Friday, January 24, 2014

Episode 3 - See and Say (Utilization of Teaching Aids)


EPISODE 3
SEA AND SAY (Utilization of Teaching Aids) 

TARGET
At the end of this activity, you will gain competence in determining the appropriateness of teaching aids to learning tasks.

MAP
To reach your target, follow the steps below:
      Step 1. Observe a class on its regular schedule.
      Step 2. Note down the various teaching aids that were utilized in the teaching learning process.
      Step 3. Comment on the appropriateness of the teaching aids to the learning tasks.
      Step 4. Reflect on your learning.

      TOOLS
       As you observe the class, use the activity forms provided for you to document your observations.
     

       
                                                                 OBSERVATION REPORT

Date of Observation: September 24, 2013
Name of Center Observed: Xavier University - Center for Integrated Technologies
Subject: Digital Electronics                                           Topic: KMAP
Grade/Year Level: Second Year


Last September 24, 2013, I went to Xavier University –Center for Integrated Technologies to observe the class of Ms. Oliva Lim. The subject was about Digital Electronics and students were 2nd year level.
  
This subject required more of a direct instruction approach so students must be attentive on the steps given by the teacher. Ms. Lim started discussing the new topic and everyone was listening and was looking on the board. The class was interested on the subject.

While Ms. Lim was writing the illustrations on the board the students were taking some notes. Within the discussion, there are some questions and clarifications raised by the students. It really showed that the students were active on the class. There was truly an interaction between the teacher and the students. Ms. Lim also asked questions to the students to affirm that they understand the topic. The environment was really conducive for learning and students had high respect for Ms. Lim and there were not afraid to share their ideas or ask questions related to the topic.

Even though Ms. Lim was only using the traditional board and pen teaching aid, the students were eager to learn about the lesson. Ms. Lim made sure that her writings and illustrations on the board were clear to the students. The teacher doesn’t really need to use high tech devices to catch the attention of the students as long as the teacher is effective in teaching her lessons. Ms. Lim had ways to maintain the level of attention of the class thus making lesson more fun and interactive. At the end of the day, materials and other aids could not replace a teacher because she can feel and understand what the students need to learn.




CIT

UTILIZATION OF TEACHING AIDS FORM

Grade or Year Level of Class Observed:  Second Year                                                               
Date of Observation: September 24, 2013
Subject Matter: Digital Electronics
Brief Description of Teaching Approach Used by the Teacher:

The subject requires more of a direct instruction approach so students must be attentive on the steps given by the teacher. The students will solve problems through drills or seat works with analysis.


Teaching Aids used
(Enumerate in bullet form)
Strengths
Weaknesses
Comments on 
Appropriateness of the
Teaching Aids used        
  • Whiteboard








Easily available
Inexpensive and 
easy to install
Easy to clean 
and edit 
Attention grabber

Temporary and 
cannot be saved
Sometimes messy
Teacher turns back 
while writing
Handwriting and 
spelling deficiency 
can cause 
disruption
It should be maintained 
and cleaned
Plan ahead what to write 
on the board
Write legibly and neatly
Avoid talking to the board
Never use hand in erasing
Don't block the board 
while writing

      
       
Analysis

What do you think prompted the teacher to choose the materials/learning resources that she/he used?

I think she choose the whiteboard because it is easy to write and erase or edit data on it. It is easier to draw diagrams and illustrations spontaneously. It is more about the convenience aside from the fact the subject requires  direct  approach which is a teacher oriented instruction.

What difficulties, if any, did the teacher experience? How can this be managed?

Based on my observation, I didn't find any problems because the teacher was adept with the subject and she was teaching the subject for almost twenty years. So using the board was not difficult for her but probably if you are new to it, the handwriting and blocking of the board will be a factor.. Practice writing on the board to manage this problems.

Over-all, were the learning resources/materials used effectively? Why? Why not?

For me, Yes, the learning resources were used effectively because the students were attentive and there was class participation going on. At the end of the lesson, I can say that the students learned a lot based on how they react to the instructions of the teacher.


