CAMTASIA KNOWLEDGE

About my tutorial video.

By using all process I create tutorial video, that is lesson plan for class II English and so I follow all the process and I learnt new things and hope I could able to applied this knowledge in future. I create my own movie on weather and even uploaded in our 4PCB face book group and through this I got so many feedbacks and helps me to improve and even boost my interest to produce more educational movie.

After using Camtasia to create my tutorial video I came to know that Camtasia Studio is two products in one, the screen recorder &Video maker and editor. This software has got the feature of creating powerful, interactive & professional videos that can be used for a wide range of projects such as making of YouTube videos and allows developing video tutorials for teaching and learning in the classroom and uploading them as well.

By using this software practically I am confident that I have learned basic skills. These skills are simple yet effective in many ways and can be even applied in the education system, particularly to create a video tutorial on any of the topic from any subject. So that I can make classroom learning enjoyable.Moreover, I learned how to insert videos, pictures and background music to make the video attractive for the audience. This gives us many editing tools like we can record our own voice, split the parts, and work on it whenever we feel it is necessary after keeping our work saved.

As I already said, I came to know that it plays as a powerful tool to create video tutorials for the students in a creative way. Even when we integrate a simple tool like power point in our teaching and learning in the classroom, we can see curiosity among the students to learn a lesson.  With the use of Camtasia, it will help to enhance the students’ learning and build their curiosity, resulting in motivating students to learn. We must rely on such productive tools to improve our teaching strategy and if it means to enhance students’ creativity.

Camtasia can come in handy for training professionals and teachers too. Teachers can, in

act, add life to their PowerPoint presentation by integrating it with Camtasia. They can create stunning learning tools for their students which are interactive and make learning fun and easy. With so many benefits it’s no wonder that Camtasia is the first choice of many professionals. I urge all the educators to get along with such tools to make teaching and learning effective, efficient and fun learning.

Using computer as informative tools.

I think in the 21^st century, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is very important as many people recognized ICTs catalysts for change in working conditions, handling and exchanging information, teaching methods, learning approaches, scientific research and in accessing information communication technologies. In this digital era, the use of ICT in the classroom is important for students to provide opportunities to learn and apply 21st-century skills. Moreover, ICT improves teaching and learning and its importance for teachers in performing their role of creators of pedagogical environments. ICT helps the teacher to present his or her teachings style attractively.

Being a future teacher, it is very important to have ICT knowledge because we may come across different learners with different learning styles. In order to cater to those students, the teacher needs to have ICT related knowledge. Teaching using power point presentation and showing video doesn’t mean using ICT in teaching and learning. It must add value to the lesson, must enhance students learning, to solve the problem and should create educational opportunities for the students.

The VARK model classifies learners into four types based on how they take in materials. The four types described by VARK model are visual learners, auditory learners, reading/writing learners and kinesthetic learners. As a teacher we can plan to include various types of activities during our classes to accommodate all possible learning styles. Instead of doing a traditional lecture followed by a question period, consider incorporating various activities to accommodate all.

One lesson was on how learning can take place in a group without physical presence using ICT. So we were introduced to the goggle docs, created an account and we were grouped according to the different learning styles mentioned above.  Then we were asked to prepare a presentation slide on particular learning style we were in using goggle docs. I felt this way of learning very interesting, engaging and constructive as all the members can share the same work at a time where we can get help and more information from our other members too. After one hour each group presented to the class. I was in the kinesthetic group and we presented this.

Other important thing I learnt under this broad topic is Camtasia. It can record on-screen activity all the while allowing us to narrate whatever we are doing on the screen. It helps to create interesting tutorials for E-learning and blogs which can be uploaded directly on YouTube. Camtasia is not just a simple screen recorder. It’s actually a great deal more than that. I was introduced to this idea for the first time and I found it amazing. The lesson was very interesting where our tutor let us do practically and we got the chance to see all the features. We edited one video and it was great learning with fun too. I edited my own video.

. If a teacher does not have knowledge of ICT, I personally think that all work should be done by pen and paper. With the change in time, ICT plays a vital role in our daily life. Therefore, using ICT in the 21st-century setting plays a vital role. There are weakness and threats too but we must look for the good opportunities and strengths where teaching and learning become conducive for all.

Goggle classroom is an additional tool for teaching and learning.

What did our teacher used as a teaching tool before? How they assigned assignments and how they manage to checked the students work? Do they have enough facilities like now? Surely, there will be big ‘NO’! First and foremost teaching tool they used was a chalkboard but now with the changing world, everything changed. Life style of people changed, everything became easier especially for the teachers there are lots of teaching tool including through online classes.

I have heard that in other country there is convenient teaching tool that they are using but till now I didn’t know what type of teaching tool is it. so, after reaching final semester, particularly the ICT in teaching and learning module, I came to know that Goggle classroom is one of the teaching tool and they are taking classes through online which is really convenient for both; teacher as well as for the students.  Goggle classroom is a free web service developed by goggle for schools that aim to simplify creating, distributing and grading assignments in a paperless and it is especially developed for the teacher and students to share files and learn in better way.

Goggle classroom is an additional tool which will make teaching more productive, collaborative, and meaningful and most probably it is a tool where teacher can be applying in teaching. I learnt that Goggle worked across the country to create classroom especially for the teachers, it helps to manage coursework, able to create classes, distributes assignments, send students feedback and it is useful for students because they can retrieve the materials posted by the teachers, share their doubts on the discussion forum and they can be able to upload their assignments in paperless way without wasting much time.

  

I also understood that it is practically useful especially for the teachers and the students. With the goggle classroom we can work anywhere, anytime and on any device with access to internet. It makes work easier for both teacher and the students because we can sign in from any computer or mobile device to access class assignments, course materials, and feedback and teacher can give the work with instructions through online. Students can share their doubt through discussion forum created by the teachers whenever they get time which is really convenient for all. So, I can state that goggle classroom is one of the important additional tools in teaching and learning which I had learnt and where I can able to incorporate in my teaching and enhance the students learning.

steps to create a class:

1.      Open a Web browser and go to classroom.google.com. You have to sign in with your Google Apps for Education account.

2.      On the Welcome screen, click the plus sign at the top and choose Create Class.

3.      In the Create a Class dialogue box, type in the Class Name and Section.

4.      Click Create.

Knowledge of Power Point presentation.

                                                 

PowerPoint is the most popular program which allows users to create, edit and show beautiful presentation with the help of slides. Using power points presentation tool is a good way, as it offers some distinct advantages. When I was in first years I prepared PowerPoint presentation without having any ideas but after learning ICT module, gain vast knowledge of designing effective PowerPoint presentation.

In order to have effective PowerPoint presentation text should big and it can be visible from two meter away and text should simple no more than 6 lines and 7 words per slide. Regarding picture, usually arts work may distract the audience and used it when it’s necessary and if the picture is related to context.

Transition is annoying, not enhancing and ‘appear’ and ‘disappear’ are better and keep animation simple and it also visible from 2 meters away. Even capital letters are difficult and in order to make simple and easier used both upper and lower case letter. Sanserif, normal, bold fonts are clearer and used number for list with sequence. Even sounds only used when absolutely necessary.

 Below are the two comparisons between my two PowerPoint I prepare during first years and final year. So through these comparisons, I could easily judge or make out how how much I learnt to make PowerPoint. No matter how you are intelligent, if your PowerPoint is not match with designing principle, the audience will not able to convenience your information and so will distract their concentration.

Above PowerPoint presentation I prepared during first year.

 PowerPoint I prepared after learning designing principle of PowerPoint presentation. Not only  learnt designing principle, even i learnt few basic ideas of animanation by using powerpoint preasentation.

 

  

Importance of ICT communicative tools.

