“ENHANCING TEACHING AND LEARNING 
                                      WITH THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY”

Allscelo S. Cadayona

“What is really the problem? Who is really the problem? Is it the Teacher or the technology used?

               

  “At the heart of effective technology integration, technology offers opportunities to be more actively involved in the learning experience.” – Vanessa Vega

Technology can be a boon or bane. We tend to think that it can improve us but sometimes it will lead to destroy us. Technology changes how we think, act, even in dealing our everyday problems. Technology really has a great impact to us, especially millennials. Technology also improves teaching-learning process. Classrooms and teachers must cope up to this major advancements by applying technology. Teachers must recognize educational technology and how can it be appropriately used within a specific subject. Like the use of multimedia not only catches the attention of students but also makes it easier for them to learn. Once appropriate technology is successfully integrated to teaching-learning process the learning will be meaningful. Because of technology the way of teaching changes from traditional to the authentic one where it is learner-centered and the teacher only act as a facilitator. Not like the old one where the teachers will do all the talking while the students will just listen with no interaction at all. Teachers who views technology as a problem-solving can change the way they teach. According from George Lucas Educational Foundation, students are engaged in their learning using these powerful tools and can become creators and critics instead of just consumers. With the use of technology it will enhance their skills including social responsibility, planning, critical thinking, communicating, reasoning, visualizing, decision making, and cross-cultural understanding. 

                                            TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM SETTING

                                                    DIGITAL LEARNERS SETTING

                     

                In my 14 years of being a student I encountered different teachers, some are kind, strict, and funny, some are effective, and some are not. What do you think is the problem? Is it the teacher or the tools used? In the past years we used to have a traditional way of learning and teaching where it is a teacher-centered. I can testify that it’s not really effective, we can’t learn by just sitting and listen without us being involved. As time passes by technology are rapidly changing, enhancing, and evolving. Technology can be helpful as a medium of teaching this can be an applied technology through learning hence, technology can make our life easier and more efficient. ieg (doing reports and making presentations, like PowerPoint.) Yet it can drastically change the life and views of every individual if they don’t have the knowledge on how to use technology in a right way. ieg (the use of social media, like posting nude photos or any personal information that can cause your life.) Have you experienced sitting in a class listening to your teacher’s lecture using PowerPoint presentation without understanding it? And at the end of the day you will say “I have this feeling that the money that my mother paid for my study are wasted”? Sometimes teachers with high IQ’s tend to think that their students are the same as them that can easily cope up, understand, and relate to what they’re saying. I know some, they will enter the room project their PowerPoint presentation, talking and talking without knowing that their students are not listening because they doesn’t care at all. There are really teachers who doesn’t care if their students have gained something or not as long as he or she discussed about it. Why using this technology in a traditional way? We are now in the 21^st century, learners are not like before they are digital learners now. Why not use this technology as a tool to enhance teaching-learning process?

            We are more than blessed because God made all this things to make our life easier. God provided all what we need, so make use of it. High Technology is indeed approaching and we all know that most of the students are addicted to games, social media like facebook, twitter, and Instagram. Why not use these things that they like to do? Instead of making their self busy with social media scrolling, liking and sharing fake news that cannot enhance their learning, use it as a learning tool. The teacher can use discovery learning approach, experiential learning etc. by giving them an activity with use of technology. Students really learn if it is hands on, learning by doing it. The teacher must give the spotlight to his/her students, let them do the job and your role is just to facilitate. Meaningful learning occurs when the teaching-learning process is learner-centered.

            How to apply this? How to integrate technology in teaching-learning process? How to enhance learning and teaching with use of technology? Below are the examples.

"Effective integration of technology is achieved when students are able to select technology tools to help them obtain information in a timely manner, analyze and synthesize the information, and present it professionally. The technology should become an integral part of how the classroom functions -- as accessible as all other classroom tools."

-- NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS FOR STUDENTS, INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION

·       ➤ Game-based assessment

There are many applications that are educational, using this kind of assessment can make their learning more exciting and enjoyable.

·       ➤ Online-base activities

Like having a research through internet, Instead of wasting your time in facebook, Instagram, twitter etc. why not use it to improve learning?

·       ➤ Use as Instructional tools

Like PowerPoint presentation, Focusky, overhead Projectors, video clips, etc.

·       ➤ Blog making

Where the students can express his/her opinions or knowledge and it will test his/her creativity and critical thinking skills.

·         ➤Music video making

With this activity the students will be able enhance their talents, skills, and creativity.

·        ➤ Engaging through social media

Engaging your students with the use of social media. Example by letting your students share their activities/assignments through facebook, twitter etc.

·      ➤ Giving Exams and Quizzes online

Example is the Edmodo online class, where you can access anytime but be sure you have internet connection. Also as we all know not all students can afford smart phones, laptop etc, encourage those who have to share their gadgets.