Archive | November 2022

Coding/Makerspace should only be taught by techies? Agree or disagree

 I agree with the view that Coding should be taught by techies because professionals can only efficiently teach the students about the coding as they are expert in this field. It can also be said that teaching coding is not a cup of tea for a non-techie person as it does not possess any understanding about the execution, identifying and removing errors from code so that that the code can run proficiently.

image source- https://img.freepik.com/free-vector/laptop-with-program-code-isometric-icon-software-development-programming-applications-dark-neon_39422-971.jpg

Coding is a way through which we communicate with the computers so it should be taught by somebody who already knows and has contacted the computers. It is highly based on technical learning that consists of a computer language and implementing them on a compiler file to gain the desired product. It requires a correct syntax, just like English would make sense only if the grammar is correct. Coding can be done at any age, by any gender and at any level of skill. Nowadays, even middle school children have a high level of proficiency in Coding, they are highly skilled by the institutes to bring new designers to the future of the coding world. All this knowledge about the coding is possessed by techie professionals rather than non-techie persons. This very activity includes designing operating systems, laptop/phone applications, websites, games, etc. If the sequence of the syntax is not followed, it will give the designer an error and the program would not run. This is where the “techies” step in and guide the students how to avoid or eliminate an error. They act as doctors to the program that resurrect the Code by adding or subtracting some of its elements. Only they can identify the fault and work upon it because the techies themselves have been in that stage and they were directed by their teachers the same way they are directing students now. The developer may come to know the problem and rectify it but that will take a lot of time. If they choose to seek help from a co-worker or the person who has taught them, it becomes easier and efficient as it consumes less time and brings out the best results for the developer.

Experience with Assistive technology, Challenges and Limitations

Assistive technology is a kind of software program or product that is mainly used to enhance, sustain or improve the working capability of person who is suffering from disability. Irrespective of the fact that this technology provides an effective opportunity and allow people with disability to manage their day-to-day activity with ease, there are certain challenges associated with this, for instance, individuals with minimum understanding of technology face challenge to use this. I believe, the primary purpose of assistive technology is to maintain or improve an individual’s functioning and independence, thereby promoting their well-being.

image source- https://itchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/assistive-technology-defined.jpg

It gives exclusive experience of learning with by performing different activities. With this technology a disabled person can smoothly and efficiently perform the task that he was not able to perform perfectly due to lack of his ability. Moreover, a person who has to use this technology requires sufficient knowledge about these tools so that one can improve the working condition. As per this article, here are some challenges of using assistive technology,

Challenges-

  • Lack of training also effects on individuals with disability ability to take proper and efficient use of devices.
  •  Lack of understanding and ineffective training to use are some of the various challenges which affect the individual to take proper and efficient advantage of assistive technology.
  • Additionally, most of the people in elderly age face difficulties to use this technology correctly which creates complexities and issues in front of them. Failure to have proper understanding related to the use of assistive technology makes kids, individuals with elder age opposed to this technology and make them feel harder to take proper advantage of it.  Moreover, lack of family involvement also creates limitations, as assertive technology may need to include stuff related to electronic worksheets, wheelchairs, different software, and taking calculators. This lack of family involvement creates challenges in front of people with disability to use this technology.

Limitations-

Technology is offering feasibility which is providing many advantages and opportunities. Assistive technology is a breakthrough that is offering people with disability to perform the day- to-day activities in an appropriate manner and with ease. However, there are some limitations which is affecting their perceptions to use this technology, in this it is needed to properly educate people about the importance of this technology and provide them training to use them in an effective manner. It is rarely used by people due to lack of understanding as it requires higher level of cognitive skills for its operations. Also, this technology is not easily accessible to all.

Assessment technologies

Inspite of the innovation of so many digital sites, I believe, the present traditional system demands too much from a teacher because a teacher is the only person who can makes the best use of all available resources. Therefore, to make teaching learning more effective, teacher should adopt different strategies and perform various activities to facilitate learners to acquire certain skills and qualities. There is no doubt I am using Facebook, Instagram, and many other social media sites for a long period of time but, to be very honest, I am not a social media- friendly person.

image source-https://blog.tcea.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/rQ6PihuxWftF0aslS7VVwg-header-1.png

In my previous classes, I learnt about multimedia sites such as jam-board, sketchpad, Mentimetre, scribjab and many more which are very easy to use. Out of these resources I really like the DESMOS as it provides equal opportunities to every student. I have used the Desmos graphing calculator few times, and I must say that it works pretty well for graphing most functions. Well, it is true that for learning & understanding Math’s, we really don’t need a graphing tool but sometimes it really helpful for the students and teachers to understand it very well. It has a lot of applications such as graphing calculator, scientific calculator, four function calculator, and matrix calculator that really helps the students and teachers to do mathematics. Teachers can use this as a teaching resource and students can enhance their mathematical knowledge by bringing digital media into their education. Because of its interactive and creative activities, it provides equal opportunities to each and every student. That means it is equally digital accessible to everyone.

image source- https://thumbs.gfycat.com/EachGiantBeardeddragon-size_restricted.gif

DESMOS is a blend of paper and technology, it is an amazing and powerful facilitation tool for teachers and students as it provides wide range of resources. It is a free graphing calculator, and teachers can use Desmos to help students connect mathematical concepts to concrete, real-world shapes and pictures. Recently, desmos completed its curriculum for math’s subjects from grade 6th to 8th, in this curriculum desmos includes various courses, units and chapters for teachers and students.

I am hoping to learn new digital sites which are very helpful in the field of education. Looking forward to learning more new digital tools and new skills from you all!!

Thank you

Lovepreet Kaur