Integrating IT in Education

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Integrating IT in Education
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How IT Helps Education

• Web Resources
• Instruction Teacher-centred
• Learning Student-centred
• Computer-assisted Learning
• Stand-alone computers
• Web-based
• Integrated WWW Webquest
• Mindtools

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Web Resources

• Sharing of teaching materials
• Authentic data
• Learning Systems

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Instruction

• Using PowerPoint
• Multimedia

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Learning

• Computer-assisted Learning (CAL) e.g.
  Authorware projects
• Student-centred activites
• Individual differences taken care to a certain
  extent
• Learning sequence still rigid
• Delivering of information not much different
  from lecturing method
• For training of specific skills

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Learning

• ITS Intelligent Tutoring System
• AI techniques to simulate human teachers
• Not comparable to human teachers
• Training of specific skills
• Example Electronic Homework http//www3.fed.cuhk.
  edu.hk/ehomework

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Learning

• Inquiry-based
• Training of
• Subject-specific knowledge
• High-order skills like searching, evaluating,
  synthesizing, problem-solving
• Examples

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Situated Learning

• Learning occurs when a learner explores in an
  authentic situation through social interaction
  and collaboration

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Anchored Learning

• similar to situated learning
• but with learning/teaching around an anchor (a
  situation or a scenario)
• Example
• ????? (Video)
• Jasper

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Virtual Labs and Field Trips
Testing and evaluating information through
experiments and in situ examination Examples http
//www.colorado.edu/physics/2000/index.pl
http//www.umuc.edu/virtualteaching/module1/vlabs
.html
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Problem Solving

• Deductive powers, inferential reasoning, testing
  assumptions, decision making
• research project problem-based learning.
• Texts, images, WWW searching
• http//www.umuc.edu/virtualteaching/module1/collab
  orative.html
• Examples
• The Farmer's Bones
• ?????

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WebQuest

• Inquiry-based
• Training of high-order abilities besides
  subject-specific knowledge

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Mindtools

• mental and/or technological devices which
  support, guide and extend the thinking processes
  of their users
• simplifies, rather than complicates the user's
  tasks
• aid the construction of knowledge by compensating
  for three major constraints of the human
  cognitive system
• the limited capacity of human short-term and
  working memory,
• the organisation of knowledge in long-term
  memory,
• and the learner's use of cognitive strategies.
• Examples
• Concept Maps
• Spreadsheet

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Spreadsheet as Mindtools

• Why?
• Constructing a spreadsheet requires deep thinking
  about relationships and represented as rules
• E.g., to test a hypothesis

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Spreadsheet as Mindtools

• How?
• Computational reasoning tools for analyzing data
• Mathematics comprehension
• Simulation modelling tools

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Computational reasoning tools for analyzing data

• Offload cognitive effort associated with
  computations
• Students consider implications of conditions or
  options

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Mathematics Comprehension

• Helps identifying relations between variables or
  developing formulas to interrelate them.
• Example rootfind using synthetic division,
  besection method

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Simulation Modeling Tools

• Simulate the process of the product of different
  dynamic systems.
• E.g.
• Creating and manipulating economic models (e.g.,
  balance of payments, investment,..)
• Electrical circuit for students to predict the
  results of changing parameters,

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Construction of Spreadsheets in the Classroom

• Provide a spreadsheet template
• Students make a plan
• Students adapt existing spreadsheets or design
  new ones
• Students create and complete a problem-oriented
  spreadsheet
• Students extrapolate from spreadsheets
• Students reflect on the activity.

