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TECHNOLOGY IN THE COMMUNITY
CHAPTER CONTENTS
➢ Use of technology in the community
➢ Technology tools
➢ Benefits of technology tools
USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN THE COMMUNITY
Technology is the application of scientific knowledge and use of tools to make work easy or simple.
OR
Technology is the application of scientific knowledge to create machinery and equipment to solve
problems.
It is also the sum of techniques, skills, methods, and processes used in the production of goods or
services.
Educational Technology (edutech) is the use of hardware and software or technology tools to
improve the processes of teaching and learning.
NB: The term technology tools can be both hardware and software.
TECHNOLOGY TOOLS FOR LEARNING
The following are some technologies that can be used for learning:
➢ Spreadsheet
➢ Encarta
➢ Virtual museum
➢ Scrabble
➢ Scratch
➢ Presentation
➢ Mavis beacon
➢ Google classroom
USES OF TECHNOLOGY TOOLS
➢ SPREADSHEET
A spreadsheet is a data file comprising rows and columns that are used to sort data and allow a
user to manipulate numerical data.
Or
Spreadsheet Application is a computer programme used in performing calculations and analysing
numerical data in a table form.
A spreadsheet is an electronic ledger commonly used by people in the workplace to store
information and manipulate it to make informed decisions. The worksheet is divided into alphabetic
columns and numeric rows.
Examples of Spreadsheet applications include
➢ Microsoft Excel ➢ Corel Quattro Pro
➢ Lutos and Quattro Pro ➢ Gnumeric
➢ Lotus 1-2-3 ➢ Google Docs
➢ OpenOffice Calc
The most popular and widely used spreadsheet application is Microsoft Excel
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Spreadsheet applications can be used to teach mathematical skills.
These tools make students understand the processes involved in solving mathematical problems better and
faster. They can also be used by students to learn graphs.
When students use a spreadsheet to organize data into a worksheet and manipulate it, they acquire
essential skills which include:
▪ using computational strategies to calculate data.
▪ generating graphical representations of data.
▪ comparing sets of data using tables, graphs, and models.
▪ examining patterns in data using charts and trend lines.
▪ applying mathematical reasoning to investigate a problem.
▪ applying problem-solving strategies to develop a solution.
▪ making connections to the real-world applications of mathematics.
They provide several features which are helpful in many ways.
▪ They provide an efficient way of organising data.
▪ Built-in formulas and functions can be applied on the data to perform required calculations.
▪ Spreadsheet programs can display their data in graphs and charts which are helpful in giving visual
impact to the data and make it more recognizable.
USES OF SPREADSHEET APPLICATION PROGRAMS
1. It is used to create student's continuous assessments.
2. It can also be used for creating sales reports.
3. It can be used to prepare financial budgets.
4. It is used to create receipts and invoices.
5. It is also used to create bank statement of accounts.
6. It is used to create graphs and charts.
SPREADSHEET (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets)
• Use in Learning:
o Organizing and analyzing data.
o Performing calculations using formulas.
o Visualizing information through charts and graphs.
• Examples: Tracking student progress, creating budgets, or statistical analysis in math classes.
• ENCARTA
Encarta is a multimedia encyclopedia program which provides users with a variety of features for research
and activities for learning.
It contains a huge database of information on all topics. Encarta software has multiple topics/articles on
various topics. Because the software contains multiple topics, it has an effective search feature as an integral
part of the software. You can simply type the title of the topic to locate it in the software.
Encarta (Digital Encyclopedia)
o Use in Learning:
▪ Access to multimedia-rich content like articles, images, and videos.
▪ Enhances research and self-paced learning.
o Examples: Exploring historical events, science topics, or cultural studies.
USES OF ENCARTA
1. For improving learners reading skills in English.
2. It provides step-by-step instruction for solving math problems
3. It helps students to learn on their own.
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➢ VIRTUAL MUSEUM
A virtual museum is a collection of digitally-recorded images, sound files, text documents, and other data
of historical, scientific, or cultural interest that are accessed through electronic media.
OR
Virtual museum is an electronic museum which contains the historic, scientific and cultural records in
digital images, audio, video or text form online.
A virtual museum houses collection in digital form and exhibits them via the Internet. Due to
hyperlinking, interactivity, and multimedia capabilities of the World Wide Web, the exhibit can be linked
to background information, related works, and other relevant sources.
Users can listen to recorded speeches of historical figures and watch videos of historical events in virtual
museums. Some virtual museums proved a three-dimensional digital tour of artefacts.
Some of these virtual museums exist exclusively in virtual environment, for instance, The Museum of
Computer Art (MOCA). It is a non-profit educational corporation which contains thousands of images and
charge no money to viewers or the artists.
