Co-constructive tool

Co-constructive tool is yet another role of ICT to teach and learn. Co-constructive tool are the applications that support the construction of knowledge through a shared understanding, which is collaboratively consolidating the ideas. Getting to learn about the co-constructive tool, I felt myself like still living in nineteenth century. I had no idea that there are such amazing applications that can offer multi-features, where number of people can collaboratively work together on a single task at the time on the same page. It made me feel like, why had I been holding to this gadget all the time not even knowing the main purpose of it. It was amazing to explore on the applications such as, Google Docs, blogs and wikis, electronic whiteboards, and discussion forum on portals which can provide facilities to work in group even from the distance. After learning this, I wished if all the teachers and the students around the country are blessed with this knowledge of using co-constructive applications, it would have been productive learning besides inconveniences caused by the covid-19 pandemic.

It is always expressed that ‘collaborativeness’ is effective in teaching and learning process. If that is so, I think that we should make use of these applications very fruitfully. These applications have a power to bring different minds together in one field even with the immeasurable distances. For example, working with friends to plan a lesson in ‘Google docs’ was very engaging and great learning from each other. We have freedom to write our minds without restrictions. I would say that this application makes work easier but enhances learning with collaborative environment. Working in co-constructive applications, learning becomes active and intentional as we participate to edit and refine each other’s work.  In case I be a teacher, and have my students’ opportunity to carry smart phones, I would first make use of these application in teaching and learning.

These applications are affordable and manageable to work with. To work with, we just need to download the app which is online free and then have one secured mail accounts to do the functions in the applications. For example working with the app ‘Google docs’ we just need to open the Google docs form the Google and do the necessary works where rest is handled by the apps such as saving the file and keeping it secure. I felt like learning these applications are blessings for people who are yet to become teachers.  I really feel like teachers should manage to imply these approach in teaching and learning process.

constructive tool

Constructive tool

World has developed and does the demands. In this 21^st century, the traditional method of teaching does not fulfill the demands of 21^st learners. ICT integration in the lesson has become necessity for the digital native learners. ICT integration in classroom is found very effective with its best services to meet the demands of the learners. Learning is effective when the learners construct their own knowledge and one of the components of ICT that helps learner to construct their own knowledge is through ‘constructive tools’.

Constructive approach was emphasized by Piaget and the approach talks about construction of new knowledge on pre-existing knowledge. It is said that new knowledge is best constructed when learned through ‘hand on experiences’ and it is worthy to know that ICT as the constructive tool is best approach that helps learner construct new knowledge and develop. If one dares to construct and learn, one should be informed of the facilities that encourage practical learning. Graphics shown below are constructive tools that provide practical learning opportunities.

 Constructive tool provides the facilities where learners can manipulate information visualize one’s understanding and construct one’s own knowledge. And this is best supported by the constructive applications such as concept mapping, desktop publishers and Word, Spreadsheet and PowerPoint.

Concept Mapping

This program allows users to present the information in more organized form helping learners comprehend more easily.

Desktop Publisher

Desktop Publisher provides multi-facilities such as page size, texts, graphics and designs to present the information in attractive format.

Word, Spreadsheet, and PowerPoint

Word, Spread Sheet and PowerPoint help users to organize, record, manipulate and present their ideas in an attractive ways such as simulation, reports, and presentations.

Having discussed on the benefits of constructive tools, I came to realize that having knowledge and experiences on ICT constructive facilities  is crucial,  specially for the ones who are educator and the ones who are yet to become. These applications not only help teachers to deliver knowledge in more comprehensive manner but also help learners to comprehend the knowledge more easily.  MS publishers are the desktop publishing application that supports multi-features such as page size, text, graphics, and boarders. For example, creating simulation was the great challenge for me at the time was a great learning through exploration. So, being educator or the learner, it is equally important to have ideas on the using of the constructive applications.

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2. ICT as Communicative Tool

Communicative tools are the applications that make communication easier. As per the use of the tools, communication is of two types, they are;

1.      Synchronous

It is also called real time communication as with the use of such tools people can communicate like the real time face to face communication.

Some of the examples synchronous communicative tools are;

2.      Asynchronous

Asynchronous communication is the communication that does not require people to be online at the same time like in synchronous communication. Some of the examples are e-mail, electronic bulletin boards, vle discussion forum, we chat, blog, etc… These tools are best applicable for the activities that require more time for thinking.

Example;

 

Difficulties
Synchronous	Asynchronous
ü  Multiple threads of discussion are difficult to follow. ü  Slow connection disturbs smooth flow of discussion. ü  Difficult for slow computer users.	ü  Discussion boards/blogs/vle fails to maintain the interest. ü  Additional task for learners to in checking the post time and again. ü  Discourages learners’ participation.

Information and Communication Technology as Informative Tool

Information and Communication Technology 

ICT has now become one of the needy tools in teaching and learning in 21^st century classroom. Today ICT serves as the assistive device in everybody’s work. Especially for the learners, it provides support in five broad senses as:

1.     an informative tool
2.     a communicative tool
3.     a constructive tool
4.     a co-constructive tool
5.     a situating tool.

ICT as an informative tool

Informative tools are the application that provides large amount of information in various formats such as graphics, texts, sound and videos and ICT is the one that serves the purpose. Today, everywhere it’s filled with ICT and the thing is viewer has got to be vigilant. It provides information in any way we prefer. There is no fear of not getting information in this technological world. World has developed much and all the information lies on our finger tips. The only thing is to know what to be looked for and what to be typed in URL.

Televisions, Radio and Internet is available everywhere and this are some of the based information sources that everyone is free to rely. Among, internet is far more advanced and serves as the best of information. Internet is such a great deposit of information and everybody consider internet as important tool in e-learning environment. Every need is satisfied by internet, but only after making sure that correct information is type in URL what is the exact thing that we are looking for.  

        

Today everybody use ICT in the way they prefer. Works in the offices uses ICT as their working tool, teachers in the classroom uses ICT as their teaching tool, students in the classroom uses ICT as their learning tool and farmers uses ICT as information tool (television and radio). ICT serves the purpose undifferentiated without looking for peoples’ occupation.  ICT is such a beneficial informative tool for everyone only if viewed from the good advantaged side.