Blog 5- PPT as constructive tool

 Introduction

Over the last two decades, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has gone through major innovations and transformed the society that has totally changed the way people think, work and live. Since then ICT has become an integral part of human daily activities. Most importantly, it has played a very critical role in education field like classroom teaching and learning.

Out of various ICT tools available for teachers to use in the classroom teaching and learning, in this page I have described about how I have designed a PPT simulation to teach about ‘seed germination’ to grade four students. I have talked about how to use this material in the classroom teaching and how does it help children learn in better way? Moreover, I have mentioned how the material will aid children carry out their learning activities.

Class: Five

Subject: Science

Topic: Seed germination

Tool used: PPT Simulation

Creation of the material

To come up with this teaching material, first I selected the different shapes and created a scene. I applied different colours on each shapes.  Then I grouped those shapes into different size in the blank slide. In addition, I have added a gradients to fill and background colours to make my design look more realistic.  Besides using auto shapes and a grouping method, I have also inserted relevant pictures, images and GIF animation to enhance my presentation outlook.

After designing, I have used texts to describe process of germination and then I used the Animation Pane to add custom animations, transitions, and motion effects to the elements of my slides. At the same time I played with the features of animation to create a real sense of flow to the power point presentation.

Finally, I downloaded the background music and added to my power point presentation to make the flow of content more fun and lively. Moreover, at the end of the slide I have also added a few questions related to the topic to check their understanding.

How to use the material in teaching and learning.

Teaching through this power point simulation will replace the normal way of teaching through a lecture and a board. I will let the students watch this simulation before they are given to do the activities. Students will watch the simulation and analyze how the seed germination is taking place. I will also use this simulation as a supplementing teaching tool to students whenever they don’t understand the concept on the topic clearly. Being a motivating teacher, I will also share this material with the parents of all the children so that they can watch it in their own learning pace at home also if they haven’t understood well in the class.

How does it help the students learn?

1. Students will comprehend the concept (about seed germination) far better when they are taught using simulation because they can play it in their own learning pace.
2. It saves the time for both teacher and students.
3. It elicits the attention of children.
4. Encourage students to explore on different ICT in future.

 Learning Activity for a children.

After carefully watching the simulation, children are required to complete the task given in this link:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/14mf6g_jpUHA0DreXCvsxhxXmW2SOM8MSjqfMbubZ7CE/edit?usp=sharing

 

 

 

 

 

PPT Simulation on Types of Landforms

 Introduction

Using power point as a constructive tool, I have designed a PPT simulation lesson on ‘types of landforms’ for grade four children for the subject social studies. In this page, I have given an explanations on how I have designed or created this teaching material using PPT simulations. Under that, I have also given a succinct description on how and when this material can be used by a teacher in a classroom? How does it help children learn better than over traditional methods of teaching? Finally there is also a short activity that children are required to do after utilizing the PPT simulation.

Subject: Social Studies

Topic: Types of Landforms

Class: Four

Tools used: PPT simulation

Learning Objectives

After watching the PPT simulation, children should able to:

a.      name the four major landforms found in our country.

b.     describe each landforms in their own words.

c.      draw the diagrams of landforms clearly in their notebook.

Creation of the material

To build up this simulation, I have applied single slide in power point presentation. I have designed the different shapes using shape feature in PPT and also downloaded some pictures, GIF, sound and background music from the internet. After that, I have inserted those shapes and pictures along with the texts chronologically with different animation effects to make it an attractive and realistic. Then I have set the time and duration for start that is “start with previous” by clicking on animation pane under the ANIMATION tool bar to start the slides mechanically with one another. I have also inserted background music to attract the attention of the children and kept the option to be played from the beginning until end of the slides.

Just providing a text information is not enough, so to make students further understand the topic well I have put a voice over each slides explaining the points. I recorded the voice using ‘record the audio’ under ‘Audio’ button’. I hid the voice and background music icon together in corner of the slide using the hide “during slide show” by clicking in PLAYBACK option in Audio tools bar to avoid the visual distraction. Finally, I have made background music volume low and for the voice narration I kept the volume high so that children hear clearly.

How and when to use this material in a classroom teaching and learning?

We can use this simulation while teaching the lesson on the topic “Types of Landforms”. This material is effective to be used during a lesson input that is before an activity. Firstly, I will let the students watch the simulation that I have created using a projector rather than letting them to read the text and explain verbally. After that I will let the students draw out what was it all about. To check the understanding of the topic, I will take them through a short activity that is designed in google docs.

