MODULE 3:

DIGITAL SKILLS AND

Module Outcomes:
1. Integrated media and technology in various content areas.
2. Described technology tools that are used in group activities.
3. Used technology tools to collaborate and share resources among communities of
practice.
4. Reflected on the use of technology and on its relevance and appropriateness.

Introduction:

Teaching becomes rewarding when learners get the most from instruction as
manifested in their performance. An important element in engaging learners is when the
strategy used in delivering the lesson uses an instructional materials. When properly and
appropriately used, it can spice up a classroom activity.
These instructional materials may come in varied forms. One group refers to the
conventional and non-digital tools. A classroom will always need a chalkboard or a writing
board that may come in varied forms and shapes. Bulletin boards, flip charts, dioramas,
puppets, terrarium, and the like, will always find their significance in any classroom. However,
now a days, lessons can be made more relevant and engaging for learners as digital tools are
integrated. This module presents digital tools. Explore the possibilities of learning about these
tools and how to effectively integrate them in instruction.
 Lesson 1: Select and Use ICT Tools for Teaching and Learning

Lesson Outcomes:
1. Selected and used an appropriate digital tool in teaching.
2. Provided alternative ways in incorporating the digital tool in a lesson.

Introduction

The current systems employ technologies by integrating ICT tools and applications in education
and in instruction. ICT stands for Information and Communications Technology. This refers to various tools
and devices or gadgets used in communicating, disseminating, and creating, storing and managing
information. It is important that learners understand how to use these tools in helping them learn.
A great part of learning is working on information and using it to create something that can be useful and
edifying for humanity. Since the intention of education is to make learners become useful and productive
citizens, the use of ICT tools can provide a lot of possibilities on how learners can do something with what
they know. Teachers can therefore employ ICT tools in their ways of engaging learners by communicating,
disseminating and managing information. This direction of integrating
ICT tools will reveal the usefulness of employing ICT Tools in a wider “Technology will never replace
range of the teaching and learning process. great teachers, but technology
It is not necessarily the presence of advanced technology or in the hands of great teachers
the use of ICT tools that can ensure the success in engaging learners, is transformational.”

but it still remains that the effective use of ICT tools depends on how
the teacher will use them. There is a variety of ICT tools from which to
choose. When employed appropriately, the potentials of their uses
can have bearing on the lesson and the learner’s engagement in the process of learning. In instruction the
ICT tools can be used in the presentation of the lesson, demonstrating a point or presenting a concept.
There are tools that can be used in providing practice or provide the chance to apply the skills taught. Even
when working as a team or a group, tools can be employed to facilitate the accomplishment of the task
during the class or even after beyond the face-to-face session.
A. USING MOBILE PHONE AND THE QR CODE

Since the ICT integration allows ease of processing information, here’s an example of how we
can read information at a quicker speed and in an interesting manner.
Have you seen a symbol like this one below? This is now popularly used in different products, reading
materials, and even in museums. This is a QR code.

What is a QR Code?
Are you familiar with a QR Code?

Familiarize yourself with a QR Code. It is a code that was created by a Japanese corporation
Denso-Wave in 1994. Effectively and efficiently connecting the physical world with the electronic world, QR
stands for ‘Quick Response’. It allows the readers to decode the information at a high rate of speed. This is
popular in Japan and it is also used by companies as they attach their QR code in their products. It usually
gives a URL linking you to a website or immediately the salient information about the product.

You can easily read QR codes through a QR code scanner. Here’s all you need to do:
1. Have a mobile phone with a camera;
2. Using the mobile phone, download from Playstore or App Store the QR Code Reader/Scanner
application. Choose an appropriate QR code reader for your operating system whether IOS or
Android. Once installed in your gadget, you can use it to read the codes.
3. Focus your camera on the QR code. Click it and the message will be revealed to you.

More interesting than reading QR code s is creating your own QR codes.

Step 1: Be online.
Step 2: Search for a QR Code generator and ensure that you read the information about the application.
This is important to ensure your safety in the internet. There are tons of QR code generators out
there, but a few of the most popular include Kaywa, GOQR.me, Visualead, and QR stuff. There are
many FREE applications online and therefore you can take this chance to use them.
Step 3: Once you have identified your free online QR Code Generator, you can now encode the text or the
information that you want.
Step 4: Run it and save it as a jpeg file. Now, you have successfully created your own code which you can
download.
Step 5: Test the QR code using your QR Code reader or scanner.
 Take a look at the table on ten interesting ways to integrate QR Codes in your teaching. Were you
able to think of something similar?

Ten Interesting Ways to Integrate QR Codes in Your Teaching

Create Interactive and Engaging Content Scavenger Hunts

You can enrich the content you teach in a class by Create an interactive classroom activity such as
using QR Codes that link to other readings and the Scavenger’s Hunt by using QR Codes that
resources. You can link to a pdf, a video provide directions or instructions resulting in better
production, a website, a document, or an audio file learner engagement.
among others.

