CHOOSING AND APPLYING EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

All teachers aim to teach well so they do all sorts of preparations like lesson planning ahead of time and preparing appropriate instructional devices. But at times all is not well. One might find that the LCD projector is not compatible with the computer, or the audio-video clip does not work as planned, the CD cannot be played on the CD player or the diskette cannot be opened in the computer. So many other problems may arise. That is why it is advisable that before using any specific technology, teachers and students should be very critical in selecting what technology they are going to use. They should know the merits or strengths and demerits and weaknesses of the technology. It is also very important that teachers should also know how to operate the devices. And they should not forget that the most important consideration is choosing the technology are the purposes or objectives of the lesson and the nature of the subject matter. (Garo)

To help teachers make a good choice of what technology they are going to use, it might help to ask the following questions:

- What instructional material is suited to my objectives and subject matter?

- What instructional material is available for my specific lesson? If ther is none, shall I develop one?

- Shall I use the traditional technology or shall I use computer-based technology? Am I ready? and are my students ready?

- Shall I use multi-media presentation? Is there a technology -enabled environment to meet my needs?

- Shall I use the overhead projector to dramatize my lessons?

- Shall I use film? If yes, what film? Is it really necessary to use film?

- Shall I use recording or audio-video clip? Why this recording? Why this audio-video clip? What can this recording do better than this audio-video clip?

- Why should I bring my class to the rice terraces in Banawe when it is very far, very expensive and very risky? Can I not contrive the experience in one of the corners of the school ground? Or can I not let them view still pictures of the rice terraces and then ask them to write a description?

If a specific material can do better than any other material for the achievement of the objectives of the lesson, use it, otherwise, it's just a waste of time, money and effort.

Planing is important in choosing materials for teaching so that achievement of both the general and specific objectives will be assured. It is because planning provides the direction at which the teacher is bringing his class. The students must also be informed as to why a specific material is being used, and they must be guided as to what to look for and what to listen to in the material that is shown. The principle in the application of educational technology should cater to the general and specific objectives of the lesson.

PROCEDURE IN USING SPECIFIC TECHNOLOGY FOR TEACHING

Edgar Dale's Procedure to be taken into consideration to insure the effective use of the materials in achieving objectives:

1.) Previewing -

2.) Effective Timing -

3.) Tying experiences Together -

4.) Re-view or Follow up -



Reference:

Garo, Candelaria D., 2004 Teaching Educational Technology, National Bookstore