Camtesia

We sometimes use video in our classroom to enhance teaching and learning. It motivates the students in learning as it boosts their interest. Using videos helps the teachers as well as students to break down the complex and abstract ideas. It makes the ideas clearer when taught using ICTs.  However, the videos that we use are not in our context.  There are chances that we may not get the video that we need. Therefore, Camtesia 6.0 provides beginners to create our own video tutorials which are related our own context.

figure 2

As soon as we click on the Camtesia, we will see the following features as shown in the figure1. We can record the screen, power point, add voice narration and import media. The advantages of using Camtesia over window media player are we can record the power point and screen. There are several ways to create video. We can first capture the video in other camera and use import file to upload in the Camtesia for edition. We can also prepare power point slide on the topic you want to create. After that use either record power point or screen features to record your power point. The difference is in record power point features, we can only record power point but record screen can record every activity on the screen. Moreover, record screen features can record the screen activity as well as the recorder’s face.  Once you are done, we have to save the video and the reopen the Camtesia and import the file for edition.

figure 2

Once you are inside, you will see the features as shown in the figure. 2 You can use this feature to make you video more tuned. Examples;  use ‘remove noise’  to remove the unnecessary noise that is made from the back when we are recording, add transition for swift movement from one seen to another,  add background sounds, etc. Finally produce the video. This is exactly what I have done on Video tutorial Camtesia. First, I have prepared, presentation slide and recorded the screen. After that I have, imported the file and edited the video.

my tutorial

With the information we received in ICT class on Camtesia and the assignment we have done, I can now create a simple video tutorial. The knowledge and the skill I have learnt will not end within the four walls of a classroom.  Rather I will always keep with me and make use of it whenever and where ever possible. I will make learning more joy and fun by creating video in our context.

Why we must integrate ICT?

ICTs can make changes in the way of the teaching-learning process using ICTs. The teachers are the main key in bringing the changes in the education system as teachers need to prepare students skilled enough to strive in the high-tech world. The students are entering the world that is changing rapidly in terms of culture, social, economic, political, and technologies. Using ITCs in the teaching-learning the process lets the students expose more to the world and can explain the abstract ideas concretely. Through,

ICTs the students will be updated about the news of the world and will be aware of the issues. Therefore the teachers in pre-service and in-service should be skilled enough to make the students competent and skilled enough to live in the advancing world.

As ICTs advances there were emergences of “knowledge-based society.” It is knowledge based society because the information about the world shots up. The articles are published every day about society, issues and addressing the problems of the world. Moreover, the students of these centuries are exposed more to knowledge than people in the past. Therefore, the teachers need to prepare the students to strive in the rapidly changing world.

I was indeed delighted to learn about how the teaching-learning shift was taken place. Using ICTs gives greater assistance in the way students learn and teachers teaching. It made much more advanced and collaborative among students themselves. Introducing ICTs in education have done away with teacher centered to student centered. Therefore it motivated the students in self-regulated learning.

There is a paradigm shift in the way of the teaching-learning process. It is called a paradigm shift as old theories do not solve the new problems. The traditional view of the teaching-learning process which is on content-based will not prepare the students for their future. It is not providing the students with enough skills and not making competent enough to live in the 21^st century. With the introduction of the ICTs, the students are taken beyond the text rather than being narrowed only on prescribed text. The classroom is made rich with knowledge, interactive and conducive for learning. Therefore creating the paradigm shift with the introduction of ICTs has exposed students to a knowledge-based society.

ICT as a constructive tools

Constructivists’ belief that children construct their own knowledge based on their prior knowledge and experiences. This idea had been incorporated in ICT. Some components of ICT helps the students to construct their knowledge. Those tools which helps the students to construct their knowledge is called constructive tools in ICT. Power point is one example of a constructive tool, where students can use their creativity to construct their own knowledge. There are many others examples such as publisher, excel, word, Camtasia, google classroom, etc.

