Using Computers in Teaching and Learning

In teaching, we learn as well. Teaching and learning can be two sides of a coin. Today we teachers have to learn using the computer (PC) to achieve new goals in our job, supported by information technology. Some new goals are as follows:

We learn to use the computer to perform clerical and administrative tasks.

This is the prerequisite to achieve other goals. Teachers must themselves acquire the basic computer skills to perform general tasks.

We learn to use the computer for instructional design and curriculum planning, or know some principles of courseware engineering, then utilizing software tools to design and produce electronic multimedia lessons, tutorials and quizzes.

We have to familiarize ourselves with principles of instructional and interface design using the computer. There are many software tools for building different kinds of study materials, presentations, tutorials, electronic books, interactive lessons and tests. However, almost all such popular tools are not Chinese versions.

We learn specifically to use the Internet for web based teaching and learning.

The World Wide Web in particular, is a new paradigm in distributed learning. On-line instruction and learning is made possible at any time outside the normal class. A lot more is going to be dug out from the Web, and more software tools are needed to facilitate its implementation.

We teach students basic IT skills

Students must at first learn how to operate the computer on a basic level. They should know how to use software applications (e.g. word processing) to complete learning tasks.

We teach students to achieve learning goals using computer and Internet.

As students possess the basic knowledge to operate the computer, they should proceed to use specific programs or tools for learning different subjects, particularly doing research using the Internet.

Internet Resources for Instructors and Teachers: Links

IT Training portfolio for Hong Kong teachers as implemented by HK Education Department

There are some books which are useful for you to understand and integrate IT in teaching and learning. Coming soon....

Do you know something about Courseware Engineering?

The numerous sites below are not in Hong Kong of course. I believe many of them may help and enlighten in different ways, our scope of teaching and learning. Email me if any link is broken or obsolete.

Last updated 12/2002