Communicative tools

Reflection on ICT as a communicative tool

Zoom App for discussion

After studying and some experimentation, I have come to realize that ICT also serves as a communicative device. I discovered that communicative devices are mechanisms that mediate contact between teacher and student, or between students outside the classroom's physical barrier (either through space, time, or both). I realized that in today's country situation of taking precaution to stay home because of COVID 19, teaching and learning are taking place through online chatting, teleconferencing, video conferencing (Meet app, zoom), Bhutan E-learning projects, emails, Google classroom, virtual learning environment forums, etc. All of the above are communicative resources that support both the learners and the teacher prepare for the successful learning that can happen in these crises.

I learned there are two kinds of communicative tools. They are synchronized and in harmony. Users must be connected simultaneously in an asynchronous tool to allow real-time communication to occur and the teacher can also use it for instructional activities that require a higher degree of interaction. For example chat, voice chat, video conferencing, etc. Whereas in asynchronous it does not allow the talking persons to be registered simultaneously on the internet. In this, I learned that this type of communicative method helps teachers, as well as learners, build and engage in events that need more time to consider before they respond. For example, email, e-bulletin boards, VLE discussion forum, we chat, blog, etc. Having learned about these two types of tools, I perceived that online courses promote the effective and are one of the ways to conduct classes to meet the learning goal.

                                        

Network issue
hampering the
online communication

Although ICT plays a crucial role in learning it is also expensive. Also, when we have an online discussion, some of the challenges we faced were, lots of interruption, miscommunication, it's difficult to conclude the ideas of different participants and it takes a long time to combine the points with one person. I would guarantee that an informed debate can not be properly performed until the computer / any device is linked to a powerful internet and all the thoughts that participants share are systemic. Whatever contact takes place through communicative devices, understanding the source is vital to any user as it has high risks of getting into cyberbullying trouble.

However, several online communities give us the ability to share our thoughts, such as blogs, emails, WeChat, VLE and conversations about the interactive learning environment. As in the blog situation, we can connect with readers by blog writing, sharing videos, posting similar images about specific themes that we wanted to share. And if our thoughts are still conveyed by face-to-face contact. These communicative resources help learners generate room for knowledge building, opening spaces for learners to communicate a thought, getting direct input, and seeking answers for each particular academic learning. Many learners don't need to travel individually to apply an essay, as the machine has the online submission feature. It is the best way to ask experienced someone for help. So communicative devices are part of our everyday lives in this 21st century.