Changes

==== Digital ICT ====

==== Digital ICT ====

We are now perhaps in the middle of the next epochal movement in the history of ICT - the use of digital methods for accessing, creating, modifying sharing, storing information as well as for communication. Most of you would have been born after the beginning of the mass use of cell phones (the second generation or 2G cell phone technology was available for mass use from 1991), towards the end of the first millennium, while many teacher educators would have been born before this period! This phenomenon creates an interesting inversion in the school environment, in almost all other areas, the teacher (teacher­ educator) is more familiar than the learner (student­ teacher), while in case of ICT (more specifically in the skill of using ICT devices and methods), it can often be the opposite! Younger people may often pick up a technology quicker than older people. However, digital literacy does not only mean skills but rather an understanding of the impact of using digital ICT. ''On the other hand, the experience and insights of teacher educators can help student teachers develop a critical perspective towards digital ICTs, which is essential, since digital ICTs have huge potential for doing harm as well as good.''

We are now perhaps in the middle of the next epochal movement in the history of ICT - the use of digital methods for accessing, creating, modifying sharing, storing information as well as for communication. Most of you would have been born after the beginning of the mass use of cell phones (the second generation or 2G cell phone technology was available for mass use from 1991), towards the end of the first millennium, while many teacher educators would have been born before this period! This phenomenon creates an interesting inversion in the school environment, in almost all other areas, the teacher (teacher­ educator) is more familiar than the learner (student­ teacher), while in case of ICT (more specifically in the skill of using ICT devices and methods), it can often be the opposite! Younger people may often pick up a technology quicker than older people. However, digital literacy does not only mean skills but rather an understanding of the impact of using digital ICT. On the one hand, student teachers can take to the learning of digital skills much more easily.  On other hand, the experience and insights of teacher educators can help student teachers develop a critical perspective towards digital ICT.  This is essential, since digital ICT have huge potential for doing harm as well as good.  

You will learn to use digital ICT for two purposes in the first year - 'connecting and learning' and 'creating (generic resources) and learning', in the two units respectively. Before 'connecting and learning' you need to have a basic familiarity with the ICT devices and tools.  

You will learn to use digital ICT for two purposes in the first year - 'connecting and learning' and 'creating (generic resources) and learning', in the two units respectively. Before 'connecting and learning' you need to have a basic familiarity with the ICT devices and tools.  

==== The ICT environment ====

==== The ICT environment ====

[[File:Partsofcomputerexploded.jpeg|right|Parts of a desktop computer]]

[[File:Partsofcomputerexploded.jpeg|right|Parts of a desktop computer]]

Any technology has a skill component and ICT is something all of us can practise for our own use. In the next section we will learn how to use a computer and various software applications for our professional activities. We will explore the basics of computer hardware and software and learn Internet browsing, concept mapping as well as text and number editing applications in this section. At all times, we will try to see how ICT are relevant to your primary mandate of teaching-learning. Hence we will approach the learning and use of these applications from a pedagogical perspective.

Any technology has a skill component and ICT is something all of us can practise for our own use. In the next section we will learn how to use a computer and various software applications for our professional activities. We will explore the basics of computer hardware and software and learn internet browsing, concept mapping as well as text and number editing applications in this section. At all times, we will try to see how ICT are relevant to your primary mandate of teaching-learning. Hence we will approach the learning and use of these applications from a pedagogical perspective.

===== ICT environment - Hardware =====

===== ICT environment - Hardware =====

ICT refer to an entire range of devices that use digital methods to process represent and communicate information.  The desktop computer, laptop, tablet and the smart phone are all ICT devices. Let us explore below the parts of a desktop computer, see diagram above.

ICT refer to an entire range of devices that use digital methods to process represent and communicate information.  The desktop computer, laptop, tablet and the smart phone are all ICT devices. Let us explore below the parts of a desktop computer, see diagram shown.

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

==== Adding FOSS applications to your computer ====

==== Adding FOSS applications to your computer ====

While Ubuntu will come bundled with many applications, you can also add more FOSS applications to your computer. Go to Applications > System Tools -> Software. You will need to type the required application name in the search bar. It will show all [[File:Edubuntu 1 Education Menu has many educational Applications.png|thumb|Educational applications menu in Ubuntu]]applications with the words you have entered and you will get an option for "Install". Click on "Install" if you want to install the application. If your search does not get the application(s) you want, try with fewer letters / words to search . It may ask your Ubuntu log in password for authentication, just type your Ubuntu password press enter.

