By Gilbert M. Forbes
DepEd QUEZON, IV-A CALABARZON
We are very much aware of the present status of learning of our students. Beneath the introduction of modern concepts of teaching and learning versus the traditional one, still low performance is a primary challenge. At the outset, we are doubtful if curriculum reform and other educational reforms in the area of teaching, educational management and supervision will create a difference. But there is still another element aside from these reforms that can make a difference when it comes to student performance. This is no other than the introduction and use of information technology in our classrooms.
The use of IT is actually not new already because it has already gained its ground in our secondary schools, even in grade schools in highly developed and economically affluent school districts. Hence, computer laboratories have become ordinary among our secondary schools and has even become a priority among some of our school administrators and benefactors both private individual and politicians alike. As such, most of these schools are now offering not only basic computer literacy but also even advance computer studies e.g. word processing and desktop publishing, power point and spread- sheet presentations etc. With the introduction of Tech Voch concepts in selected secondary schools, benefit from IT education further benefitted students. These give high school students the edge when they go to college to pursue advance IT studies both degree and non-degree. It has even popularized computer related courses to the detriment of other vocational and technical disciplines that are also equally important and in- demand in the labor market contributing further to mismatch in actual labor demand. Fly by night computer institutions have flourished in the past two decades.
Observers are saying that, in this mode, the use of computer in learning is not practically maximized. This is in terms of return on investment it requires, hardware, personnel, energy and facility. Academic programs using computers is concentrated in a single area, computer education benefitting only the TLE class. Therefore, no significant contribution on the advancement of learning in other important areas like English, Science and Mathematics can be seen in this arrangement since computers are not utilized for this purpose. At times it is even funny to know that the school has a functional computer laboratory but has no library or a science laboratory where students can do their experiments and manipulate important science equipment. This was recently corrected by a series of DepEd instructions with regards to the utilization of IT but still, much have to be seen in a larger scale. Other more productive endeavors such as wood- working and agriculture are also neglected in favor of computer instruction, until recently, DepEd has issued an order strengthening Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan in our schools.
But still, we could not discount the unlimited possibilities, computers can offer towards the advancement of learning. It can integrate multiple media into single educational applications, it is interactive and include the capacity to control, manipulate and contribute to the information environment; they are flexible, offering freedom from rigid scheduling and from barriers of time and location; through connectivity, they provide access to every other person on the planet who has an internet account, to hundreds of thousands of information archives, and to millions of Web pages (Blurton 2001).
In simple terms computers through an LCD projectors and sound blasters could be used in the classroom in presenting various multi-media lessons using CD-R-DVD Rom, various software applications such as word processing, power point and others thus making the lesson more interesting and full of suspense to the students. It can even free the teachers from the traditional mode of writing, because instead of paper and pen, the computer can be used for such purpose and can be retrieved and revised anytime. If there’s an Internet provider in the area, both teacher and students will further benefit for there are now eavailable downloadble learning materials e.g., instructional videos from youtube and other sites, lesson plans and learning guides, on-line exercises, etc.
Various studies therefore favor the use of IT in education. According to these, evidence has consistently shown that IT mediated instruction using conventional teaching methods is as effective as traditional face-to-face instruction, and in the case of computer-based instruction, may in certain instances improve student learning and attitudes to learning (Kulik 1994, as cited in Glennan and Melmed, chap. 2, 1995). Uses of ICTs in the classroom, especially for the host of applications and methods support ‘constructivist’ learning, in which students are encouraged to work in rich environments of information and experience to build their own understanding of them (Apple Computer, Inc., 1995; Bertelsmann Foundation, 1998). ICTs can make it possible for teachers to provide students with self-paced, self-directed problem-based on constructivist learning experiences, as well as to test student learning in new, interactive, and attractive ways that may better assess the depth of their understanding of content and processes.
