Lesson 2

Understanding the Basic Concepts in ICT

At the end of the lesson, the students should have:

1. Defined conceptually or operationally terms that are basic to the
Lesson Objectives understanding of ICT; and
2. Used the concepts and terms in communicating with peers for
further understanding

"I think we need to be careful not to get too specific (i.e. technology = computers) while at the same
time not getting so broad that our definition of technology includes everything from pencil and
paper to lasers and computers. I'd like to see us define technology in a manner that looks at
electronic tools we use to enhance teaching and learning." Sally, grade teacher from Joy Egbert
(2009).

Which word are you familiar with? Mark the word with an X. How many have you
identified? Compare your performance with your classmate.
 EXPLORE

Let us explore various resources to have a clear understanding of this lesson. Let
us unpack some concepts and terms related to technology for teaching and learning. You
can further find more explanation in this book as you go along with your lessons or in
other references in the library or in the web.

Here are some terms and concepts that you need to know and understand.

1. Technology refers to a mix of process and product used in the application of

knowledge. It includes tools from pencil and paper to the latest electronic gadgets
and tools for practical tasks.
2. Information and Communication Technology Literacy or ICT Literacy is the use
of digital technology, communication tools and/or networks to access, manage,
integrate, evaluate, create and communicate information in order to function in a
knowledge society (Guro 21, 2011).
3. Educational Technology refers to the use of technology in teaching and learning.
Educational technology includes both the non-digital (flip charts, pictures, models,
realias, etc.) and digital (electronic tools: hardware, software and connections,
etc.).
4. Digital Literacy is the ability to find, evaluate, utilize, share and create contents
using information technologies and the Internet (Cornell University). According
to American Library Association (2018), digital literacy is the ability to use
information and communication, requiring both cognitive and technical skills
(hptts:// edweek.org. downloaded 06-03-18).
5. Digital learning is any type of learning that is accompanied by technology or by
instructional practice that makes effective use of technology It encompasses the
application of a wide spectrum of practices which included blended or virtual
learning. It can come as online or off-line which utilizes digital technology.
6. On-line digital tools and apps use an Internet connection to access the information
needed. A common example is Skype. It is a telecommunication application
software product that specializes in providing video chat and voice calls between
computers, tablets, mobile devices via Internet and to regular telephones.
7. Off-line digital tools and apps can still be used even if there is no internet access.
Among these are Canary Learning, Pocket, Evertone, ibooks, KA LITE (Gupta,
Prinyaka, 2017) downloaded in edtech review (July 03, 2017).
8. Instructional technology is the theory anf practice of design, development,
utilization, management, and evaluation of the processes and resources for
 learning (Association for Educational Communications and Technology, Seels,
B.B. & Richey, P. C. 1994).
9. Software refers to program control instructions and accompanying
documentation; stored on disks or tapes when not being used in the computer. By
extension, the term refers to any audiovisual materials (Smaldino, 2005).
10. Multimedia is a sequential or simultaneous use of a variety of media formats in a
given presentation or self-study program (Smaldino, 2005).
11. Internet is a massive network of networks, a networking infrastructure. It connects
millions of computers together globally, forming a network in which any
computer can communicate with any other computer as long as they are connected
to the Internet. It is generally defined as a global network connecting millions of
computers (https://www.webopedia.com).
12. World Wide Web (www) is also called the Web which is a graphical environment
on computer networks that allows you to access, view and maintain
documentations that can include text, data, sound and videos. (Smaldino, 2005). It
is a way of accessing information over the medium of the Internet. It is an
information sharing model that is built on top of the Internet.
13. Web access is the ability of the learner to access the Internet at any point during
the lesson in order to take advantage of the array of available education resources.
14. Webquest is an inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most or all information
that learners work with comes from the web. These can be created using various
programs, including simple word processing documents that include links to
websites.
15. Productivity tools refer to any type of software associated with computers and
related technologies that can be used as tools for personal, professional or
classroom productivity. Examples: Microsoft Office, Apple works – word
processing, grade and record keeping, web page production, presentation) (KFIT-
Unesco 2016)
16. Technology Tool is an instrument used for doing work. It can be anything that
help you accomplish your goal with the use of technology. These technology tools
can be classified as:
(a) Data/Calculation tools. Examples: spreadsheets, Excels, Sketchpads,
probability constructor
(b) Design tools. These are used to make models and designs, creating and
building. Included here are Family Tree Maker, GollyGee, and Crazy
Machines among others.
(c) Discussion tools. There are 4 different approaches that utilize discussion
and interaction in the Internet. These are threaded discussion forum,
Blogging, Live chat and Video Teleconferencing, Netiquette and Safety on
the Net.
 (d) Email tools. Emails are great communication tools for sending messages,
photographs, videos and other files. It allows you to reach out to others
around the world. Examples are google mail, Ymail, Yahoo mail and many
more.
(e) Handheld devices. Handheld devices have become popular among
learners. These include Personal Digital Assistants, global positioning
system, (GPS) and geographic information system (GIS) in the classroom,
Portable electronic keyboards, Digital Cameras, Mobile phones, Palm,
Handheld computers,
17. Webquest is a teacher structured research experience for the students that is
primarily based on use of the World Wide Web and typically takes one or more
instructional periods (Bender & Waller, 2011).
18. Blog is an online journal where posted information from both teachers and
students are arranged. There are three kinds of blogs: blogs used for
communication, blogs used for instruction, and blogs used for both (Ferriter &
Garry, 2010).
19. Wiki, an editable website usually with limited access, allows students to
collaboratively create and post written work or digital files, such as digital photos
or videos. Wikipedia is one of the most widely recognized of all the wikis (Watters,
2011).
20. Flipped classroom utilizes a reverse instructional delivery, where the teacher is
required to use the web resources as homework or out of class activity as initial
instruction of the lesson which will be discussed during classtime.
21. Podcast is a video or audio multi-media clip about a single topic typically in the
format of the radio talk show. The two basic functions of podcast are to retrieve
information and to disseminate information (Eash, 2006).
22. Google Apps is a cloud-based teaching tool which is stored in the Google server
and is available for students both at home and in school. It includes the gmail, a
free-email for all; Google calendar - a tool used for organizational purposes;
Google sites that provide options for developing blogs and wikis; and Google docs
is used for sophisticated word processing and editing of the document.
23. Vlog is a video blog where each entry is posted as a video instead of the text.
24. Facebook is a popular social networking site used by students and adults
worldwide to present information on themselves and to the world.
25. VOIP (voice over internet protocol) is a category of hardware and software that
enables people to use the Internet as transmission medium for telephone calls by
sending voice data in packets using IP rather than traditional circuit transmission.