Ever since the introduction of computers in 1984, it became a part of our life. Many works that we used to do before the existence of computers were enveloped by the computer system and made our work easier. Despite rendering a great help to us in every field, yet we are reluctant to explore knowledge and skills about these technologies. We tend to learn only when we are in dire need of them which made us to have a very narrow knowledge of ICT.

Nevertheless, I feel grateful for taking ICT as a module because it is another platform for me to learn about ICT and to make myself a well words on the subject. I believe it will be of immense use for us to make teaching exciting and learning comprehensible. Moreover, getting chance to read numerous research articles related to ICT hone my skills on using ICT and preparing me to be a better educator.

  
Most of us are good in formulating a rules/strategy but we lack that guts to execute it. Rather than using the strategy that caters to different learners, we keep on parroting about different learning styles and preferences. So now I came to know that, we can cater our teaching to different learners by incorporating ICT. We should use learning technologies to introduce new concepts, supplement with visual and auditory aids and further their ICT skills.

After going through some of the research papers related to ICT I knew some of the communicative tools. There are basically two communicative tools namely; synchronous and asynchronous. These tools are feasible not only in the world of business but also in the field of education, whereby teacher and students communicative with each other and within student themselves to discuss about any topic.  I will incorporate both types of communicative tools because these methods not only make the lesson meaningful but it also prompt students to learn more about ICT.

 Communicative tools

                                           Asynchronous                      Synchronous                             

              

                                                                 

Video conferencing (synchronous communicative tools) can be used to communicate with learners to solve urgent issues and to accomplish immediate learning. It can be done individually or in small group. Working individually with a child will make teacher know a lot more about the child’s strengths and weaknesses. Teacher will know the learning style, preferences and the interest of a child. On the flip side teacher interacting with a small group of children will be like a guided teaching, where teacher will be able to let children learn and perform task collaboratively. Not only that, students can do video conference among themselves to discuss about the topic whereby slow learners will also learn from their friends

In line with asynchronous, I find VLE and pin up discussion forum very effective where we can share our confusion and doubts. Though we cannot get an instant suggestions or opinions (if the other person is offline), we can get their suggestions later. We get an opportunity to respond to different doubts making us learn more. Moreover it is one method that helps us to develop our critical thinking because while responding we have to think wisely and give our respond.

                   

The 9 elements of Digital citizenship.

After attending the last session, I am much more aware of two main ideas such as Digital citizenship and Elements of Digital Citizenship. First, Digital citizenship is the norms and rules we follow to act appropriately when using technology. For example, I am reading this lesson on a computer, phone, or tablet somewhere. I may also be interacting with someone on social media while listening to a streaming music service. In all aspects of this, I am acting as a digital citizen. 

Second, the nine elements of Digital Citizenship are Digital Access, Digital Commerce, Digital Communication, and Digital Literacy. Likewise, Digital Etiquette, Digital Law, Digital rights and responsibilities, Digital health and wellness, and Digital security are also included. The above nine elements of digital citizenship provide a comprehensive way of educating students on how to be responsible, empathetic, and safe when navigating social media and the internet.

Similarly, Digital Commerce means where technology users need to understand that a large share of the market economy is being done electronically. Genuine and legal exchanges are occurring, but the buyer or seller needs to be aware of the issues associated with it. The mainstream availability of Internet purchases of toys, clothing, cars, food, etc. have become commonplace for many users. The user needs to learn about how to be an effective consumer in a new digital economy. 

Another element is Digital Communication. It is one of the significant changes within the digital revolution is a person’s ability to communicate with other people. In the 19^th century, forms of communication were limited. But in the 21^st century, communication options have exploded to offer a wide variety of choices. Example, e-mail, phones, instant messaging. The expanding digital communication options have changed everything because people are able to keep in constant communication with anyone else.

I even knew the difference between Digital Literacy and Etiquette. Digital Literacy is the capability to use technology and knowing when and how to use it. Further, Digital Literacy is the way of teaching, using, and learning online technology. This element is very important because we have to know what we are doing online and if it's bad or good. In addition, learners must be taught how to learn in a digital society. In other words, learners must be taught to learn anything, anytime, anywhere.