Share Resources Enhance Classroom Library

Learners can use QR Codes to share educational Create QR Codes of students’ brief write-ups about
resources with each other (e.g. lecture notes, web why they enjoy their book and put them right in or
content, how-to-do videos.) on the books in the class library. Students can be
using these QR Codes to find out more about the
books.

Use in Classroom Activities Gather Students Feedback

The QR Code can be used in giving instructions in You can create surveys, polls, and forms using
class and pin them up inside the classroom google form and share them with students as QR
instead of providing them with thick copies of Codes which can be easily scanned and accessed.
printed materials giving instruction on how to do an
activity.

Provide Help with Homework Research Project

A detailed instruction can be made into a QR Code Make students create QR Codes linking other
which students scan at home and use the resources and web content to their research work.
information to help them comply with their
assignments.

Communicate with Parents or Partners Provide Easy Access to Online Content

You can share information to parents on school Create QR Codes with URLs for students to gain
events or activities in school. You can also put it in easy access to online resources. Sometimes when
a webpage for parents to get information or include a long URL is given, learners may copy a broken
it in newsletters, permission slips, etc. you can URL version hence, resources become
have them printed as magnets and parents can get inaccessible.
the information. However, be sure to orient the
parents on how to use QR Codes.
B. USING LAPTOP AND THE INFOGRAPHICS

There is an apparent deluge of information around and access to these is made easier through

the internet. You are faced with one major question on how to best interpret it all and put it into one

cohesive information that is quick and clear to read.

In the teaching and learning context, you may be faced with a challenging topic given a short

amount of time. How can you capture and deliver that information simply and effectively while making it

engagement and informative as well? Infographics are an immediate answer to this situation. The

infographic is another interesting tool to use in instruction.

Study the infographics and agree on a definition of the tool.

What is an infographic?

An infographic is a visual representation or an image such as a diagram, chart or picture

representing information or data. It is eye-catching and makes use of a clear layout, attractive colors and

hues, and caricatures that provide a cohesive presentation of the information.

If it is used to market products in the increasing visual world, then infographics can also be

employed in marketing information and ideas in the teaching and learning process.

One tool that can be used in creating infographics is Canva (http://www.canva.com). It has

several infographics template for education. You can try out the free design elements and produce one just

like a professional infographic designer. You can start exploring this site and familiarize yourself with its

features. As a gentle reminder, please take time to read the instructions and navigate around the features

to get optimal use of it.

Using infographics:

1. To present survey data

Presenting statistical data such as from surveys can be overwhelming, Infographics can be highly

useful. Data are much easier to decode. They can be made easier and quicker to understand if they are

presented in an infographics. An example is given below.

Simplifying a complex idea is the core purpose of using an infographics. This is a very effective

educational tool as a way of summarizing key points or providing an overview of a lesson.

3. To explain how something functions.

Using infographics, you can show the intricacy of how something complex works. It can reveal the

mechanics behind how an object works. Designers can create infographics by showing the mechanics

behind intricate objects, processes, concepts.

Below is an example of an infographic crated by Jing Zhang (2018) that shows how the phone

works while incorporating a surreal element that appeals to the imagination of the reader. Each component

of the phone is accurately revealed.

Presenting information by highlighting similarities and differences through a visual parallel in an

infographic can turn out more effective than sometimes expressing it in words. It is easier to draw

comparisons with the same information neatly organized.

Assess the given the infographic of a superhero-Batman-from the time it was conceived in 1939

to 2013.

Would you say that it is effective? Why or why not?

What are the key elements that the designer clearly employed to show a visual starting point?

5. To present interesting facts

When information or facts are presented all in words, the use of infographics can bring life. If done

well, the infographics can transform the information into visual image that can attract and engage readers.

If there is a written text, the information may not stand out compared to when it is presented in this format.

Information written in snippets becomes understandable and more appealing to the eye.

You may view the video blog of Sara McGuire on The Top 9 Types of Infographic Templates and When to

Use Them (https://venngage.com/blog/9-types-of- infographic-template/).

Creativity and collaboration are fun! A dull and boring bulletin board can be made interesting

when done online. Posts when done with theme backgrounds, stylish fonts and varied colors become

attractive to the learners. An online bulletin board is a way of presenting ideas with a twist and interest with

no cost at all. Here’s how:

Step 1: search for https://padlet.com/

Step 2: sign up or log-in using any of your social media account.

Step 3: if you want to make your own, click MAKE A PADLET.

a.You can choose Start with a Blank or Pink a Template.

b.Start making posts by clicking the + sign.

c. Make your posts as creative as you can by clicking Modify and selecting your choice of color,

font, theme, etc.

d.You can now share your Padlet or online bulletin board to your friends. Click Share and allow

others to have access to it or you can share through the social media account where others can

view it.

Step 4: if you want to join someone’s bulletin board, click JOIN A PADLET.

a.Enter in the dialog box the URL of the padlet you want to join.

b.Start posting on your friend’s/classmate’s padlet by clicking the + sign.

Below is an example: