ICT helps in designing brochure

We use information communication technology (ICT) in classroom teaching and learning. When you use ICT in classroom teaching and learning it must add value to the lesson and monitor students learning. There is a wide range of ICT like video tutoring, picture, sounds, animation, and simulation. It caters to the different learning style of students.  Teachers have to plan the lesson and select the best ICT which will enhance the learning of the students.

During our stay at college, we have used ICT in many ways. We use ICT to make a presentation, for documentation, to design, to make animation and as a store where we can save our resources. Among many, I will write how I have used ICT in making brochure when we were in the fourth year in the module Health and Physical Education (HPE). While making a brochure we have to use images and different types of design to make my brochure informative and understandable to the readers. I made a brochure on the theme 'Effects of physical activity on organ system' on the topic "Muscular System". While making a brochure I came up with many problems such as how to use MS publisher and how to use the feature of MS publisher. 

While making a brochure I have use picture, text shapes, images from the internet, and table. I have even gone through tutoring video on YouTube since I don’t know how to make a brochure using MS publisher. I had to look for a brochure from the library so that I can get an idea for making a brochure. It was a new idea for me. I didn’t learn in my school days and was a new topic for me. I took interest to make a brochure.

While making a brochure I learned how to organize the text, the use font size, font color, color combination, line spacing, and their adjustment. I also learn how to format the picture so that we can put a picture according to our desire. I learned to search for information through a different browser and how to select the most appropriate information on my particular topic. While making a brochure I learn what to include and what to ignore. In the brochure, we have to put the main idea/things that we want to show rather than putting all the information together.

importance of blog

A blog is an online journal or informational website displaying information, with the latest information on top. It is a platform where a writer or even a group of writers share their views on an individual subject. It is important to mention that blogging grows with each passing day. I have seen many people blogging and I do read some of the blogs. Before I never thought of creating my own blog and I didn’t have any idea on how to go about.

 However, this ICT course provided me with an opportunity to create my own blog and got opportunities to share my understanding of the different topics. I thought that creating a blog would be a difficult one, but it wasn’t a difficult task. In fact, it was as easy as creating any social media account like Instagram, what, Facebook and WhatsApp. After creating a blog, we can write about something of our interest and moreover, we can add videos and images to our write-ups. We can even select the members who can post comments on our write-ups.

 Following the steps in the video, I started creating my own blog address to write reflections of my entire ICT knowledge and skills that I have used during my stay in the college and it was a part of my assignment. Creating a blog was of so much fun and I enjoyed creating my own blog. Through the blog, we are not only getting a chance to share our understanding of the different topics but also get opportunities to comment on others writings and sharing. I have also learned how to apply the theme for my blog website, how to post, from where to add videos, images and from where to edit and delete my write-up. 

Steps to create a blog

1. sign in to blogger
2. on the left, click the down arrow.
3. click new blog.
4. enter a name for your blog.
5. choose a blog address or URL. 
6. choose a template.
7. click create a blog.

Importance of the blog;

• it enables us to reach the billions of people that use the internet.
• can help you promote yourself or your business
• blogging works as a method for attracting an audience because it provides something of value to them before asking for anything in return.
• we can express our self and share our passion.
• we can share our knowledge and understanding with others.
• it helps us in refining our writing skills.

Word processor

For decades of year, schools and colleges in Bhutan were in the darkness where students cannot explore another world through different means than to open a book. But the birth of ICT brought a great difference in the schools and colleges of Bhutan. In every college ICT plays an important role as most of the work is done using ICT. Till my stay here in Paro College of Education, I have learned many experiences through ICT.

My first encounter here was learning of Word processing. Microsoft Word is a word processor developed by Microsoft. It was first released on October 25, 1983, under the name Multi-Tool Word for Xenix systems. When word processing software features are used in conjunction with good organizational skills, this saves users time. Instead of spending time sorting and searching for misfiled or misplaced paperwork, using the computer's search feature makes finding files simple.

