Sixth week

Today we received our first module. The first module is about computing and internet skills. For this module, we need to prepare steps in PowerPoint form.

This module exposed me to the importance of technological skills. A person who knows to use the machine to complete any task is a computer literate. Computer literate often connotes little more than the ability to use several very specific applications (usually Microsoft Word, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Microsoft Outlook) for certain very well-defined simple tasks, largely by rote.

Let us see what counts as the essential computer skills as understood under computer literate:

Performing basic operations:
Starting a computer may be a very tricky thing to one who has never seen one. Using the mouse, managing various windows, alternating between the use of keyboard and mouse, minimizing windows, opening and closing files, etc can be daunting tasks for the uninitiated ones. In order to learn to use computers, as with any machine, one needs to acclimatize himself/herself first.

Word-processing: This is the most basic of all skills. It involves typing basically, but when using computers it deviates a little from the common typewriter. There is the enter key replacing the career movement and there are commands (simple ones) for paragraph, indent, spacing and so on.

Email:
Email enables us to keep in touch with all the near and dear ones in real time (instantly). We can send photographs, documents and video clips through email. This is another important and basic skill a computer literate needs to know.

Use the Internet:
The use of the Internet is too vast to be covered in the present article. However, no computer literate is complete without Internet knowledge. Computers and Internet is today almost one and the same thing and one cannot be mentioned without the other tagging along. One will need to harness the Internet in all types of work whether it is research on any topic or plain surfing for information.

Create/ Use a Power Point or graphic file:
Every job involves some type of reporting at regular periods of time. The best way to make a presentation whether it is to the peers, subalterns or superiors is by using power point. Hence, one should the basics of this application as well. Side by side, one should know to use a graphic file whereby you can upload (post) pictures, graphs, and images in any file (as well as power point files).

Fifth week

Meaning of Teaching Aids

As we all know that today's age is the age of science and technology. The teaching learning programmes have also been affected by it. The process of teaching - learning depends upon the different type of equipment available in the classroom.

Need of Teaching Aids

1) Every individual has the tendency to forget. Proper use of teaching aids helps to retain more concepts permanently.

2) Students can learn better when they are motivated properly through different teaching aids.

3) Teaching aids develop the proper image when the students see, hear taste and smell properly.

4) Teaching aids provide complete example for conceptual thinking.

5) The teaching aids create the environment of interest for the students.

6) Teaching aids helps to increase the vocabulary of the students.

7) Teaching aids helps the teacher to get sometime and make learning permanent.

8) Teaching aids provide direct experience to the students.

Types of Teaching Aids

There are many aids available these days. We may classify these aids as follows-

1) Visual Aids
The aids which use sense of vision are called Visual aids. For example :- actual objects, models, pictures, charts, maps, flash cards, flannel board, bulletin board, chalkboard, overhead projector, slides etc. Out of these black board and chalk are the commonest ones.

2) Audio Aids
The aids that involve the sense of hearing are called Audio aids. For example :- radio, tape recorder, gramophone etc.

3) Audio - Visual Aids
The aids which involve the sense of vision as well as hearing are called Audio- Visual aids. For example :- television, film projector, film strips etc

Importance of Teaching aids

Teaching aids play an very important role in Teaching- Learning process. Importance of Teaching aids are as follows :-

1) Motivation
Teaching aids motivate the students so that they can learn better.

2) Clarification
Through teaching aids , the teacher clarify the subject matter more easily.

3) Discouragement of Cramming
Teaching aids can facilitate the proper understanding to the students which discourage the act of cramming.

4) Increase the Vocabulary
Teaching aids helps to increase the vocabulary of the students more effectively.

5) Saves Time and Money

Instead of buying, self made teaching aids will save time and money. Moreover, the teaching aid can be reused.

6) Classroom Live and active
Teaching aids make the classroom live and active.

7) Avoids Dullness

Teaching aids will encourage pupils' participation and thus avoids dullness in classroom.

8) Direct Experience
Teaching aids provide direct experience to the students

Fourth week

As a teacher you are accountable for children's progress - first to the children themselves, then to the parents, and then to the manager. Therefore, you need evidence of the children's progress. Traditional tests, although widely accepted and usually considered objective, are not the ideal solution as children are different from other learners. Traditional tests may have a negative effect on self-esteem, confidence, motivation and overall attitudes to learning English.

Recognizing that children have different needs has led to the development of effective teaching methodologies which take into account children's creativity, love of play, songs, rhymes and role play. These methodologies also take account of children's limitations; short attention span, cognitive development, learning styles and their own special areas of interest. Thus classrooms have become more learner-centered and child friendly.