CHAPTER 3

PRODUCTIVITY SOFTWARE APPLICATION/TOOLS FOR

TEACHING AND LEARNING

Lesson 1 – Productivity Application Software

According to Wikipedia, a productivity software also called personal productivity

software or office productivity software is an application software used for producing
information such as documents, presentations, worksheets, databases, charts, graphs,
digital paintings, electronic music and digital video. Moreover, Muslihat (2019) explains
that the definition also often extends to any software application that assists in
completing a task or project such as communication and collaboration tools.

It is called productivity software because it help makes people more efficient and
effective in their daily activities (Prose). While originally intended for business use,
productivity software is now commonly used for personal productivity purposes as well.
Additionally, most of these tools are also available on mobile platforms such as
smartphones and tablets. And as with any other product on the market, there are
advantages and disadvantages of productivity software (Muslihat, 2019).

MICROSOFT WORD

Microsoft Word Defined

Sometimes called WinWord, MS Word, or Word,

Microsoft Word is a word processor published by Microsoft,
according to
Computer Hope (2020). An application you use to
“process”— format, manipulate, save, print, share — a text-
based document (Rodrigo, 2020).
Microsoft Word is available for Microsoft Windows, Apple
macOS, Android, and Apple iOS. It can also run on the Linux operating system using
WINE (Computer Hope, 2020).

What is Microsoft Word used for?

Microsoft Word allows you to create professional-quality documents, reports,

letters, and résumés. Unlike a plain text editor, Microsoft Word has features including
spell check, grammar check, text and font formatting, HTML support, image support,
advanced page layout, and more (Computer Hope, 2020).
Rodrigo, A. (2020) enumerated some uses of Microsoft Word for Business, School and
Personal documents. Here are some of its uses:

For Business or School

Microsoft Office's Word is a great tool for creating business documents. You can
also find templates to help you create the following:

• letter • sign
• report or paper • banner
• proposal • resume
• newsletter • business card
• brochure • invoice
• catalog • receipt
• poster • product packaging
• flyer • mailing label
• postcard

For Personal Purposes

There are also many personal uses of MS Word. Here are just a few:

• invitation
• card
• gift tag
• recipe card
• place card
• certificates

Key Features of MS Word

Microsoft Word is one of the most popular software programs in the world, used
by millions of office workers, students and home users to create, read and edit
documents, according to Melendez (2018). He also identified some key features of the
program which include the ability to enter and format text, the ability to save and print
documents, compatibility with older versions of Word and other software, support for
cloud or local use and collaboration features.

Importance of MS Word in Education

Microsoft Word uses and key features makes it so important in the academic
discipline and considered one of the mostly widely used educational application by
students and teachers by making innovative methods of teaching and learning. The
application can transform raw facts into meaningful and useful information.
 Microsoft word can benefits teachers and students to create new innovative
methods of learning and teaching. Microsoft Word and Microsoft office suite for students
help to transmit educational materials and practice systematically in school and
university faster with higher quality (Sharma, 2017). Microsoft Word is an effective tool
for creating all kinds of documents like letters, memos, reports, term papers, and
typesetting novels and magazines, etc (InfoBitt, n.d.).

MICROSOFT EXCEL

Microsoft Excel Defined

Microsoft Excel is an spreadsheet program that

is used to record and analyze numerical data (Guru 99,
n.d.). Spreadsheets will provide you with the values
arranged in rows and columns that can be changed
mathematically using both basic and complex
arithmetic operations (GreyCampus, n.d.).

Techopedia explains Microsoft Excel as “a commercial

spreadsheet application that is produced and distributed by Microsoft for Microsoft
Windows and Mac OS operating systems. It features the ability to perform basic
calculations, use graphing tools, create pivot tables and create macros, among other
useful features.

Spreadsheet applications such as MS Excel use a collection of cells arranged

into rows and columns to organize and manipulate data. They can also display data as
charts, histograms and line graphs” (Technopedia, 2020).

Uses of Microsoft Excel in Daily Life

Uses of Microsoft Excel according to Sharma (2017) in daily life is to perform the
calculation, analysis, and visualization of data and information. Excel is used by
students, teachers, job seekers, managers, entrepreneurs, companies, retailers,
distributors, freelancers, bloggers, and housewives in their daily life. Microsoft Excel
software provides very wide features and functionalities for everyday official works. The
following are the exceptional uses of Microsoft Excel (Sharma, 2017).

1. Uses of Microsoft Excel in Education

Teachers can use table styles, shapes, charts, data tools, and formulas to
teach students in the classrooms. Students can learn and solve basic and
logicalmathematical problems and statistics in excel.
 Teachers can educate by creating a table in an Excel sheet. They can
highlight more interesting cells in colors, emphasize important values and
visualize data using bars and charts.

Another use of Excel for teachers to schedule periods. Teachers can insert
period planner by using the template function in Excel.

2. Uses of Microsoft Excel in Business

Microsoft Excel application can be used in various business operations.

Such as goal setting, budgeting process, and planning, team management,
account management, income, and expenses calculation, product and service
valuation, and management of client’s data, etc. in business.

The uses of Microsoft Excel in business make such daily official operations
faster, accurate, and predictable. Because Excel provides great features such as
filters, charts, conditional formatting and pivot table, logical and financial
formulas.

3. Uses of Microsoft Excel in Goal Setting and Planning

Goal setting and planning is a task that all we do repeatedly each day.
Goal setting and planning are very important for everyone from students to
business owners. But goal setting and planning take white paper, time and lots of
calculation but if you use Excel then it becomes very easy and environmentally
friendly.

4. Uses of Microsoft Excel for Business Owners

Online business owners or offline can use Excel to manage their daily life
work. Such as work progress, team management, payouts details, business
progress. Such as if you want to track your marketing campaign progress then go
to the file-new- template and search for a marketing campaign and you will be
amazed by seeing pre-designed and formulated cells.

5. Uses of Microsoft Excel for Housewives

Housewives can use Excel to manage their daily house expenses. They
can create monthly expenses report. They can track their spending habits. The
use of Excel for housewives also helpful if they are doing business or job or for
looking part-time work. There are various online and offline jobs and projects that
they can do from home by learning and using excel.

6. Uses of Microsoft Excel for Data Analysis

 Data analysis is very important to work today for an online business or
website owner (eCommerce, blog, forums, etc.). Such as from tracking website
visitors, products sell, customer reviews, marketing campaigns, user behavior,
and events Such work is very time and brain consuming especially when things
are not going according to the plan.

Microsoft Excel application provides great benefits for online business

owners and customers. Such as by filtering users data by country, filtering user
by age, adding conditional formulas in big data, etc. are common daily tasks that
can be handled smartly in excel.

7. Uses of Excel in the Daily Progress Report

Many online and offline companies and clients making it mandatory for
virtual and offline staff to maintain their daily progress reports. It is not only
beneficial for employees but also for companies to track daily progress reports.
You can create a table with Date, Time, Client, Task, Duration, and status
according to demand from clients or managers.

Also, the daily progress report is very beneficial for students and teachers.
But all start with learning and execution.

8. Uses of Excel in Career Development

Career Development is more about career management. Time

management, learning management, work, and life management and
goaloriented habits are very important. Such things you can learn in excel.

Importance of Microsoft Excel for Students

Sharma (2017) listed various reasons why Microsoft Excel is important in

Education. The following are important things to consider:

1. Students can do and learn the fastest way to do the calculation with accuracy

Microsoft Excel formulas, formatting options, and other data

management and visualization tools can help students to perform complex
mathematical, logical, and financial calculations faster with accuracy.

2. Microsoft Excel builds strong analytical thinking skills

Microsoft Excel application explores productive creativity in students’

minds. Finance and economics are the most important part of our life. If
 students are strong in financial education before completing their academic
education, then it will be easier for them to get benefits from subjects like
math, economics, and account in their life.

3. Students can learn how the calculation is performed

4. Students can learn how data is visualized

MICROSOFT POWERPOINT

Microsoft Powerpoint Defined

Microsoft Powerpoint is a presentation program that

creates a slide show of important information, charts,
images (Computer
Hope, 2020) and other media, “such as audio clips and
movies. Sound effects and animated transitions can also be
included to add extra appeal to the presentation. It is most
often used for business and school presentations or informal
purposes” (TechTerms, n.d.).

