FS 3: Episode 1 - Technology in the Learning Environment

Episode 1 - The School's Learning Resource Center

Name of Center Observed: Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan

Date of Observation: November 27, 2013

Name of Observer: Louie Francis J. Naive

Course / Year / School: BTTE - 4A  Mindanao University of Science and Technology

List of Available Learning Resources

Available Learning Resources	Characteristics and Unique Capabilities	Teaching Approaches where the Resource is Most Useful
1. Print Resources       ·         Books       ·         Magazines       ·         Research Materials       ·         Newspaper (Clippings)	These print resources are capable in providing guidance and idea to students who were not familiar with it and it makes them aware about the whole concept. Latest information from the news, specific and hand-outs are easy to understand.	Resource-based learning actively involves students, teachers and teacher-librarians in the effective use of a wide range of print, non-print and human resources. Resource-based learning fosters the development of individual students by accommodating their varied interests, experiences, learning styles, needs and ability levels.
2. Audio Resources      ·         Cassette      ·         Audio Tapes      ·         Compact Disc      ·         Speech Laboratory	These audio resources are capable in upgrading the vocabulary and listening skill of the learners and this was highly effective for all the auditory learners.	The Communicative Approach stresses the need to teach communicative competence as opposed to linguistic competence; thus, functions are emphasized over forms. Students usually work with authentic materials in small groups on communicative activities, during which they receive practice in negotiating meaning. Letting the student explore the elements of an audio production could be an effective teaching approach because it develops listening skills of students.
3. Non-electronic Visual               Resources      ·         Bulletin Board      ·         Charts      ·         Models      ·         Mock Up	These non-electronic visual resources are capable of bringing out information and letting them experience what reality is to the learners. One good example for a model of a human bodies that student for nursing and doctors’ studies.	Experiential learning could be a teaching approach where resources were most useful. It was inductive approach.  Learner centered and activity oriented. The emphasis in experiential learning was on the process of learning and not on the product.
4. ICT Resources      ·         Computers      ·         Computer Laboratory with           LCD Projectors      ·         Audio-Visual Room      ·         WIFI connection      ·         Online Database	Computers are commonly used for entertainment purposes but if it is used properly it could also be used for the presentation of the reports and discussions. ICT Resources were used as a means of learning new concepts and new ideas to the learners with the use of technology. Because of the fast growing technology today, it is used to help teacher teach subjects to learners with the help of these modern technology.	Direct instruction was highly teacher directed and was commonly used. This includes methods such as lectures, questioning, explicit teaching and demonstration. It was effective for providing information or developing step by step skills. With these modern technology learners can easily learn.

Impression: A learning resource center is a facility within a school, staffed by a specialist, containing several information sources.Learning resources centers concentrate on amalgamation of resources, information and communication technologies with educational practices inside centers. Development of educational theories, international tends to self learning, taking in account differences of individuals, make the learner the axis of educational process, and the teacher role change into a leader and facilitator of learning process.Learning resources center's general aim is to ensure learning educational suitable environment that allows learner benefit from any kind of learning resources, gives him self-learning opportunities, reinforces searching and exploration skills and allows teacher to follow up effective methods when designing lesson material, develop it, implement and evaluate.

Analysis

1. Were the learning resources/materials arranged properly according to the functions and characteristics?

    All learning resources or materials were arranged properly according their functions and characteristics. The books inside the library were properly arranged and organized according to the course type. With the proper arrangement of learning resources help the teachers and students to locate it and it brings convenience to both teachers and students.For example an engineering student want to research for a specific subject of his course he will go straight to the 4th floor of Library Annex for the Engineering Section.

2. Do guidelines and procedures facilitate easy access to the materials by the teachers? Why? Why not?

     The resources available inside the library are available for an easy access for both the teachers and the students who want to use or access the learning materials. And also there are more available copies that they can use.with regards to the procedure of borrowing learning materials, they can search it in the online catalog and reserved it online. The library also accommodates outside researchers every Saturday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm should present any valid Identification Card upon entrance to the library and a fee of 100 charged per visit.