How does the material helps children learn better?

If we teach the children through PPT simulation, children will understand better. It is always a better tool to teach students rather than a teacher becoming sage on the stage. Through simulation it projects the content or topic with sound, motion, and with realistic pictures and scene which will surely enhance the understanding of the children. Children will bring a colorful academic performance if they are always taught in these ways. It will also attract the full attention of children and motivate them to learn. It will produce a conducive classroom learning environment and create a fun learning.

Instructions on how to use the material.

1. I will show the simulation to the children until they understand well about landforms.
2. I will share this material with children (with their parents in phone or laptop) so children can watch in their home too.
3. After watching the simulation carefully, each individual are required to complete the activity given on this topic. Please visit the link provided below to get into the activity questions:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1mW0WD2Ufpb5quPh3jLZfhvF89Psxp1JxuJCWjpoKNWY/edit?usp=sharing

Teaching Phrases and Simple Sentences using Camtasia video editing software.

 Introduction

In this page, I wrote about how to teach the pre-primary students on the topic ‘Phrases and Simple Sentences’ using Camtasia video editing software. There is a succinct description on how I have created the teaching material using this software to prepare the lessons and activities for my children. Most importantly, the readers will come to know the applications and relevancy of this software in educational field especially in today’s world of classroom teaching and learning. I have also mentioned when and how the material can be used in the classroom teaching and what are the benefits of it for the children. Being a future teacher I found this tool (Camtasia) a very effective and convenient to use in preparing a lesson in the video format. I enjoyed working with this tool since it has got various video editing features which made me easier to prepare my lesson.

Subject: English

Topic: Phrases and Simple Sentences

Grade: Pre-Primary

Tools used: Camtasia software

Learning Objectives: After watching the video lesson, child should be able to;

i.                 tell what  a simple sentence is?

ii.               write at least ten simple sentences correctly in their notebook.

iii.             interact with friends using simple sentences in a classroom and outside.

 

Creation of the material

First, I prepared the lesson in power point using simple animation on the topic ‘Simple phrases and sentences’ for class pp. Then I integrated the PPT in Camtasia to make it more presentable and realistic because there I can present showing my face with audible voice. It gave a pleasure using those different features in Camtasia because it can edit the video so fine even if we make mistake in some parts or scene while recording. Under the option called Import Videos, there are two option as screen recording’ and record using power point. Since my lesson was prepared in power point presentation, I recorded the video using the record power point option although both the features could work to create a video. I trimmed the unpleasant scene or voice errors using trimming feature. Finally when the video recording was ready and presentable, I rendered it using produce and share feature. After the video was downloaded it turned into more precise and as clear as other video formats.

Please visit the link provided below to open the video. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CDByG10gjGz0aavmheMRWjzLd-72oIaV/view?usp=sharing

When and how can it be used?

The purpose of the material is to use when a teacher deliver the lesson on phrases and simple sentences to pre-primary children. It is to be used before the children are given to do the activities on this topic. I will project the video using power head projector in the classroom.

How does it aids children in learning?

In a first place the video will help pre-primary children understand better on the topic, ‘Phrases and simple sentences’. I have used different font size/styles, colours and pictures along with the important points and words in the explanation aiming to help children arouse their attention and interest in learning. It will also help them to direct and indicate the important points. One good thing about this video is if some children still faces a difficulty in understanding, it can be played time and again according to their learning pace. For example, it can be paused and replay from the point that they haven’t understood.

How students can make use of the material in their learning activities.

After carefully watching the video, children are required to carry out the following activities:

1.     Write at least ten simple sentences about their family in the notebook.

2.     Create a correct simple sentences from mixture of different words and phrases.

3.     Identify the telling part and naming part of the sentences given below after referring the video.

a.      Wangmo and Dorji went to the school.

b.     Ms. Chimmi is teaching them an English.

c.      Doctor is checking the patient.

4.     Write the verbs and subjects from the given sentences below:

a.      I ate bread for the breakfast today.

b.     My mother loves me very much.

c.      I play football with my friends in the school.

Teaching Health and Physical Education (HPE) using Power Point Presentation tool.