As a teacher I think we need to be competent enough to tackle with those constructive tools as we cannot teach what we don’t know to our students. Constructive tools can be part of effective teaching learning materials for the teachers. Example; let’s say we are going to teach the concept ‘deforestation’. We can deliver the information through the presentation slide or though the posters rather than lecture method. In a way, it provides multiples means to present our information. We can reduce the consumption of resources if we make use of constructive tools. Example; instead of recording the class test marks on paper, teachers can use spread sheet; using power point to dot the notes instead of chart papers and chalk board. Use of constructive tools consumes less time. Example; unloading the resource materials on online so that they can prepare for next class.

Keeping those advantages, we are taught how to tackle with this constructive tools. During FIT class, we are induced with how to use Microsoft word, excel and PowerPoint during first year.  I can now create simple presentation, use the features in excel to plot graphs, record, and create mark sheets, use the features in the word. Although we are not introduced with publisher, I have prepared brochure as an assignment on HPE403. It may not be a perfect but I am confident to use the features of MS. Publisher.

There is rapid development in technology. The old methods of teaching do not suit the taste bud of today’s youths. There should be mixture of technology in our lesson to match the taste of digital natives. Therefore, I find it significant to learn the skills to operate those constructive tools especially for the future teachers like us. Moreover, there are numerous advantages for using these tools. We can minimize the use of resources and time, provides multiple means of presenting information, and it is effective tools for the teachers. Therefore, I promise I will not let my knowledge unsung, instead I will keep on full swing throughout my carrier.

Effective power point presentaion

There is a common statement saying 'teachers life is full of presentation'.  In fact, it is. Starting from morning till evening,  they have to present the information to their students. Moreover, due to technology advancement, we can now use powerpoint as a new forum to support their teaching and enhance students learning.

Although teachers can use ' powerpoint ' facilities, they fail to make an effective power point. Examples; They use many words in one slide( detailed),  no color contrast, small font size, images which are not related to the topic and etc,. So, I being a future teacher, I find it very important to know how to design effective powerpoint because well-designed slide show serves as a visual aid and helps keep a student's attention. On the other hand, small mistakes that people commonly make with PowerPoint can cause it to be distracting rather than helpful.

let me share how I have prepared power point slide using the idea of effective power point. I have used visible font size ( i.e not too small and not too big). In order to make less detailed information, I have used 6X7 rule(the number of words in a line should be seven and there should be 6 lines or rows). Sometimes it is very difficult to read because both colors seem similar. to make my information authentic I have used pictures related to the topic or information. To make it clear, I have used the color contrast concepts( e.g. white fill and black font colors).

 In nutshell, I have learned that to prepare an effective powerpoint, always remember to :

• insert pictures to simplify complex concepts.
• animations for complex relationships
• visuals to support, not to distract
• sounds only when absolutely necessary
• use color contrast idea.
• 6X7 rule

Element of digital citizenship

We have taken the classes on digital citizenship form 12 to 14  March. After going through the materials that our module tutor had uploaded and the presentation slide we have created on digital citizenship, I have learned that digital citizenship is being aware of how to use technology appropriately. Let me ask you one question. Are you a digital citizen? if you have the following nine characteristics (image given on right) then you are.

https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&sa

I came to the conclusion that I partially own citizenship when it comes to digital. Partially, in the sense, most of the elements seemed to be new information to me or I partially have knowledge or practice on the nine elements. For example,  Although, I know that we have to maintain the password to keep my online information safe and secure, I did not know that we have to change the password frequently( digital security). Till date, I have been using the image on the internet freely without citing the sources as I was thinking we only need to cite for articles( digital law). Almost all the rights and responsibility were new to me examples; reporting cyberbullying, rights to use technology, rights to protect personal information, etc).  

I have been using these nine elements either knowingly or unknowingly.  Example; digital access,  I have learned that we have rights to access or use the technology but before that, I have been using it without this knowledge. We are introduced to doing online shopping( digital commerce) without knowing the consequences and correct procedures. But sometimes we became too lazy to follow, although we had knowledge. Example; ergonomics ( digital health),  citing sources, sending spam messages, etc.  I think introducing them to digital law will prevent them from being lazy. Digital etiquette talks all about treating others in the way you want to be treated when you are online. Example; avoiding slang word when commenting.

