ICT IN VARIOUS CONTENT AREAS

How does ICT enhance Teaching and Learning?

There is a list of reasons which demonstrate how ICT can enhance teaching and
learning in the 21st century. However, some of the main ones include:
Student motivation.
Student attainment levels.
Student engagement in subject learning.

INTELLECTUALLY CHALLENGING TECHNOLOGIES TO USE IN THE

CLASSROOM

ICT Tools for Developing Literacy

With the 'new literacies' comes new ICT skills as literacy is no longer limited to reading
paper books and texts. Today, new literacies brings the learning of new technologies
which are essential for students to master if they are to be literate for the 21st century.
New technologies can be used to do traditional things in a different, more motivating
way. As a consequence, teachers are challenged not only to integrate technology into
traditional aspects of literacy instruction but also to engage students in emerging
technological literacies.
• Word processing has close links to literacy and language development. Being
proficient in word processing skills is something which students will continually
use and build on throughout their school career.
• Blogs are an excellent way for students to collaborate and communicate using
an online word processor.
• Wikis ('What I Know Is'): These can be a repository of knowledge for students
and like blogs, the possibilities for wikis are wide open. There can be research
projects, writing projects, and library projects just to name a few.
• Emails - great for developing online literacy skills. We all write differently
online and for different audiences too.
• Web creation and design: These are really online word processors and so the
possibilities in literacy lessons are endless but can be limited to the teacher's
own capabilities in ICT.
• Web searching (Information literacy skills): The ability to find information is a
vital skill to have in the 21st century. What strategies are available to navigate
electronic texts and the internet? Where are the signposts and clues?
• Drawing and graphics programs: Visual literacy is equally important today
than ever before. Imagine demonstrating to your students how to use one of
these drawing or graphics programs so that they can use it creatively in order to
add an image to a newspaper article, to understand how pictures can sometimes
tell a thousand words just by the colour, expressions or medium used
 • Digital video: Harness the power of video to help students develop their
language skills.
• Spreadsheets and Databases: Who said that these can't be used in English
lessons? What about opportunities for the teaching and reinforcement of a range
of higher-order language skills, such as keyword selection and the skimming and
scanning of text?