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Teaching by using Microsoft Powerpoint

There are several advantages of using Microsoft PowerPoint for teaching

learning process, among others are (Ikhsan, 2010):

1. The Advantages of Using PowerPoint

• PowerPoint encourages and supports teaching learning process by facilitating

the material presentation. The template provided is designed to default to
good presentation criteria such as the number of lines of information in each
slide and appropriate font sizes. The use of the default templates can improve
the clarity and the arrangement of a presentation. It helps the teacher avoid
the common use of excessive text often found on OHV (Over Head Projector).
• PowerPoint is able to perform a variety of manipulations, such as editing text
before printing it out, and the teacher can add new slides for adding new
materials.
 • PowerPoint is an application program of presentation that is found in Microsoft
Office. It means that we did not need to buy new software, because it has
been included in Microsoft Office program.
• This program is also advantages in the sense that the icons used are very
simple because they are similar with those in the Microsoft Word. In this way,
the users can create an instruction of language without studying this program
previously.
• PowerPoint is also fun to be applied and fun to watch. It is not hard to learn in
one hour. It allows the users to reflect on a lesson and correct any changes,
and they can create the perfect lessons and are being able to print them out.
• Using PowerPoint improve the students’ learning motivation, increasing
authentic materials for study, encouraging interaction between the teacher
and the students.

2. The Disadvantages of Using PowerPoint

There are several risky factors associated with the using of PowerPoint,
among others are:

Equipment failure
The component system sometimes does not work as expected. The main
failure in projector is rare but possible. The solution here is to have alternative
activities, for example good preparation.

File Corruption
This damage caused by magnetic or physical damage so that the
presentation will not run. To overcome this problem, CD (compact disk) which is
unaffected by magnetic field can be used.

Incompatible Media
Incompatible media means the incompatible the system available. The
best solution is to be aware of the systems to use our own laptop.

The most common abuses

The most common abuses in PowerPoint use for teaching and learning
include visually poor or boring slide. Too many texts on the slide do not support
good reading text, other abuses for example, inappropriate use of multimedia
options, for example too much animation or over use of slide transitions. Further,
many teachers do not have enough basic knowledge in applying PowerPoint in
teaching learning. In addition, PowerPoint cannot handle unexpected situations
 because PowerPoint is unable to handle the students’ questions immediately as
the teachers do.

Real (2014) suggested some uses of Powerpoint in Education

PowerPoint for teachers

Teachers can use PowerPoint in many applications in their classroom. Teacher have a
choice for how much or how little they would like to apply this technology to their
classrooms. How teachers can use PowerPoint:

• Notes and Lessons

• Images
• Daily routines
• Classroom or student showcase
• Meeting agendas
• Videos and multimedia presentations
• Graphs and charts
• Audio
PowerPoint for students

PowerPoint can be used in the classroom in many ways. Students can learn how to use
PowerPoint and apply their knowledge in many ways. When students learn PowerPoint
they also gain valuable tech skills. How students can use PowerPoint:

• Creative writing classes

• Poetry
• Visual interpretations
• Presenting information to the class
• Creating graphs
• Creating instructions
• Creating self quizzes
• Creating games
• Displaying student work
• Slideshows of class events and activities
• Problem Based Learning

ALTERNATIVE PRODUCTIVITY SOFTWARE

TechTarget (n.d.) defines productivity software as a category of application

programs that help users produce things such as documents, databases, graphs,
worksheets and presentations.
 Application Performance Management (n.d.) have listed several alternative productivity
software. The following alternative productivity software are listed below:

1. Google Apps for Business. Google’s office

suite includes a selection of office productivity
tools including enhanced-for-business versions
of Gmail, Google Talk, Google Calendar,
Google Docs, Google Sites, and Google Video.
Several pricing options are available, based on
the size of your business, and limited-time free
trial is also available.

2. LibreOffice Productivity Suite. This free office productivity suite comes from
the not-for-profit organization, The
Document Foundation. Applications include
Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, and Math.
Because it’s free, support comes
primarily from the community of users
and the developers. The
license for this suite is LGPL, meaning it can be customized as needed.

3. OpenOffice. Another free office productivity suite. The following are included in
this suite: Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base,
and Math. Oracle is the primary contributor of
code to OpenOffice, but other
major companies also contribute. For
technical support, they offer a forum and a
FAQ site as
well as a user guide.

4. WordPerfect Office X5. Another office

productivity suite that offers multiple
configurations based on the customer need. The
home and student version includes software for
word processing, spreadsheets, slideshows and
presentations, and a digital notebook. Free trials
are available although the productivity suite is not
free. Some templates are also available. Support
plans are available and there is also
knowledgebase of frequently asked questions.

5. Zoho. Zoho offers a large number of productivity software tools. Zoho products
are free for personal use, although the site
stated that business and corporate users
may be charged. Some Zoho tools that may
 be of particular interest include: Writer, Sheet, Show, and Calendar. Support is
available.

6. Quickoffice & OfficeSuite Pro5. While these are technically not office suites
themselves, these apps give the capability to
access your Microsoft Office files from your
mobile device. For the freelancer on the go
this means mobility. OfficeSuite Pro5 is
specifically for the Android
Market.
Quickoffice can work with a variety of mobile devices.

7. PlusOffice Free 3.0. A freeware package is based on OpenOffice. Use this on

Windows 7/Vista. The suite includes a text editor, spreadsheet, presentation
package, and more. Compare with commercial packages.

8. IBM (r) Lotus (r) SmartSuite (r). This suite will cost money, but the product also
has the support of IBM. It includes Word Pro (r), Freelance Graphics (r), and
Approach (r). Additional software options are available for an added cost.

9. ThinkFree. This office productivity prides

itself on being compatible with MS Office.
Use it for word processing, creating
spreadsheets, and presentations. There
are many versions of this suite available,
including one for the Windows, the Mac,
Linux, and even Android
operating systems. Even though
this suite costs money, you can download a trial version.

10. KOffice. This is another free office productivity suite alternative. It

includes KWord (a word processor), KCells (a spreadsheet) and
Showcase (presentation software). Because it’s free, it largely
depends on volunteers and users to maintain and update it.
There is a Userbase and forum.

11. NEOOffice. This is an office suite specifically

for MAC OS X. They’ve even included a
mobile version that can be accessed remotely.
It is distributed under the GNU General Public
License (GPL). It is funded entirely by user
donations.
 12. Softmaker. This office productivity suite includes TextMaker (word processing),
PlanMaker (spreadsheet), and Presentations.
There are multiple versions available including
a mobile version. This package does cost
money.

Discussion Board

• Describe other ways of using open-ended tools (productivity tools) when planning
learning activities for your unit plan.

• What are advantages or benefits of using open-ended tools (productivity tools) in

facilitating learning in the classroom?

Learning Activities

• When and how can you use open-ended tools (productivity tools) in teaching and
learning Language/Mathematics/Science.

• Create a presentation utilizing the different open-ended (productivity tools) to

disseminate your finding on the chosen topic (Topics should be based on your
field specialization).

REFERENCES

Application Performance Management (n.d.). Productivity Software. Last accessed

August 21, 2020 from
https://www.applicationperformancemanagement.org/software/
productivitysoftware/
Computer Hope, (2020). Microsoft Word. Last accessed August 20, 2020 from
https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/m/microsoft-word.htm
Computer Hope, (2020). Microsoft Powerpoint. Last accessed August 20, 2020 from
https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/m/microsoft-word.htm
GreyCampus, (n.d.). What is MS Excel?. Last accessed August 20, 2020 from
https://www.greycampus.com/opencampus/ms-excel/what-is-ms-excel
Guru 99, (n.d.). Introduction to Microsoft Excel 101. Last accessed August 20, 2020
from https://www.guru99.com/introduction-to-microsoft-excel.html
Ikhsan, E. (2010). The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Teaching By Using Microsoft
Powerpoint. Last accessed August 21, 2020 from
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teachingby-using-microsoft-powerpoint/
InfoBitt, (n.d.). Importance of Microsoft Word. Last accessed August 20, 2020 from
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Melendez, S. (2018). List of MS Word Features. Last accessed August 20, 2020 from
https://www.techwalla.com/articles/list-of-ms-word-features
Muslihat, D. (2019). How to Ensure Productivity Software is Actually Making You
Productive. Last accessed September 18, 2020 from,
https://zenkit.com/en/blog/how-to-ensure-productivity-software-is-actuallymaking-
you-productive/
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2020 from https://www.klientsolutech.com/importance-of-ms-word-in-education/
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re%20(also%20called%20personal,electronic%20music%20and%20digital%20vi
deo).

Lesson 2 – Podcasting

Podcasting Defined
 Podcasting is a way of distributing audio files via the Internet.
A podcast is an audio file that can be downloaded from the
Internet, often in MP3 format (The University of Sheffield,
n.d.). The word
“podcast” is derived from “pod” as in Apple’s iPod, the
popular portable audio player, and “cast” from “broadcast”,
meaning “to transmit for general or public use” (Learning
Times, n.d.).

