Lesson 11: The Computer as Teacher's Tool

Constructivism was introduced by Piaget (1981) and Bruner (1990). They gave stress to knowledge discovery of new meaning/ concepts/ principles in the learning process. Various strategies have been suggested to foster knowledge discovery, among these, is making students engaged in gathering unorganized information from which they can induce ideas and principles. Students are also asked to apply discovered knowledge to new situations, a process for making their knowledge applicable to real life situations.

Social Constructivism is an effort to show that the construction of knowledge is governed by social, historical and cultural contexts. In effect, this is to say that the learner who interprets knowledge has a predetermined point of view according to the social perspectives of the community or society he lives in.

The psychologist Vygotsky stressed that learning is affected by social influences. He therefore, suggested, the interactive process in learning. The more capable adult( teacher or parent) or classmate can aid or complement what the learner sees in a given class. In addition, Dewey sees language as a medium for social coordination and adaptation.

COMPUTER CAPABILITIES

• INFORMATIVE TOOL - The computer can provide vast amounts of information in various forms such as text, graphics , sound and video . The Internet itself provide an enormous database from which user an access global information resources as well as educational information directly useful to learners.

• COMMUNICATION TOOL - Given the fact that the Internet can serve as a channel for global communication, the computer can very well be the key tool for video teleconferencing sessions.

• CONSTRUCTIVE TOOL - The computer can be used for manipulating information, visualizing one's understanding and building new knowledge . The Microsoft Word is an example wherein it allow users to organize and present their ideas in attractive formats.

• CO - CONSTRUCTIVE TOOL - Students can use co - constructive tools to work cooperatively and construct a shared understanding of new knowledge.

• SITUATING TOOL - By means of virtual reality extension systems, the computer can create 3D images on display to give the user the feeling that are situated in a virtual environment. A flight simulation program is an example which places the user in a simulated flying environment.