Introduction

Different subjects and curriculum can be taught integrating with the ICT.  In this page I have described how to teach health and physical education (HPE) using Power Presentation (PPT). Now, with the advancement of technology in all over the world, it is wise for the teachers to use different ICT tools such as PPT to prepare their lesson and activities. For an instance, to teach the children a skill on how to kick a ball and control it, I have prepared the lesson using different simple features of PPT. It became an effective instructional method for me to tech rather than teach children using a textbooks and printed documents. It also saved my time.

In this 21^st century teaching learning pedagogy, I realized that it is a very high time that teachers need to shift teaching approach from traditional to technology based teaching. To demonstrate my students about this activity called 'Push and pass the ball', I have created a simple animation in PPT. I found this tool very simple and effective to use especially when teaching students about movement and motion. 

Subject: Health and Physical Education

Topic/ Activity:  Pass Through the Goalie

Skills used: Push and Pass. 

Tool Used: Power point Presentation (PPT)

Learning Objectives:

i.                 State the difference between kicking and controlling skills.

ii.               Kick and control an object using leg-eye coordination; and

iii.             Use push-pass correctly to perform physical activities.

Teaching-learning materials for activity

• Marker and cones.

• Football/paper ball/rolled-up socks.

Creation of the Material/ Tool

Being a HPE teacher for class two, I prepared the lesson using the Power point presentation (PPT). I used PPT features such as different shapes and colours/gradient features, to create a materials like a ball, cone, football ground, players and markers to set up for the activity. Then I added animation to each shape to make it more realistic and understandable by students. For further comprehension, I also wrote the explanation and directions on how to play and put voice over each slides explaining the concepts.  I have also uploaded the sample video about  push and pass skills.

I found the tool (PPT) very useful and relevant in teaching this topic and activity. I believe that children understand the concepts better when taught using concrete objects and visual forms which I could fulfilled it using PPT features like shapes and animations. From this topic, I realized that PPT is not just for presenting the text information, but there are lots of functions if we explore deeply. One of the best examples is we can create a beautiful scene and movement which looks more live and real using shapes and applying different animation background. It is very helpful in bringing effective learning in the class.

Below is the PPT simulation that I have created to teach the above mentioned activity. It is in the video format since the voice and animation could not play through the link shared from google. 

I have also shared a related video from you tube so that children can understand better. 

When and How it can be used?

This material is intended to use during lesson delivery time before activity. Its main intention is to make children understand better about this topic before they are asked to do an activity. This material is very directed to their activity later and children will not understand how to proceed the activity if this information is not delivered before it. I will show the video and PPT animation using projector in the class. If some students still face challenges in understanding, I will demonstrate it later in the activity field. 

How does it help in students' learning?

This material will provide the important tips and ideas on how to push and pass the ball in their activity. It will direct them to use a controlling skills to avoid injuries. If students attend this lesson carefully, it will be very easier for them in later in doing activity. Moreover, the video in the PPT will provide them some extra information how to use a Push and pass mechanism correspondingly with their eye coordination. These are some benefits that children will grasps from the material presentation. 

Instructions on how to make use of above material in children's activity. 

1.    I will  demonstrate ‘Push Pass’ skill to control and pass the ball through PPT using projector in the class. 

2.     Children are paired and given a sample ball (paper ball) each for the demonstration.

3. Children will learn how to set up for the activity looking at the set up given in PPT. 

3.    Children will demonstrate passing the ball using Push Pass skill to their partner as shown in the PPT animation. 

4.     Place two sample cones in between the partners.

5.     Children pass the ball through the cones using Push Pass skill to their partner. As shown in the animation, the ball should not touch the cones when kicking. 

6.     A ball that passes through the cones without touching would give a point to the passer.

      Above mentioned steps are just for the children's demonstration that they will learn through  the PPT animation in the classroom. Once done with demonstration, I will take them outside in the football ground to do the real activity. However, all the setups and playing procedures will remain same as demonstrated in the class, but this time students will exhibit the activity without looking at PPT animation. 

Leave your comments here!! Thank you.

Teaching 3D Shapes using an APP 'Shapes 3D Geometry.'

Prisms and Pyramids

Introduction

In this writeup, I have talk  how I being a mathematics teacher had used an app called Shapes 3D Geometry to teach grade three children about 3D shapes like prisms and pyramid. I have elaborated on how I had used the app and how it is related to educational purpose. Although this tool was different and new to me apart from other ICT tools I learnt this semester, however I found the app very useful and effective for the mathematics class to teach about 3D shapes. We all know that, in the past our mathematics teachers would teach us about shapes by drawing it on the green board and using textbook. That teaching strategy was narrow and teacher centered. Most students could not understand concretely about it, however if both the teachers and students could learn using such a modern tools and apps, I think it will be more time saving for both the teachers and learners as well as effective methods. 