Once a podcast has been downloaded, it can be listened to on a computer, or be

transferred to a portable device such as an iPod or other Portable Media Player (PMP),
a mobile phone, or a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) (The University of Sheffield, n.d.).
The majority of podcasts are audio files sent to directories through XML feeds and RSS
(Really Simple Syndication) formatted XML (eXtensible Markup Language) files
(Learning Times, n.d.).

Gray (2020) explains podcast in plain English, “a podcast is an audio

programme, just like Talk Radio, but you subscribe to it on your smartphone and listen
to it whenever you like. A podcast is a series of spoken word, audio episodes, all
focused on a particular topic or theme, like cycling or startups. You can subscribe to the
show with an app on your phone and listen to episodes whenever you like on your
headphones, in the car or through speakers”.

In simple term, Winn (2019) added other answers to the question of how do you
describe a podcast:

• Audio on demand.
• Online on-demand pre-recorded talk radio show where you can find someone
talking about most subjects under the sun. A lot of times the hosts (and guests)
are everyday people sharing their expertise and experiences.
• Radio for your phone.
• Free, online talk show on any topic you can imagine.
• It’s a way to have audio content for specific subjects delivered to a device so it’s
easy to access.
• It’s downloadable niche talk radio.
• A pre-recorded radio show that is essentially on-demand on a multitude of
platforms for consumption. It’s something that can either be vague or very
specific in one’s interests.
• It’s like Netflix for audio.
• Downloadable radio on every subject imaginable!
• Audio entertainment anywhere, anytime, about anything.
• Audio discussions about any subject you can think of and you can listen to them
anytime that works for you.
 • Downloadable talk radio – but you ultimately choose the topics that you want to
listen to.
• On-demand audio recording focused on a specific theme or story, usually
updated frequently.
• Audio books for blogs.
• An audio version of a blog that you can listen to anywhere
• An audio show that you usually can’t find on the normal radio because it serves a
niche, meaning really interesting to YOU.
• The equivalent of self-publishing your book. It allows everyday people with great
ideas to publish their ideas or thoughts in an audio format for others to enjoy
without having to go through traditional media like radio.

The University of Sheffield Key Pedagogical Points about Podcasts and

Podcasting

1. Flexible delivery
Because podcasts are normally downloaded and can be copied onto portable
devices like iPods and mobile phones, you and your students can listen to them
anywhere at any time, without requiring being connected to the Internet. This
offers enormous potential for flexible delivery of learning resources.

2. Use of Audio as educational medium

The advent of podcasting places a new emphasis on the use of audio resources
in learning and teaching. Audio has often been seen as a "poor relation" to video
and other forms of multimedia, and perhaps the greatest challenge in the use of
podcasting in education is to find ways in which audio materials can be most
effectively used in pedagogical terms.

3. Podcasting is easy and cheap

Podcasts are very simple to create, and can be produced using the freely
available Audacity software, and very inexpensive hardware such as a cheap
"Skype" type headset.

How Podcasts Works?

How Stuff Works on How Podcasting Works by Stephanie Watson listed some
steps in Listening and Creating Podcasts.

Listening to Podcasts

It is very easy to listen to a podcast. Once you master a few simple steps and
search techniques, there are virtually no limits to what you can hear.
To listen to a podcast:

1. Go to a podcasting site.
2. Click on the hyperlink for each podcast you want. You can listen right away on
your computer (Windows, Mac and Linux support podcasting) or download the
podcast to your portable media player.
3. You can also subscribe to one or more RSS feeds. Your podcasting software
will check the RSS feeds regularly and automatically pull content that matches
your playlist. When you dock your portable media player to your computer, it
automatically updates with the latest content.

Creating Podcasts

Recording a podcast is almost as easy as listening to one. Here's how the

process works:

1. Plug a microphone into your computer

2. Install an audio recorder for Windows, Mac or Linux (free software for audio
recorders includes Audacity, Record for All and Easy Recorder V5).
3. Create an audio file by making a recording (you can talk, sing or record
music) and saving it to your computer.
4. Finally, upload the audio file to one of the podcasting sites (FeedForAll has a
tutorial on how to upload a file).

Learning Activity

• Choose a topic based on your field of specialization. Present the topic of your
choice in video or audio format. Let’s try podcasting.

REFERENCES:

Gray, C. (2020). What is podcast? An Explanation in Plain English. Last accessed

August 20, 2020 from https://www.thepodcasthost.com/listening/what-is-a-
podcast/
Learning Time (n.d.). What is Podcasting?. Last accessed August 20, 2020 from
https://www.learningtimes.com/what-we-do/podcast-production/about/
The University of Sheffield (n.d.). What is Podcasting?. Last accessed August 20, 2020
from https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/letspodcast/intro
The Podcast Host (n.d.). What is a Podcast? An Explanation in Plain English. Last
accessed August 20, 2020 from
https://www.thepodcasthost.com/listening/whatis-a-podcast/
Winn, R. (2019). What Is A Podcast And How Do They Work?. Last accessed August
20, 2020 from https://www.podcastinsights.com/what-is-a-podcast/
Watson, S. (n.d.). How Podcasting Works?. Last accessed August 20, 2020 from
https://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet/basics/podcasting.htm

Lesson 3 – Social Media in Education

Nations (2019) defines social media as a web-based communication tools that enable
people to interact with each other by sharing and consuming information.
 In simple words, according to Dollarhide (2019) social media is computer-based
technology that facilitates the sharing of ideas, thoughts, and information through the
building of virtual networks and communities. By design, social media is internet-based
and gives users quick electronic communication of content. Content includes personal
information, documents, videos, and photos. Users engage with social media via
computer, tablet or smartphone via web-based software or web application, often
utilizing it for messaging.

Different Types of Social Media

According to Foreman (2017) people are using many different types of social
media to connect online for all kinds of reasons. Here are some of the social media
types he identified.

1. Social Networking - Connect with People (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn,

Google+)
2. Media Sharing Networks - Share photos, videos, and other media
(Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube)
3. Discussion Forums - Share news, information, opinions and ideas (reddit,
Quora, Digg)
4. Bookmarking and Content Curation Networks - Discover, save, and share
new content (Pinterest, Flipboard)
5. Consumer Review Networks - Find and review businesses (Yelp, Zomato,
TripAdvisor)
6. Blogging and Publishing Networks - Publish content online (WordPress,
Tumblr, Medium)
7. Interest-Based Networks - Share interests and hobbies (Goodreads, Houzz,
Last.fm)
8. Social Shopping Networks - Shop online (Polyvore, Etsy, Fancy)
9. Sharing Economy Networks - Trade Goods and Services. To advertise, find,
share, buy, sell, and trade products and services between peers (Airbnb, Uber,
Taskrabbit).
10. Anonymous Social Networks - Communicate Anonymously. To gossip, vent,
snoop, and sometimes bully (Whisper, Ask.fm, After School)

Use of Social Media in Teaching and Learning

With the rise of smartphones, expanding WiFi networks, and ever-growing

platforms like Instagram and Facebook, social media is becoming ubiquitous (Tormala,
A. & Lee, S. n.d.) and has gained incredible popularity over the past few years as an
open source of information and knowledge sharing platform (Jain, R. n.d.). It has
become an invaluable tool not only for communication & marketing but also in the field
of education as well (The Asian School, 2019). Today, both social media and
technology have become an indispensable part of our lives (Willbold, 2019).

The use of social media in education provides students with the ability to get
more useful information, to connect with learning groups and other educational systems
that make education convenient (Relojo-Howell, 2019) and make their overall learning
process more interesting and engaging (Jain, n.d.). Generally, students use social
media to share and get instant quick information, reviews and solutions to their
problems (The Asian School, 2019).

Platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter are used by almost everyone.
Social Media are all about collaborating, networking, sharing and generating knowledge
and content, and all of these features are of great value in the context of education
(Jain, n.d.; Gupta, 2015).

Here are some of the educational approaches and benefits of social media to
improve the academic performance of students (Willbold, 2019):

1. Communication and Collaboration

2. Finding Concrete Information Online
3. Parental Involvement
4. Improved Literacy, Communication, and Reading Skills
5. Distance Learning Opportunities

Jain, R. (n.d.) also noted some direct benefits of social media usage for the
academic world:

1. Collaborative Learning
2. Information Sharing by Students
3. Social Media Marketing for Educators
4. Helps to Foster Research
5. Continue Teaching from Anywhere and Everywhere
6. Take Advantage of Blogs to create Virtual Library
7. Let Students Learn from Social Networking

Discussion Board

• What is/are the role of students as digital authors?

