LESSON 11 The Computer as the Teacher’s Tool

In my previous blog, we have talked about how the computer acts as a tutor, particularly along a behaviorist and constructivist approach to learning.  And as a promise, this blog post will be all about computer, again, but as the teacher’s handy-tool, supporting the constructivist and social constructivist standards of learning.

Constructivism, a very common term to educators, was introduced by Jean Piaget and Jerome Bruner. They gave emphasis to knowledge discovery of new meanings/concepts/principles in the learning process. Various strategies have been suggested to foster knowledge discovery. For example, making students engaged in gathering unorganized information from which they can induce ideas and principles. Students are asked to apply the discovered knowledge to new situations, a process for making their knowledge applicable to real life situations.

Jean Piaget and Jerome Bruner

While knowledge is constructed by the individual learner in constructivism, knowledge can be also socially constructed, social constructivism. It is an effort to show that the construction of knowledge has a predetermined point of view according to the social perspective of the community or society he/she lives in. Psychologist like Lev Vygotsky emphasized that learning is affected by social influences. He suggested the interactive process in learning. The more capable adult or classmate can aid or complement what the learner sees in a given class project. 

Lev Vygotsky

The table below is the summary of the two learning perspective:

Learning Framework	Constructivism	Social Constructivism
Assumption	Knowledge is constructed by the individual	Knowledge is constructed within a social context
Definition of Learning	Students build their own learning	Students build knowledge influenced by the social context
Learning Strategies	Gather unorganized information to create new concept/principle	Exchange and share form ideas, stimulates thinking
General Orientation	Personal discovery of knowledge	Students discuss and discover meanings
Example	8 x 5 – 8 + 8 + 8 + 8 + 8	Two alternative job offers Option #1: 8 hours/day for 6 days per week Option #2: 9 hours/day for 5 days per week

And now were done with the two learning perspectives, we will move on to the computer’s capabilities. The computer can provide access to information, foster creative social knowledge-building, and enhance the communication of the achieved project packaged given t’s presents-day speed, flexibility and sophistication. Without computer, today’s learners may still be assuming the tedious tasks of low-level information gathering, building and new knowledge packaging. Based on the two learning theories, the teacher can employ the computer as:

An Informational tool

• The computer can provide vast amounts of information in various forms, such as texts, graphics, sound and video. Even multimedia encyclopedias are today available on the Internet.

A Communication tool

• Given the fact that Internet can serve as a channel for global communication, the computer can very well be the key tool for video teleconferencing sessions.

A Constructive tool

• The computer itself can be used for manipulating information, visualizing one’s understanding, and building new knowledge. 

A Co-constructive tool

• One way of co-construction is the use of electronic whiteboard where students may post notices to a shared document/whiteboard.

A Situating tool

• By means of virtual reality (RS) extension system, the computer can create 3-D images on display to give the users the feeling that are situated in a virtual environment. A flight simulation program is an example of a situating tool which places the user in a simulated flying environment.

The computer has provided as different uses, gives us advantages and convenience. The trend nowadays is information technology which makes use the computer in all its applications. Computers have been already used in schools to provide and facilitate students’ learning. It is obvious that even the youngest generation knew about it and how it is being used. Student’s make their assignments, create projects, and do researches with the use of computer. It really seemed that our present civilization is dependent on computers. It is in anyway advantageous if used wisely and purposely.

Japan, China, Korea and other countries already made used of the use of computer as a teacher; programmed to teach and be objective. Others also can study anywhere in the world without going to schools and be seated inside a classroom. One can already facilitate his own learning through the computer. It can provide vast information, provides easier communication and facilitates constructivism among minds of learners. 

Nowadays, the effectiveness of a classroom can be depending on how you use computer in your class. If you don’t incorporate the computers, the class will be a bit boring. The computers are in our hands so all of we need is to treasure the good things it bring to our daily teaching.