Class: THREE

Subjects: Mathematics

Topic: 3D shapes (Prisms and Pyramid)

Tool used: Shapes 3D Shapes app. 

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the session, a child should be able to;

        i. tell the difference between 2D and 3D shapes. 

        ii. draw the diagrams of different prisms and pyramid. 

        iii. describe  the number of faces, edges and corners of different 3D shapes. 

Creation of the materials

In the beginning I wondered what better ICT tools are there to teach about 3D shapes to children. I was really in keen to use one different tools or programmes other than what I learnt this semester like power point presentations (ppt), google classrooms, camtasia, etc. I browsed through the internet and finally I came across an app called Shapes 3D Geometry. After exploring on it, I found it was very easy and simple to use, but very effective educational tool to prepare lesson on 3D shapes. Although I was using it for the first time, but within a short period of time I could make best use of it. It was also quick and saved my time in preparing lesson. 

I downloaded the app in my computer. I wanted to create a different 3D shapes chronologically. Firstly, I created a hexagonal pyramid using the features options like size and colour. I applied different colour in each face of the shape. I can even rotate the shapes in any direction and open each of the faces of shape and close it back to the normal formation. This will make students understand how to draw a hexagonal shape. Next, created a Dodecahedron. Here I had to combine more pentagonal polygon to create this. This shape was quite difficult to create compare to other shapes. Again I applied the same features to coloured it and open each faces of the shape to make students understand better. The edges, corners and vertices of the shapes were very clear and distinct so children can identify it clearly. 

Then I created a shapes like Octahedron, cube, triangular pyramid and prisms. rectangular prism and pyramid followed by pentagonal prisms and pyramid. All these different 3D shapes can be created using same features, but in different way. I found this app very easy to use and effective to learn about prisms and pyramid. 

The video attached below will clearly show the steps on how to use this app. 

When and how this material can be used? 

I will use this material during lesson delivery time which is before activity. Since there are many students in the class, it is impossible for the teacher to go and teach individually. So, what I will do is I will teach this  lesson using Projector in the classroom or in the video format so everyone can see it. Another option is I will take all the children to the IT lab and work together along with the students. 

Students can also use this app in their parents' computer and mobile phone at home to practice creating shapes. One reason why I selected this tool was because it is very easy to use and to the learning level of grade three students. This tool will help students understand about the 3D shapes better than mere learning through teacher's verbal teaching and in paper mode. 

How does it helps students learn?

With using Shapes 3D Geometry, students can discover and create nets of solids as well as explore vertices, edges and faces of 3D shapes. They can also draw heights, line segments and cross sections within 3D shapes. More importantly, using this tool will inspire the students to investigate geometric solids and help them understand it deeper. 

Activity: Drawing prisms and pyramid using Shapes 3D app.

Instructions

For the activity, I will take the students to the IT lab. Students will download the app Shapes 3D geometry in their individual computer. Then they will practice drawing the shapes given below in the table using the downloaded app. Then they will also determine the required numbers for the shapes.

Shapes	Vertices	edges	Triangular faces	Rectangular faces
Triangular pyramid
Rectangular pyramid
Pentagonal pyramid
Hexagonal pyramid
Triangular prism
Rectangular prism
Hexagonal prism

If you have any comments...leave here!! Thank you.

Self- Introduction

My name is Kinzang Dorji. I was born on 4th May, 1996 in one of the remotest places in  Pemagatshel. I have four brothers and I am the second eldest. My parents are farmer and they live in the village. I am from poor family background.

I went to school when I was six. I completed my primary education in Shali Primary School that is in my community. Later, I went to Gonpa Singma L.S.S and I completed my secondary education there.  I  completed the middle school in Pemagatshel M.S.S. and High school education in Nangkor Central School in the year 2016. Currently, I am in the final semester pursuing B.Ed. Primary course in Paro College of Education. 

I am very interested in reading a book, watching motivational talks and advices in you tube, listening music, travelling and photographing and playing indoor game like badminton. I want to become a teacher later because I really like the profession of teaching. I always like to work and learn together with children in the school to update my lifelong learning.