ICT Essentials for teachers and learners

Transcription

1 ICT Essentials for teachers and learners Using ICT to enhance quality of education 1

2 BACKGROUND The Government of Rwanda envisages ICT as a prime of socio-economic deployment. To respond to skills demand of employers and technology progress from knowledge base economy deployment, ICT in teaching and learning need to be strengthened in primary and secondary schools. ICT is the most powerful tool to be used in problem solving, conceptual deployment and critical thinking. As the result many different initiatives have been put in place such as ICT infrastructures in schools in order to improve quality of education. Building capacity for teachers and students in using ICTs to enhance quality education will help Rwandan education system to be strong and produce students that have skills demanded in the current knowledge base economy society. It is against this background, this module explains essential ICTs for effective teaching and learning. This will be used as the guide module for both teaching and learning through ICT. CURRENT STATUS Ministry of Education with stakeholders is building capacity for in-service teachers in ICT as a tool for teaching and learning. Various ICT trainings were conducted and others are ongoing RITC trained teachers in schools to use Microsoft office software Rwanda Education Commons is training teachers to use online channels in research purpose, sharing knowledge online and play with best practices videos. REB is training teacher and student technology champions (trainer) to integrate ICT in teaching and learning. VVOB/School-Management is also conducting ICT training for school management (Head teachers, bursars, deputy head teachers, etc). OLPC is training teachers on maintenance and use of OLPC computers. 9/12YBE schools are receiving computers and internet connectivity; however teachers need more knowledge and skills in ICT for Education. AIM AND OBJECTIVES The aim of this course is to develop capacity for teachers in the use ICT as a tool to enhance quality of education The objectives of this course are: To expose participants to recent technologies in order to develop independent and critical thinking To enable participants to use ICT skills in the attainment of curriculum learning objectives To overcome barriers of access to learning resources caused by geographical location, language and culture To promote research and innovation in teaching and learning 2

3 To enhance project based learning and problem solving learning To develop ICT literacy and pedagogy COURSE INTRODUCTION This course introduces teachers to basic ICTs for effective teaching and learning. It involves elements of computer basics which include troubleshooting and maintenance and computer software applications such as Ms Paint, MS Word Processing, Spreadsheet, Power Point, Movie Maker and Internet to engage students in critical thinking and promote collaboration. METHODOLOGY The pedagogical approaches adopted in this course are as follows: - Learner-centred approach, - Practical lectures, - Hands -on activities, - Demonstrations/illustrations, - Group discussions and - Research oriented exercises. Participants will learn through a systemic cycle: a) Definition and planning of learning activities using questions & prediction (Outside the computer lab) b) Search of evidence and interaction between group mates, synthesis of their findings - switching roles around a computer in every single activity; same homework but different sources of information (Inside the computer lab; at home; on the field) c) Classroom presentation; webcast; debate; presentation to users parents or experts; feedback from the audience (External audience) d) Planning the way forward MODULE 1: BASIC ICT CONCEPTS Module Description Basics ICT concepts demonstrate how computers and the peripherals work and why computers are used. Module Objectives This module will help learners to understand the main components and functions of a computer system and its peripherals. Upon completion of this module, learners will be able to identify the main components of a computer (both hardware and software) and its peripherals and to understand the functions of the computer and peripheral devices. 3

4 Basic components of computer system, Function of various input and output peripheral devices, Introduction to system software and operating systems, Connectivity of computers in local and external networks. MODULE 2: MS PAINT Module Description Microsoft Paint is a painting program that can be used to teach learners the basics of drawing and painting. Through MS Paint teachers are able to draw pictures related to the subject matter during lesson material development. The program s tools are basic to other paint programs; therefore it is worth learning and may be useful for proceeding to more complicated image programs. Module Objectives Learners will focus on learning the basics of computers and computer usage. Learners will be exposed to general technology awareness, keyboarding and graphic design. Upon completion of this course, the participants should have an understanding of or be able to: Terminology as related to topic and presented subject material complete projects similar to those demonstrated and/or practiced. Introduction to MS paint, Terminology, Program Window Layout, Functions & Tools, Resources & Assistance; set the size of the drawing area, drawing rectangles, squares, circles, ovals, other polygons and curves; filling the shapes with colours; changing the colours using the palette, and making new colours to add to the palette; erasing lines and shapes; blending colours with the airbrush tool; adding text to a drawing, moving it within the picture area; using either transparent or opaque mode to copy or move parts of a picture; using the colour-picker tool to copy an existing colour to the palette or drawing tool and using the filler colour button etc. MODULE 3: MICROSOFT WORD/ WORD PROCESSING Module Description Word Processing software can be defined as a program for editing, formatting and printing text. It is used for creating professionally looking documents. Some word processors also offer additional capabilities, such as importation of graphics, and the creation of charts and graphs. Module Objectives Learners will be able to: 4