For this matter, school authorities, stakeholders, benefactors most especially politicians who illogically ride on this craze should consider these realities and try to refocus their priorities on a wider and not on a limited perspective which tend to serve only their interest and not the general interest of the many. A World Bank Report warns about the lack of planning and the necessary resources for this matter.
Before embarking on computer literacy programs for the students, the human resource of the school must be the first priority so that they will learn to use these technologies for the advancement of learning. Advance instructional processes to enhance advance and quality learning must be the priority and not the open-ended computer literacy programs which becomes part of the THE old curriculum only. After all not all students when they go to college or technical schools will pursue computer related disciplines. The presence of the computers must not be confined to computer laboratories but should be dispersed to classroom levels. After all computers today are not as sensitive as other may think it to be. It no longer need a common area, which is expensive to maintain. Since 1995, we have seen a lot of poorly ventilated establishments using computers. Instead of hiring computer instructors, why not train the existing teachers and let them maintain it together with their students. In this manner, precious funds can be saved and allotted to other equally important needs and concerns such as the establishment of functional library and a science laboratory.
As our civilization today continues, the evolution of new knowledge and technologies are immense. As such, our thoughts and actions must not be distorted nor limit our horizon of thinking due to the gargantuan effect this craze brought. So may our antiquity but instead the first to break the barriers of traditionalism for the advancement of learning.
(Mr. Gilbert M. Forbes had his Bachelors Degree and MA in Educational Management (CAR) from the Philippine Normal University. A campus paper adviser and trainer for 13 years. Currently, he is a school principal in one of the central schools in the Division of Quezon.)
DepEd QUEZON, IV-A CALABARZON
We are very much aware of the present status of learning of our students. Beneath the introduction of modern concepts of teaching and learning versus the traditional one, still low performance is a primary challenge. At the outset, we are doubtful if curriculum reform and other educational reforms in the area of teaching, educational management and supervision will create a difference. But there is still another element aside from these reforms that can make a difference when it comes to student performance. This is no other than the introduction and use of information technology in our classrooms.
The use of IT is actually not new already because it has already gained its ground in our secondary schools, even in grade schools in highly developed and economically affluent school districts. Hence, computer laboratories have become ordinary among our secondary schools and has even become a priority among some of our school administrators and benefactors both private individual and politicians alike. As such, most of these schools are now offering not only basic computer literacy but also even advance computer studies e.g. word processing and desktop publishing, power point and spread- sheet presentations etc. With the introduction of Tech Voch concepts in selected secondary schools, benefit from IT education further benefitted students. These give high school students the edge when they go to college to pursue advance IT studies both degree and non-degree. It has even popularized computer related courses to the detriment of other vocational and technical disciplines that are also equally important and in- demand in the labor market contributing further to mismatch in actual labor demand. Fly by night computer institutions have flourished in the past two decades.
Observers are saying that, in this mode, the use of computer in learning is not practically maximized. This is in terms of return on investment it requires, hardware, personnel, energy and facility. Academic programs using computers is concentrated in a single area, computer education benefitting only the TLE class. Therefore, no significant contribution on the advancement of learning in other important areas like English, Science and Mathematics can be seen in this arrangement since computers are not utilized for this purpose. At times it is even funny to know that the school has a functional computer laboratory but has no library or a science laboratory where students can do their experiments and manipulate important science equipment. This was recently corrected by a series of DepEd instructions with regards to the utilization of IT but still, much have to be seen in a larger scale. Other more productive endeavors such as wood- working and agriculture are also neglected in favor of computer instruction, until recently, DepEd has issued an order strengthening Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan in our schools.
But still, we could not discount the unlimited possibilities, computers can offer towards the advancement of learning. It can integrate multiple media into single educational applications, it is interactive and include the capacity to control, manipulate and contribute to the information environment; they are flexible, offering freedom from rigid scheduling and from barriers of time and location; through connectivity, they provide access to every other person on the planet who has an internet account, to hundreds of thousands of information archives, and to millions of Web pages (Blurton 2001).