 In school word processor are only used to create the document and edit by adding more text, modifying the existing text, deleting/moving some part of it. And spelling is also checked and correction is made automatically in the entire document. But when I reached to college I found word processor is more important as an educator because we need to do lots of academic writing which we have to write reference according to the APA styles which are already in the word document. 

Word processors are a valuable part of the technology now available for educators in schools. Students and teachers both receive many benefits when doing classwork on the computer. Many of the headaches of paperwork are eliminated. Moreover, in school whenever we were asked to insert the picture we used to search from the internet and copy the image in the document, but now we can use shapes to draw images like animals. As a future teacher, this can be used in school to make more interesting and effective learning. So, the word processor is not only for typing text. Please go through the link below.

My experience of using Camtasia

Camtasia is a video recording and editing software which allows us to develop video tutorials and upload them a well. Camtasia Studio is software which allows us to create presentations too. You can easily record software applications, PowerPoint presentations, and Web camera videos. We can have used the editor to edit the recording and enhance for emphasis. Share crystal-clear videos at any screen size…on Web pages, blogs, CDs, or portable devices like the iPod.

When I was in school most of my senior used to make a short video and I used to wonder how they edit or make their video. After reaching college we have to make short educational video and advocacy video in child development module where I was struggling in using video maker or Camtasia studio. Whenever my tutors give assignment on making an educational video for the children, I am the one who worried most of the time.  I should consider myself a very lucky person because I got an opportunity to learn how to use the Camtasia studio to make the video, edit video and presentation in the Camtasia studio. 

I think that every teacher should be able to use Camtasia as it will really help in the teaching and learning process. Every child possesses different learning styles and ability. Some children learn through using graphics, some may learn through visual representation and some may learn better by watching videos. For example, I learn best by watching through YouTube when I do not understand the concept and also when I faced difficulty in comprehension. Being as a teacher we should cater all the children with diverse learning styles. We should also keep in mind to take an account of children with disability.   

There are different types of features in this software which I have learned in this module ICT in teaching and learning are using transition in the video, inserting video, music where I can make video interesting and images, inserting caption and recording screen with and without a webcam, etc. We can also inert visual effect like cursor effects, shadows, coloring objects, and boarder allow you to customize your videos and make them look more professional.  As a future teacher, I can use this concept in the teaching and learning context as teaching-learning materials. Moreover, the student can be motivated and active in learning if we could make such a video. Below I have a promotional video that I have created using Camtasia studio. 

 

Microsoft Power Point Presentation in Education

In earlier days, most of the school in our country was not developed and most of the teachers were from India to teach Bhutanese students because Bhutan did not have a much-qualified teacher like today. The student will not have a book to read and write instead they have to write on a slate, now and then they have to erase those notes when it is time for another session. Most of us today will not actually remember when classrooms were using chalk and slate boards because many of us were exposed to different technologies. Now we have grown adapt to technologies like projectors, television and computers, laptops and iPad and cell phones.

In the world of technology, powerpoint presentations are slowly beginning to take over the out-dated job of scribbling on chalkboards. A power point presentation is a simple process which can be done by the non-computer oriented people as well as the experts. It involves creating slides, then projecting the slides on to a large projection screen and the presenter is in complete charge of slide transition in the presentation with a simple click of the mouse. It can be filled with bright colored fonts, with different design and animated effects to promote the interest of the student in the class.

A power point presentation is a highly powerful tool in the classroom, and as technology progresses so will the program. Many teachers like to use PowerPoint in the classroom because it is easy to use and it portrays information in a very organized manner. It can be an effective and efficient tool to use in the class while displaying information to the student. It also helps the presenter to organize their presentation instead of dealing with a handout. It enhances learning by providing a better understanding of the topic as well as motivating students.

When used effectively, it can provide a great deal of information to the audience by using the graphically enhanced effects. Powerpoint allows us to use images, audio, and video to have greater visual impact. I think using powerpoint improve the student’s learning motivation, increasing authentic materials for study, encouraging interaction between the teacher and students as well. Therefore, a powerpoint presentation can be an effective tool to present material in the classroom and encourage students learning.