Digital Collaborative Learning Resources

Educators worldwide are doing more work in teams and shifting classroom practice
from predominantly individual learning activities to collaborative learning strategies. And
there are a growing number of ways that technology is boosting collaboration in
learning.
1. Communication Tools. Collaborative content development tools include:
Google’s G Suite and Microsoft Office 365 provide a collaborative document creation
and editing space for teams.
Kidblog and Blogger enable students to create a digital space for writing a blog and
work with peers to engage in discussion and provide feedback.
Padlet is useful for creating a wall of discussion, adding collaborators, and sharing
information via audio, video, music, photos, and text. Padlets are easily shared with a
single link and are accessible from around the world for real-time collaboration.
Wakelet is a multi-purpose tool that provides a digital space for collaborating, curating,
sharing ideas, storytelling and more possibilities for educators and students. With the
Immersive Reader integration, Wakelet provides more accessibility for students on a
global scale.
Story2 helps students tell their story—and write better college essays.
Buncee is a multipurpose tool where students create digital stories and presentations,
which can be shared to a collaborative board for commenting and learning.
2. Project-Based Work & Learning. Numerous team-focused tools tackle an
array of project-based aspects. Workflow: Slack, Teams
Task management: Asana, Zoho, Monday, Trello
Virtual meeting: Google Hangouts, Zoom, GoToMeeting
Project management (for education): Headrush, BeAnything
Project mentors: Nepris, Educurious
Discussion: Voxer
Communication and team tools enable people to work from anywhere and collaborate
on virtual teams. Schools frequently use a mix of general purpose tools as well as
edtech tools specifically designed to support collaborative learning.
3. Immersive Learning Tools. Make the city your classroom—and bring your
phone along. Collaborative place-based learning can make use of your smartphone’s
camera, level, compass, and GPS. Plugin and bluetooth add-ons measure
temperature, humidity, air pressure, and lots more.
Another new generation of tools takes advantage of augmented (AR) and virtual reality
(VR), including:
CoSpaces EDU students can work together to create virtual spaces for digital
storytelling by working on teams to design a collaborative VR space.
Nearpod is an interactive tool that engages students in learning through a variety of
content options, activities, and immersive VR experiences. Students can exchange
ideas using the Collaborate feature of Nearpod, which promotes real-time interaction.
3DBear provides students with fun ways to create in augmented reality and work
together to design a space in which they can even narrate a story.
MergeEDU places learning in students’ hands as they can explore content related to
science, art, math, history and more. Students can record a story with their own
narration while working with a partner.
4. Inquiry-Based Science and Engineering. Science instruction used to involve a lot
of individual memorization. In many schools, it’s now centered upon collaborative,
hands-on inquiry, experimentation, making and modeling.
For more Inquiry-based learning, check out:
Pasco, which developed a family of sensors and experimentation kits.
Pitsco kits that promote hands-on collaboration and problem-solving.
Concord Consortium, which offers probes, sensors, and Common Online Data Analysis
Platform. They also offer STEM modeling tools including Building Models,
GeniConnect, and GEODE.
Robotics programs like VEX that promote collaborative engineering and
problemsolving.
5. Game-Based Learning. A growing number of apps like Quizlet Live, Kahoot!, and
Gimkit use game-based learning to promote collaborative problem-solving. Teachers
can immediately act upon data and provide feedback to students.
6. Learning Platforms With Collaborative Features
Microsoft Classroom has a collaboration space that encourages students to work
together as the teacher provides real-time feedback and coaching.
Google Classroom enables posting commenting, and the facilitation of classroom
discussions.
Edmodo provides a digital space where students and teachers can interact in a safe
learning network. Edmodo facilitates access to resources, promotes global
collaboration and fosters the development of digital citizenship skills.
Canvas from Instructure allows students to reflect and collaborate with peers. Teachers
can also use the platform to communicate with student teams.
7. Social-Emotional Learning. Digital tools are helping many students to develop
social-emotional learning (SEL) skills. Students who work together as part of a team
build SEL skills through their experiences, which will benefit them in their personal
and professional futures. Through collaborative work, students build positive
relationships, set personal goals, make decisions, show empathy, and understand
their emotions. Working together prepares students for future work and learning
experiences.
Overview of Google Docs
Offering word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, forms, and drawings, Google
Docs provides an easy-to-use, integrated way for teachers and students to work
together on projects, reports, and more, and to collect and share information in a
secure online environment.

Some of the advantages of using Google Docs include:

Anytime, anywhere access

Web-based Google Docs safely stores documents online, making them accessible to
authorized users from any computer or mobile device, whenever they're needed. No
need to save files to a USB thumbdrive, you can always access your files from any
internet browser.

Collaboration support Google Docs lets users easily invite others to work on the same
document, at the same time, without the hassle of attaching and sending documents.
Sharing privileges ensure access by only the right people or groups, and allow either
editing or read-only access.

Autosave and revision history Continuous autosave ensures that current work stays
safe, preserving ongoing drafts and edits. A complete revision history makes it easy to
review, compare, or revert to a prior version at any point.

Google Forms
What is Google Forms?
Google Forms is a free tool from Google that allows you to do the following:
• Create forms, surveys, quizzes, and such
• Share the forms with others
• Allow others to complete the forms online
 • Collect all the responses in a spreadsheet
• Provide you with helpful summaries of the collected data with charts and
graphs
You access Google Forms through the Google Drive screen or the Google Forms
web app.

You can use Google Forms with your personal Google account, or through a Google
Apps for Education account. With a Google Apps for Education account you can
also do the following:
• Require that respondents be from your Google Apps domain.
• Collect respondents usernames.

