Refelection # 6: ICT as Tutor

ICT-Tutor is a directed- constructive teaching strategy that uses software and web resources for educational purpose. The aim of this strategy is to deliver information that helps learner to acquire and retain information as well as skills. Also it helps them to explore topics and generate self knowledge as well. Nowadays sources like YouTube are counted as the most important source of video, audio and presentation tutorial.

Educational software comes in many forms like:

• Drill-and-practice

Drill & practice is familiar to all educators. It "promotes the acquisition of knowledge or skill through repetitive practice." It refers to small tasks such as the memorization of spelling or vocabulary words, or the practicing of arithmetic facts and may also be found in more supplicated learning tasks or physical education games and sports. Drill-and-practice, like memorization, involves repetition of specific skills, such as addition and subtraction, or spelling. To be meaningful to learners, the skills built through drill-and-practice should become the building blocks for more meaningful learning.

• Tutorial


A tutorial is used to teach material. More interactive and specific than a book or a lecture; a tutorial can be a ready made software or website which seeks to teach by example and supply the information to complete a certain task. Depending on the context a tutorial can take one of many forms, ranging from a set of instructions to complete a task to an interactive problem solving session.


• Instructional games and simulation:


Simulated games and virtual worlds provide educators with an opportunity to engage with an immersive and interactive environment that requires knowledge, decision making, and information management skills. I believe children learn by being actively involved. Games are a perfect method to engage elementary students in educational tasks.

It may appear that using games in the classroom is simply a way to let kids play instead of attending to important academic tasks, but children learn more when they find the task enjoyable.

Applying games in the classroom is an amazing way to attract students and get their attention in a way to make sure that they understand the lesson well. I used to apply this method inside my classroom, students was so attractive and enthusiastic to begin the lesson. 

Microsoft Excel was the hardest subject to the students but when I used game the lesson was easy to them they enjoy the lesson and they were waiting for my lecture just to play and learn.

Unfortunately simulation games are not widely available as entertainment games; there is a big fan base for such type of games. The most famous one is "Microsoft Flight Simulator", but there are many others such as "Ship Simulator" and "Train Simulator". In these types of games, you are given the opportunity to exactly mimic the real life plain for example, you are given basic lessons, and then advance until you completely understand the functions of planes, how they work and how to fly them.

I think simulated learning games, is one of the effective strategies that will be used widely in future education; unfortunately simulation games are not widely available as entertainment games but fortunately the Modern education policies are directed to achieve students desires , which in turn will meet the goal of effective learning process.

If you feel more interesting about this topic here are some useful websites please and videos kindly visit them and enjoy the experience.


• The site for ICT Education
www.teach-ict.com
• ICT Teaching ideas
www.teachingideas.co.uk
• ICT Specialist
www.ictspecialist.com