Reflections

1. Put yourself in the of the teacher. What could you do similarly and what would you do differently if you will teach the same lesson to the same group of students? Why?

If I was to teach the same lesson to those group of students, I still used the same teaching aid because it is really difficult to teach subject that involves a bit about numbers and diagrams. I will make sure that my writings on the board are as legible and neat as to the teacher that I observed. To break the monopoly of using the board, I will probably show a video or have a presentation using the LCD projector and later used the board for further discussions.

Episode 2 - Bulletin Board Displays


EPISODE 2
BULLETIN BOARD DISPLAYS

TARGET
At the end of this activity, you will be competent in appraising the effectiveness of display boards as learning resources.

MAP
Display board, or what we more commonly refer to as bulletin board, is one of the most readily available and versatile learning resources.
To reach the target, I need to:

1. Look around a school for bulletin board displays.
2. Pick one and evaluate the display.
3. Propose enhancements to make the display more effective.

TOOLS
As you look around and examine board displays, use the activity forms provided for you to document your observations.

       
                                                                      OBSERVATION REPORT

Name of The School: Xavier University - Center for Integrated Technologies
Observed: Bulletin boards
Location of the School: Masterson Avenue near Pueblo de Oro, Cagayan de Oro City                                         
Date of Visit: December 16, 2013


Last December, I observed the bulletin boards of Center of Integrated Technologies, a unit of Xavier University for three year technology courses at Mastersons Avenue near Pueblo de Oro. I roamed around the campus and I found out that there are more or less three to five bulletin boards. There were two big bulletin boards near the entrance hall which everyone can see. There was another bulletin board near the registrar and director’s office and two inside the offices, one in the registrar’s office and the other in the faculty room.


The displays were about news and information for the students and the entire campus community and memos from the director and school president. There are pictures and letters posted in the bulletin board. The main bulletin board is well arranged and were labeled and categorized. The main bulletin board is from a recycled blackboard and others were cork type bulletin boards. There were no borders in all bulletin boards. I did not find any errors on the boards that I observed.

CIT


From among the board displays that you saw, pick the one that you got more interested in. Evaluate it using the evaluation form below.

BOARD DISPLAYS EVALUATION FORM

Topic of the Board Display: News and Information
Location of the Board Display in School: Near the entrance hall 

 Check the column that indicates your rating. Write comments to back up your ratings. 
4-Outstanding            3-Very Satisfactory                  2-Satisfactory             1-Needs Improvement

             Criteria               
 NI 
1
  S   
2
 VS 
3
  O  
 4
             Comments                       
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
Conveys the message quickly and clearly
 ü 

the board was located in place 
where everyone can see
ATTRACTIVENESS
Colors and arrangement catch and hold interest.
 ü  


there were less decorations and eye
catching effects
BALANCE
Objects are arranged so stability is perceived.

 ü  

the posts on the board were categorized
UNITY
Repeated shapes or colors or use of borders 
holds display together.
 ü  


less shapes and colors used
INTERACTIVITY
The style and approach entice learners to be
 involved.

ü 

the board was informative especially 
on what's going with the school
LEGIBILITY
Letters and illustrations can be seen from a
 good distance.

ü 

the headings were very visible from
a distance 
CORRECTNESS
Free from grammar errors, misspelled words,
 and ambiguity.


ü 
no errors at all
DURABILITY
Well-constructed, items are securely attached.


ü 

probably it will be detach if intended


AN EVALUATION REPORT OF A BULLETIN BOARD

Bulletin Board Evaluated by: Michael Lester Catacutan
Location: XU-CIT
Brief Description of the Bulletin Board:

The bulletin board is made of a recycled blackboard and news and information of the school are posted on it. It is located near the entrance hall, a border-less  bulletin board and categorized according to purpose.
EVALUATION
      Strengths     
                       Weaknesses
Observations Very spacious - you can put lots of
postings
Very visible to everyone
Very informative
Less attractive, not so compelling
Can be detach easily
Judgments / Evaluation
of educational content
and other aspects
It is more on the news and activities
of the campus which are important
on the school life of the students.
Probably some of the students will 
not get the information if the board
is not attractive to them.
Recommendations or suggestions for improvement:

Add more eye catching effects or decorations, add a border and probably put a cover so that the postings will not be detach easily. I also suggest to have a different type of bulletin display to be used.