In simple terms computers through an LCD projectors and sound blasters could be used in the classroom in presenting various multi-media lessons using CD-R-DVD Rom, various software applications such as word processing, power point and others thus making the lesson more interesting and full of suspense to the students. It can even free the teachers from the traditional mode of writing, because instead of paper and pen, the computer can be used for such purpose and can be retrieved and revised anytime. If there’s an Internet provider in the area, both teacher and students will further benefit for there are now eavailable downloadble learning materials e.g., instructional videos from youtube and other sites, lesson plans and learning guides, on-line exercises, etc.
Various studies therefore favor the use of IT in education. According to these, evidence has consistently shown that IT mediated instruction using conventional teaching methods is as effective as traditional face-to-face instruction, and in the case of computer-based instruction, may in certain instances improve student learning and attitudes to learning (Kulik 1994, as cited in Glennan and Melmed, chap. 2, 1995). Uses of ICTs in the classroom, especially for the host of applications and methods support ‘constructivist’ learning, in which students are encouraged to work in rich environments of information and experience to build their own understanding of them (Apple Computer, Inc., 1995; Bertelsmann Foundation, 1998). ICTs can make it possible for teachers to provide students with self-paced, self-directed problem-based on constructivist learning experiences, as well as to test student learning in new, interactive, and attractive ways that may better assess the depth of their understanding of content and processes.
For this matter, school authorities, stakeholders, benefactors most especially politicians who illogically ride on this craze should consider these realities and try to refocus their priorities on a wider and not on a limited perspective which tend to serve only their interest and not the general interest of the many. A World Bank Report warns about the lack of planning and the necessary resources for this matter.
Before embarking on computer literacy programs for the students, the human resource of the school must be the first priority so that they will learn to use these technologies for the advancement of learning. Advance instructional processes to enhance advance and quality learning must be the priority and not the open-ended computer literacy programs which becomes part of the THE old curriculum only. After all not all students when they go to college or technical schools will pursue computer related disciplines. The presence of the computers must not be confined to computer laboratories but should be dispersed to classroom levels. After all computers today are not as sensitive as other may think it to be. It no longer need a common area, which is expensive to maintain. Since 1995, we have seen a lot of poorly ventilated establishments using computers. Instead of hiring computer instructors, why not train the existing teachers and let them maintain it together with their students. In this manner, precious funds can be saved and allotted to other equally important needs and concerns such as the establishment of functional library and a science laboratory.
As our civilization today continues, the evolution of new knowledge and technologies are immense. As such, our thoughts and actions must not be distorted nor limit our horizon of thinking due to the gargantuan effect this craze brought. So may our antiquity but instead the first to break the barriers of traditionalism for the advancement of learning.
(Mr. Gilbert M. Forbes had his Bachelors Degree and MA in Educational Management (CAR) from the Philippine Normal University. A campus paper adviser and trainer for 13 years. Currently, he is a school principal in one of the central schools in the Division of Quezon.)
5 comments:
Aw, this was a really nice post. Spending some time and actual effort to make a good article…
but what can I say… I hesitate a lot and
never manage to get anything done.
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the learning captain:
good evening.thank you very much for the post, not only me being delighted of this article but many of us here in in Lanao del Norte.earlier comments absolutely correct plenty of our administrators are corrupt instead of helping their teachers in procuring IM's the budget were diverted to nowhere??? Mostly of our administrators are excellent in documentations 40% are true!!!
How do the stakeholders in your area and teachers work to prevent corruption by your school heads?
As far as the learning captain knows, safeguards have been set to prevent this from happening from the school level onwards.
For instance, all purchases should have been monitored and signed by your school property custodian, program of works signed by your municipal engineers, etc.,
As much as possible, there should be school BAC to facilitate the purchases.
HI! I am conducting my research related to instructional leadership management of principal this semester and I am glad i found your post here.... Please allow me to cite you in my study... THANKS AND GOD BLESS.....
Sure po. Anybody could use any article written by yours truly except those written or syndicated from other sources as long proper tribute and citation is given.
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