Learning Activities
 • Discuss how social networking sites like Facebook, twitter, Instagram etc can be
used in teaching.

REFERENCES

Dollarhide, M. (2019). What is Social Media?. Last accessed August 20, 2020 from
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/social-media.asp
Foreman, C. (2017) . 10 Types of Social Media and How Each Can Benefit Your
Business. Last accessed August 20, 2020 from
https://blog.hootsuite.com/typesof-social-media/
Nations, D. (2019). What is Social Media?. Last accessed August 20, 2020 from
https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-social-media-explaining-the-big-trend-3486616
Tormala, A. & Lee, S. (n.d.). Social Media in the Classroom. Last accessed August 20,
2020 from https://www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/resources/classroom-
socialmedia/
Jain, R. (n.d.). Use Of Social Media In Teaching And Learning: Emerging Role Of Social
Media And Its Importance In Teaching And Learning. Last accessed August 20,
2020 from https://www.asmaindia.in/blog/use-of-social-media-in-teaching-
andlearning-emerging-role-of-social-media-and-its-importance-in-teaching-
andlearning/
Relojo-Howell, D. (2019). How Can Social Media Help Education?. Last accessed
August 20, 2020 from https://www.psychreg.org/social-media-education/
Gupta, P. (2015). Importance of Social Media in Higher Education. Last accessed
August 20, 2020 from https://edtechreview.in/trends-insights/insights/2041-social-
mediain-higher-education

Lesson 4 - Mobile Technology for Teachers

What is Mobile Learning?

 According to EDUCAUSE, mobile learning is using portable computing devices
(such as iPads, laptops, tablet PCs, PDAs, and smart phones) with wireless networks
enables mobility and mobile learning, allowing teaching and learning to extend to
spaces beyond the traditional classroom. Within the classroom, mobile learning gives
instructors and learners increased flexibility and new opportunities for interaction
(EDUCAUSE, n.d.).

Why use mobile phones and technologies in education?

Smartphones and tablets are changing how teachers teach and students learn
(Lieberman, 2019). In this way, the mobile technologies contribute to a
teaching/learning process more motivating and personalized. The students' motivation
increases when this technology is used, leading to greater participation, and,
consequently, better and faster acquisition of concepts/skills (Ferreira, Maria & Moreira,
Fernando & Santos-Pereira, Carla & Durão, Natércia., 2015).

The mobile revolution and technology is changing education in more fundamental

ways. Mobile devices and technology are changing the way we learn and think about
learning (Vali, 2015). SEAMEO INNOTECH initiated the development of a teacher
resource kit utilizing smart phones and tablets to promote the development of 21st
century skills. The resource kit is designed to bridge the digital divide between students
and teachers who are referred to by author Marc Prensky as “digital natives” and “digital
immigrants,” respectively (SEAMEO INNOTECH, n.d.).

SEAMEO INNOTECH, (n.d.) project focused on training teachers to utilize mobile

technologies for their personal and professional growth, and, at the same time, helping
promote the development of higher order thinking skills (HOTS) in themselves and
among their students.

What is Mobile Technology for Teachers (MT4T)

SEAMEO INNOTECH, (n.d.) MT4T is a teacher resource kit that promotes the
use mobile technology in Southeast Asian educational settings. The kit provides a basic
guide in using mobile devices, such as smart phones and tablets and their
accompanying applications, as tools for teaching and learning in the classroom and for
teacher’s personal and professional development.

It also includes an introduction to the three most widely used mobile technology
platforms iOS, Android and Windows and how they may be used in conjunction with
social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, to promote student learning and
professional collaboration among teachers. The kit also contains a special focus on how
mobile devices can be used to promote the development of higher order thinking skills
(HOTS) in both students and teachers (SEAMEO INNOTECH, n.d.).
You may download the resource kit at the link given below:
 1. MT4T: Mobile Technology for Teachers
2. Facebook for Teachers (Android)
3. Facebook for Teachers (Windows)
4. An Introduction to Teachers’ Personal and Professional Learning Networks for
21st Century Learning
5. LinkedIn for Teachers (Android)
6. e-Citizenship: An e-Book for Teachers about Cyber Wellness and Digital
Citizenship (Windows)

Learning Activity

• Do an Internet research on the effectiveness and benefits of mobile learning to

students.
• In the context of education in the Philippines, what do you think is the impact of
mobile learning to students without technology tools/signal coverage/Internet
connection.

REFERECNES
EDUCAUSE (n.d.). Mobile Learning. Last accessed August 20, 2020 from
https://library.educause.edu/topics/teaching-and-learning/mobile-learning
Ferreira, Maria & Moreira, Fernando & Santos-Pereira, Carla & Durão, Natércia. (2015).
THE ROLE OF MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES IN THE TEACHING/LEARNING
PROCESS IMPROVEMENT IN PORTUGAL.
Lieberman, M. (2019). Students Are Using Mobile Even If You Aren’t’. Last accessed
August 20, 2020 from https://www.insidehighered.com/digital-
learning/article/2019/02/27/mobile-devices-transform-classroom-experiences-and
SEAMEO INNOTECH, (n.d.). Mobile Technology for Teachers: A Teacher Resource Kit
for 21st Century Learning in Southeast Asia. Last accessed August 20, 2020
from https://www.seameo-innotech.org/mobile-technologies-for-teachers-a-
teacherresource-kit-for-21st-century-learning-in-southeast-asia/
Vali, R. (2015). Five ways mobile technology is transforming education. Last accessed
August 20, 2020 from https://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-
computing/tablets/five-ways-mobile-technology-is-transforming-
education1282557
Lesson 5 - Educational Apps for Mobile Phones

21st century is the century of mobile apps, new trends, technologies, &
digitization that will make a drastic change in education sector (Makhija, n.d.). The
improvement in technologies and the invention of mobile education apps has changed
the face of Education by introducing a new pattern of learning (Sharma, 2019).

Moreover, mobile apps for educational institutions have done a great thing for the
students, making the learning process fun and easy using various app features boots
engagement through knowledge-oriented activities (Roy, 2017) and provide
convenience by helping them to achieve more in less time (McCain, 2019).

Benefits of Using Educational Apps

EdSys (n.d.); SpaceQ Technologies (2017); EduXpert (n.d.); Consagous Technologies

(2018); McCain P. (2019) has outlined several benefits of Mobile Educational Apps for
Student, Teachers and Parents. These benefits are as follows:

1. Enhanced Interaction

Experts say that apps in education can make children more interactive and
activate better engagement between parents and children. The most effective
way is to engage with the children while they are using applications. Interaction
tendency in children is enhanced by mobile applications.

2. Novel learning techniques

Thoughts of traditional methods of learning accompany a generic feeling of

boredom. They do not favor drifting from the monotonous learning patterns of
restricted and upright book learning, thus dissipating the engagement factor.

Technology in the guise of apps is helping those looking for some

newness in the universe of learning. In addition to the feel of novelty, apps add
an element of fun and involvement to the learning process. Through games,
puzzles or other challenging tasks, app learning stimulates the brain cells to
actively metabolize the input unleashing a new perspective.

3. Parent-teacher communication

The ideal concept of frequent parent teacher interactions finds its space in
the articles and books regarding performance enhancement but not in reality.
Owing to the tight schedule of both the parties, it is just not possible to maintain
the rapport through physical interactions. But now, we have apps. Teachers can
 attend to the queries of the parents anytime and anywhere through an ominous
device called the phone. This fosters transparency regarding the child’s growth at
school.
4. Online resources

The power of digital world lies in the ginormous amount of resources that
fill its nooks and corners. The wealth of this platform implicates its popularity
among knowledge seekers. The reach of this platform makes it a favorite to
people who cannot afford the luxury of full time courses in schools or colleges.
Mobile applications help them access a compendium of eBooks and pdfs and
other online materials and the freedom to access it beyond the boundaries of
time and space.

5. Entertainment

According to studies, mobile apps promote entertainment. Learning is no

more a passive activity, it’s active with applications. Lessons transforming to
games can change the face of education. Children will enable a kind of interest in
learning. Level based apps instill determination to pass each level. Apps without
doubt enhance education. No more boring home works and tough class lectures.

6. Availability 24/7

Unlike school, mobile applications are available round the clock. No need
to be worried about schedules. Anywhere can be a classroom. App learning is
not time-bound learning, its relaxed learning.

Most of the apps promote child-friendly control. Children should only need
to reach out for the device when they feel like learning. Little ones can operate it
without much effort.