Analysis:

Did the board display design reflect the likes/interests of its target audiences? Why? Why not?

Yes. I believe that the display design reflects the interests of the audiences because the students get lots of information and updates which can be useful for them. For example, announcement of schedule of exams and activities and other information that are beneficial on their school life.

Was the language used clear and simple for the target audience to understand? Why? Why not?

Yes. It was very clear for the audience to understand because it was using English language and it was not using symbols or jargon which would be unfamiliar to the audience

What do you think was the purpose of the board display? Was it effective? Why? Why not?

The purpose of the display was simply disseminating of information, updates and news to the students as well as to the teacher and other members of the campus community. I think it was effective because students take time to read the news and updates on the display board thus giving them information of what is going around the school.

What suggestions can you make?

Add more eye catching effects or decorations, add a border and probably put a cover so that the postings will not be detach easily. I also suggest to have a different type of bulletin display to be used.

Based on your suggestions, propose an enhanced version of the display board. Use the form below.


MY PROPOSED BOARD DISPLAY

Theme: Technology Based Look 
Board Title: Xavier University - Center for Integrated Technologies Bulletin Board
Rationale:
(Purpose)

To inform the students about what's new in the school community. News and updates about the latest policies and rules of the school made by the administrators. Guide the students on their school life and update them on the latest activities and exam schedules. Give  information that are  beneficial to the students and the campus community.

Objectives:

To be able to create and design an enhance version of the board display which is more attractive, clear and well arranged and secured.

Best features of my proposed bulletin enhancement:

The best feature of my proposed bulletin enhancement is the use of glass as its cover. In this way, the postings on the bulletin board are protected from any form of damage and vandalism.

Content Resources (Name each needed resource and give each a brief discussion):

Letters and memos from the administrators:
These could contain new policies of the school and other agenda that the school wants to tell to the students as well as the teachers.

Pictures, Clippings, Announcements and Flyers
These could contain a lot of information for the students like schedules of exam, activities of the school (Intramurals, Foundation Days), health tips and other things.

Materials for aesthetic enhancement:

New bulletin board with glass cover
Printed Text and Photos
Adhesives
Cutting Materials


Based on your suggestions, make your own board display lay-out. You may present your output through any of these:

  • A hand-made drawing or layout
  • An electronic (computer) drawing/illustration or layout
  • A collage

My Board Display Lay-out



Reflections: 

Name at least five skills that a teacher should have to be able to come up with effective board displays. Elaborate on why each skill is needed.    
  • Creativity  - A teacher should be creative so that the display will be attractive and interesting to the audience.
  • Organization - A teacher should be organized so that display will be arranged properly thus making the information clear to the students.
  • Communication - A teacher should be well versed on what words to use for the display so that it will be understood by the audience.
  • Resourcefulness - A teacher should be resourceful so that the display will not be costly and he/she can use indigenous or recycled materials for the display.
  • Knowledgeable- A teacher should know the information or data that should be posted on the display. 

Which of the following skills you named in # 1 do you already have? Recall your past experiences in making board displays. How do you practice these skills?

For me, I think I have all the skills but not on the excellent level probably just average. I really don't had much experience in making board displays though I have art lessons during elementary and secondary years. I sometimes do photo editing on computers and making tarpaulin layouts which could be a good practice for creativity and organization skills.

Which skills do you still need to develop/ what concrete steps will you take on how you can improve on or acquire these skills.

I will develop more on the knowledge aspect and resourcefulness on making board display. Since I am not used to in making board display, I will do some researches about the design and type of board display to use and what are the important information needed to be posted on the display. I also need to enhance my resourcefulness to maximize the materials around me and can save little amounts for other projects.