Innovations in Education
Innovations in Education:
Sharing knowledge in different ways
During the 1800’s, even though schools such as Ateneo and UST were already teaching students in classrooms, most of the kids in barrios spent their study time under mango trees, reading old books and writing with a quill. A few decades after, not much technological progress has occurred since students were still stuck inside classrooms, learning with their same old books and wooden pencils. Those who were living in far flung areas were still stuck under the mango tree. Fortunately, even though the system of educating was like this way back then, primitive compared to how we do today, it didn’t hinder the students from becoming successful. These were already enough for them to be able to acquire all the knowledge they need in order for them to become what they dreamt to be.
Years later, in the 1990’s, after the internet was created, those who can afford the internet have easier access on different information. If before, students have to go to distant libraries, for there were not many big libraries before, to look for details about the Eiffel Tower, now all they have to do is click the mouse. With the internet, they could travel the whole France and look for all the details they want without leaving their chair. Unfortunately, the internet still didn’t reach far flung areas and thus, they were not given the opportunity to make use of this amazing technology.
Now, after all the innovations in the system of education, students have almost all the grip on all the materials they need for everything they want. Aside from the internet, which is the main technological advancement that made the biggest impact in our lives, a lot of innovative programs and gadgets have been created. These programs and gadgets have not only made our search for information easier but also have allowed us to share this information in a much easier and faster way.
The following are programs and services that have made students’ and teachers’ lives easier.
1) Wikis
What are wikis?
Wikis or a wiki is a server program that allows users to create and edit contents of a web page. In other words, it is just like putting up a blog site but in this case, you are allowing other people to edit your input or other people are allowing you to change their input.
The most famous wiki, which we all know is the Wikipedia encyclopedia. The Wikipedia, like any other encyclopedia is a compilation of information/details about a certain subject but since it is a WIKI-pedia, the information placed on the encyclopedia can be edited by other users or other users can add subjects and information in it.
Ward Cunningham created the first wiki in 1995. His “WikiWikiWeb” lets software developers create a library of “software patterns.” The name “Wiki” was inspired by the Hawaiian word wiki or wiki-wiki, which means “quick” and is often used as a term for taxis and airport shuttles.
2) Distance Learning (Electronic Learning and Synchronous/Asynchronous Instruction)
Today, distance learning is associated with Electronic Learning and Synchronous/Asynchronous Instruction. We all have an idea about distance learning but what is distance learning in relation with Electronic Learning and Synchronous/Asynchronous Instruction?
Electronic distance learning is distance learning primarily done with the use of the internet or any gadgetry that will allow you to communicate with your instructor. Asynchronous Instruction occurs when someone sends you and electronic message and your reply to this message is created at a later time. For example, if your instructor sent you your test yesterday, you could respond anytime you want as long as it is within the given time limit if a time limit is imposed. The Electronic Distance Learning with Asynchronous Instruction is usually done with the use of the internet and programs that will allow both the instructor and the student to communicate and have their conversation stored. Programs such as Blackboard, Caucus, or Lotus Notes Learning Space allow instructors and students to post messages for each other and these messages are stored and thus students can follow the conversation.
In an Electronic Distance Learning with Asynchronous Instruction center, they use programs that operate like a normal e-mail but differ in some ways since in this kind of programs; students have simultaneous access to other students in the class through a conference program. Also, the requirements students submit are displayed sequentially in what is called a “threaded conversation,” and with this, they maintain a historical record of all the submissions.
In this kind of learning, the instructors post the syllabus online and the students follow this syllabus and their discussion is held online through the aforementioned programs. Students can post their ideas online anytime they are free and these posts are read by the instructor and other students as well. Like any other educational system, in distance learning, papers, researches and projects are also required but since they are in distance learning, the requirements are sent electronically via the e-mail or other programs. These requirements unlike in a normal school were reports are mainly written, distance learning requirements can be made through a PowerPoint presentation, movie or even a flash animation but of course, simple, electronically written papers are also accepted.
LOCAL INNOVATIONS IN EDUCATION
ITC or the INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY CENTER
The Instructional Technology Center is a department which handles all instructional materials related to media technology, may it be a dvd/vhs/vcd or even betamax video, audio tapes, cd’s films or even a demo model. The ITC is responsible for the release of these materials for the use of the students and teachers.
