Use of ICT in Classroom Teaching

4^th REFLECTION ON TEACHING USING ICT 

(Second post for the month of September)

Subject: Science

Class: VI   Section: A

Topic: Teeth and Their Functions

Class preparation

After going through numerous articles posted by friends, I learned so many strategies which I can make use of ICT meaningfully in teaching. I am much confident and motivated to pursue further to keep abreast of my ICT knowledge. Learning for self and for the benefit of students, I am in the process of developing “google classroom account.” The primary purpose of Google Classroom is to streamline the process of sharing files between teachers and students beyond the classroom teaching. It will also minimize the use of papers. I tried to complete all the formalities and share it this time but couldn’t do due to some technical problems.

Group following teacher's instructions

On 19th September, I had a lesson with class VI students on the topic “Teeth and Their Functions.” It was a block period.  They should be able to identify types of human teeth, its functions and taking care of their teeth were the objectives of the lesson.  The activity was divided into three:

1.      Identifying types of teeth in human,

2.      Functions of teeth

3.      Taking care of their teeth.

Children working their own following the instructions 

This time I used laptops and projector to facilitate my teaching. I delivered my teaching in the conference hall where internet connectivity is strong.   They were divided into five groups of four students in each group. Each group was provided a laptop each.      

This time, I asked them to find information by themselves from the net. I exhibited the steps to access the topic on the projector.  The very intention of making them to find information by themselves is to make them feel that ICT can be use for educational purposes besides online games and movies. Although, they are very fond of using online games and movies, however they lack the knowledge on how to use ICT for learning purposes. They don’t know from where they can find information form the net. Keeping this in mind, I showed the way, from where they can fetch information for better learning.

Before students begin watching a video, I distributed the worksheet and instructed them to fill up at the end of each video. The purpose of providing worksheet is to check their understanding of the topic. The first short online tutorial they watched was ‘teeth and their functions.’ At the end of the video, I asked them to discuss and fill up the table.  Then we moved on to second activity which was on ‘foods which are good and bad for our teeth’ followed by third activity on ‘brushing tips.’

In comparison to past experiences, I found there is a vast difference in children’s learning.  Children learn much better through technology as it keeps them engage.  The following figure represents students’ performance at the end of each activity. This was a very impressive performance made by the children.

To make connection on what they have learned from the video and what is there in the textbook, I suggested them to read the information given in the textbook.  After that we had few sharing on integrating ICT in teaching. They say that, they enjoy learning as it keeps them awake when listening passively to speech, charming music, and so on. Some of them suggest me that if I can conduct science class in the conference hall every day. So, this is one indication that, they love learning through ICT.

Process of solving problem

As saying goes, “every advantage has its own disadvantage,” I came across some hindrances which I need to think over it.  For example: One group couldn’t use laptop because of weak wi-fi connectivity. In one laptop there was no google chrome browser installed which made it very difficult to use it. To avoid such circumstances in future, a teacher has to check beforehand.

Final activity sheet

Choney Dorji

DEA-2017

(06160344)