"If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow."
When I started teaching way back 2003 I used to have visual aids and make use of chalk during discussions. I knew that visual aids are one tool that will help me deliver the lesson well and easily transfer learning to my students. I spent more than two hours every night in doing my visual aids. I sometimes keep some for future use. I continue doing this until I found out the usefulness of technology inside the classroom and to my subject [History]. For the students of 21st century they no longer pay attention to your visual aids written in cartolina or manila paper. They are no longer happy and attentive during class discussions. It seems that they are looking for something new. The kids are becoming more and more demanding when it comes to classroom teaching. Given an opportunity to use technology inside the classroom, I took advantage of the school facilities [LCD projector, TV, DVD player, and computer]. I was able to make good use of these technologies in teaching History [and Economics] to my students. As a result, better understanding of the lesson and higher test results.
Examples of technology I used in class are [1] The use of PowerPoint Presentation in discussing the subject to my students (better if it is more on graphics and not text based), by doing so my students have concrete ideas about the topic and are exposed to primary documents, materials, and sources. [2] Letting the students build better understanding about certain issues on the subject by presenting them the topic through movies or documentarily films. Watching such help the students understand more and even relate to the situation especially in the documentary films where the issues in the society are being shown. [3] Since most of my students are fond of social networks, I took advantage of these social networks in reaching out for my students. Important announcements about the subject such as quizzes, long tests, even deadlines of projects or performance tasks are posted in these networks for the purpose of information dissemination. [4] We even created an account, in one of the well-known site, a group where we can freely send messages, links, and articles that are useful both for my students and me. This led to an easy and better communication. [5] I also took advantage of the skills of my students when it comes to websites and other related fields. I taught them how to look for useful websites that are of great help not only for History in particular but also practically for all their subjects. [6] Posting the handouts in a particular site in the net is like hitting two birds in one stone. Its very purpose is for the students to have access with the handouts [presentation in particular, the one presented in class] anytime of the day they wanted. Second is, you get to share with other people [teachers, civic or social groups, and other professionals] your work. These social-networking site helps teachers collaborate with colleagues and students online as well as upload and share lesson plans and other ideas.They can even download it, customized make some modification so that it will suit the needs of their audience/listener/students.
This is how very useful technology nowadays. What we are using and was very effective before might not be as effective as today. As teachers we have to be aware of the latest trends because before we knew it, our students might be ahead of us when it comes to what is the latest. We have to always remember this line from a Chinese Proverbs"Do not confine your children to your own learning, for they were born in another time."
Thank you to edupln.ning.com for the picture