Digital Etiquette is an electronic standard of conduct or procedures.  Technology users often see this area as one of the most pressing problems when dealing with Digital Citizenship. We recognize inappropriate behavior when we see it, but before people use technology they do not learn the digital etiquette. Often rules and regulations are created or the technology is simply banned to stop inappropriate use.  Moreover, we must teach everyone to become responsible digital citizens in this new society. 

Further, Digital Law is also considered as an element of Digital Citizenship. It says that citizens of our city, state and country, we are governed by certain laws.  As digital citizens, there are also laws that apply to our behavior and interaction. There should be no stealing, no plagiarism, and no abuse of others. Users need to understand that stealing or causing damage to other people’s work, identity, or property online is a crime. There are certain rules of society that users need to be aware of an ethical society. These laws apply to anyone who works or plays online.

Digital rights and responsibilities and Digital health and wellness are also included in 9 elements of Digital Citizenship. Digital rights and responsibilities are those freedoms extended to everyone in a digital world and there is a basic set of rights extended to every digital citizen. Digital citizens have the right to privacy, free speech, etc. Basic digital rights must be addressed, discussed, and understood in the digital world.

Digital health and wellness is physical and psychological well-being in a digital technology world. Eye safety, repetitive stress syndrome, and sound ergonomic practice are issues that needed to be addressed in a new technology world. Users need to be taught that there are inherent dangers of technology.  Additionally, technology users are taught how to protect them through education are training.

Last element Digital Citizenship is Digital security which means electronic precautions to guarantee safety. In any society, there are individuals who steal, deface, to disrupting other people. The same must be true for the digital. We need to have virus protection, backups of data, and surge control of our equipment. As responsible citizens, we must protect our information from outside forces that might cause disruption or harm.

ICT integration in classroom

The main role of the teacher is to make a learning more interesting and precise to the students. Back then due to less developments and lack of facilities, most of the teachers adopted primitive ways (corporal punishment) to make a concept retained for a longer duration. Now gradually our country is opening up to developments and teachers are also implementing different ways to make a lesson clearer compared to the past days. One of the prominent strategy that the teacher use is by integrating ICT in the classroom.

When I was in primary school, I did not see my teachers using any ICT communicative tools in teaching, which made us to raise our eye brows and bewildered when we were first introduced to it. The reasons for not integrating ICT in teaching could be, may be due to lack of facilities and one reason could be because of lack of knowledge on how to integrate it. Regarding integration of ICT in classroom, Michael D. Williams gave a wonderful analogy. He says that, “Integrating technology into classroom instruction is a little like cooking a meal for important guests; it requires a careful selection of ingredients (that is, instructional materials), and thoughtful preparation (in this case, lesson planning). And, as all good chefs know, after you have finished cooking, you need to present your masterpieces (your lesson, that is) to your guests (your students) in a manner so as to level them well-fed (having the required skills and knowledge) and eager to come back for more.”

It is said that the teachers who use the computers as merely electronic babysitting or as a reward for good behavior or performance are not truly integrating the technology into their teaching and learning activities. So, here it infers that integrating ICT in the classroom is not merely to bring any technologies and showing what are in it. We have to integrate in such a way that it assist teaching, make classroom environment zealous, motivate students to learn more and most importantly we have to make to the condition that, if we take away the technology it would diminish the quality of the lesson.

Moreover, while integrating ICT in teaching, we have to eradicate a sense of being totally substituted by ICT. Teacher who integrate IT into their instruction have important roles to play at all stages of lesson process - before the lessons begins, during the lesson itself and after the lesson has concluded. So, lest you think that computers will lessen the role of teachers in schools, I would stress that the opposite is true: Teachers in integrated-technology school will have an even greater responsibility for managing their classes and planning effective instruction.

Therefore to make the integration of ICT in teaching more reliable and authentic, it is important to give more focus on it. Furthermore we should not be oblivious of the fact that there are immense benefits of integrating ICT in teaching if used appropriately.