Lesson 11: The Computer as a the teachers tool

 

Constructivism was introduced by Piaget (1981) and Bruner (1990). They give stress to knowledge discovery of new meaning /concepts principles in the learning process. Various strategies have been suggested to foster knowledge discovery, among these , is making students engaged in gathering unorganized information from which they can induce ideas and principles. Students are also asked to apply discovered knowledge to new situations, a process for making their knowledge applicable to real life situations.

While knowledge is constructed by the individual learner in constructivism, knowledge can also be socially constructed. Social constructivism is an effort to show that the construction of knowledge is governed by social, historical, and cultural contexts. In effect, this is to say that the learner who interprets knowledge has a predetermined point of view according to the social perspectives of the community or society he lives in.

The psychologist Vygotsky stressed that learning is affected by social influences. He therefore suggested the interactive process in learning. The more capable adult (teacher or parent) or classmate can aid or complement what the learner sees in a given class project. In addition, Dewey sees language as a medium for social coordination and adaptation. For Dewey human learning is really human language that occurs when students socially share, build and agree upon meanings and knowledge.

In instruction using instructional tools are necessary in teaching because these will aid the teacher in teaching the students well in order for them to really grasp the concept of whatever the topic is being tackled. Nowadays because students are more visual learners and they will learn best if they would be able to see the microscopic concept instead of just oral explanation that’s why most of the teachers are using technology like computers by projecting images on screen for the benefits of the students. Also, some of the teacher are using film showing as part of their instruction to help students in their learning and it can really catch someone’s attention so it can be of great help in maintaining the class’ participation.

Without integrating computer in instruction maybe we are still using the traditional way of preparing visual aids which is stressful for the teacher’s part. But because of computer assisted instruction, and using computer as part of the instruction, it will be very convenient for the teacher to teach because aside from simulation, images can be seen in order for the students to grasp the topic well if they are visual spatial learner. Though it is very helpful, a teacher must be sensitive enough because this type of instruction is best suited to visual learners only.

Because of the use of a computer as a teacher’s tool, learning is easy and class is no longer boring because student’s interests are already taken into consideration. Thus, there will be an active participation between the teacher and the students. One important application of these is by using an LCD television in class discussion wherein students can freely see what are happening beyond the macroscopic level of the things that are happening around us.