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Examples of using Spreadsheet

• Data Representation
• The purpose of such an application is to use the
  different graphic facilities to represent a set
  of data.
• Students' role is to collect the data, use Excel
  to represent the data, and then explain what they
  can observe.
• Example Marks.xls
• Instruction UsingExcel1.htm UsingExcel2.htm
• Data resources Hong Kong Economy

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Examples of using Spreadsheet

• Relations
• The purpose of such an application is use the
  variables in Excel to show the relationship
  between two functions.
• Students' role is to collect the data, find out
  the value of the function or plot the
  corresponding graph, and then explain the
  relationship.
• Example correlation.xls
• Instruction correlation.htm
• Other source Stat.Net http//www.hked-stat.net/co
  mmon/
• Student work sheet Correlation between 2
  variables.doc

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Examples of using Spreadsheet

• Inductive Learning
• The purpose of this activity is to give a number
  of examples for students to observe, then ask
  them to induce the conclusion.
• Students' role is to observe, categorize and then
  make the conclusion. They are also required to
  explain why and how they can reach the
  conclusion.
• Example inductive method.xls
• Instruction inductive method.htm
• Student work sheet Inductive Learning Method.doc

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Examples of using Spreadsheet

• Simulation
• The purpose of this activity is simulate the
  process of finding a constant or a formulae
  (e.g., Pi)
• Students' role is to observe and predict what
  will happen. They should also be given reasons
  for their predictions.
• Example Find Pi.xls
• Instruction FindPi.htm
• Student work sheet Finding Pi Using Excel to
  Simulate the Process.doc

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Examples of using Spreadsheet

• Predicting terms
• Purpose of this activity is to design a worksheet
  that can show a particular term of a sequence
• Students' role is to predict the term and then
  verify. They are then required to find out the
  relationship between consecutive terms and then
  the general term.
• Example sequence.xls

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Examples of using Spreadsheet

• Graph Sketching
• Purpose of this activity is to plot the graph of
  a curve with the possibility of changing the
  coefficients.
• Students' role is to predict what will happen
  when some of the coefficients are changed
• Example quadequa.xls
• Instruction quadequa.htm

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Examples of using Spreadsheet

• What-if Table
• This activity is to use the What-if table of
  Excel to demonstrate the possible value of a
  dependant variable when the independent variables
  are changed.
• Students are expected to predict the change of
  the dependent variable.
• Example monthlyrepay.xls
• Instruction

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Examples of using Spreadsheet

• Probability
• This shows the chances of getting one of the six
  events when throwing a die. You enter the number
  of throws and the computer simulate the die
  throwing process. 
• Students can be asked to guess the number of
  outcomes of a certain event (e.g., number of get
  5)
• Example probability.xls
•  Instruction probability.htm

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Examples of using Spreadsheet

• http//www3.fed.cuhk.edu.hk/ited/ITinEd303/ExcelUs
  e.htm

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IT in the Hong Kong Classrooms
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PowerPoint in the classrooms

• S6Chemistry (????I)
• P3 Chinese (????II)

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Other Activities in the Classroom

• Problem-based Learning
• Social Constructivism
• Inductive Learning

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Using PowerPoint and one computer system

• ???http//www3.fed.cuhk.edu.hk/itteachinggroup/act
  ivity_GwongZhouTrip.asp

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Others
Other videos can be found at \\PC164031\Videos
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Your Task

• Work in groups
• Download the evaluation form
• Pick a video, download and watch it, then discuss
  with your partners
• Fill in the evaluation form, you can modify it if
  needed
• Present to the whole class

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Conclusion

• Human factors are the most important
• Knowledge gained versus Students interest
• Motivated to Learn versus Motivated to Play
• Subject Knowledge versus Generic Skills
• Paradigm-shift Student-centred versus
  teacher-centred

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Topics for investigation

• About classroom today topics http//classroomtoday
  .classroom.com/TeachersLounge/About/Topics/topicba
  nk.asp

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Reference

• Virtual Resource Site for Teaching with
  Technology http//www.umuc.edu/virtualteaching/vt_
  home.html
• IT in Education Net, Resource Library
  http//itied.net/res/resources.htm
• Education World http//www.education-world.com/
• Office of Educational Technology
  http//www.ed.gov/Technology/
• Szabo, A. Hastings, N. (2000). Using IT in the
  undergraduate classroom should we replace he
  blackboard with PowerPoint? Computers Education
  35 (2000) 175-187.
• Jonassen, D.H. (2000). Computers as Mindtools for
  Schools. NJ Merrill.