There are nine different types of questions you can include in a form:

1 - Text type
• For the Text type question, you simply type in a
question and the user gets a one-line text box to
enter their response.
• For the Advanced setting you can choose Data

Validation to make the user’s response match a

certain value, type, or pattern. 2 -Paragraph type
• For the Paragraph type question, you
simply type in a question and the user
gets a multi-line text box for their
response.
• This type of question is well suited for
open-ended or essay type responses.
• For the Advanced setting you can
choose Data Validation to make the
user’s response match a certain value, type, or pattern.
3 - Multiple Choice type
• For the Multiple Choice type question,
type in your question.

•
 • Then enter in as many options as you wish for the answer
choices. You can also copy and paste in your list if you have
it typed up elsewhere.
You can also choose to add the Other option where the user will be allowed to
add and choose a write-in choice for your
list.
• When the user completes the question, they may only
choose one of the choices you have provided
• For the Advanced setting your can choose Shuffle option
order to
randomize the answer choice order
4 - Checkboxes type
• For the Checkbox type question, type in
your question.
• Then enter in as many options as you wish
for the answer choices. You can also copy
and paste in your list if you have it typed up
elsewhere.
• You can also choose to add the Other option where the user will be allowed to
add and choose a write-in choice for your list.
• When the user completes the question, they can choose as many of the
choices as they wish from what you have provided.
• For the Advanced setting your can choose Shuffle option order to
randomize the answer choice order, or Data Validation to make the user
choose a certain number of responses.

5 - Choose From a List type

• For the Choose From a List type
question, type in your question.
• Then you can enter in as many options
as you wish for the answer choices. You
can also copy and paste in your list if
you have it typed up elsewhere.
• Note: There is not an Other option like in
the Multiple Choice and Checkbox types.
• When the user completes the question, they may only choose one of the
choices you have provided from a dropdown list.
For the Advanced setting your can
choose Shuffle option order to
•
 randomize the answer choice order 6 -
Scale type
• For the Scale type question, type in your
question
• Then you enter the starting point (0 or 1) and
the ending point (up to 10) for your scale
• Optionally you can enter labels for the
endpoints of your scale such as “Disagree the
most” and “Agree the most”, or “Lowest ranking”
and “High • est ranking”
• The user will be presented with a scale of values on which to place their
response

7 - Grid type
• For the Grid type question, begin
by typing in your overall question
or directions that will apply to
each question in the grid.
• Then choose how many columns
you want in the grid (1 to 5), and
you provide descriptive labels for
each column
• Then enter as many rows as you
wish for the grid, and enter a question or statement for each.
• When the user completes the question, they will be presented with a grid of
rows and columns and will need to click a single cell to place their response
for each row.
• For the Advanced setting your can choose Shuffle row order to randomize
the row display order

8 - Time type
• For the Time type question you can choose
either the time of day format or duration format
with hours, minutes, and seconds.
The user will then select the time or duration
using drop down menus and up/down arrows.

•
9 - Date type
• For the Date type question the user will simply
choose a date from a drop down box or with
up/down arrows.
• You have the option to include the Year or not.
• You have the option to include the Time or not.

Google Drive
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kXlSQztul_tqRbGQYYk79DyTL5Xv3HRj/view

Google Drive is a cloud storage service, and like all cloud services, its primary function
is to take some load off your hard drive. Cloud storage works by uploading your files to
its own remote servers — or the “cloud” — freeing up space on your computer. This
leaves more space on your devices for more important things, like installing large apps
and games.
How Does Google Drive Work?

Google Drive’s main purpose is to store files and sync them to your computer. You can
use Drive’s website to upload files and edit them online. Plus, if you install its desktop
client, you can use the Drive folder on your computer to continuously sync important
files to the cloud, making sure they’re updated as you work on them.

Drive recently expanded its syncing capabilities by adding the option to sync any folder
on your computer to the Google Drive servers. This lets Drive function as a backup
service, as well. It doesn’t quite have all the functionality of a dedicated backup service,
though, so if you need one, you can take a look at our best online backup services list.