7. Leisure Hours Utilization

No responsible parents want their kids to get addicted to the “idiot box”. Too much
internet usage and talking over the phone for hours are not wise options for
killing time. This is where mobile apps prove their worth. Mobile app learning is
one among the wisest choices of utilizing your free time actively.

If a child has lots of leisure time, it can be utilized to learn something new with the
help of a learning app. Entertainment guaranteed without wasting time.

8. Routine tasks
It’s a relief to get all the mundane tasks done with a few taps. Be it tasks like fee
payments, other transactions which require us to stand in a queue for hours or
the laborious job of marking attendance that drives teachers crazy with the
amount of paperwork smiling back at them each day. All this drudgery has been
put to an end simply by having apps in place. The life of each individual
associated with the ecosystem is now simple and functioning, more efficient.

9. Filling in the gaps

The wheel of time has spun to drive the progress to land us into the world we live
in today.

The advancement that schools have seen eliminated a lot many glitches that
prevailed in the education system. A major one being the lack of interaction
between the teachers and the teachers. Apps and websites have been created to
help reduce the gap not just between the students and the educators but also
among parents and the teachers. Students and parents can be kept in the loop of
every event, schedule change or announcement.

10. Better Earth

While millions of trees are cut down for making papers for the traditional method of
learning, mobile apps in education requires just a download. It means a greener
earth for future generations.

Mobile learning process has sustainability. Completing a lesson with an app is much
more effective as it is learning from experience rather than from compulsion.

11. Systematic Learning Activated

Smart learning is one thing and systematic learning is next. App based learning
enables both. Mobile apps help in systematic learning. Apps are arranged in
such a way that, it promotes not only a craving for learning but systematic
learning.

The apps are arranged in a systematic way that it becomes possible for students to go
with the flow without even realizing.

12. Portability

There are no constraints for mobile phones.. They can be constant companions of
parents and students. Thereby, apps are available to children anywhere,
anytime. Learning will not be confined to the classrooms alone.
 13. More Than Just Children

It’s a misconception that only children are benefited out of the apps. Teachers and
parents also benefit from using educational apps. Teachers can make use of
apps in classrooms. There are apps that help teachers to plan teaching
materials. App based learning allows teachers and parents more time to discuss
lesson plan for better interactive classes. While selecting apps for children,
parents and teachers can contribute a lot.
14. Sustainability

Using mobile apps for learning is more sustainable compared to the traditional
learning methods which include papers, pencils, and pens. Getting reference
notes is very simple in mobile learning- just download it. This results in a lesser
number of trees being cut down every year.

15. Instant Updates

There are some apps which are not only meant for learning but also to stay updated
about campus events, timetables, alerts and other important information. Soon
apps will allow you to do the educational related payments such as tuition fees,
library fines, etc. They also provide opportunities to interact with students
throughout the life cycle of prospects, enrolled students, and alumni.

16. Track Your Children’s Progress

With some apps, you can track your children’s progress which is one of the important
things that every parent wants to know. Along with the progress, you can
visualize how each app is helping your children to improve their skills such as
reading, math and much more.

17. Staying connected

Educational apps are the best way for children to stay connected with their teachers.
Though the way of learning through apps is entirely different from the traditional
learning method, it adds value to the entire process.

Innovative Education Apps For Students, Teachers and Parents

Udayan, T. (2019); Blakney, R. (2017); SpaceQ Technologies (2017); McCain P.

(2019) enumerated some useful education apps for students, parents and teachers.
These are:

1. Google Classroom
 Google classroom is essentially a virtual classroom of sorts. That means we can
use it for seamlessly sending announcements, creating classes, starting
discussions, submitting and grading assignments, asking for remarks and
answers, sharing resources, and so on.

2. edX

It’s a dream of many students to study the courses of top universities like Harvard,
MIT, Columbia, etc. edX brings these universities to your fingertips. There are more
than 2000 courses of top universities in edX such as computer science, business
studies, linguistics, engineering, and many more.

3. Khan Academy

Khan Academy has a unique way to drive knowledge into your brains. All lessons
are in forms of video tutorials. Videos display a recording of drawings on a virtual
blackboard (like a teacher giving a lecture). And the narrator describes each
lesson through these drawings.

4. Duolingo

Duolingo has made language learning a cakewalk. It helps us learn many

languages like English, French, Spanish, Mandarin, Latin, etc. in a fun and
interactive way. It starts with basic picture labeling games. As you complete more
levels, There will be many different kinds of engaging games that will improve
your vocabulary and grammar skills.

5. Remind

Remind app is the ultimate answer to this problem. Remind facilitates us to stay
connected with our school community. Besides students, this community includes
teachers and parents as well.

6. Photomath

Anyone can learn to solve any complex math problems very easily using an app
called Photomath. Many statistics have listed Photomath as one of the best
learning apps for students.

7. SoloLearn

SoloLearn is essentially a paradise for coding enthusiasts. Whether you are a

beginner or a pro, soloLearn can get your coding juices flowing with its immense
 collection of free coding tutorials across languages like java, python, C++, swift,
PHP, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and so on.

8. Quizlet

Quizlet has several effective ways to make learning easier and quicker. Right out
of the gate, you will see various study modes buttons such as learn, flashcards,
write, test and match, etc. Each of these modes is different ways to learn your
desired topics.

The use of flashcards is another defining quality of Quizlet. Flashcards promote

active recall, the process of actively stimulating memory during the learning
process. It’s one of the most powerful learning techniques out there.

9. Kahoot

Kahoot has readymade quizzes on any topic. So you just choose one topic and
join live quizzes with other players. The app also lets you quickly create your
quizzes and challenge your friends to compete with you.

10. Udemy

Udemy is arguably one of the best learning apps for students out there. It has
more than 130,000 video tutorials for courses ranging from technology and
business to personal development lessons like drawing, writing, yoga, etc.

11. Instructables

Instructables walks teachers through thousands of DIY projects that can be

included in lesson plans. Covering just about every topic, this app can help online
teachers reduce lesson planning time significantly.

12. Evernote

We use Evernote almost daily. This notetaking app lets users easily organize their
notes, screenshots, and docs into folders. Notes can be updated at any time, and
the app has many tools for customization and organization.

13. Educreations

Students and teachers can create videos as part of lesson plans and
assignments. For knowledge that is difficult to convey just through speaking, a
diagram or video can helps students grasp and/or present material visually as well
as audibly.
14. Socrative

Socrative is an incredible tool for communicating with students and assessing

their process. Interaction happens directly with students, and the app provides
tips for determining the most applicable way to progress with each student based
on their ability and learning style.

15. Edmodo

Edmodo is a platform for providing feedback to students in a productive manner.

Designed with online teachers in mind, the app helps with digital organization of
student work and lessons. Teachers can assign work, manage progress, and
discuss feedback with students one on one.

Teachers can also communicate with parents/guardians via the app, and discuss
direct student assessment in a manner easy for them to understand.

16. Seesaw

This student portfolio app allows students to show off their best work to their
parents. Seesaw is a great way to help students build pride in learning and
increase motivation with positive reinforcement. The added benefit is that parents
can track their child’s progress and know that the teacher is doing a good job.

17. Slack

Everyone’s texting all the time anyway, so it might as well be productive. Slack is
a team communication tool that, in the world of online teaching, can be used for
teacher-to-teacher, teacher-to-student, and even student-to-student messaging.
Create group forums as well as one-on-one chats. Add members and remove
them as students come and go.

18. Doceri

Create virtual white boards to use during lessons, draw and outline tough
equations or phrases, and record it all for the web and use it again next time.
Doceri can help a teacher hone in on the perfect way to present a lesson, and
then make sure that presentation is saved.

19. TeacherKit
 TeacherKit helps teachers track grades, attendance, and other factors that play
into general teacher organization. Create customized lists and update them as
you go – kind of like a notetaking app designed specifically for teachers.

