Topic 5 (Administrative Software: Word Processing & Desktop Publishing.)

In every school, everyone has an important job that contributes to support of the students who attend the school and to the effective operation of the school itself. Administrators, like teachers, often struggle to find the time and help that enable them to manage their critical role in school operations. Just as they can in the classroom, computers and software can lend a helping hand in the school office.

In my role as a lecturer, I used Microsoft word to do Quizzes, exam paper and reports. Some of the functions of word processing software include:

• Creating, editing, saving and printing documents
• Copying, pasting, moving and deleting text within a document
• Formatting text, such as font type, bold, underlined and italicized
• Creating and editing tables
• Inserting elements from other software, such as illustrations and photographs
• Correcting spelling and grammar

Desktop Publishing (DTP) is a combination of word processing and graphic design. DTP Used to develop elegant documents. In olden times, DTP was used for designing magazines, newspapers and other professional-looking items. These days, because of the technology rapid changing, it is used for less- demanding and only does a task ordinary.

Computer software can be divided into two major categories. The first category is administrative software, that is, software that assists an educator in accomplishing the administrative, professional, and management tasks associated with the profession. The second category is academic software, or software that assists both educators and learners in the teaching and learning process itself. Both types of software are important tools for educators in helping them work efficiently and effectively as classroom managers, educational professionals, and, ultimately, architects of the learning environment.

The critical role of software in education is consistent with the role of software in many other aspects of contemporary life. Few businesses could do without the use of software. Word processing has become as critical a skill as typing once was. Spreadsheets are essential for accounting, budgeting, and other financial tasks. The use of the Internet and its support software for information, sales, and communication is as commonplace as the use of a library or telephone. For teachers, the role of software is no less important for their administrative and academic tasks.

Productivity software remains the most widely used software in education, with word processing software at the top of the list. This is not a surprise because word processors can be used in so many different subject areas.

Other productivity software includes spreadsheet software, presentation software, and database software. Many of these software categories are found with regularity in our classrooms. Productivity software spans a vast array of business related applications, and its main function is to help people be more productive.

Some educational software is designed for teachers (e.g., grade book software, attendance software), while others (academic software) are designed to be used by students.

When choosing software for your classroom, you should always consider the many needs and learning styles of your students. There is no software package that can replace you and there is no software solution that will work effectively with every student. A good teacher is still very much the key to good instruction and classroom management.

Topic 4 (Digital Technologies in the Classroom. Emerging Digital Technologies for the Classroom.)

When we recall back the teaching and learning  traditional, student categories in passive learning with teacher-centered. Which is  center of attention and provider of information. The curriculum is fragmented and student didn't have freedom to show their idea and creativity. Educators do not trust students and vice versa. No student motivation. Compare to 21st century, more influenced by technology. which is we can named it classroom in the clouds.

Technology has lately become the closest human kind has to a physical manifestation of God. No matter we are, regardless of we are doing, we cannot escape it; it is an omniscient and omnipresent force. Whether we are toiling away at work, scribbling notes in the classroom, or relaxing at the beach or in the park either ourselves or someone around us is using some form of technology or is carrying it on their person. Not surprisingly, this “transformation” has serious implications for us in the space of education. Nearly all institutions – business, industry, medicine, science and government – have harnessed aspects of these technologies for decades.

In this modern era of 21st century, the infusion of technology into teaching and learning has a remarkable influence on the instructional strategies of the educational institutions. The traditional teacher-centric method which has been going on for decades has now been modified and enhanced, owing to technology. In contrast to the traditional methods, the modern learning environments, students play an active role in their learning process and determine how to reach their desired learning outcomes on their own.

Integrating Technology with classroom Pedagogy

The effective use of technology in the curriculum should be not viewed as an add-on or something that is taught in isolation: rather, it needs to be effectively integrated across all key learning areas. As stated by Michael Fullan, a leading change expert, “Pedagogy is the driver, technology is the accelerator”. Experience shows that students will learn how to best use technology at the point of need and for an authentic purpose.It is essential that teachers give students the time to explore how to use these technological tools and provide opportunities for them to communicate with each other regarding the tips and tricks they discover along the way in an authentic context.

Benefits

Integrating technology into the classroom is definitely a great way to reach diversity in learning styles. It gives students the chance to interact with their classmates more by encouraging collaboration. Technology helps the teachers prepare students for the real world environment. As our nation becomes increasingly more technology-dependent, it becomes even more necessary that to be successful citizens, students must learn to be tech-savvy. It also helps students stay engaged. Today’s students love technology so they are sure to be interested in learning if they can use the tools they love. The motivation student will be increased.

Topic 3 (The Evolution of Educational Technology. Understanding Personal Computers.)

When I read this topic, automatically my mind wills flashback the memory of childhood. I was smile and I can’t control myself to compare the past and current lives. I can say that a lot of thing is changes example building, streets, electronic devices, foods and especially education. Through education i still am running to adapt the changes especially in technology. Today our life more influences on technology. 