5 Develop the ability of writing using information technology Use Microsoft Word/ Word Processing to produce various readable and structured documents in several subjects as well as reading manuals. After completing this course the learners will be able to: Create a document, and edit it. Use menus and toolbars in Word to accomplish basic tasks from changing document margins to undoing changes. Use basic formatting to make text bold or italic. Change line spacing, indent paragraphs, and apply basic styles to a document. Save and print a finished document Introduction to MS word, Launching and closing Ms Word, Toolbars,The Menu Bar, The Standard Toolbar, The Ruler, Document View, Text Area, Exiting Word, To exit Word, Creating and Opening Documents, Create a New Document, Open an Existing Document, Save a Document, Renaming Documents, Working on Multiple Documents, Close a Document, Saving and Exiting Word, Typing and Inserting Text, Highlighting by Using the Mouse. Creating Tables: Insert a Table, Draw the Table, Inserting Rows and Columns, Moving and Resizing a Table, Tables and Borders Toolbar, Table Properties, Moving Around a Table,Entering Text into a Table, Right- Aligning Text, Adding a Row Within the Table, Resizing the Columns, To widen the first column. Sorting: Ascending order, Descending Order, Page Margins, Page Size and Orientation, Headers and Footers,Page Numbers, Print Preview and Printing a Word document. MODULE 4: SPREADSHEETS Module description Spreadsheets are useful tools for individual or group work and they are widely used in industry and commerce. Learners should understand what a spreadsheet is and how easy it is to manipulate variables and they should see effect of this manipulation. Spreadsheets also help organizations in manipulating data to enable them take meaningful decisions and aid management in appointment scheduling, meeting scheduling, working with tasks and notes, managing contact information. Module objectives To impart skills for using computers to enter, manipulate and store data. To learn how to practically manipulate data using Spreadsheet tools. To learn how to practically organize and store data, To learn how to integrate the various computer packages to solve multiple problem. 5

6 Upon successful completion of this module, a learner will be able to: Use spreadsheet applications Manipulate and process figurative data for quick decision making demonstrate an understanding of what a spreadsheet is and its uses use a prepared spreadsheet Change values of variables and see their various effects demonstrate an understanding of the uses of a spreadsheet Contents Learners are introduced to the concept of a spreadsheet and the components in a spreadsheet. They manipulate a spreadsheet by changing values in cells and will also change formulas to see the effects. Graphs based on values entered in the cells may be generated automatically. Students should also be able to understand the various uses of a spreadsheet in daily tasks. The following are the main focus content: The Basics; Getting Help, Navigating the Spreadsheet, Useful Keys For Moving, Data Entry, Editing, Clearing Contents, Formats, Comments, The Fill Handle, Useful Information, Formulae, Functions, Cell References, Moving and Copying Data; Formatting Columns and Rows, Inserting and Deleting Cells, Rows, Columns or Sheets, Format Painter, Working With Multiple Sheets; Multiple Worksheets, Print Preview, Page Setup, Printing, Sorting & Subtotaling Data, Lists, Sorting List Data, Subtotals, Setting Excel Options, Graphs & Charts, Importing & Exporting, Freeze Pane, Split Window. MODULE 5: PRESENTATION Module description The module on presentations is a package used to display information in a summarized manner in form of slides show. The slides can be in form of text, pictures or movie clips. The information can be a lesson, a project or assignments. The different types of presentation software included in this module are: - MS PowerPoint - Movie Maker - Presentation Tube POWERPOINT PowerPoint presentation is useful when presenting a lesson or a project in a summarized manner using slides. Students should understand how to organize their slides and how to choose their points of discussions. Manipulating backgrounds, pictures, tables, graphs, animations will be found easy and interesting for learners. Objectives The objectives for this program are; To design his/her own effective PowerPoint presentation. To allow interactivity between PowerPoint and other software applications 6