Examples of virtual museums include:
1. Vatican Museums, Rome (https://www.youvisit.com/tour/vatican)
2. Natural History Museum, London (https://artsandculture.withgoogle.com/naturalhistorymuseum/)
Virtual museums are powerful tools for comparative study and research into a particular subject,
material, or locality.
Virtual Museum
• Use in Learning:
o Simulates museum experiences online.
o Provides immersive, interactive learning about art, history, and culture.
• Examples: Exploring exhibits, historical artifacts, or cultural heritage without physical visits.
➢ SCRABBLE
Scrabble is a word game in which two to four players score points by placing tiles, each bearing a single
letter to form words.
Scrabble is an entertaining crossword game which you can play with your friends. It is a word and
vocabulary game where users create words, arrange letters, and end up learning new words along with
entertainment and fun.
When playing Scrabble, the objective is to score more points than other players. As words are placed on the
game board, points are collected and each letter that is used in the game will have a different point value.
The main strategy is to play words that have the highest possible score based on the combination of letters.
Scrabble is available as a physical board game or as software that can be installed on a computer or mobile
device.
This logical game helps in developing thinking ability and improves social interactions as it is played with a
live opponent as compared with some computer games.
Importance of playing scrabble
1. Improves spelling and vocabulary
2. Improve the creativity of children
3. Improves mathematical skills
4. Entertains the kids
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Scrabble (Word Game)
• Use in Learning:
o Improves vocabulary, spelling, and word recognition.
o Encourages strategic thinking and problem-solving.
• Examples: Language learning, group activities, or friendly competitions.
➢ SCRATCH
Scratch is a free object-oriented software development kit (SDK) the allows children to create animations,
interactive stories, games and music without needing to know a specific programming language.
It is an open source (free to access) block-based educational programming language, which enables users to
create animations, stories, and games.
Scratch consists of a script, paint and sound editor. It is a zero-code interface which means that users do not
have to write source code for the program they create. Instead, they assemble component blocks that are
units of code represented by different interconnecting shapes.
Each block has specific command and unique function and once the user has connected a series of blocks, he
or she can click a green flag to run the script and see what the program does.
In comparison to other programming software, works by using the method of dragging and dropping the
code blocked for generating programs. It is basically designed for students to develop programming skills.
IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING WITH SCRATCH
1. It makes coding and programing simple, fun and enjoyable for learners.
2. It fosters coding literacy in learners.
3. It helps learners to solve logical problems.
4. It helps learners to work collaboratively and improve communication skills.
5. It boosts the creativity of learners to implement new ideas.
6. Learners develop essential skills in project management.
Scratch (Visual Programming Language)
• Use in Learning:
o Introduces coding through drag-and-drop blocks.
o Encourages creativity and problem-solving.
• Examples: Creating animations, games, or interactive stories in computer science lessons.
USES OF SCRATCH
1. It helps children develop their logical thinking
2. It improves children’s social skills
3. Scratch help children to lean coding concept.
➢ PRESENTATION SOFTWARE
Presentation software such as PowerPoint is used to show information to a large number of audiences,
using projectors.
Teachers integrate PowerPoint in their classroom instructions to facilitate student learning.
IMPORTANCE OF POWERPOINT
PowerPoint is an easy tool for giving presentations. It helps in many ways
1. Improves the audience's focus.
2. It allows working with other people collaboratively.
3. Multiple people can collaborate and contribute to a presentation.
4. The teacher can share the PowerPoint presentation with learners through the use of pen drives and
CDs.
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5. PowerPoint has multimedia capabilities. Content can be presented in text, audio, video, and images
to make it more appealing.
6. PowerPoint presentations help learners to creatively express themselves.
7. The visuals and audio cues may also help the teacher to be more interactive with the audience.
Presentation Software (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides)
• Use in Learning:
o Facilitates sharing information through visual and multimedia formats.
o Enhances communication and public speaking skills.
• Examples: Creating class reports, teaching aids, or project presentations.
Google Classroom
Google Classroom is a free web based social tool for leaning. It allows students to post questions and receive
answers from their teachers and fellow students. Teacher can post question and lesson materials to student
at home. Teachers can create, distribute, and mark assignments all in google classroom.
Google Classroom
• Use in Learning:
o A virtual platform for managing and organizing online classes.
o Enables sharing of assignments, announcements, and discussions.
• Examples: Conducting remote classes, tracking student submissions, and fostering collaboration.
BENEFITS OF USING TECHNOLOGY TOOLS IN LEARNING
1. Technology promotes active participation of student in teaching and learning.
2. Technology motivates students to learn.
3. It creates new ways for students to lean.
4. Technology encourages collaboration.
5. It helps student to lean on their own.
6. It encourages communication between students and their teachers.
