In May 2017, I completed a short course at my university after I achieved my bachelor degree in education from my university. One of my lecturers invited me to participate in an educational program for prospective English teachers working with the US Embassy. The program is called Indonesian Massive Open Online Course (IMOOC). This program is entitled Technology for Autonomous Learners.
This program aims to provide knowledge and experience for prospective teachers to be able to use technology as learning media and resources in the digital age. Various practical activities using technology in teaching were taught by the instuctor when I attended this course for over 2 months. A lot of knowledge I got and then I could apply in a classes where I teach English.
The skills taught through this program are not only digital technology skills for prospective teachers, but it is also taught digital literacy skills. Digital literacy skills, of course, are needed by teachers in selecting and analyzing what kind of technology models are required by students, as well as how teachers are prepared to apply the right ways to their students according to their needs and aligned with the learning objectives to be achieved.
After completing this program, I was finally able to deduce how technology involment is important in student learning process. The following below summarizes what I understand through the program about the technology involment in student learning;
The use of technology as one of the media and learning resources allows students to elaborate their learning independently rather than simply obtaining what teachers give from textbooks. For example, students can use the internet as a source of their learning both at school and outside school. Even more interesting is that students can learn through video or through other forms of learning from the internet. In fact, they can use this learning resource to complete the homework assigned by the teacher. However, it should be underlined that parental and teacher controls are necessary for this so that students do not overuse.
Using technology in learning will make it easier for teachers, parents and students to interact and collaborate. Students can submit their assignments without having to meet face to face with the teacher, or the teacher can give instruction to the students through group messenger, even the teacher can give report to the student's parents directly through it. This will certainly save time for a certain purpose. But, this model is only more recommended to upper level students.
By using technology teachers can publish student work to be read by many people. For example students are given the task of writing an essay, then the teacher chose a good essay to be published and can be read easily by others. Teachers can choose an online platform that suits their needs in publishing students' essay assignments.
Using webtool teachers can create fun learning. Thus, students are interested and motivated in learning. For example, teachers use educational applications that support student learning processes such as Quizlet, which teachers can create an interesting quiz to complete by students. Many of these applications are available, and can be downloaded for free on a PC or smartphone. These are the recommended tool to use : Quizlet, Evernote, Socrative, Classroom, or you can access this link to find favorite educational weebtools based on your purposes Education Technology
In conclusion, technological engagement in learning is indispensable today. Teachers have an important role to use technology as media and student learning resources. Teachers' skills in digital literacy are essential for effective use of technology, and to avoid negative impacts.
(a teacher and writer)
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