One school that has the ITC is the Ateneo de Manila High School. In the ADMU HS ITC, students can borrow from a wide selection of movies, audio tapes, films and other software. The ITC is one of the departments in the ADMU HS which gives innovation in the style of teaching by spreading the information through the use of different forms of media. The ITC is also the one responsible for putting up LCD projectors and sound systems in every classroom in the HS and with the use of these gadgets, classroom learning atmosphere is made less boring.
The LCD projectors and sound system in every classroom allows teachers and students to present their reports in a movie, PowerPoint presentation or in any other form aside from the use of the black board.
Also, the ITC allows students and teachers as well to use their facilities such as the recording studio and the video editing room so as to help them improve their way of presenting information needed in the classroom.
VIRTUAL LIBRARY (Pfizer- UERMMMC Virtual Library)
A virtual library is just like the typical library we have in schools but is more hi-tech since some of the information in the library is stored online or in an electronic form. An example of a virtual library is the Pfizer- UERMMMC Virtual Library.
The Pfizer- UERMMMC Virtual Library is a library located at the UERM Medical Center and is equipped with online journals, computers, internet service, a conference room, audio-visual facilities and a mini-library.
This type of innovation in the UERMMMC will allow all students to have easier access to information regarding health, medicine and all the latest medical advancements and scientific developments globally.
WI-FI Hotspots (wireless fidelity)
“Wi-Fi or wireless fidelity is the popular term for a high-frequency wireless local area network (WLAN). The Wi-Fi technology is rapidly gaining acceptance in many companies as an alternative to a wired LAN. It can also be installed for a home network. Wi-Fi is specified in the 802.11b specification from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and is part of a series of wireless specifications together with 802.11, 802.11a, and 802.11g.”
Today, when we speak of wi-fi, people immediately think of wireless internet. Actually, wi-fi is primarily used to allow subscribers to connect the internet wirelessly but it an also be used to connect several computers into a network.
According to Airborne Access, one of the biggest broadband internet providers in the country, there are at least 250 wi-fi hotspots in the country and that is from airborne alone. So almost everywhere you go, at least here in the NCR, wi-fi is present and thus making it easier for laptop owners or wi-fi capable gadget owners to connect to hi-speed internet to surf, download, upload and use online programs. As long as the wi-fi gadget is within the hotspot, you could connect to the internet, sometimes for free and sometimes for a minimal cost.
Now, several universities like ADMU, DLSU and UERMMMC have acquired the services of broadband internet providers and have created wi-fi hotspots within the school. For the ADMU, there are at least 3 wi-fi zones which students can access for free. The UERMMMC has their medical center fully equipped with wi-fi and thus allowing students and interns to use the internet while in the hospital. DLSU on the other hand is the only university that is a complete hotspot, meaning wherever you are in the university, you could connect to the internet wirelessly.
Wi-fi in schools is a great innovation for education since students can now connect to hi-speed internet even if they are inside school premises. With this, students can now do researches and look for additional information regarding their subject matter. They can now use everything the internet has to offer without leaving school premises.
SOURCES:
___________. “What is Wiki.” Wiki.Org. 2002 June 27. Wiki.Org. 27 Dec. 2006
http://wiki.org/wiki.cgi?WhatIsWiki
___________.”What is Wiki.”How Stuff Works. 1998. 27 Dec. 2006
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/wiki.htm
___________.”Distance Learning.”Univ. of Connecticut. N.D. Univ. of Connecticut. 27 Dec. 2006. http://itl.uconn.edu/distancelearning/
___________. “Distance Learning.” Princeton Review.N.D.Princeton Review. 27 Dec. 2006. http://www.princetonreview.com/cte/articles/distance/distance_what.asp
___________. “Pfizer Strengthens Links With UERMMMC.” Pfizer.N.D. Pfizer. 27 Dec. 2006. http://www.pfizer.com.ph/corporate/news/uerm_web.html
___________. “Glossary.” MCS.N.D. MCS. 27 Dec. 2006.
http://www.mcsx.co.uk/articles/glossary.php