The Advantages Of Educational Apps Udayan, T. (2019)

• Enhanced Classroom Performances

• Interactive and Engaging Learning
• Unlimited Access To Educational Content
• Collaboration Between Students, Teachers, And Parents
• New Learning Techniques
• Individual and Social Learning

Learning Activity

• Do an Internet research on the different educational apps for iOS and Android
REFERENCES

Blakney, R. (2017). Best Apps for Online Teachers. Last accessed August 20, 2020
from http://anomalouseducator.com/best-apps-for-online-teachers/
Consagous Technologies (2018). Importance And Benefits Of Educational Mobile App
Development. Last accessed August 20, 2020 from
https://www.consagous.co/blog/importance-and-benefits-of-educational-
mobileapp-development
EdSys (n.d.). 17 Benefits of Using Apps in Education. Last accessed August 20, 2020
from https://www.edsys.in/12-benefits-of-using-apps-in-education/
EduXpert (n.d.). Top 10 Benefits Of Using Mobile Apps For Education. Last accessed
August 20, 2020 from https://eduxpert.in/top-10-benefits-using-mobile-
appseducation/
Makhija, R. (n.d.). Top Advantages, Ideas and Features of Education Apps. Last
accessed August 20, 2020 from
https://www.gurutechnolabs.com/advantagesideas-and-features-of-education-
apps/
McCain, P. (2019). How Mobile Apps Are Transforming The Education Industry. Last
accessed August 20, 2020 from https://elearningindustry.com/mobile-
basededucation-apps-transforming-industry
Roy, S. (2017). 5 Benefits Of Using Mobile Apps In Education. Last accessed August
20, 2020 from https://elearningindustry.com/mobile-apps-in-education-5-benefits
Sharma, N. (2019). How Mobile Education Apps Are Improving Education System In
The
 World?, Last accessed August 20, 2020 from
https://elearningindustry.com/mobile-education-apps-improving-
educationsystemworld#:~:text=With%20mobile%20education%20apps%2C
%20any,information% 20they%20are%20interested%20in.
SpaceQ Technologies (2017). How Mobile Education Apps Are Improving Education
System in USA?. Last accessed August 20, 2020 from
https://www.spaceotechnologies.com/mobile-education-apps-
improvingeducation-system-usa/
Udayan, T. (2019). 10 Best Free Education Apps for Students. Last accessed August
20, 2020 from https://mindster.com/free-educational-apps-students/

Lesson 6 - Gaming in Education

What is Game-Based Learning?

According to EdTechReview (2013) “Game-Based Learning (GBL) is a type of game

play that has defined learning outcomes. Generally, game based learning is designed to
balance subject matter with gameplay and the ability of the player to retain and apply
said subject matter to the real world. It describes an approach to teaching, where
students explore relevant aspect of games in a learning context designed by teachers.
Teachers and students collaborate in order to add depth and perspective to the
experience of playing the game” (EdTechReview, 2013).

Institute of Progressive Education & Learning (n.d.) asserted that Game-Based

Learning is a very effective and highly interactive instruction tool. When combined with
lecture-based learning, educational games can increase participant interest and make
the training process more enjoyable, memorable and effective.

Benefits of Video Games in Learning

Today’s generation are referred to as the “Digital Natives”, children were born and
accustomed with the use technology. These generation are considered the tech-savvy
generation yet, and so much of what they learn comes from technology (Game
Learning,
2018). Technology plays a very huge part of their lives and it’s hard to imagine to
separate it from them. According to Game Learning (2018) many educators have
learned to embrace high-tech methods of education, such as educational video games,
game-based learning, and “blended learning” (Game Learning, 2018).

Computer games are entertaining and challenging (Spiel Times, 2019) but majority of
adults considered it as non-essentials to learning. The good news is that despite what
jaded adults would think, gaming can be a highly productive activity, which tests and
develops a lot of transferable skills and abilities. With its power to stimulate learning and
cognition, gaming can be easily related to educational goals (Spiel Times, 2019).

Here are some of the benefits of the Game-Based Learning (Spiel Times, 2019; Game-
Learning; Eugenio, 2017; ACER for Education, 2017):

1. Gaming Improves Digital Literacy and Technical Skills

In a world where technology plays a role in almost any aspect of daily life, digital
literacy and technical skills are crucial for adapting efficiently. Video games have
the benefit of getting players accustomed to the digital world in an entertaining
way, where learning happens intuitively. Game-based learning thus helps players
become self-reliant and learn how to use technology for their benefit.

Through its ability to arouse an interest in technology, computers, and the

possibilities of the digital world, gaming has practical benefits that expand beyond
mere entertainment. Students who enjoy gaming are unfazed by digital
obstacles. Whether they need to know how a new software program works, how
to edit documents and files, how to use an online dictionary, or how to find help
with essay writing online, they are able to find a solution for any academic or
educational challenge. All thanks to the abilities developed through gaming.

2. Gaming Improves Problem-Solving, Critical Thinking Skills, Strategic

Thinking and Creativity

Whether made for education purposes or just for entertainment goals, a video
game requires you to make smart decisions quickly. To advance in a game, you
must be able to resort to logic, strategic-thinking, and quick problem-solving. The
sooner you react with a smart solution, the better you position yourself in the
game.

The only gamers that prevail are those who are artful problem-solvers able to
tackle any challenge with confidence, employing successfully critical thinking and
staying resilient in face of an obstacle. Being creative and seeing unconventional
 paths is a great asset in gaming. Needless to say, these skills are crucial for
one’s education as well.

3. Gaming Improves Attention, Concentration and Memory Capacity

Education is directly related to memorization abilities. Most students feel

overwhelmed with the amount of information on all sorts of different subjects
coming their way. One of the greatest things about gaming is that by putting
players in a variety of circumstances, it forces them to remain constantly alert
and focused, thus gradually improving their attention span and memorization
skills.

If you play educational video games, the impact is tremendous as you exercise
these skills while also accumulating knowledge about various subjects. According
to various research, game-based learning and educational video games allow
players to concentrate easily and focus in a way that is almost impossible in a
traditional class environment. Additionally, building your memory skills and focus
has benefits not just in education, but in all areas of life.

4. Gaming Develops Soft Skills

One of the most underrated benefits of gaming in education is the fact that it can
generate an improvement in areas related to social and psychological well-being.
Despite what non-gamers believe, gaming is a social activity that promotes soft
skills such as communication, team collaboration, and leadership. Many
educational and non-educational games are centered around team building, thus
stimulating students to play together.

To achieve a goal, players must either work together or compete against each
other, which leads them to refine their ability to develop relationships.
Additionally, success in gaming translates to better self-esteem, motivation, and
engagement.

Video games are fun, but stopping at that is a limited perception. The ability to
attract and maintain a person’s attention for a long time can be easily put to good
use by correlating gaming with educational goals. Due to its versatility and
potential for improving various important skills, gaming is an activity that can
greatly benefit students, regardless of their age.

5. It Helps with Hand-Eye Coordination

Using a game controller, keyboard, and/or a computer mouse to operate games

can help strengthen hand-eye coordination in young people, which can translate
into many other important areas. With so many of the technologies that we use in
 our day-to-day lives requiring savvy users with strong hand-eye coordination,
getting children used to operating them at an early age has many advantages.

6. Improves coordination

When an adult or child is playing a video game, he or she is not only staring at
the computer inactively. The activities and actions on the screen provide a lot of
mental stimulation. For one to play, he or she will need to coordinate their visual,
audial and physical movement.

7. Great source of learning

Gaming is not only beneficial to adults and teenagers, but to children as well.
Many modern education institutions incorporate video games as a teaching
methodology. This helps these children improve their academic skills by
providing video games that are specifically aimed at enhancing their cognitive
and creative skills.

8. Improves the brain's speed

While gaming, the brain receives multiple stimulations, both Visual and audial.
According to research, individuals who play video games frequently can process
these stimulators faster than others. These stimulators ensure that the brain is
continuously working to interpret them.

9. Enhances multitasking skills

An action game, for example, may require you to be very observant. It requires
you to be able to move your joystick or keys while looking at the various features
on your screen such as energy levels, oncoming adversaries, ammunitions left,
available time among other factors, all which are vital to winning. This ensures
that the player can observe and react accordingly to all requirements of that
particular game.

Educational Games for Learners

Open Education Database (OEDB) (n.d.) categorized and enumerated some

great games to try out that present quality educational content in a fun format.
Educational Games can be played in different platform are like Wii, Xbox, and
PlayStation, Handheld Devices, Desktop/Laptop, Online Based, and iPad. Here are
those:

Wii, Xbox, and PlayStation

1. My Word Coach: Available for both Wii and Nintendo DS, this
linguistdeveloped game will help students improve their verbal communication
skills through six different fun, word-related games. Even better, the game
comes complete with a built-in dictionary loaded with over 17,000 words.

2. uDraw Studio: Instant Artist: Help your young learner embrace his or her
creative size with this game and drawing device. Players can engage with
built in games (using custom-designed avatars and settings) or just get busy
creating their own masterpieces.

3. Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster: Geared toward younger learners, this
video game brings Sesame Street favorites like Elmo and Cookie Monster
together to read kids stories and get them engaged and moving through a
series of fun and physical games.