Google Classroom

Google Classroom is a learning management system (LMS) that aims to simplify

creating, distributing, and grading assignments and engaging students in learning
online or remotely. Google Classroom is a free application designed to help students
and teachers communicate, collaborate, organize and manage assignments, go
paperless, and much more! It was introduced as a feature of Google Apps for
Education following its public release on August 12, 2014.

Google Classroom integrates with students’ and teachers’ Google Calendars. Each
class created with Google Classroom creates a separate folder in the respective
Google service where the student can submit work to be graded by a teacher.
Communication through Gmail allows teachers to make announcements and ask
questions to their students in each of their classes. Teachers can add students directly
from the Google Apps directory or can provide a code that can be entered for access to
the class by students.
What is Workplace from Meta?

• Workplace is an enterprise collaboration platform designed by Facebook. You

could almost call it “social media for business”.
• With Workplace, teams can communicate, share information, and collaborate.
Like the Facebook social media platform, Workplace features profiles and news
feeds. You can create groups and friends lists and message people with chat.
• Workplace first launched in October 2016. It benefits from the existing tools and
investments of Facebook.
• Workplace has 12 Facebook-owned data centers. The service also uses
machine learning from Facebook to sort relevant information.
• The Workplace and the Facebook platform have similarities but they’re separate
tools.
• Your Workplace account is different from your existing profile. You’ll need a work
email address and an invite to create an account.

What is Zoom?
Zoom is a cloud-based video communications app that allows you to set up virtual
video and audio conferencing, webinars, live chats, screen-sharing, and other
collaborative capabilities.

Getting started with Zoom meetings

Once you've downloaded and installed Zoom, you're ready to get started.

If you don't have an account and just want to join a Zoom meeting, you can do this a
few different ways.

• Through a Zoom Meeting link provided by the host. All you need to do is click
that link, and you'll be brought to the meeting.
• Or you can click "Join" on Zoom's homepage, and enter the Meeting ID
manually.
• Alternatively, if you don't have access to the mobile app or desktop, Zoom
supports dialin calling.
If you do have an account and want to schedule your first Zoom meeting, all you need
to do is head to either the app, or your account page on the website, where you can
click the "Schedule" option. From there, follow the prompts.

When this is set, you'll be able to invite meeting participants to join your conference call,
which you can send via email, contact, or phone number. We've outlined a few different
ways to send a Zoom invite, but the easiest way is to share the meeting join link, which
you'll receive when you schedule or start a meeting.
Once you're up and running and depending on your plan, Zoom offers varying levels of
tools to enhance your video call. Take note of these core features.

• In-meeting chat: With this feature, you're able to send messages privately to an
individual or to the group within a meeting.
• Recording: Every version offers the option to record your meetings, which you
can start manually or automatically.
• Screen-sharing: Whether it's for a marketing presentation or a classroom
lecture, sharing your screen is an easy way to show others your work.
• Breakout rooms: This allows you to split a single call into individual groups so
participants can then have their own conversations.

Distance education, also known as distance learning, is the education of students

who may not always be physically present at a school, or where the learner and the
teacher are separated in both time and distance. Traditionally, this usually involved
correspondence courses wherein the student corresponded with the school via
mail. Today, it usually involves online education and the learning is usually mediated
by some form of technology. A distance learning program can be completely distance
learning, or a combination of distance learning and traditional classroom instruction
(called hybrid[ or blended). Other modalities include distance learning with
complementary virtual environment or teaching in virtual environment (e-learning).

Three main concepts are common to these definitions:

• Education. A course of study is being undertaken involving both teaching and
learning.
• Overcoming barriers of place and/or time. Teachers and learners traditionally
meet at an appointed place at an appointed time to pursue a course of study.
Distance learning originally developed to overcome the difficulties of teachers
and learners who were not in the same geographic location. More recently,
distance learning may also serve those who might be at the same location, but
choose not to meet at the same time.
• A tool is used to facilitate learning. To overcome the distance of place or time,
some form of technology is used to communicate between the teacher and
learner. Originally, the technologies of pen, paper, and the postal service were
used to connect them. As electronic communication technologies (audio, video,
 and data) became readily accessible to learners, these have been increasingly
used.
What is synchronous learning?