7 Upon successful completion of this program, learners will be able to: Design a PowerPoint presentation Import data (text, pictures, tables, ) from other software to PowerPoint Use animation of slides, background, insert data, work with charts and graphs Program Content Introduction to PowerPoint Presentation, text and title manipulation, deletion and insertion of slides, tables, graphs, pictures and charts, importing pictures from other software applications, background, animation and transitions MOVIE MAKER Movie Maker program is used to present lessons or projects in form of movie clips. Videos, pictures and audio of different formats can be imported and manipulated within Movie Maker program. Teachers can use Movie maker program to design lesson movie clips in order to attract learners attention and interest. Objectives The objectives of this program are: To design a lesson movie clip To import videos, pictures, and audio into Movie Maker To edit pictures, videos and audio clips ( effects, transitions, titles and movie publications) Upon the completion of this program, learners will be able to: Design and production of video and audio learning materials Program Content Introduction to Movie Maker program, Editing, Insertion and Deletion of Movie Clips, Importing Video, Pictures and Audio into Movie Maker Program, Movie Saving and Publication, Sound and Text Manipulation. PRESENTATION TUBE Presentation Tube offers a video presentation recorder and video sharing and streaming network to help teachers, students, and professionals record, upload and share video presentations effectively. The program facilitates the process of producing, publishing and sharing quality, accessible and interactive video presentations The recorder synchronizes a variety of visual aids, including presenter's audio and video footage, PowerPoint slides, drawings, handwritten words, and web content to produce effective video presentations ready for uploading and sharing via Presentation Tube network. Presentation Tube helps presenters to involve the audience via scrollable slide thumbnails, comments, and quizzes with unlimited video storage and unlimited video delivery. In short, it takes all of one s presentation materials and combines them into a single resource that can be accessed anywhere via the Internet. 7

8 Objectives The objectives of this program are: - To create powerful presentations - To share the presentation on networks Upon completion of this program, learners will be able to: - Create presentation using Presentation Tube Program Content Downloading and Installing Presentation Tube Recorder, Loading PowerPoint Slides, Recording Presentations, Integrating Slides, Audio-Visual Narration, and other resources while Recording, Uploading recorded video presentation file, Copy and Share Video Presentation, Embedding Code into Course Management System or blog, or sharing it, Using My Account Manager. MODULE 6: INTERNET Module Description In today s world, the use Internet and has become essential in undertaking research and innovation. Teachers use the Internet for research, publication, communication, social networking, teaching, learning and information storage. Therefore teachers need to know how to use internet and to undertake the aforementioned activities. Module Objectives The objectives for this module are: To impart skills for using the Internet to undertake academic and research activities To impart skills for using the to communicate To undertake online commercial activities Upon the completion of this module, learners will be able to: Access the Internet using different Web browsers Search for relevant information from the internet Use s for communication Share files during collaborative engagements on the internet Introduction to internet, Nature and Characteristics of Internet and World Wide Web, Browsing, navigating the Web, Searching engines, Downloading and uploading, Copyright Issues, other Internet Terminologies, communications (Attachment, Composing and Sending, fowarding and deleting). 8

9 MODULE 7: BASIC ICT MAINTENANCE Module Description This module is designed to provide learners with basic skills for computer hardware and software maintenance and repair. This module will also enable teachers to enhance skills in identifying and troubleshooting technical problems related to hardware, software and computer accessories. Module Objectives The objectives for this module are: To develop skills in computer maintenance and repair To promote computer refurbishment in schools Expected learning outcomes Upon the completion of this module, learners will be able to: Undertake basic skills in troubleshooting of computer hardware and software Damaged computers will be refurbished Maintenance and repair of computer hardware and software related problems Installation and configuration of computer software, hardware and accessories Basic Concepts about Computer Maintenance, Safety with Tools, Equipment and Power, Input/output Devices, Installing Drivers, Diagnosing and Correcting Hardware Errors, Storage Devices, Formatting Data Storage Devices, Computer Viruses, Anti- Virus Software Updating and Scanning, Computers for Viruses, Preventive Maintenance, Computer Security and Privacy, Backups, printer troubleshooting, Network Troubleshooting, Internet Troubleshooting, Peripheral Installation (Printers, LCDs External Drives),Identification of System Board Components MODULE 8: COMPUTER PROGRAMMING Module Description Computer programming is a powerful tool that facilitates learning that is learning skills of thinking and problem-solving. Computer programming is a process of designing, writing, testing, debugging, and maintaining the source code of computer programs, which is written in one or more programming languages. Module Objectives The objectives for this module are: To provide a rich and challenging learning environment for different skill levels To develop problem solving strategies prompting the learners to engage in collaborative discussions, pondering questions, predicting results and seeing immediately the effects of her/his decisions Developing learners ability in formulating and providing instructions for others so that they can be easily understood 9

