Activity 3: The word processor as a learning resource

As stated in my previous post, the word processor is very useful in the administrative and lesson preparation roles of the teacher.  It can also prove very useful as a learning resource.

As a teacher integrates ICT into the learning process, word processing skills can be developed.  For instance, students can use the word processor in their language class for typing and formatting essays.  They can also use them for producing statistical data in graphical form after doing research projects in classes like Geography or Mathematics - graphs, piecharts, and so on.  Students can also use this resource for note taking especially where they have writing challenges.

Further, documents produced by word processors work well for collaborative brainstorming.  Learners can add their ideas to a document and circulate it for classmates to add their own ideas.  Online storage services like Dropbox facilitates such sharing of documents quite easily.  In this way, even outside of the classroom, students can continue to share ideas (whether it be for a full class assignment or a group project).

Activity 2 - Word processor administration and lesson planning

Throughout their general teaching, teachers may need many documents for record keeping and other administrative purposes. Word processing software can be adequately used by teachers to fulfill some of these needs. There are a multitude of word processors available on the market, the most well-known being Microsoft Word.  However, there are others such as one provided in the Libre Office suite.

Documents such as class registers, class notices (such as class rules, or deadline reminders), letters to parents, commendation letters to outstanding students, and more can be produced using such software. Many contain powerful features and allow a teacher to produce tables, graphs and other charts.

Word processors are therefore a very useful tool for teachers and should be studied to develop at least basic operational skills to allow for general administrative use.


Word processors can be quite effective for lesson planning as well.  Teachers can produce templates for lesson plans which they can fill in by hand as necessary OR they can use the templates to type new lesson plans each time they need one.  The beauty of the second option is that the lesson plan can remain on file for future use or even be followed from the computer or tablet without ever printing it (save on paper).

Teachers can also write instructions to guide students in assignments.  This provides the student with a reference document to take them through the steps of the assignment.  This is especially useful at points when the teacher is not accessible (students working outside of class time).  A similar approach can also be taken to giving notes/handouts.

Activity 1 - Role of the Educator

The roles of the educator are wide reaching.  So much so that teachers are responsible for many aspects of students' learning that goes beyond the actual content delivery - they are involved with much of the framework that guides the entire process of learning.  Some of the key roles are:

1.  Mediator - Here the teacher ensures there is proper communication between the learner and the teacher or between the learner and any other source of information.  Essentially facilitating dialogue.

2.  Designer - The teacher must be able to designe learning programs that are contextual and suitable for the level of the learners.  This includes being able to craft programs to the learning style and challenges that a variety of learners may face.

3.  Leader/Administrator - Teachers must be able to lead their classrooms and carry out various administrative functions (including things like maintaining class registers, keeping a keen eye on students' wellbeing and so on).

4.  Specialist - Teachers must be very knowledgeable about their content areas and continually work at developing their knowledge and skills in these ares.

Other key roles include Scholar, Assessor and Citizenship/Pastoral roles.

Indeed a teacher's responsibility is extensive.

Module 3 Begins

As I venture into my second module of this course (Module 3) I have reflected briefly on Module 2.  Perhaps the two greatest lessons from that module for me were:

1.  Looking at ICT integration as playing a role in developing ICT skills in the students by having them interact with the technology as opposed to simply using ICT as a teaching tool for content delivery.  Thereby allowing students to be better equipped with skills for today's IT driven world while still focusing on the content of the curriculum.

2.  The importance of maintaining elements of spontaneous learning in education on a whole, and especially when integrating ICT.

I hope that Module 3 would help me to reinforce those concepts already learnt and help me to build upon them.

It will be a most challenging module in terms of time.  With the beginning of our VincyMas (carnival season), time will be a very precious - late night band rehearsals three nights a week plus performances, while teaching at two schools, teaching music outside of school and finding time to practice the trumpet and keep my chops in shape - then to do assignments.... whew!!!  Ok, breathe :)

Here we go.