Synchronicity means doing something at the same time, and with learning, it's no
different. Synchronous learning refers to a learning event in which a group of
participants is engaged in learning at the same time [1].
There is real interaction with other people
For that, they should be in the same physical location, such as a classroom, or at the
same online environment, such as in a web conference, where they can interact with
the instructor and other participants. There is real-interaction with other people.

In a corporate training scenario, this type of learning occurs when there is in-person
training or live webinars where the employees or customers can participate at the same
time.

The benefits of synchronous learning

• Interaction between participants.
• Exchange of knowledge and experience between participants.
• Real-time feedback for the instructor.
• Training happens on a fixed schedule.

What is asynchronous learning?

If synchronous learning takes place at the same time, asynchronous learning refers
to the opposite. The instructor, the learner, and other participants are not engaged in
the learning process at the same time. There is no real-time interaction with other
people.

An example of this method in corporate training is creating online content with

prerecorded videos or publishing an on-demand online exam.

The benefits of asynchronous learning

• Participants can learn in their own time and schedule
• Less work for trainers and HR managers
• Automated tasks reduce repetitive work such as giving online classes and
grading exams
• Employees and customers spend less time in a classroom or amphitheater
during work hours [2]

What are the differences between synchronous and asynchronous learning?

Synchronous learning Asynchronous learning

Traditional classroom Recorded class
Instant messaging E-mail
Immediate feedback from instructor and Sending a question and waiting for an
peers answer
Phone call Recorded voice message
In-person training Online training courses (without live video)
Live webinar Recorded webinar
Group-paced Self-paced
Same time Different times

Technology assisted tools in assessment learning

Kahoot

Kahoot! is a digital learning platform that uses quiz-style games to help students learn
by making the information engaging in a fun way.

As one of the biggest names in quiz-based learning, it's impressive that Kahoot! still
offers a free-to-use platform, which makes it highly accessible for teachers and
students alike. It's also a helpful tool for a hybrid class that uses both digital and
classroombased learning.

The cloud-based service will work on most devices via a web browser. That means this
is accessible for students in class or at home using laptops, tablets and smartphones.

How does Kahoot! work?

At its most basic, Kahoot! offers a question and then optional multiple choice answers.
This can be enhanced with rich media such as images and videos to add more
interactivity.

While Kahoot! can be used in the classroom, it's ideal for remote learning use. It's
possible for teachers to set a quiz and wait to see the scores as students complete it.
Or they can carry out a live hosted quiz using video – with third-party apps such as
Zoom(opens in new tab) or Meet(opens in new tab) – to be there as students are
working through the challenges.
While there is a timer-based quiz mode, you can also choose to turn that off. In that
instance, it's possible to set more complex tasks that require research time.

Mentimeter

Mentimeter is an interactive presentation tool that helps to engage students and

enables every voice in a classroom or lecture hall to be heard. You can use it to gauge
student comprehension, test knowledge retention or as a fun way to break up learning.
But, we are sure you know all that. We just wanted to share with you our top tips for
teachers using Mentimeter that you may be missing out on.
The Profanity filter

This really is a lifesaver and once you start using it you won’t be able to live without it.
Turning on the profanity filter means that you can filter out all of those pesky words your
students may try and slip into your presentation. It is also available in many languages
and includes emojis! Instead, it will show a scramble of symbols and conceal the
profanity.

What are the best Mentimeter features?

Mentimeter is very adaptive, so it can be accessed easily online or via the app -- but
also via other apps. It is possible to integrate Mentimeter within the likes of PowerPoint
or Zoom, for example. So, for example, teachers can add in events to a presentation
already created, or use a Mentimeter presentation, in part, on a software platform
required by a school or student, for example.