Chapter 10: The Computer as a Tutor

Content

            Computer has been a great invention of today’s generation. It provides us all possible information that we need for everyday need. It has also been an effective way to interactive communication and very helpful in terms of education. It helps the teacher enhance the learning process by making creative presentation and advance information. Computers can be used as tutor for learners in a sense that it helps teachers to aid the problems and needs of the students when it comes to the difficulties in learning. However, it definitely cannot replace the role of the teacher since teachers’ role is to facilitate and deliver the instruction and he /she also is the controller of the learning environment. But teacher could use the CAI to integrate the lessons by giving the students a drill and activity to practice their basic skill and knowledge. Simulation program could also help, teacher use it a strategy to apply the lesson in real life situation. Another is the instructional games, problem solving software, multimedia encyclopedia electronic books.

Experience

            During our IT class in high school, computer had become a tutor for us to develop our “typing skills”. We had used the program such as “Typing Master” in order for us to learn how to type faster using the keyboard. In addition, when we had our Photo Editing in EdTech-1, I had trouble on how to edit a movie poster because I have not tried it before. So I tried to search for a Photoshop Tutorial in YouTube and I just followed it that is why I somehow learned to edit photo using Photoshop. In situations like that, computer has become a tutor for me.

Reflection

            Computer helps the teacher to provide learning for the students. It could be a tutor when the teacher wants to impose discovery or constructivist approach. It also provides or develops higher thinking skills in which it helps the student to generate their discussion making. Students are not always at school, so in outside-school contexts, students could still access learning and seek for help with the use of computers. So, as a future teacher I realized that I should be fully equipped with the modern technologies so that I can integrate technology in instruction properly.

Application

            As a future educator, I should integrate technology specifically the computer during instruction and access it for broader information but of course I shall also see to it that my role as a teacher, a facilitator in learning will not be compromised in a sense that technology is only a tool and supplement in teaching and learning, not a substitute.