|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Faculty Spotlight
3rd Term, SY 2005-2006
Mr. Jasper Vincent Alontaga
Educational Leadership and Management Department
|
Jasper Vincent Alontaga graduated with a degree on Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Computer Applications and Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from De La Salle University-Manila.
He is currently finishing his Masters Degree in Education major in Special Education. Presently, he is working on a thesis entitled, “Effects of Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI) modules on the attention span and arithmetic achievement of Attention-Deficit Disorder (ADD) students” at DLSU.
He is a part-time faculty member of Educational Leadership and Management Department (ELMD) handling the undergraduate course Educational Technology 1, among others.
|
Q: Can you share some of your techniques in using multimedia technologies in teaching?
A: Multimedia technology is a double-edged sword. It is helpful when designed appropriately, and detrimental if not so. Thus, the first thing one should learn is the importance of preparation. Assign a significant time in doing your multimedia materials. If possible, make sure to finish it (or your assigned benchmarks) in one sitting.
Among the different tools, the one I use most is PowerPoint. I follow these guidelines:
- Produce a beta (first draft) of your presentation as soon as possible. This will enable you to have a broad idea of how long your presentation is, what should come first, etc. What I usually do this is produce a draft using plain texts then I work my way up by minimizing the words (highlighting the important ideas) and then incorporating pictures and sounds.
- Don't be afraid to lengthen your PowerPoint (the number of slides). A long PowerPoint presentation does not necessarily mean you will have a long presentation (time of delivery). Worse is for you to try and force everything in one slide.
- Try to have these essential parts of a PowerPoint presentation: title slide, contents slide (outline), body (main slides), question slide (where you prompt questions from your audience), thank you slide, and finally the reference slide.
- Use well tested color combinations. Green on white (and vise versa) is very light for the eyes (not to mention maintaining that La Sallian touch in your presentation). I usually have a theme color for my presentations and use shades of that chosen color. It gives unity to your presentation.
- Try to find pictures for each of your slides. Better if you can find an animated picture. Of course, they should be relevant.
- Use custom animation, slide transition and hyperlinks. Just don't overdo them and be consistent.
- Customize your background. I strongly do not suggest the use of default backgrounds. Students have seen them before.
- Make sure to know your presentation. Use cue cards if necessary. Knowing your presentation by heart is the easiest alternative for you if in case technical problems arise (or if the power is out).
- Update your presentation. A presentation used over and over again can be really boring (even for your part).
- It's actually your preference, but keep your presentation as formal as you can.
With regards to the utilization of the IVLE, I suggest the following:
- Make sure to properly orient your students (each and everyone of them) on how to access and use the different tools found in IVLE. I suggest doing this in M306 (smart room).
- Encourage your students to share inputs and comments in IVLE. Try to create an “on-line community” rather than strictly an “on-line course”.
- Accounts get deactivated when not accessed frequently. A quick fix is to tell your students that assignments and announcements will only be posted on-line. This will force them to be responsible and go visit the site. On-line is the trend nowadays so your students should realize that.
- When giving on-line exams, make sure to deactivate the active messaging option and your workbins to prevent cheating.
- Have separate workbins for each of the sections of your course. This will help you better organize your files.
- When uploading files in your workbins, especially PowerPoint files, convert them into .pdf format. This format safeguards the intellectual property of your presentation and lessens the file size.
Lastly, I want to share the important fact that multimedia-teaching technologies (LCD/laptop, OHP, blackboard, etc.) should be used “simultaneously” with each other, not “separately”.
Q: To what extent did CREM technology training program help you in your daily teaching activities?
A: The CREM training oriented me with the principles behind multimedia technology, especially with regards to their pedagogical implications. This is important since technology in itself is nothing. The teacher must be able to creatively implement this technology to work properly.
CREM also served as a review/refresher course for me with regards to the different softwares (i.e. Adobe Photoshop, Macromedia Dreamweaver). Basic knowledge of these softwares is of utmost importance since we are again moving towards the integration of different technologies.
But the main contribution of CREM for me would definitely be IVLE. The workbins served as an on-line portfolio for me to monitor the development of my students. The on-line assessment is definitely beneficial since results of the tests can be gained immediately (which is a principle of measurement and evaluation). IVLE opened up the door for both asynchronous (discussion forums) and synchronous (chatroom) instruction.
Q: What problems have you encountered in the course of using technology in teaching?
A: The only problems I encountered in the course of using technology in teaching were the set-up time and the equipments. Of course if my class is in a computer laboratory these are not problems since the equipments are of the “top-end” quality and are already set-up. The problems arise when I hold classes in regular rooms. The set-up time can take almost 10-15 minutes off your period, provided that there is no problem (especially compatibility issues) in your laptop, data converter and/or LCD. Not to mention the low availability of these equipments.
With regards to IVLE, my students have been complaining about the access/connection, which is slow in their part especially when downloading files. |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