3. What are the strengths of this Learning Resource Center?

      I can say that this Learning Resource Center has many strengths. One of it is that this LRC has a lot of variety of books that student and teachers can use as a source of knowledge. Another strength is that this library is up to date with technology and it has free WiFi connection to the users. It is also fully air-conditioned that makes it conducive for learning. almost every floor has a photocopying machine available.

4. What are its weaknesses?

      With only 14 full time library staff available, i think i can say that this is its weakness. they lack man power to facilitate and keep the library well organized. But with those numbers, one good thing is that they need SA (Student Assistant) to help them and student assistant are paid hourly by the University. 

5. What Suggestions can you make?  

        I suggest that Learning Resource Center should try to adopt new technologies. One of which is the use of E-Book were almost more than half of the students or teachers has gadgets like tablets that can be used for E-book. They can download an E-book in their gadget.

Reflections

1. Which of the materials in the learning resources caught your interest the most? Why?

        The materials that that caught my interest the most are the books and that models because the books were properly arranged according to their types and functions. It seems that there was a proper maintenance because most of the books were free from dust. You can also see books that are decades old but are in very good condition. The models also caught my interest because of its life size and the quality of experience the learner can gain with it. 

2. Which gadgets/materials are you already confident to use/operate?

        The books, computer, projector and other materials that were related to multimedia presentation were the gadgets or materials that give me a strong confidence and belief in my own ability to use or operate it.

3. Which ones do your feel you need to learn more about?

         I need to learn more on how to make a prezi, video presentation and video editing.     

4. Read an article about your answer in number 3. Paste a copy of the article here.

   From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia      

   Prezi is a U.S.-Hungarian software company, producing a cloud-based (SaaS)presentation software and storytelling tool for presenting ideas on a virtual canvas. The product employs a Zooming User Interface (ZUI), which allows users to zoom in and out of their presentation media, and allows users to display and navigate through information within a 2.5D or parallax 3D space on the Z-axis. Prezi was officially established in 2009 by co-founders Adam Somlai-Fischer, Peter Halacsy and Peter Arvai.

Library Annex entrance

OPAC online catalog

 UNDERGRADUATE LIBRARY

The Undergraduate Library consists of the 2nd & 3rd floors of the Library Annex.  The 2nd floor houses Current Books (last 5 years of publication) while the 3rd floor houses books related to the core courses and course offering in the arts & sciences and education. 

AGRICULTURE LIBRARY (4F, Library Annex)

The Agriculture Library consists of books and journals needed by the students and faculty of the College of Agriculture.  It has a seating capacity for 100 persons.

ENGINEERING LIBRARY (4F Library Annex)

The Engineering Library provides the materials needed by the students and faculty of the College of Engineering.

 NURSING LIBRARY  (5F Library Annex)

The Nursing Library provides the books and journals needed by the students and faculty of the College of Nursing.  It has a seating capacity for 100 persons.

AMERICAN CORNER  (2F Main LIbrary)

The American Corner houses a special collection of materials for use in courses with American content and to those interested in American culture, institutions and society.  Collections number close to 3,000 volumes, 31 periodical titles plus an assortment of electronic resources, article alerts, brochures and pamphlets. The EBSCO MasterFile Elite database is available here.

 GRADUATE LIBRARY  (2F Main Library)

The Graduate Library supports the Graduate School.  It holds more than 6,500 volumes and 800+ titles of theses and dissertations. It has a seating capacity for 65 students and faculty.

LAW LIBRARY  (3F Main Library)

The Law Library provides the special materials needed by the students and faculty of the College of Law.  Its up-to-date collection of 4,200 volumes includes a complete set of Philippine Reports, Supreme Court Reports Annotated, as well as copies of the Official Gazette, law and case digests, periodicals, plus the CD-ROMs Phil Juris and Lex Libris.  It has a seating capacity for 140 students and faculty.

  

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT & ACCOUNTANCY LIBRARY  (2F Library Annex)

The Business Management & Accountancy Library houses books and journals intended for the students and faculty of the School of Business Management & Accountancy.  It has a seating capacity for 100 persons.