Learning Log 5

1. Which topic do you find most significant? Why?

The most significant topic for me, is the Project-Based Learning. Knowing and learning what, why and how it is to be apply in the classroom is very important especially for me as a future teacher. I had learned that there is this kind of teaching learning approach that is not a traditional approach of teaching where students are involved in real life situation, student-centered where students work independently to construct their own learning and students self-confidence will be developed. Project-Based Learning will not just help the teachers do less paper work but it will also help the students become a self-directed learners. It may requires several steps and longer periods of implementation because of course the process is not that easy but the outcome to the students would be worth it. Their decision-making, inquiry and communication skills will developed and they will become technologically literate.

2. Which topic do you find most difficult to understand? Why?

The topics I find most difficult to understand was the design principles in week 4. There a lot of principles or model discussed there and I got a little bit confused studying all of them where in fact its goal is just the same, the proper use of technology in the classroom. But as I re-read each one of the models and re-watched the videos, I was somehow enlightened and things were clearer than before.

3. How do you find the use of our website (gg.gg)? Is it useful or not? Suggest ways to improve it.

The use of the website gg.gg was very useful to us. We can access it anywhere as long as it has internet connection at any computer or laptop or gadgets which we find it very helpful. All the lessons in ED 126 are in that site and it's easy for us to download all the power points in every lesson to have a copy and notes for studying.

4. The new paradigm of education is done by creating, engaging and inspiring learning experiences. Was the semester inspiring and engaging to you as a student of ED 126? Why?

Yes, because I have learned a lot. I learned that each google apps have their own uses and functions in educational purposes. I was engaged on technology more and I was also able to enhanced my technology skills. I am inspired and at the same time excited to become a teacher because I am now thinking on how I will be able to apply, teach and impart to my students the different methods, designs and learning tools I have learned from this class. 

5. Suggest ways on how to improve the teaching and learning process in educational technology subject (ED 126)?

The only thing I can suggest to improve the teaching and learning process in ED 126 is just maybe it's way better that there will be individual/group reporting and some activities for the students to be able to participate and learn the lessons by their own. Because as I have observed not just in this subject but in others also, students are too dependent to the teacher if the teaching process is spoon-feeding. Students cannot master or remind one topic if the lesson is taught by the teacher alone, while if there is some reporting in class they can master at least one topic, their own report topic.

Learning Log 4

We need to develop self-directed learners because it is very important that learners will know and develop on their own for them to be fully equipped and future-ready. Developing self-directed learners have a lot of benefits to the learners as well as to the teachers. A self-directed learner have no boundaries in curiosity and with that he can experience empowerment through the power of choice and decision-making on what, when, and how to learn. They also develop their self-confidence, initiative, perseverance and life satisfaction. They choose to work collaboratively and empower others rather than ask for help from them. A self-directed learner will have no problem in his working place in the future for he will have all the characteristics of being a leader and being responsible. And as for the teacher, it is a stress-free to them because they will not have much time in teaching but they will focus on assessing and evaluating their students. Spoon feeding will be avoided also. In order of our students to be a well-rounded person we need to develop them to become a self-directed learners.

As a future teacher, I will help my students become self-directed learners by using the scaffolding approach of teaching. According to The Glossary of Education Reform for Journalists, Parents and Community Members, scaffolding refers to a variety of instructional techniques used to move students progressively toward stronger understanding and, ultimately, greater independence in the learning process. So as a future teacher, I will give the class a group activity pairing the advanced learners with the novice ones in that way there will be collaboration with each other. In asking question, I will first say the question, pause for awhile for the student to think the answer, then praise him for answering the question. In that way the student will be motivated to answer and to learn because I appreciated him. And of course in giving my lesson, I will give simplified or mini-lessons rather give it as a whole. I will chunk the lessons for my students to gradually understand and absorb it as I will teach to them. Helping the students to become self-directed learners is a challenging one especially for me. But as I will teach in the future I will make it sure that my students will get the knowledge and learning they really deserved and that they will become a self-directed learners.

In helping my students become a self-directed learner, the student-support materials I will use are the following. The essential, unit and content questions in my unit plan would be useful. It will help the students to think critically and have curiosity. In activity that needs evaluation, I will provide a rubric to have a fair judgement. They will also times that they will rate their own peer in that way they will be able to give feedback or judgments to their peers and vice versa and as well, they will be able to learn from their peers. It's all about give and take. I can also use the web quest especially it is a student-centered activity. It deals with students on how they can find sources in answering the questions. It also collaborative where they can work as a team depending on the instruction of the activity. I will also let them have their own blogs to express what, how they have learned, their day to day experiences and in managing their own learning process and to monitor their own progress. The graphs, maps, and other educational software like google drive, blogger, google sites and etc. will also help my students become a self-directed learner well, of course with the help and guide from me as their teacher.