4. Smarty Pants: Even parents will enjoy playing this trivia game from Electronic
Arts. Similar to Trivial Pursuit, the game quizzes players on a variety of topics
from history, to science, to sports, challenging players to come up with right
answers and to show off their skills.

5. Reader Rabbit: The Reader Rabbit series has reading-related educational

games that touch a variety of learning levels and topics. The one we've linked
to here is for second graders, but there are others for lower and higher
grades. All get kids involved in reading through a series of fun mini-games.

6. National Geographic Challenge: Bolster your kids' geographic knowledge

with the help of this fun Xbox game, which allows players to quiz themselves,
complete puzzles, or explore the world.

7. Escape Adventure Island: This Jump Start title is one of many the company
offers on the Wii platform. Through it, young learners engage with a 3D
environment that helps them to practice math, reading, and critical thinking
skills, earning virtual rewards as they go.
8. Storybook Workshop: This bargain-priced Wii game is perfect for
youngsters who are just learning how to read. It features 16 different fairy
tales that kids can listen to or perform, songs you can sing, and even the
capability to record your little ones reading the stories.

9. LittleBIGPlanet 2: LittleBIGPlanet not only boasts some amazing graphics,

but it is also a great game for getting kids to develop problem solving skills.
Players navigate through a rich landscape, finding objects along the way,
many of which can be used to solve puzzles that will challenge young minds.
10. Portal 2: Instead of having players shoot their way to victory like many games
do, in Portal 2 players have to use their wits to escape Aperture Laboratories
and challenge the power-mad robot at the heart of the story. Ranked as one
of the best games of all time, it's a memorable and mentally challenging
experience that players won't soon forget.

11. Brain and Body Connection: Encourage students to push not only their
minds but also their bodies in this game that pushes them to excel in both
areas. Kids can play individually or you can all play together as a family.

Handheld Devices

12. Big Brain Academy: Big Brain Academy, a Nintendo DS game, asks players
to take on a number of different kinds of challenges which are timed.
Essentially, it's a workout for the brain, designed to challenge players of all
ages.

13. Magic School Bus Oceans: This is just one of many Magic School Bus
games out there, all of which can be amazing ways for young learners to have
fun while surreptitiously being educated. In this game, kids will explore the
ocean through a series of lessons and seven different educational games.

14. BrainQuest: Geared towards grades three and four, this game poses more
than 6,000 questions to players. There's action as well as puzzles, and the
two are combined in a way that will make kids reluctant to put down the game.

15. Spelling Challenges: If your students are in need of some help with spelling,
this game could be a fun way to get them to practice. It contains more than
25,000 words at 100 different levels and engages players through 11 different
games.

16. Book Worm: Reading, spelling, and other language skills are tested in this
fun Nintendo DS game. A wealth of word puzzle games will keep kids smiling
as they build their own virtual libraries within the game.

17.Animal Genius: Animals are fascinating to young learners and this game
capitalizes on that. There are five mini-games to play, each focusing on a
different habitat, that will quiz kids on their knowledge of all things
animalrelated.

18. Learn Science: Filled with fun mini-games, this title for the Nintendo DS is a
great way to help kids practice their science knowledge. There are different
game modes and difficulty levels that will extend play to a wide range of
learners.
19. Brain Age: Parents and kids alike will love using this application to train their
brains and become a mental athlete. From math to logic to word problems,
there are numerous challenges that will help learners in every aspect of their
education. A series of games and tests will help students build the knowledge
they need to ace the test, and it just might even be fun to do.

20. futureU: Homeschooled kids getting ready to head to college? You may want
to invest in this game (it's relatively cheap, so it's not really much of an
investment), which helps prep students for the SAT.

21. Drawn to Life: Want to help your budding young artist, animator, or creative
type embrace his or her talents? This game can be a great way to do so. It
allows players to make a drawing which will be brought to life and used to play
a series of fun and entertaining games as they fight to bring back an imperiled
village.

Computer Desktop/Laptop

22. SimCity: This classic game isn't just fun. It also teaches invaluable lessons
about city planning, environmental impact, and even natural disasters.

23. Spore: Your homeschool students can get excited about evolution by playing
this game that takes them through single-celled organisms all the way up to
space exploration and colonization. Players slowly design their own creatures,
adding traits and behaviors along the way that will help or hinder their survival
as they evolve. It's fun, addictive, and sneakily educational.

24. Nancy Drew: Encourage your kids to hone their critical thinking and
problemsolving skills by playing this fun PC game that challenges them to
solve a mystery as girl detective Nancy Drew.

25. ItzaBitza: In ItzaBitza, drawings come to life. Not only that, but it's also
designed to help early readers boost their skills, offering both amazing
creativity, confidence building, and language skills.

26.Crazy Machines: The Wacky Contraptions Game: Build creative machines,

test your contraptions, and put them to work in this imaginative game that
teaches the basics of physics, electricity, gravity, and particle effects.

27. Brainiversity: This Windows-based game will help you and your kids keep
your brains fit and healthy by testing them through mental training sessions.
Mini-games cover language, memory, math, and analysis; all valuable skills to
have in any academic endeavor.
28. Civilization: What makes one civilization thrive while another dies? Players
will learn just that as they build their own empires in this classic game. The
game offers lessons in strategy, ancient and modern cultures, and the
fundamentals of human society; a great accompaniment to history lessons.

29. Hearing Music: Give students ages 5-11 a fun way to boost hearing skills
and learn more about music by supplying them with this fun game-based
learning method.

Online-Based

30. Gamestar Mechanic: You can help your video game-loving kid to embrace
tech skills through this game, which allows young players to design and build
their own video games.

31. Math Blaster: One of the most widely used math games out there, this free
game will make learning math more fun than ever for your young learners.

32. Quest Atlantis: A popular choice at schools across the country, this
educational gaming environment immerses upper elementary and middle
school kids in lessons on everything from science to social issues.

33. Whyville: Through Whyville, kids can create an avatar, play educational
games, hang out with friends, and have fun while doing it!

34. Minecraft: Minecraft isn't just an educational game, it's become a nationwide
phenomenon. As this Slate piece discusses, the addictive game has
captivated students and parents alike. Why? It inspires creativity and problem
solving while also being just, well, fun.

35. Manga High: Math gets a fun makeover on this site, focusing on game-based
learning for students at a wide range of levels. Basic games are free, but the
full suite will cost you.

36. 20Q: The online version of 20 Questions, this site can be used to help
students think and reason.

37.Ology: Created by the Museum of Natural History, this game-filled site is an

excellent resource for lessons in astronomy, biodiversity, genetics,
paleontology, and more.
38. Gamequarium: This site is full of learning-based games that focus on a wide
range of skills and topics. From number games for kindergartners to Spanish
help for middle schoolers, and even a special section for homeschoolers.

39. FunBrain: There are dozens of learning games on this site that kids will love
to play and you'll love for them to learn from. Reading Arcade, Math Baseball,
and Grammar Gorillas are just a few that will become instant classics in your
home.

iPad

40. Rocket Math: At less than a dollar, this excellent math-learning game is a real
value, especially as it has been named one of the best games for kids by a
number of sources. It certainly helps make math fun, providing players with a
whopping 56 different math missions.

41. Toontastic 3D: Kids can build their own animations in this great free game
from Launchpad Toys.

42. Stack the States: Learning about the states has never been so fun. This
game uses a range of games to help young kids learn the names and
locations of states. Geography learners can also play Stack the Countries.

43. Montessori Crosswords: Filled with hands-on, Montessori tested activities,

this game will help improve spelling skills.

44. Fish School: Geared towards young children, this game uses cute fish
graphics to teach the alphabet, numbers, shapes, and colors.

45. Khan Academy: Khan Academy's wealth of educational games is even better
when accessed through a tablet, challenging kids to learn, grow, and get
better in their core subjects.

46. Super Why: Created by PBS, Super Why is a literacy-focused game that
helps build skills in everything from reading to rhyming.

47. Oregon Trail: Kids have been loving and learning from Oregon trail for
decades now. This updated version for the iPad and iPhone is just as fun and
boasts better graphics.

48. Mindsnacks: Language learning in homeschool can be hard if you're not

totally fluent, but games like Mindsnacks can help, quizzing learners on basic
vocabulary words in English, Chinese, French, Italian, Korean, Spanish, and
Vietnamese.
 49. PLATO Achieve: While geared towards school districts, this educational
system based on Common Core Standards can also be a boon to
homeschoolers. You'll find educational tools galore, including a range of
interactive games that touch on topics like math and language learning.

Learning Activities

• How computer games may be use in teaching.

