ICT as Tutor

The computer inside my classroom is playing three major roles; I used it as a tutor, tool and tutee. I will focus here in the computer as a tutor, when I provide for them online educational software to educate and play, and when I give them tutorials software to present some subjects material, to solve different related questions and response and then the computer "tutor" evaluate these responses. From the result the students can determine their levels and what to do next. Also, there are many other software to use as a tutor for many other purposes. For example using games or simulations in my teaching lessons. And that motivate the student too much, it help them to understand and analysis the information easily.

I was always trying to use different games and simulations with my students in the class to teach them certain information. And they were very interesting during the whole lesson. I gave them thinking games, logic puzzles and memory games. There are some modified games that I tried to give to my students, but they are not interested on them as much as the puzzles games. About the simulation, I tried to find an online education simulation to let my students register in and play. The games help me to break from the usual and make my lesson more attractive.

Types of educational software

·        Drill and practice

As an instructional strategy, 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 sophicated 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

·        Simulation

A computer simulation (or "sim") is an attempt to model a real-life or hypothetical situation on a computer so that it can be studied to see how the system works. By changing variables in the simulation, predictions may be made about the behavior of the system. It is a tool to virtually investigate the behavior of the system under study.

·        Instructional games

o   They are software designed to increase motivation to learning by adding game rules and /or competition to learning activities

o   They are also a Learning tool used during teaching and learning.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simulation

http://www.google.com.bh/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=Instructional+games&source=web&cd=5&ved=0CEcQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.schoolnet.org.za%2Fconference%2FCD%2F45%2Finstructional_games.ppt&ei=xqsJT9nIBM2WOv3OrakB&usg=AFQjCNGh4RmLiN-Elyrk_wAHOOMnwRISlw

ICT as Mind tool (mind mapping)

A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items linked to and arranged around a central key word or idea. Mind maps are used to generate, visualize, structure, and classify ideas, and as an aid to studying and organizing information, solving problems, making decisions, and writing.

Mind maps can be used for:

ü problem solving.

ü outline/framework design.

ü structure/relationship representations.

ü anonymous collaboration.

ü marriage of words and visuals.

ü individual expression of creativity.

ü condensing material into a concise and memorable format.

ü team building or synergy creating activity.

ü  enhancing work morale.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_map

I always used this technique with my students all the information I taught them I drew them on the board and connected to each other because I knew that it is the easiest way for my students to remember and understand. But after, when I know more about the visual concept map, I will use it more and more inside my classroom because it is useful for my students in many ways, It provide structure for thinking, writing, focus thoughts and ideas which leading to understanding and interpretation and connect between the previous knowledge and the new concepts.