Learning Educational Technology

http://www.education.txstate.edu/ci/degrees-certifications/graduate/edtech.html

Educational Technology has changed my views on the available resources that our education has. Unlike before, it only uses blackboards, manila papers and paper-pencil test. But look now! Education upgrades into a higher level of learning in the Philippines. It makes use of technology in fostering the learning of the students.

As an EdTech student, the topic I find most interesting is the use of Google Apps as Web 2.0 Tools. Why? Simply because Google Apps have many features to help me in my learning as well as to my future students like collaborative learning, storing and saving files; and monitoring the progress of the learners through the appropriate use of Google Apps.  Moreover, I don't find myself having difficulty from the lessons I've encountered in EdTech because I could review it all over again through the site that my teacher has provided me which is gg.gg/ed126. Using this site is pretty awesome because it is like I'm having a lesson proper in the internet. It has multiple activities to test my memory of how much I learnt from the discussion and also laboratory activities to check my knowledge and experience of the said lesson. However, I would be glad if the site turns into a butterfly, a colorful one to beautify the site. Yet, the totality of the course itself is unforgettable because I apply all the things I learnt from week 1 to 12 and to sum it up, the finished product which is my unit portfolio, is very fulfilling even if I underwent sleepless nights.

Overall, there's nothing more I could suggest to improve the teaching and learning process of educational technology. What's more important is the teacher who will handle the course because if he or she doesn't have the heart and passion to teach, then the teaching and learning process will be pointless. 

Growing Self-directed Learners

http://blog.agileclassrooms.com/2015/08/growing-self-direction-scaffolding-model.html

In today's generation, students must have developed the necessary skills to be more capable in different activities. One of which is being self-directed. Self-directedness is the ability to initiate something in order to achieve personal set of goals and values. This skill should be developed in all types of learners for them to be competent and most importantly, they learn at their best if they are the ones who take control of the flow of their experience.

Teachers take part of this evolution of their students. They hold a big responsibility to the betterment and welfare of their lives. Without the presence of teachers, students will not grow and mold their own talents. Thus, as a future teacher, I will help my students to become self-directed learners through engaging them in multiple activities. Such activities that will make use of their cognitive, affective and psychomotor skills. These are Online Treasure Hunt, WebQuest, Scavenging, Learning Logs, Personal Learning Network, and Learning Projects. Through these materials, I can assure myself that they learn something on their own doing.

Not just teachers have the ability to be self-directed, but also their learners as well. Teachers and students help each other to gain knowledge and promote active learning. Educators, therefore, perform an essential role to shape the holistic development of their learners.