Building

Foods

Streets

 Education

In the past, education was very traditional. Schools were still very simple and traditional. Many people did not really go to a formal school. They chose to study with their parents at home. They were only taught how to farm, plant, or breed pets. They only learned how to survive to live in very simple ways. But now education becomes very important. Children must go to school and learn many subjects like, mathematics, chemistry, and so on. They also can go to a cheap school or the expensive one if the parents have much money. The facilities are also very complete for example, laboratory, gymnasium, music room and many more. 

Now instead of relying only on a teacher and a textbook, students should be learning from each other and from countless of sources online. In fact, they already are. Therefore, both educators and education companies should engage learners online and off, through desktops and mobile devices, at night and on weekends. We should harness the learning activity data that is growing every day to give more insight to instructors—and students and parents—to help them improve.

So far, the overall impact of technology in education has been modest compared to its impact in other fields. According to Pew research, 60 percent of students say their technology expectations are still not being met. But it is clear that today's students have more options than ever, with virtual schools, open education initiatives and massive open online courses, and online classes and programs.

Personal computer Timeline

Below are the Educational Technology Timeliness:

Topic 2 (Creating Lesson Plan Using the Dynamic Instructional Design Model)

Topic 2 (Creating Lesson Plan Using the Dynamic Instructional Design Model)

This topic is about a learning environment as applied to education and how to creating lesson plan using the dynamic instruction design model: includes all the conditions, circumstances, and influences that affect the learner’s development.

In 21^st century learning, the students become to more advanced compare to 20 century learning. The students wanted to be challenged and inspired in their learning. They want to collaborate and work with their peers. They want to incorporate the technology they love into their classroom experiences as much as they can. In short, they have just as high a set of expectations of their educators as their educators have of them. Well, in this modern era of technology, the solution becomes very simple, to utilize technology to keep your creativity intact and flowing. Actually, the overall school system has contributed towards the deterioration of creativity of student. This system makes student victims of the education agenda where certain subjects and skills are prioritized over others to prepare students for rustic and monotonous careers which require mechanical and systemic thinking rather than critical thinking and intellectual creativity. All this calls for a dire need to look for ways by which we can redress the situation and give back life to creativity in classrooms using technology. Yes, technology, which is something that students love and use the most, can be of great help to us in this endeavour and here’s how various technological tools help enhance student creativity:

To achieve these demand of students the dynamic instructional design model are used to create a lesson plan so that the students will be in line with the rapid technology.

The Learning Environment Affects Teaching and Learning

·         Dunn and Dunn (1992) completed a extensive research on matching the physical environment to individual learning styles.

·         The learning environment includes the space and facilities in which instruction occurs.

·         To adjust the physical learning space to maximize its compatibility with learners, it is important to first carefully identify the learning styles of the learners.

Dynamic Instructional Design model

The Dynamic Instructional Design model, or DID is based on designing technology in fused instruction and focuses on creating an effective learning environment for the students. This model is very learner-centered that includes special steps such as identifying the learning styles of the learners and establishing a comfortable learning environment. There is the opportunity for feedback at each stage of the Dynamic Instructional Model, to improve the pace and depth of the lesson and to reach the learners most effectively.

DID steps:

Know the Learners

State your Objectives

Establish the learning environment

Identify teaching & learning strategies

Identify and select technologies

Plan a Summative Evaluation

Example DID lesson plan:

Topic 1 (Designing and Planning of Instruction. The Dynamic Instructional Design Model)

From this topic I realize that our designing lesson was encouraged by the instructional designer to consider using student-centered instructional design and the first question that comes in my mind is how will I cover all my material in my subject? Then I think is the important of the instructional design is to assured the student didn’t take much time to waste by assuming the learner is actually learning the material when simply coping notes from a lecturer.

The materials we can be provide through text-based or brief video-based learning but the essence of active learning is for students to do more and the instructor less. So, it means that our process of learning was encouraged by technology.

A learning environment from the perspective of instructor 

Learner Characteristics

Identify and Select Technologies

• ·         Non-projected visual media
•  ·         Projected visuals
•  ·         Audio media
•  ·         Video media
•  ·         Digital media

Contrasting Views of Instructional Design

Teacher- and Classroom-Centered Instructional Design	Teacher- and Classroom-Centered Instructional Design
Focus on activities	Focus on activities
Focus on what kinds of thinking students do	Focus on what kinds of thinking students do
Focus on teacher performance	Focus on teacher performance
Focus on intellectual skills students develop	Focus on intellectual skills students develop
Focus on classroom events and experiences	Focus on classroom events and experiences

It is vitally important to ensure that designing and planning are taken into consideration when teaching and learning with technology. Educators much understand the many variations in learners: cognitive abilities, culture, previous skills and knowledge to characteristics and overall differences in order to promote learning. Then with technology, too much can drown out what the intended lesson should have been and too little can make it boring, there must be balance. This means no one method is perfect but staying abreast and constantly making changes in the design will produce more successful results.