10 To develop the confidence of learners and giving them a sense of ownership of their work as they create new projects To develop learners logic and basic mathematic skills used regularly in programming, the skills they learn will help them open doors in their career To help learners think creatively by coming up with story lines and ideas for programs those they can write Develop fundamental skills to informatics and to software development at different levels Upon the completion of this module, learners will be able to: Create and share projects Think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively Solve problem and manage complex systems Plan and come up with strategies, and learn how to diagnose and troubleshoot problems Methodically analyze procedure oriented oriented problems through decomposition into procedural steps Code and realize programs and sub-programs using a general purpose programing environment Solving Problems, Algorithms, Data Structures, Data types, Modular Structure, Control Structures, Programming Languages, Testing and Debugging, Variables, Sequence Structures, Iteration Structures Examples of programming languages: Scratch Scratch is a programming language to facilitate beginners at programming to learn through playfully experimenting and creating projects, such as interactive animations, games, etc. Program content: Using the Computer where learners will be introduced to the main parts of the computer with which they will interact, including the keyboard, mouse, and monitor; Right and Left where learners will understand the difference between their right and left; Instructions and Programs where learners will be introduced to the basic terminology surrounding computer programming, including terms such as instructions, programs, programmers, and output; Programming Exercise (Make the Scratch Cat Say Hello where learners will learn to click on the say instruction and see the Scratch Cat produce say Hello ; Using Say Instructions where learners will learn how to drag multiple Say instructions into the scripts area and run them separately.) Python Python is an interactive, object-oriented and high-level programming language. 10

11 Program Content: Identifiers, Lines and Indentation, Statements, Quotations, Comments, Variable Types, Standard Data Type, Numbers, Functions, Simple Programs MODULE 9: ROBOTICS Module description This course of Robotics is about system integration, achieving a task by an actuated mechanical device, via an intelligent integration of components, many of which it shares with other domains, such as systems and control, computer science, character animation, machine design, computer vision, artificial intelligence, cognitive science, biomechanics, etc. Its ideas, concepts and algorithms are being applied in a number of external applications and core technology from other domains (such as vision, biology, cognitive science or biomechanics) are becoming crucial components in more and more modern robotic systems. Module objectives Within the module, learners will gain knowledge and experience in the design of robotic structures, their sensory capability, and their programming within an artificial intelligence environment, which will enable them to contribute at a high level in such project constructs. The objectives of the course are: To deliver a flexible program of study that reflects the requirements of the modern robotic and artificial intelligence industries, as well as areas of expertise and research; To provide a supportive, structured learning environment in which learners are encouraged to develop independent learning skills; To develop subject knowledge and understanding, and provide training in discipline skills to enable graduates to pursue further programs of study or to move directly into responsible careers in artificial intelligence, robotics or related practices; To develop personal transferable skills to enable graduates to pursue further programs of study or careers in non-cognate fields; To promote educational opportunities Expected learning outcomes Upon successful completion of this module, learners will have a highly developed range of knowledge-based and transferable skills. They will be able to have: Knowledge and understanding in the fields of computation and computer programming, computer networks, robotics and robotic design, programming and control; electronic and mechanical systems, to allow to design autonomous robotic structures capable of performing various tasks without direct intervention Discipline specific skills in the conceptualization, design and operation of robotic structures together with their programming within basic control and artificial 11

12 intelligence environments, using either networked computer or microprocessor control systems. Personal and transferable skills in critical thinking; numerical techniques; independent learning and research; team working; IT and communication skills; creative and problem based resolution; life-long learning skills, and personal management. Developing Professional Skills, Computer Architecture and Systems Software, Formal Foundations, Robotics Applications and Systems, Software Development, Introduction to Signals, Electronics Applications Project, Automation and Control, Symbolic and Declarative Computing/Artificial Intelligence, Computer Communications and Networks, Digital Electronics Design, Embedded Systems, Sensors & Actuators, Digital Image Processing MINIMUM RESOURCES One computer for two learners, An LCD Projector Hardware and equipment to build robots at school Required software Access to internet ASSESSMENT - Practical exercises - Project presentations - Oral questions in the group discussions CERTIFICATION The certificate will be awarded to teachers who have completed and fulfilled the requirements of the training. REFERENCE UNESCO 2002, Information and Communication Technology in Education: a Curriculum for Schools and Programme of Teacher Development NCCA, Information and Communication Technology in Education (ICT) in the Primary School Curriculum: Guidelines for teachers Wikipedia.org 12