ICT Integration in various subject area

During my school days, I was not aware of the words that typed in Dzongkha because I was not that much exposed to the use of ICT. After I joined in this college, I learned lot about the ICT and importance of ICT in our life as well as I being as future teacher. In the first semester, I learned about the use of different search engines, Microsoft word document, Microsoft excels sheet and Microsoft power point presentation. During second semester, I learned about the module 'Environmental Studies' (EVS) in Dzongkha. During that time, I was thinking that ICT cannot be used in dzongkha or ICT cannot be integrated in Dzongkha subject but I was wrong.

In that module, besides learning about teaching methods, strategies and skill, I learned about how to type words or letter in Dzongkha. When I learnt first time, I faced difficulty in recognizing the letter in Dzongkha as well as in order to type all the letters of dzongkha, I used to take more than 10 to 15 minutes. As time passes by I could learn how to type words or letters in dzongkha and I was able to recognize the letter in dzongkhag. Now when I type 30 alphabets of dzongkha I hardly take five minutes to complete.

Being a general graduate we are not only suppose to teach English subjects but also need to teach dzongkha subject as well. This module really helped me in teaching dzongkha subject using power point presentation and word processor and also helped me in doing dzongkhag assignment and presentation in the class. If I did not have that knowledge, I might have to write all in chart paper and paper and need to present in the class. Using PowerPoint saves time and can cover large amount of topic within set time. It can be effective and efficient tool to use in the class while displaying information to student. Moreover, when I need to write the assignment in dzongkha, it really saves time and it also helps in preparing the lesson plan too.

Integrating ICT in different subject is very important because I thought that ICT cannot be integrated in dzongkha subject but it is not like that. ICT can be integrated in different subject areas. During my schools day, until class 9 I have never seen my teaching using Microsoft power point presentation in teaching and learning process both in English and dzongkha. Moreover, many teachers were not competent in using ICT in teaching. Therefore, in today world ICT plays a vital role and it is very important for teacher to have ICT knowledge. 

ICT in Education

I think in the 21^st century, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is very important as many people recognized ICTs catalysts for change; in working conditions, handling and exchanging information, teaching methods, learning approaches, scientific research and in accessing information communication technologies. In this digital era, the use of ICT in the classroom is important for students to provide opportunities to learn and apply 21st-century skills. Moreover, ICT improves teaching and learning and its importance for teachers in performing their role of creators of pedagogical environments. ICT helps the teacher to present his or her teachings style attractively.

Being a future teacher, it is very important to have ICT knowledge because we may come across different learners with different learning styles. In order to cater to those students, the teacher needs to have ICT related knowledge. Teaching using power point presentation and showing video doesn’t mean using ICT in teaching and learning. It must add value to the lesson, must enhance students learning, to solve the problem and should create educational opportunities for the students.

ICT really made my life easy and more comfortable because before I came here to this college, I was having very little knowledge of ICT. During 1^st year 1^st semester, we learned one module called FIT. From that module, I learned new knowledge about ICT and it is very important for every future teacher as well as student to have the ICT knowledge. The most important thing that I learned from module was the use of different search engines in order to access to different information on the internet and also learned about the use of Microsoft Word document, Microsoft Excel worksheet, and power point presentation. Moreover, being a future teacher, it is very important to know how to prepare the progress report of students using the Microsoft Excel worksheet.

                                               

                                                Use Microsoft word document

During my teaching practice at Chukha Central School, ICT really helps in preparing progress report of students as I was assigned to be the class teacher of class V. If I do not have ICT knowledge, it would be very difficult for me to prepare progress report or consolidated sheet of my students. If a teacher does not have knowledge of ICT, I personally think that all work should be done by pen and paper. With the change in time, ICT plays a vital role in our daily life. Therefore, using ICT in the 21st-century setting plays a vital role. 

                                                Consolidated sheet of class IV