3rd WEEK REFLECTION (29 July 2010)

Last week lecture, we have discussed about several key issues on the integration of technology in the primary science teaching as well as some of the technology used in science classroom. This week, we move on to the

i) brief history of the technology and

ii) Artificial intelligence and virtual reality

As a student who has learn about the knowledge of science for many years and came across and use different technologies such OHP, Smart Board and Video Player, I never think about the ‘his-story’ behind it. But why it is important to know about the history of technology?

The history of technology is the history of the invention of tools that help human ease their work and lessens their burden. Gaining information about this development enables people to create new things and many new things has been invented and improvised which has helped human to do things that once we thought was impossible, like flying or going into the space, defying the earth’s gravity. But now, all these dreams are reality. As a teacher, knowing the history of development of technology enables us to teach and expand the pupils’ knowledge and encourage them to think and maybe become the ones who create new technology in the future which is not impossible at all.

Today’s topic also touches about artificial intelligence, also known as machine intelligence, is defined as intelligence exhibited by anything manufactured by humans or other sentient beings or systems (should such things ever exist on Earth or elsewhere). It is usually hypothetically applied to general-purpose computers. The term is also used to refer to the field of scientific investigation into the plausibility of and approaches to creating such systems.

The possibilities of using artificial intelligence are still far from reality especially in Malaysian school. We need to develop the facilities and also prepares the people’s mind set so that they will be able to accept new form of technology.

I hope one day, this technology will be accessible by pupils and surely the experience that they will gain will be invaluable and exciting.

2nd WEEK REFLECTION (20 July 2010)

This week’s lecture focuses on several key issues, which involves the integration of technology in the primary science classroom and examples of technology used in classroom.
The first issue gives us a point to think about on why we need to integrate technology in the teaching and learning in science primary classroom. From my point of view, applying technology in science lesson is crucial as we are living in an age of modern science, which uses modern technology in the process of discovering and learning about new knowledge. Thus, the integration of technology during an early age will prepare them for this. Technology also brings many benefits towards students’ learning process. As Ediger’s (1994) studies on Technology in the Elementary Classroom have revealed applying technology in the classroom does several things to students learning:
1. It increases interest even in rote tasks.
2. It provides purpose for learning.
3. It can attach meaning to an ongoing lesson.
4. It provides opportunities to perceive knowledge as being related, not isolated bits.
5. It can affect students’ attitudes toward learning.
6. Encourages cooperative learning

The benefits listed above are just few mentioned. In short, technology will provide an enriching academic experience to students. Another issue discussed was technology versus hands-on activity. I think, both aspects should be integrated in teaching and learning process. Too much of technology can result into a boring classroom. Therefore, both aspects should be practiced equally. Reflecting from this week’s lecture, I can see that the integration of technology in the science classroom brings big challenges to educators. Teacher in today’s classrooms are experiencing students who are ‘digital natives’. These students have grown up with technology and often are more proficient in its use that their teacher is. These students also have no understanding of why technology would not be used in the classroom. Therefore, educators must prepare for a technology-rich future and keep up with change by adopting strategies that infuse lessons with appropriate technologies.
As the world becomes more complex, teachers must continue to shift from teaching and learning isolated skills and information within each content area, to teaching skills that enable students to solve complex problems across many areas. As a teacher, I need to assist students to learn how to prioritize and manage a dizzying array of information coming at them through web-sites and e-mails, videos, interactive games etc, how to think critically about they find, and how to apply these skills in their daily life.
Besides key issues, we have also discussed the application of several technologies, which are:
1) OHP

2) Visualizer

3) Television

4) Videos player
Some of this technology is new to me, such as the visualizer. Thus, learning about this technology has widened my knowledge of new technology, which can be used in the classroom. These technologies will definitely assist teacher teaching and learning process. Video player and television for example, can enhance students’ visual learning and provide clearer demonstration on experiments or phenomenon such as the water cycle or about animal habitats. These will provide students with meaningful learning experience. Besides that, teacher would be able to project better and clearer notes using OHP or objects using the Visualizer. This will enhance the transmission of knowledge to students.
As a conclusion, this week’s lecture has definitely given me new insights on the development on technologies and how teacher can use these technologies to enhance teaching and learning process. Besides that, issues on technology have brought up important points on the implementation of technology in science classroom.

1st WEEK REFLECTION

This week is a new beginning and I am very much excited in learning and gaining as much experiences in this class. But what actually am I going to learn in this class? Well, I from the course title it is very obvious, technology in Science classroom. But what kind of technology are we going to explore? And why we need to integrate these technologies? Is it possible? Well, these are some of the questions that were running in my thoughts. To get an early idea about this course, I read a very informative article entitled ‘Why use technology in the science classroom?’ In the early points discuss, the article brought up very important ideas about integration of technology in the science classroom. It stated that,

“Teachers in today’s classrooms are experiencing students who are “digital natives.” These students have grown up with technology and often are more proficient in its use than their teacher is. These students also have no understanding of why technology would not be used in the classroom. Parents of these digital natives believe that technology provides a way to enrich their children’s social lives and academic abilities.”

This lines gives actually gives me a wakeup call. As a teacher we need to be aware and have great understanding about current use of technology. Children nowadays can simply outrun their teacher in the latest gadget and tools due to great exposure in this fast growing world. So this course is useful for me to learn and to gain as many experiences about new technology especially the ones that are useful in teaching and learning Science.
As the world becomes more complex, we as future teacher must continue to shift from teaching and learning isolated skills and information within each content area, to teaching skills that enable students to solve complex problems across many areas.

I hope this will be a wonderful and fun beginning to an insightful journey.