Situating tool:

Situating tool is an application that helps to situate the learners’ in an environment to experience the situation and happenings. With the help of virtual reality (RS) extension systems, we can create 3-D images on the computer which give us the feeling that the model or image is real and can be found in a virtual environment.

Some of the examples of situating tools that we have learned are simulations (flight, farming, surgery, environment, driving, History City, SimCity, play   station), Virtual Reality (VR), and CD-ROM.

These tools are very important for us to integrate in teaching and learning because there are individual differences in learning whereby some learns best by doing/exploring, some through auditory, visual etc… 
However from my teaching practice experience, I have learnt that most of the students learn the best when numerous options is provided at once. For example, flasing the water-cycle on the screen through the use of situating tools can be a visual, auditory and kinesthetic too.  These tools can be very essential when certain real life experiences are not possible. For example, during my teaching practice in Changangkha MSS, it would be difficult for me to let them experience how the farmers plough the field. So in such situation, these tools would be the best and most appropriate. ; Some of its importance that I have learnt is as follows:

ü  Situates user in the environment

ü  Comprehend & manipulate variables

ü  Communicate with other users login

ü  Foster creativity & visualization skills

In the college, the ICT tutor taught use how to use 'PhET simulation', Google map etc... After having explored these applications, I have realized that these tools will be of great use in the school. I can use these tools in different subjects such as maths for calculation, graphing etc..., in science for any kind of experimentation, social studies to find the location, landscapes and find time of different places.

View of Paro College Play ground using Google Map

pH scale using the PHeT simulation

Camtesia video

The use of camtesia which we did as an activity to 'constructive tools' was not a new knowledge for me. I have been using it since I join the college. However, after our ICT tutor assign us to work on it, I realised that I have not explored and make best use of it. After I produce this video, I realised that I have learned a lot. For example, screen record is one component I have never tried before. 

This app is very useful since it enhance our knowledge on making video by inserting animation, simulation, screen recording, recording from power point presentation, etc... In addition, it also help us record our own voice or video, watch it, find the mistake and get ourselves improved.

Therefore, it can be very useful in the schools since we can let students to use the app and produce educational documentary movie of their own. It can help students boost their interest and also it can fulfill learning by doing learning strategies.  

Video on google docs.

video recordings on how to create blogs.

After we discussed on how to create Google docs. I personally feel I was still not confident enough to create this forum. However, after watching this video recording I was very clear and confident to create the forum. It is far more better technology that can be used to co-construct the knowlede or work together without having to come together at a place.

Moreover, we can share our ideas and knowledge with each other, discuss and produce the best result. 

After working on Google docs., I gain lots of knowledge from my friends besides the technological knowledge. In addition, I have also learned to accept my weaknesses and appreciate others' ideas. Likewise, I also get satisfaction by working together with the friends and modifying the work by looking at the comments since there will be less chance of making the errors.

However,  it is discouraging if the network is not good and we cannot participate actively during the discussion. Likewise if the group friends are not online during the discussion, it is bit discouraging too.

Therefore, this Google docs can be very useful tools in the school context. With the proper guidance and supervision, students and teachers can work together on Google docs. Moreover, teacher can give the feedback there itself assess them too. It can not only give students opportunity to use the technology, but als save time and resources.

Co-constructive tools:

Co-constructive tools are the applications that support the construction of knowledge through a shared understanding (collaboratively consolidate the ideas). Google docs, electronic whiteboard, Blogs and wikis, discussion forum on portals (pce.edu.bt) are the most common examples that we use for educational purposes.

I have not realized its importance and benefits until our ICT tutor ask us to create a blog and work on Google docs in this module. Using the co-construction tools, we can co-edit the single passage together, communicate database, insert texts & graphics and it enhance collaborative learning environment. In the past days, when we are assigned with the group work, we either sit together and work or we share the files to each friends for edition but now, we started working on google docs for any group work which I feel very effective way of working together from abroad.

Later in the school, I will use these application such as google docs and blogs for the collaborative learning. For the students, I will create such forum and work collaboratively with the students. We can work together from home, discuss the idea and the students can ask their doubt and I will give the answer  immediately.The example of working together to plan a lesson in ICT module is given below:

Working in groups on google docs. 

Moreover, these application/tools helps to develop high-level cognitive processes by explanation, problem solving and active & intentional learning. Now, I fully realized that these tools can be very effective in teaching and learning in the school if it is used wisely. It save lot of time and energy. In addition, it also give opportunities to make good use of ICT. However, at times it also cause chaos and mislead. When the network is weak, it would be very difficult to take part in the collaborative work. Likewise, if the group members does not cooperate to come on line, it discourages the other members.

Constructive tools

Constructive tools are the application that helps learners manipulate information, visualize understanding and construct their own knowledge based on previous knowledge and experiences. Example: simulations, electronic bulletin board, social networking sites (blog,Facebook,  tutor, etc...),multimedia authoring tools, etc...

