MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO TECHNOLOGY FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING

“Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the
teacher is most important.”

– Bill Gates –

Lesson 1: Understanding the Basic Concepts Related to Technology

The following terms and concepts are related to technology that you need to digest.

Technology refers to methods, processes, and devices used for practical purposes. It includes
instruments from pencil and paper to modern electronic gadgets and tools for the practical
task.

Information and Communication Technology and Literacy or ICT Literacy is the use of digital
technology, communication tools and networks to access, manage, integrate, evaluate,
create and communicate information (Guro 21, 2011).

Educational Technology refers to the utilization of technology in teaching and learning, which
includes both the non-digital (flip charts, pictures, models, realia, etc.). And digital
(electronic tools: hardware, software, and connections, etc.).

Digital Literacy refers to the ability to discover, assess, utilize, share, and generate content with the
use of information technologies and the internet (Cornell University).

Digital Learning is an instructional practice that utilizes technology to reinforce students’ learning
experience. It covers the use of a broad spectrum of processes that comprises blended or
virtual learning. It can come as online or off-line, which utilizes digital technology

Online Digital Tools and Apps use an Internet connection to access the information needed, like
Skype. It is a telecommunication application software product that focuses on providing
video chat and video calls between computers, tablets, mobile devices via the Internet and
to regular telephones.

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).

Instructional Technology refers to the theory and 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).

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 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).

Internet is a massive network of networks, a networking infrastructure. It connects millions of

computers 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 (http://www.webopedia.com).

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World Wide Web (www) is also called a Web, which is a graphical environment on computer
networks that allows you to access, view, and maintain documentation 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.

Web Access is the ability of the learner to access the Internet at any point during the lesson to take
advantage of the array of available educational resources.

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.

Productivity Tools refers 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).

Technology Tool is an instrument used for doing work. It can be anything that helps 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 design, creating, and building.
Included here are Family Tree Maker, GollyGee, and Crazy Machines, among others.
c. Discussion Tools. Four different approaches utilize discussion and interaction on
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.

Webquest is a teacher structured research experience for the students that are primarily based on
the use of the World Wide Web and typically takes one or more instructional periods (Bender
& Waller, 2011).

Blog is an online journal where posted information from both teachers and students is arranged.
There are three kinds of blogs: blogs used for communication, blogs used for instruction, and
blogs used for both (Ferriter & Garry, 2010).

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).

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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 class time.

Podcast is a video or audio multi-media clip about a single topic typically in the format of the radio
talk show. The two essential functions of a podcast are to retrieve information to disseminate
information (Eash, 2006).

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-mail for all; Google
calendar – a tool used for organizational purposes; Google sites that provide options for
developing blogs and wikis; and Google docs are used for sophisticated word processing and
editing for the document.

Vlog is a video blog where each entry is posted as a video instead of the text.

Facebook is a popular social networking site used by students and adults worldwide to present
information on themselves and the world.

VOIP (voice over internet protocol) is a category of hardware and software that enables people to
use the Internet as a transmission medium for telephone calls by sending voice data in
packets using IP rather than traditional circuit transmission

Lesson 2: Roles of Technology for Teaching and Learning

According to Stosic (2015), educational technology has three domains:

1. Technology as a tutor. Technology can support the teachers, tutors and other
professionals to help students learn better.

2. Technology as a teaching tool. Technology can be used as an instrument in teaching.

3. Technology as a learning tool. Technology makes learning easier and more effective. use
these tools for learning for life.

A. For Teachers and Teaching

1. Provides essential support to teachers.

2. Modernizes the teaching-learning environment.

3. Enhances teaching-learning methods and strategies in teaching.

4. Opens opportunities for educational research.

5. Improves the capability of teachers and inculcates scientific attitude.

6. Serves as an avenue for teacher professional development.

7. Encourages scientific attitude.

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 B. For Learners and Learning

1. Supports learners on learning how to learn on their own.

2. Develops the communication skills of learners through social interactions.

3. Augments learners’ higher-order-thinking skills: critical thinking, problem solving

and creativity.

MODULE SUMMARY

• Important terms and concepts related to technology were defined and discussed like
technology, educational technology, instructional technology, information and
communication technology, digital literacy and digital learning, digital tools, technology tool,
and other terms related to modern technology.

• In addition, educational technology has three domains: tutor, a teaching tool, and a learning
tool. Educational technology is useful for teachers for it augments their performance in
teaching. It is also beneficial for students because it supports learning, improves
communication skills, and enhances higher-order thinking skills.

References:

Bilbao, P., Dequilla, M.A.C., Rosana, D., & Boholano, H. (2019). Technology for Teaching and
Learning 1. Lorimar Publishing, Inc., Cubao, Quezon City

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