Lesson 11:

The Computers as a Tool

In the previous lesson, we saw how the computer can act as a tutor, particularly
a long a behaviorist and cognitive at approach to a learning. But we also saw
how certain computer software programs have been developed to foster other
thinking skills and creativity.

In the Lesson, we shall again look at the computer, but this time from another
perspective the computer as the teachers handy tool. It can in fact support
the constructivist and social constructivist paradigms if learning.
Constructivism was introduced by Piaget (1981) and Brunet (1990).They gave
stress t 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 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 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 school coordination and adaptation. For Dewey human learning
is really human languishing in that occurs when students socially share, build
and agree upon meanings and knowledge.
Learning Framework Constructivism Social Constructivism
Assumption Knowledge is Knowledge is
constructed by the constructed within s
individual social context
Definition of Learning Students build
Students build their own knowledge influenced by
learning the social context

Learning Strategies Gather unorganized Exchange and share

information to create new form ideas, stimulates
concept/principle thinking
General Orientation Personal Discovery of Student discuss and
Knowledge discover meanings
Figure 7: Summary of the two learning perspective

The Computers Capabilities

Given its present-day speed, flexibility and sophistication, the computer can
provide access to information, foster creative social knowledge-building, and
enhance the communication of the achieved project package. Without the
computer todays learners may still be assuming the tedious task of low-level
information gathering, building new knowledge packaging. But this is not so,
since the modern computer can help teacher-and-students to focus on more
high level cognitive tasks.

Based on the two learning theories, the teacher can employ the computer as
a/an:

An information tool
A communication tool
A constructive tool
As co-constructive tool
 A situating tool
Informative tool. The computer can provide vast amounts of information in
various forms, such as text, graphics, sound, and video. Even multimedia
encyclopedias are today available on the internet.
The learner itself provides an enormous database from which user an access
global information resources that includes the latest news, weather forecasts,
airline schedule, sports development, entertainment news and features has well
as educational information directly use to learners. The Internet on Education
can be sourced for kinds of educational resources on the internet.

Along the constructivists point of view, it is not enough for learners to download
relevant information using the computer as information too. Students can use
catered information for composition or presentation projects as may be assigned
by the teacher. Given the fact that the internet can serve as a channel for global
communication, the computer can very well be the key tool for video
teleconferencing sessions.

Constructive Tool. The computer itself can be used for manipulating

information, visualizing ones understanding, and building new knowledge. The
Microsoft Word computer program itself is desktop publishing software that
allows user to organize and present their ideas in attractive formats.
Co-constructivist tools. Students can use co-constructive tools to work
cooperatively and construct a shared understanding of new knowledge. One
way of co-construction is the use it f the electronic whiteboard where students
may post notices to a shared document/whiteboard. Students may also cover it
the same document from their homes.
The Computer-Supported Intentional Learning Environments (CSILE) is an
example of an integrated environment developed by the Ontario Institute for
Studies in Education. Within CSIL, students can enter their ideas in notes and
respond to each others ideas. Manifest in the student-generated database re
higher Kevel thinking processes-explaining, problem solving/finding, expertise
and development, literacy improvement
Situating tool.By means of virtual reality (RS) extension systems, the computer
can create 3-D images on display to give the user the feeling that are situated in
virtual environment. A flight simulation program is an example of a situating tool
which places the user in simulated flying environment.
Multi-User Domains or Dungeons (MUDs), MUD Object-Oriented (MOOs), and
Multi-User Shared Hallucination (MUSHs) are examples of situating systems.
MUDs and MOOs are mainly text-based virtual reality environments on the
internet. When users log on to a MOO environment, they may interact with the
virtual reality (such as by writing on a notice board) through simple text-based
commands. A school-to-school or classroom-to-classroom environment is
possible whereby the user can choose to walk around the campus, talk with
other users who are logged to the same site.

To caution users, the computer as a situating tool is news and still undergoing
further research and development.
 Republic of the Philippines
Ramon Magsaysay Technological University
Castillejos Campus
S.Y. 2016-2017

Written Report
In
Ed MS 9: Educational Technology II
Lesson 11: The Computer as a Teachers Tool

Submitted to:
Reymond D. Espiritu

Submitted by:
Gerlie Inocencio
John Benedict Reguindin
May-Ann Vertudazo

Date submitted:
December 14, 2016