Constructionist believes that learning happens through personal construction of meaning by the learners. The meanings are constructed through the experiences and that meaning is influenced by the interaction of prior knowledge and new events. Through the use of constructive tools, one can use different applications such as concept map, PowerPoint, spreadsheet etc...This type of application is very common in today's teaching and learning.

In colleges, the tutor teach us using projector in PowerPoint,  Microsoft Word, Spreadsheet, Camtesia,etc... . Likewise, students use these applications to design assignments, prepare power point presentation and also make a video clips with the knowledge of all those components. The usage of these applications helps me to foster the critical thinking and construct my own understanding of meanings. Furthermore, it gives the opportunities to explore and learn by ourselves. It triggers constructionist learning by helping us learn to adapt, explore and practice.When we were asked to prepare the video using the Camtesia, I had to explore lot of information to come up with this video. After the video is made, I realised that I have combined different components of ICT such as Microsoft PowerPoint, Camtesia, Microsoft word etc...

The constructive video made using the knowledge of Microsoft word and camtesia.

Even in the school, almost all the students use social media such as Facebook and Wechat. Thus, they become more advanced. So, it would be a great idea to use it for the primary students. However, if these tools are not used wisely, the students may land up exploring the unwanted sites such as use of tobacco, adult sites etc.... Therefore, the teacher should let students use these tool with the close monitoring and intervention.

Communicative tools

Communicative tools are the tools which enable easy communication. In teaching and learnibg, the communication can be used between teachers and students or among students irrespective of any physical barriers such as space, time and place. Eg: chatting, mailing, video conferencing, Facebooking etc...

Two types of communicative tools are used in Education. 'Synchronous' in which the communication happens in real time talk. Eg: the use of phone call, video conferencing, voice call, etc...Synchronous communicative tools are usually used when teachers give instructional activities requiring high degree interaction. In college, we often conduct video conferencing through zoom cloud, meet or wechat. i think this can be very useful in the school since everyone has mobile phone these days. So contacting students through their parents would be great. In the college, we use video conferencing the most.

video conferencing via zoom cloud

video conferencing via meet

The other type is the 'asynchronous communication' in which the teachers and students doesn't have to be online at the same time. This type of communication is common in today's teaching and learning. When I was teaching during my teaching practice, I used to have both way communication. Even now, I usually have asynchronous type of communication with my students. The students often drop their questions and doubts on messenger and Wechat. Then I give a reply when I go online. Likewise, in our college, this type of communication happens through vle, wechat and email where there will be no immediate response.Moreover, we have created a personal blog which is of great use in collaborative learning and that is one of the good examples of this type of communication.

Exchanging information through email.

The use of email where there is no immediate response.

We encounter lots of challenges while using synchronous communication. Even at our level whenever we have online classes, we face lots of problem such as network issues, difficulty commenting quickly, multiple thread discussions etc...Even in asynchronous type, sometimes it's an additional task for students asynchronous nature may discourage the learners since they do not get the immediate reply when they are in need. So, the best way I can do with my students is by letting the students work during the class hour and also I  should not fully depend on technology for teaching and learning.

Network issue during the discussion.Tutor has to waste the time  waiting. 

Reflection on informative tools.

Informative tools:

Recollecting back to what we have discussed on informative tools, I remember it is a tool that helps students and teachers use the latest technological resources such as Internet, radio and television. We have also discussed that these application provides vast repositories of information to learners.

I knew these tools can be used in teaching to give students various activities/project work and integrate in lesson planning. One of the examples of informative tools that we used in ICT class was a preparation of power point presentation on 'Women Playing Khuru in Bhutan'. Through this activity, i got accessed to lots of new information from various sources which help me a lot. So, I realized that I should give such activity to my students as well.

To facilitate the students to make best use of it, we the teacher must give proper information or content knowledge during the activity instructions. It will allow them to analyze, synthesize and manipulate the information. The students will be greatly benefited with this application. Furthermore, it enhances their creativity and also know how to integrate the relevant ideas, analyze relevant information and evaluate resources on internet.

Taking an example as the use of internet in the classroom, I remember during my teaching practice while teaching my students using the projector where the resources from the Internet was widely used along with the citation. The students were greatly motivated and I saw many of them taking note of the citation to explore it later by themselves. In addition, with the use of graphics and even video clips they always opt for such lesson. This is why we have to make use of informative tools in the classroom.

Another example I remember was that as soon as I start my class I shared my social media with them and told them to interact with me if they have any doubt. Then the students were really excited and they came up with lots of doubt through the social media. Later some parents chat with me and told that this is the best thing they have ever experienced. The good thing is the students can take their own time; ask questions at the right time and most probably they don't feel any hesitation to interact through social media as compared to face to face interaction. Likewise, even within our classmates we discuss a lot by creating wechat group or messenger group.

Group discussion through wechat.