Research in Social Sciences and Technology
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Using Graphical organizers in the teaching process of ICT
Get PDFTo date, hundreds of advanced teaching methods have been developed, such as game methods, problem-based learning methods, and information and communication technologies are widely used in education. Most of these technologies are based on the principles of student-centred and participatory learning. These interactive methods allow the learner to master the necessary professional knowledge, skills and competencies under the managerial guidance of a teacher. In this article, the author would like to share her experience of using one of such techniques - graphic organizers - in teaching the subject of computer science and information technologies. The graphic organizers as supportive tools for teaching and learning, their use and types are described. Examples of graphic organizers for learning IT and Information security, drawn using IT, are given
Information and Communication Technology in a Global World
Get PDFThis study takes its departure from ongoing debate about teachers’ (collective) “continuing professional development” (CPD). The overall aim is to highlight active teachers’ perceptions on developing a self-understanding of their complex role in daily practice by using digital tools. The following research questions guided the study: How can teachers make schools more relevant and engaging? How can students’ achievement increase? In what way can teachers provide high-quality education for all students? Three perspectives will be guiding the study: Information and Communication Technology (ICT), learning, and special education. The participants in the study are 21 staff members in preschool, primary school, and a recreation center with whom we conducted structured individual interviews and focus group discussions. Field notes were also taken during the interview and discussion sessions. The findings reveal the importance of the teachers’ deeper understanding of students’ creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. Furthermore, the most powerful thing teachers can do is to design engaging, meaningful, and authentic work and technology-enhanced learning experiences. In order to improve learning in a digital world, the teachers must be engaged and supported by professional learning opportunities to continually improve and strengthen their digital competencies and teaching practices. The theoretical standpoint is the norm model as an analytical tool to understand the teachers’ perceptions. The concept of “norm” is a collective term for the factors and structures that are regarded as a normal balance between the aspects of value/will, system conditions/possibilities, and cognition/knowledge.
 
Analog and Digital Games as a Pedagogical Tool in the Teacher Training Context
Get PDFThis article focuses on analog and digital game play and the challenges it poses to future teachers in an educational context. For that, a review of the literature on the subject was made, addressing the theories of Piaget and Vygotsky. We refer to the game as a pedagogical resource, its relation to the teaching-learning process, and its role in stimulating the multiple intelligences referenced by the psychologist Howard Gardner. Structurally framed by this theoretical framework, we developed this study in an integrated internship context in a classroom of the First Cycle of Basic Education, with 20 children ages 9 and 10. In order to carry out this research, we developed teaching-learning experiences that allowed us to answer the following question: How do the different game supports (analog/digital) motivate children to the teaching-learning process? In order to answer this question, we have outlined the following objectives: i) to understand if the type of support in which children play influences learning; ii) develop activities in contexts, using games (analog and digital); (iii) understand, to what extent, playing games encourages the development of multiple skills. The study is part of a descriptive, interpretive, and reflexive process, framed in a qualitative approach. For data collection, we used participant observation, observation log grids, field notes, photographic records, and interviews with the children. After analyzing the data, these tend to reveal, among other aspects, a remarkable improvement in motivation of children, perceiving that the game is an excellent teaching/learning strategy that allows the development of social and communication skills of children, predisposing the child for learning. As far as the type of game support is concerned, we found that although digital is more appealing to children born in the Digital Age, we verified that both the game in analog and digital support, when properly integrated into the educational action, are also promoters of meaningful and lasting learning
Promoting Professional Development for Teachers Through a Scale of Competence Assessment
Get PDFCompetencies are a key factor in the professional development of teachers. Additionally, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in education are becoming increasingly important due to their potential in the field of education. The combination of both makes it easier to perform a comprehensive assessment of the level of competences of students in the Teacher Degree. The design of tasks and activities in order to promote their assessment enable classroom intervention. Indeed, this paper presents how ICTs have been used in university teaching. In order to respond to the evolution of training needs, we present a valid and reliable evaluation tool for professional competencies and learning results for prospective teachers (Pre-School and Primary Education). We applied for students from the Teacher Degree in their practicum period. Indeed, different learning and assessment tasks have been designed, some related to “correct” or “incorrect” teaching practices. This implies that the students have not only to do their tasks but to identify and to differentiate what is correct in their professional development. Finally, the instrument enables the assessment of the level of professional competencies acquired by prospective teachers during their training period
Teachers’ Perceptions on Using Smartphones in English as a Foreign Language Context
No full textThis study explored the perceptions of English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers at a foundation year in a university in Saudi Arabia. 41 male (27) and female (14) teachers completed a survey using Google Forms. The results indicated that the majority of teachers (83%) supported the integration of smartphones in EFL context, as 71% believe that smartphones would enhance students’ EFL learning. 72% reported that they used smartphones for university-related work. Sending and receiving emails, accessing the internet, and using educational applications were the most reported beneficial features whereas scanning/creating QR codes, using calculator, playing games, and playing a podcast were the least reported. 79 % believed that smartphones would have instructional benefits for the learners such as access to technology, motivation, creativity English language learning opportunities, and variation in instruction whereas 58 % did not see any barriers in the use of smartphones in EFL context. That smartphones may distract students’ attention was the only reported barrier. Recommendations and impactions for further research and applications were suggested
