discussion assignment 1

Africa University

Student name:                               Shepherd Revayi

Student number:                           170588

Course:                                             EC1521 Online

Assignment:                                   Discussion Forum Assignment 1

Due date:                                         8 July 2018

Lecturer:                                          Mr Sidindi

(a)  Identify four major roles for technology in the learner-centred paradigm of education.

(b) As a teacher, discuss how you can facilitate the technology roles.
      (20 marks)

There are so many roles for technology in the learner-centred paradigm of education. The potential of technology to enhance learning cannot be overemphasized. The use of technology is something that started a long time ago for students with special needs, for instance brail machines have been utilized for the visually impaired. In addition, special needs programs that help children with autism use technology to enhance learning. By integrating technology into education, educators aim to engender pedagogical change and address fundamental issues that affect learners with special needs as such technology’s role in learner-centred paradigm of education is to act as both a tool and a catalyst for change towards inclusive education which addresses issues affective students of differing intellectual and physical disabilities.

Furthermore, technologies used to improve and facilitate learning can be found everywhere. Leaving other contextual factors to the side, such as unequal access to technological innovations and connected technologies across schools and districts. We can only say that we have embraced technology in education when it is used for both teaching and learning. With the incorporation of technology into schools, the main purpose is to change how teachers and students gather, access, analyse, present and transmit information. This can democratize information in classrooms as well as help differentiate instruction, particularly for students with special needs.

Technology’s role in the learner-centred paradigm of education is to ease the gathering of information. The internet offers various sources of information from various people all over the world, thus making research easier. The internet has augmented obsolete books which have been in use in schools by offering free scholarly findings thus enhancing the teaching and learning process in the leaner-centred paradigm of education.     

Additionally, technology’s role in the learner-centred paradigm of education is to foster sharing of information among learners as well as between learners and facilitators. The use of emails and social media platforms can ease the sharing of information between learners in different geographical locations as such fostering collaborative learning. Facilitators can also send leaning material to learners during holidays, thus ensuring continued learning even during school breaks.

 Assistive technology for students with special needs, assistive technology can be defined as an item, piece of equipment or product system that can be used to maintain, increase or improve functional capabilities for any person with a special need. Thus, the incorporation of educational technology can also provide benefits to students with disabilities who may be in a better position to interact with the lesson through technology. Moreover, technology can place teachers in a better position to customize learning for students with special needs.

As a teacher one has to facilitate the use of technology so as to meet the desired goals in the learner-centred paradigm of education.  The facilitator should impart knowledge pertaining to proper use of technological tools. Teachers should also advice learners on the need to look of for cyber bullying and unsolicited sights.

References

Reigeluth, C.M. (2014). The Learner-Centered Paradigm of Education: Roles for Technology. Educational Technology, 54(3).