This paved the way of using more planned and systematic approaches
to developing uniform, effective materials and training procedures.

3. Educational technology as training on technology

This view is also known as technology education, which originated with industry trainers
and vocational educators in the 1980s. This perspective believes that an important function of
school learning is to prepare students for the world of work where they will use technology
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4. Educational technology as computer systems or educational computing and instructional

computing
As computers began to transform business and industry practices, both trainers and
teachers started to see that computers also have the potential to aid instruction. From the time
computers came into classrooms in the 1960s until about 1990, this perspective was known as
“educational computing” and encompassed both instructional and administrative support
applications.

MODERN VIEWS OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

The use of educational technologies enhances teaching and learning. This is the main
reason teachers use chalkboards, flashcards, pictures and other audiovisual materials and
manipulative in the classroom. Whether these materials are old or new, they can be very
effective if used appropriately and purposely. Today, dynamic media like audio, video and
interactive software are more readily available, which allows students to collaborate in ways that
were previously impossible. These media also serve as tools to increase teacher productivity.
Educational technology allows opportunities for hands-on and real-world learning and possible
communication with learners from other places in real time.

Features of Modern Educational technology

Proper guidance in selecting and using educational technology in teaching and learning
enable access, manipulation and presentation of information and knowledge. The following are
some of the reasons why modern educational technology is encouraged in schools:

Educational Technology Engages Students

Educational Technology Empowers Students
Educational Technology Supports Differentiated Instruction

Technology Integration Strategies and Benefits

Strategies Benefits
Using Manipulatives  Provides and supports hands-on activities for learning abstract
(whether actual or ideas.
virtual)  Provides flexible environments for exploring difficult and complex
concepts
 Provides a concrete representation of abstract concepts
Fostering Problem  Provides opportunities for students to gather data to use in
Solving (Mathematics, problem solving
Science, and Social  Provides rich and interesting problem-solving environments
Sciences)  Provides opportunities for students to apply concepts, knowledge
and skills in meaningful contexts
Allowing representation  Makes abstract concepts more visual and easier to understand
of principles learned in a  Provides students the environments to make discoveries and
particular subject formulate hypothesis related to the concepts and objects being
learned.
Implementing data-  Provides easy access to many data sets
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driven curriculum  Provides real statistics to many data sets

 Supports the development of student knowledge and skills
related to data analysis
 Allows exploration and presentation of data in graphical form
Supporting and  Allow easy contacts with experts
promoting  Promotes social interaction and discourse
communications  Allow teachers to reach other teachers for the exchange of ideas
Motivating skills building  Provides motivating practice in foundation skills needed for
and practice higher order thinking skills
 Provides guided instruction within a structured learning
environment
 Delivers instruction even with minimum teacher supervision

RATIONALE IN USING EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY

Educational technology includes the use of materials, tools, techniques, and sources of
power to make teaching and learning easier and more pleasant, and to make classroom
activities more meaningful and productive. The following will give you an idea on its importance:

1. Student motivation
2. Instructional Capabilities
3. Support of New Instructional Approaches
4. Teacher Productivity
5. Skills for the Information Age

PRINCIPLES TO CONSIER WHEN USING EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

When using educational Technology, remember that theses are tools or strategies to
assist you in teaching and help your students learn. Consider the following principles when
choosing appropriate educational technology:

1. Educational technology directly supports the objectives of the lesson

2. Educational technology provides opportunities for student collaboration
3. Educational technology adjusts for student ability and prior experiences, and provides
feedback
4. Educational technology is integrated into the instructional day
5. Educational technology provides opportunities for students to design and implement projects
6.Educational technology is used in environments where teachers, the school and other
stakeholders share common goals and aspirations.

GUIDELINES IN GENERATING PRINCIPLES FOR USING EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

*practical suggestions
1. Consider alternatives and choices
2. Consider your students
3. Consider available resources and their uses.
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Teaching and Learning Frameworks for ICT Integration

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (ICT) IN THE CURRICULUM

Modern educational technologies have become important tools and are gaining
popularity in schools. Digital and computer-based technologies are considered as a tools to help
increase access to knowledge and as a means to promote learning. The public imagination has
been captured by the capacity of information technologies to centralize and organize large
bodies of knowledge. More and more educators are becoming excited at the prospect of
information networks, such as the internet, linking students around the globe into communities
of learners.

SOME SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF USING ICT

1. Bridge the gap between abstract concepts and concrete experiences
2. Consolidate concepts and skills
3. Enjoy meaningful learning
4. Participate in collaborative work
5. Explore and attempt different approaches to tasks and problems and observe a variety of
consequences
6. Shift toward tasks and problems that require higher level of competencies

GUIDELINES IN USING ICT

In theory, technology based tools can enhance student performance when they are
appropriately used in the curriculum and in accordance with knowledge about learning.
1. Identify the cognitive, affective and psychomotor objectives of the lesson. Try to evaluate if
ICT is necessary to achieve these objectives
2. Identify the software
3. Rehearse the lesson plan to check everything.
4. Train students to work actively in ICT Lessons
5. Observe what the students are doing
6. Give careful feedback on the students’ work

Revised Basic Education Curriculum (RBEC) 2002

The revised basic education curriculum aims at raising the quality of the learners and
graduates and empowering them for lifelong learning which requires the attainment of functional
literacy.
 Proving more focus on the tool learning areas for an adequate development of the
competencies for learning how to learn
 Providing an experiential learning area where the learner can apply practical knowledge
and life skills, and demonstrate deeper appreciation of Filipino culture and heritage
 Making values development integral to all learning areas.