UNIT 1: Introduction to Teaching and Learning

Our educations system should reflect our changing needs in society. As technology rises from its peak, it provides us gateways of opportunities to enhance teaching and learning. PCK 126 is a subject that introduces us to the various roles and functions of technology for education. Expanding this, Let us take you to the learning experiences we encountered as we explore its context. Unit 1 consisted of the introduction of technology for teaching and learning. As students who are technology enthusiasts, we have initial knowledge of the different terms indicated in the module, especially since we had subjects that tackled Information and Communications Technology. However, one notable highlight of this subject is the promotion of the functions of various technological aspects and tools in education, specifically to its use in teaching.

Lesson 1 focused on defining the basic concepts in understanding ICT in education. It involved terms that help in expanding our familiarity with the concept of ICT in education. It enabled us to immerse in the different terminologies and understand their functions in teaching and learning. Moreover, lesson 2 gave an avenue towards understanding the roles of technology for teaching and learning from a constructivist perspective. We learned in this lesson how this perspective encourages students to take an active part in learning by using their various ideas and interests to drive the learning process using technology. As future educators, it opened our senses to the roles of a teacher —supporting learners and guiding them with strategies, approaches, and tools to ensure learning.

Moreover, one notable highlight in this unit is how it gave an avenue towards understanding the roles of technology for teaching and learning from a constructivist perspective. We learned in this lesson how this perspective encourages students to take an active part in learning by using their various ideas and interests to drive the learning process using technology. As future educators, it opened our senses to the roles of a teacher —supporting learners and guiding them with strategies, approaches, and tools to ensure learning.

While Lesson 2 provided the roles of technology, lesson 3 took us back to the history of technology. What is interesting in this lesson is the realization of how much we have come this far. Technology in the past was a lot different than today —but it shows how we, humans, continue to develop this even until this present time. The last lesson discussed the 21st digital literacy skills that we, teachers, should have. This highlights the importance of meeting the needs of learners in the 21st century, especially because technology continues to develop. In summary, Unit 1 provided us an introduction to the necessary information, tools, and digital literacy skills for us to be able to understand the following units. It served as a gateway towards the full understanding of technology and its functions in education.