While Ubuntu will come bundled with many applications, you can also add more FOSS applications to your computer. Go to Applications > System Tools -> Software. You will need to type the required application name in the search bar. It will show all [[File:Edubuntu 1 Education Menu has many educational Applications.png|thumb|Educational applications menu in Ubuntu]]applications with the words you have entered and you will get an option for "Install". Click on "Install" if you want to install the application. If your search does not get the application(s) you want, try with fewer letters / words to search . It may ask your Ubuntu log in password for authentication, just type your Ubuntu password and press enter.

 

As explained in the overview, practice activities will be provided at relevant points in the source book, to integrate theory and practice. These practice activities will need to be done in your ICT Lab.

===== Learning to input with keyboard =====

===== Learning to input with keyboard =====

</gallery>

</gallery>

* When you open the Tux Typing it will show the window as shown in the first image. Typing can be practised by selecting games and lessons.

* When you open the Tux Typing it will show the window as shown in the first image. Typing can be practised by selecting games and lessons.

* When you select the lesson option it will show the window as in the second image.  There are 43 basic lessons. Go through the each lessons to practice typing.

* When you select the lesson option it will show the window as in the second image.  There are 43 basic lessons. Go through each of the lessons to practice typing.

* When you select a lesson, Tux Typing will show a window and ask you to press space bar and then the "p" key. If the 'Caps Lock' key is on (to type CAPITAL Letters) then Tux Typing won't work. Hence make sure this key is not on.

* When you select a lesson, Tux Typing will show a window and ask you to press space bar and then the "p" key. If the 'Caps Lock' key is on (to type CAPITAL Letters) then Tux Typing won't work. Hence make sure this key is not on.

* After you practise these lessons, you will find that you can use all your fingers for typing. This speeds up your typing hugely. You need not look at the keyboard to type, so you can see the monitor as you type, which enables you to identify mistakes in typing.<br><br>'''Start practice typing'''

* After you practise these lessons, you will find that you can use all your fingers for typing. This speeds up your typing hugely. You need not look at the keyboard to type, so you can see the monitor as you type, which enables you to identify mistakes in typing.<br><br>'''Start practice typing'''

[[File:TuxTyping_5_Keyboard_screen_typing_instruction.png|400px|left|link=https://teacher-network.in/OER/index.php/File:TuxTyping_5_Keyboard_screen_typing_instruction.png]]After clicking 'space bar' and 'p' key it will show the window as above. On the screen you can see items -  Time, Chars (characters), CPM, WPM, Errors and Accuracy; these basically tell you how well you are typing. You will find a blinking button on each finger to guide you as to which finger to be used for typing a given character. There will also be a blinking light around the character to be typed.<br><br><br><br><br>

[[File:TuxTyping_5_Keyboard_screen_typing_instruction.png|400px|left|link=https://teacher-network.in/OER/index.php/File:TuxTyping_5_Keyboard_screen_typing_instruction.png]]After clicking 'space bar' and 'p' key it will show the window as above. On the screen you can see items -  Time, Chars (characters), CPM (characters per minute), WPM (words per minute), Errors and Accuracy; these basically tell you how well you are typing. You will find a blinking button on each finger to guide you as to which finger to be used for typing a given character. There will also be a blinking light around the character to be typed.<br><br><br><br><br>

===== Learning to input with the mouse =====

===== Learning to input with the mouse =====

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==== Student activity time (3 hours)====

==== Student activity time (3 hours)====

'''''Familiarity with the ICT environment (2 hours)'''''  

'''''Familiarity with the ICT environment (2 hours)'''''

 

* Get familiar with the computer in the ICT lab.  You can switch on and switch off the computer and see if you can identify the parts. You can also practice connecting different peripherals.   

Get familiar with the computer in the ICT lab.  You can switch on and switch off the computer and see if you can identify the parts. You can also practice connecting different peripherals.   

* Login to the computer in your ICT lab. Open a few applications and explore what you can do with them. Identify a topic on which you will create a resource, for this course.   

 

* Typing practice and practice with Tux Paint  

Login to the computer in your ICT lab. Open a few applications and explore what you can do with them. Identify a topic on which you will create a resource, for this course.   

 

Typing practice and practice with Tux Paint  

 

'''''Creating your cumulative resource folder (1 hour)'''''  

'''''Creating your cumulative resource folder (1 hour)'''''