Main barriers to ICT teacher training and disability
Get PDFFrom the earliest ages, the commitment to an inclusive education needs the impulse of an educational system that opens its schools to all students. This reality would not be possible today without taking into account the educational support provided by Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to the inclusive process, since they constitute the scaffolding that will allow participation and the realization of tasks adjusted to the possibilities and interests of the people. In the process of integration of ICT in the classroom, teachers are a key element since, as has been shown in numerous studies, one of the critical factors for the success of educational systems is the existence of trained, motivated teachers. The purpose is to know the main barriers or obstacles for the development of teacher training plans in ICT for people with disabilities, as well as the priority aspects for training. In the empirical part of the study, 241 interviews with professionals from the Spanish educational sector (members of management teams, ICT coordinators, directors and technological advisors of teacher training centers) were analyzed. Among the conclusions, we can highlight that the main barriers that hinder the implementation of ICT training activities and disability in most of the autonomous communities are determined in the first place by economic factors, lack of time, and teachers’ attitude. The conclusions of the study make it necessary to adopt important measures in the initial training of teachers in order to be trained in the incorporation and appropriate use of ICT in teaching people with different types of disabilities, especially taking into account that the reality that we face every time has more innovative and enriching technological tools that offer us a wide range of applications and adequate tools for this purpose
Technologies and environmental education: A beneficial relationship
Get PDFEducational technologies have an important role in education today. They represent a relevant resource in the process between theorizing and educational practices, and they are essential in the awareness process for sustainability. Thus, technological education appears as a facilitator in this process, especially with students, parents, and everyone around us, as being supported by tech resources to produce an efficient effect. This study was performed at Escola Municipal de Ensino Fundamental in Alagoinha-Paraíba, Brazil, between January and February, 2019; the research question is: Are teachers using and recognizing technology as a partner in the environmental awareness process? The main objective is to analyze the usage of tech in the process for environmental awareness by teachers. The specific objectives are: to check the usage of technological education in the environmental awareness process, to comprehend the challenges faced by the teachers in the process of technological usage on the scope of environmental education, to identify the activities developed by the teachers involving tech and environmental education, and to perceive the educational practices. A total of 22 teachers responded to the questions. Data collection was made on a Likert scale using the qualitative method and descriptive research. The Likert scale was validated on its construction with analysis factor. Therefore, it was found that the teachers use the tech resources in their classes, through the environmental awareness, besides defending the educational projects and realizing interdisciplinary works about environmental education for environmental conservation
Modeling and Simulation in an Educational Context: Teaching and Learning Sciences
Get PDFIn science education, there is a need to evaluate the behavior of dynamic systems. Representing and explaining processes through educational models or simulations enables students to perform activities where it is easier to understand these processes and discover the essential properties of a system. Performing modeling or simulation activities that promote interpretation and understanding of systems are learning activities in which students have the ability to create and test their own perceptions of a given phenomenon. Although such activities enhance the development of skills such as reflection, decision making, creativity and generalization, the use of these activities in educational contexts is very sporadic. The difficulties teachers experience in using this type of activity relate to the types of models that are usually used to represent a system, the specificities needed to represent them, the degree of complexity of modeling and simulation tools to do so, and the lack of preparedness to implement practical research activities. In this research, we present the Modeling for Kids methodology to support the development of georeferenced multisensory modeling and simulation activities for the first cycle of Basic Education. This methodology lists a set of norms that aim to advise the teacher and the student in the accomplishment of these activities. The methodology identifies the strategies, contexts of use, and curriculum areas where these activities can be inserted. It also identifies the processes of analysis and representation of dynamic systems. Due to the importance and advantages of georeferenced multisensory information in learning, the methodology also prescribes that teachers and students use this type of information in modeling and simulation activities
ICT in a Global World
Get PDFThe impact of everything on society, in general, is increasingly visible, and we find ourselves in a permanent state of transformation and improvement due to the dizzying proliferation of technologies. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) drives the modern world in education, sports, engineering, management, health, tourism, economics, and communication. All have connections, either because ICT is used as a tool or because ICT is the way to solve problems. Starting from these ideas, we decided to create a Special Edition of RESSAT, collecting a wide range of articles and different perspectives regarding the use of ICT around the world. Different areas of knowledge are using and interacting with these new resources, creating a new space for access and production of learning, contributing at the same time to the elimination of barriers so that all people might approach technology in a Global World
Editorial 2019: (4) 1
Get PDFDear Colleagues, Readers and Contributors of RESSAT!
We are excited to be with you through the May 2019 issue (4/1) of Research in Social Sciences and Technology (RESSAT). We would like to extend our appreciations to all who contributes by submitting or reviewing manuscripts or have been readers of RESSAT. In our first issue of the fourth year, you will find six articles. I would like to thank everyone and express my special appreciation to the people who contributed to make this issue ready for you. I especially would like to thank all authors and reviewers for their contribution to RESSAT. I hope you will both enjoy and be challenged by the articles in this issue of RESSAT. I also look forward to seeing your contribution to the development of RESSAT in the future