1B_4 Activity 3: Learners' Charter

The collaborative document used in this activity is a very important and effective learning tool. It enabled us to share our ideas in a co-operative way and at the same time afforded us the opportunity to learn from each other's contribution. As  learners we have different rights and expectations. It is my view that one of my rights as a learner is to be taught  using a variety of methods and tools including ICT in the classroom. I am also expecting  the curriculum to drive the use of technology.

2A_5 Activity 4B- Lesson Plan integrating the word Processor

This lesson went according to plans. My role was not one of providing information for the students but that of  facilitating the lesson as students have been exposed to the word processor and the internet from the mobile ITC classes that they do weekly. They were actively and constructively involved in the lesson. They co-operated very well with each other and there were smooth transitions between the activities.The only thing that I would have done differently was to allot more time to this lesson because at times the internet was very slow and as a result the lesson went over the allotted time.

2A_5 Activity 5: Spreadsheets for administrative purposes 'Record Book'

This activity( record book) was a challenge for me. I went through steps 1 through 13 within forty-five minutes,however; when I went to step 14 it almost took me an hour.  It was nevertheless a great activity that would aid administrators in keeping better records at school. Once you can use the formulas correctly, it would come easier. Practice, practice, practice!!!

Activity 3- 2A_5: Word Processor for Lesson Preparation

The word processor can be a very effective  tool in lesson preparation. It can help to enhance the appearance of tests, worksheets and notes. A variety of images and shapes can be inserted into your documents from word art clip art as well as auto shapes. One would also be able to create table and a host of charts to help clarify certain concepts for students. It helps to increase efficiency in lesson preparation.

Activity2- 2A_5: Word Processor as an administrative tool

The word processor is a very effective administrative tool. It can be used during the admission process, storing of officials and students' records as well as educational planning, decision making, controlling, assisting instruction and communicating.

2A_5 Activity 4A- Students' use of the word processor in learning

Students may use the word-processor for the following purposes

• Journal writing
• Create shapes poster in Mathematics
• Make business correspondences
• Edit and revise their writing
• Write their school based assessments, essays, and other research projects 
• Construct posters, flyers, book covers or cover pages, invitations, letters, letter heads and other creative art related paraphernalia
• Create newsletters, write poems and songs

Activity2- 1B_4:Two Generations of Teachers: Differences in Attitudes towards ICT

 After reading the article in this activity, the following two conclusions were drawn:

1. ICT is not widely used in the classroom due to the limited technical support and professional advice that teachers receive when they encounter difficulties with hardware or software.

2. Much training is not made available to teachers in the use of ICT and this caused them to develop negative attitudes towards using ICT in the classroom.

*Module 1B-4: Activity 1: Conclusions from the discussion on ICT integration in developing countries

I have had the opportunity to read a few of my colleague's discussions on the topic and it is quite evident that availability of finance is a key factor that is hindering developing nations such as ours from competing with Developed nations in integrating ICT in schools. A host of factors rely solely on finance and without its availability various technological tools and resources cannot be adequately provided in addition to training of Teachers and maintenance of these tools.Vandalism is also another factor that must be addressed if we are to be competitive. Despite the fact that some colleagues are adamant that developing nations can compete, I still maintain that we would not be competing but merely playing catch up. I t would be very good to compete but the reality is that essential scarce resources are needed.

Activity 1 Goup 2A-5 Ways in which ICT can support the roles of the educator and Reflective Comments

Based on the postings from my group members it is evident that ICT will provide a wide variety of tools,equipment and strategies as well as motivation which are key components to the development of effective teaching-learning experience. Teachers would be able to make learning more active, constructive,authentic at at  the same time a cooperative venture.Teachers would be more inclined to change their pedagogy in order to prepare students for the future. ICT can enable the teachers to improve the richness of the learning experience and to focus on process rather than product. The teacher will now be better able to act as a guide on the side as opposed to the creator of knowledge.

Module 1B-4: Activity 1: Audit of my school’s ICT use (what we have and what we do with it)

Self-activity –

By Temika Christian

How ICT is used in my school

•  To communicate information to Education Officers within the Ministry of Education as well as other schools via e-mails.
•    Teachers research content materials for different subject areas as well as lesson plans on the internet and also search for class activities.
•  CD’s that accompany textbooks are used on the computer.
• Songs are downloaded from the internet for students to sing on the school’s choir. 
• Students are taught basic computer literacy skills once per week by an IT Teacher on the mobile IT bus. 
•   Invitations, flyers and tickets for various events are created on the computer.

ICT tools that are available at my school 

Presently, my school only possesses 12 computers of which only 6 are operational. There are also three printers but only one works.There are no other ICT tools present .

Reflections

Despite the internet problems that we encountered earlier in the first day's session, the training was excellent. I pray that we would all stay in this course to the end and where necessary support each other.

Col

Hi All,

Welcome to Col. I hope we could all have fun together in this learning environment. All the best.

Regards,

Temika  Christian