REFERENCES

ACER for Education (2017). The benefits of Gaming in Education: the Build A World
case. Last accessed August 20, 2020 from
https://acerforeducation.acer.com/successstories/the-benefits-of-gaming-in-
education-the-build-a-worldcase/#:~:text=Gaming%20stimulates%20students
%20and%20children,and%20h ave%20high%20self%2Desteem.
EdTechReview (2013). What is GBL (Game-Based Learning)?. Last accessed August
20, 2002 from https://edtechreview.in/dictionary/298-what-is-game-based-learning
Eugenio, S. (2017). 8 Cognitive Benefits of Playing Video Games for Kids. Last
accessed August 20, 2020 from https://www.engadget.com/2017-02-09-8-
cognitivebenefits-of-playing-video-games-for-kids.html
Game Learning (2018). Why Educational Video Games Are So Helpful to Parents,
Teachers and Students: 5 Reasons to Embrace Game-based Learning. Last
accessed August 20, 2020 from https://gamelearning.co/why-educational-
videogames-are-so-helpful-to-parents-teachers-and-students-5-reasons-to-
embracegame-based-learning/
Institute of Progressive Education & Learning (n.d.). Education Computer Games. Last
accessed August 20, 2020 from http://institute-of-progressive-education-
andlearning.org/elearning-i/elearning-educational-entertainment/education-
computergames/
Open Education Database (OEDB) (n.d.). 50 Educational Video Games That
Homeschoolers Love. Last accessed August 20, 2020 from
https://oedb.org/ilibrarian/50-educational-video-games-that-homeschoolers-love/
Spiel Times (2019).The Benefits of Gaming in Education. Last accessed August 20,
2020 from https://www.spieltimes.com/original/the-benefits-of-gaming-in-
education/
Lesson 7 – Developing Instructional Materials using Open-Ended
Tools in Teaching

Instructional materials sometimes referred to as Teachers/Learning Materials

(Wikipedia, 2018) are defined as resources that organize and support instruction, such
as textbooks, tasks, and supplementary resources (Remillard & Heck, 2014 cited in
Shukla, 2018). It refers to the human and non-human materials and facilities that can be
used to ease, encourage, improve and promote teaching and learning activities (IGI
Global, n.d.). They are whatever materials used in the process of instruction (Shukla,
2018). On the other hand, the University of Winsconsin-Madison, (n.d.) defines
Instructional Materials are the content or information conveyed within a course. These
include the lectures, readings, textbooks, multimedia components, worksheets, 3D
models, charts, infographics (Shukla, 2018) and other resources in a course.

Instructional materials are those items that assist the information aspect of
teaching (Shukla, 2018). The best instructional materials are aligned with all other
elements in the course, including the learning objectives, assessments, and activities
(University of Winsconsin-Madison, n.d.).

Shukla (2018) classified instructional materials by type as follows:

• Traditional resources: lectures, talks, writings, project rubrics, guidelines,

textbook primers, reference books, extra-readings, teacher and
studentcreated summaries, workbooks, supplementary material such as
flashcards and charts

• Digital Media: Videos, photos, presentations

• Open Resources: Expert blogs, open-source journals, public databases,

open courseware, forums

• Testing resources: Standardized tests, classroom assignments, online

submissions, quizzes, essays, collaborative projects

“Instructional materials plays a very important role in the teaching-learning

processes which include; (1) Enhancement of the memory level of the students; (2) To
facilitate the teaching-learning process; (3) For the improvement of student rate of
accumulation; (4) Serve as tools used by the teachers to correct wrong impression and
illustration things that, learners cannot forget easily; (5) Assist in giving sense of reality
to the body of knowledge under discussions; (6) It gives lessons a personal look and
encourages teacher’s creativity, and (7) Permit the students and teachers to experience
in concrete terms the learning activities that can promote the idea of self-evaluation”
(Bukoye, R., 2019).

“The use of media to enhance teaching and learning complements traditional

approaches to learning. Effective instruction builds bridges between students'
knowledge and the learning objectives of the course. Using media engages students,
aids student retention of knowledge, motivates interest in the subject matter, and
illustrates the relevance of many concepts” (Mateer, D., n.d.). “Learning materials in
teaching are crucial to the success of student achievement. That is, the instructional
components of lesson planning in teaching depend on the selection of teaching
materials. Teaching materials can support student learning and increase student
success” (Right, 2018).

It is important to understand how to develop instructional materials (Bilbao, P. et.

al. 2019). According to Ololobou, J. & Ndazhaga (1999) cited in Bukoye (2019) some of
the things the teachers must consider before selecting instructional materials include;

1. Consideration for the age and abilities of the learner: It is very important
for the teacher to put into consideration the age and abilities of his students. If
the instructional materials chosen and used are above, it can inhibit learning
rather than promoting effective learning.
2. Instructional materials must be related to the lesson objectives: any
instructional material that is not geared towards helping in the achievement of
the lesson objectives is not worthy to be used in the lesson.
3. Currency of information: any instructional materials that is worthy of use in
the classroom must be current.

Additionally, the Skating Information & Resources enumerated some design concepts
activities related to preparing instructional materials include:

• Develop a working outline of course goals and objectives.

• Identify existing institutional resources. including materials, instructional
designers, and computer programmers
• Research off the shelf materials have been developed by others to determine
if their approach could be useful in your project
• Don't recreate the wheel if you can buy, lease, or existing materials or
programs
• Explore the possibility of adapting a concept without infringe on anyone's copy
protected design.
• Design and/or develop training materials and job aids from "scratch" is a very
time consuming and expensive process.

The aim of instructional materials is to improve students’ knowledge, abilities, and

skills, to monitor their assimilation of information, and to contribute to their overall
development and upbringing (Marbas, J., n.d.). According to Muraina (2015) teaching
aids both in print and those of audio and visual types are of fundamental importance to
the success of teacher education programme. Modern teaching-learning demand that
the necessary facilities, well qualified teachers, suitable texts and instructional materials
are needed to achieve the aims and objectives of teaching at all levels. Provision or
presence of these facilities and materials is of great importance to enhance better and
effective learning in schools (Ralph, 1999 cited in Muraina, 2015).
Learning Activities

• Align the competencies, objectives, and learning activities and IMs that will be
integrated in the procedure of the unit plan.
REFERENCES

Bilbao, P. et. al. (2019). Technology for Teaching and Learning 1. Lorimar Publishing
Inc., 776 Aurora Blvd., cor. Boston Street, Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines.
ISBN: 978621-8035-53-9
Bukoye, R., (2019). Utilization of Instruction Materials as Tools for Effective Academic
Performance of Students: Implications for Counselling. Department of
Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Education and Arts, P.M.B. 11, Lapai
911001, Niger State,
Nigeria. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3900/2/21/1395/pdf
IGI Global (n.d.). What is Instructional Media. Last accessed August 20, 2020 from
https://www.igi-global.com/dictionary/relevance-of-the-use-of-
instructionalmaterials-in-teaching-and-pedagogical-delivery/48956
Marbas, J., (n.d.). The importance of Instructional Materials. Last access August 23,
2020 from
https://www.academia.edu/8704377/THE_IMPORTANCE_OF_INSTRUCTIONAL
_MATERIALS
Mateer, D. (n.d.). Using Media to Enhance Teaching and Learning. Last accessed
August 23, 2020 from https://serc.carleton.edu/sp/library/media/index.html
Muraina, M. (2015). Relevance of the Use of Instructional Materials in Teaching and
Pedagogical Delivery: An Overview. Last accessed August 23, 2020 from
https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/relevance-of-the-use-of-instructional-
materials-in-teaching-and-pedagogical-delivery/133811
Right, J. (2018). The Importance of Learning Materials in Teaching. Last accessed
August 23, 2020 from https://www.theclassroom.com/importance-learning-
materialsteaching-6628852.html
Skating Information & Resources (n.d.). Developing Instructional Materials. Last
accessed August 23, 2020 from
http://iceskatingresources.org/DevelopingInstructionalMaterials.html
Shukla, A., (2018). Teaching aids and Instructional materials- tools for teachers and
students. Last accessed August 20, 2020 from
https://cognitiontoday.com/2018/05/teaching-aids-and-instructional-
materialstools-for-teachers-and-students/
University of Winsconsin-Madison (n.d.). Instructional Media. Last accessed August 20,
2020 from https://designteachengage.wisc.edu/instructional-
 materials/#:~:text=Instructional%20materials%20are%20the%20content,other%2
0resources%20in%20a%20course.
Wikipedia (2018). Instructional Materials. Last accessed August 24, 2020 from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instructional_materials#:~:text=Instructional%20Mate
rials%2C%20also%20known%20as,help%20achieve%20desired%20learning%2
0objectives.