To be precise, we need to learn about digital citizenship in order to use the technology more appropriately, in a way you don't have to be a victim of the crime. Therefore, I will not selfishly keep this information to myself but spread the information to my students. I will spread this information to my students to reduce the crime, increasing the participation, shoulder the responsibility, take care of their health, communicate properly, treats others in a way they want to be treated when they are online. This information will quickly spread across every corner of our country so that we become a hundred percent digital citizenship.                                                                                          

VLE as a new forum for Teaching and learning

During our times, the source of information would be rigid textbooks, limited numbers of library and 
teacher as a knowledge infuser. We would be passively listening to what our teachers have to say and our learning limits to the four walls of our classroom. Most of us our parents are illiterate and therefore we cannot get help from our parents but things are different now. They have multiple means of information. The movement we are stuck, we directly take out our smartphones and ask "google Rimpoche". The learning can take place beyond the four walls of a classroom. The teacher can share the information online so that they can learn without the face to face interaction. In a similar way, our lectures and trainees at Paro college students use VLE( virtual learning environment) as an online form for the teaching and learning purpose.

The concept of VLE just emerged in my life, when I started joining this college. The management started giving us the password and so-called student ID to log in. I vividly remember asking what is the use of VLE to our friends. With the four years in college, I now know what VLE is. Is an online forum for lectures and trainee to share the information(the teaching and learning resources) so that learning does not limit to the four walls of a classroom. some of the components of our VLE are;  academic calendar,  respective semester courses, announcements, questions bank, PCE library, etc.

fig.1 my VLE accounts.

Once I logged in, there are many facilities that I get to enjoy. I can post questions and ask clarifications which I cannot ask in the classroom from our lectures and colleagues.  I get information so that I can be prepared for upping class. I did not have to go in person to submit our assignments. I get the latest information happening in an around the college in terms of an announcement. I don't have to waste my energy by walking to the library just for renewing the book. simply sitting, I can log into my accounts using our smartphones and renew it.

fig.2 Image where I have posted on ECCD class.

In nutshell, VLE plays a crucial role in teaching and learning. It provides an online forum for lectures and trainees at Paro college of education. With four years of use, I can now log into the VLE and do many things.  I can upload or submit the assignment online, download the materials that our lectures have uploaded, post the questions ask clarifications, renew our library online and chat with the friends who are online. In a way, learning will happen beyond the classroom. 

Reflection on ICT Integration

After taking classes on "ICT integration in the teaching and learning process", I have learned a lot of things. Firstly,  how to use ICT for learning and teaching. Secondly, ICT as an effective teaching pedagogy and lastly opportunities related to the use of technology.

 Till now, my idea on the integration of ICT in teaching and learning is the use of laptops, projector and screening movies because I thought that these are parts of technology. I have learned that is not integration but rather “babysitting” or “technology user”.  It is more than screening movie. It should be well structured and organized. That means it involves when to screen, what you are screening and follow-ups should be well planned. In the process, I have learned how to integrate ICT in teaching and learning.

Let’s say I am teaching gravitational force to the class four students for the first time. It is an abstract concept, which means we cannot show them. Therefore there are chances that students may not understand what gravitational force is. They may lend up memorizing. Here, ICT plays a vital role in helping children understand the concept through simulations, animation, and movies. In the process, ICT supports and changes the way of teaching and learning in many subject areas.

Furthermore, today’s students are digital immigrants; they are widely exposed to technologies. They like to enhance their knowledge and capacity by learning through the use of ICT including the concept, ideas, and its role. I think the presentation given by sir on Hitler can be one best example, as it is easier for us to learn by ourselves because I, personally, can now accomplish works and duties with my initiative without the assistance of the teachers. Whereas, I gained the knowledge and skills to make effective slide using power point.

Based on what I have learned on ICT, I would probably apply the skills on the almost everyday life of my teaching and learning phase. Ahead of these experiences, my knowledge and capacity on integrating ICT will be used during the teaching and learning process as it makes learning more meaningful because ICT serves as effective tools for teaching and learning.

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