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In this technological era, education system has been modified or shaped by the availability or accessibility of digital learning tools such as Zoom, YouTube, Google Classroom etc. These tools have made teaching and learning possible remotely. Learning by means of digital tools is called online or distance learning. Online learning has become universally accepted format, which has almost transformed the education system and our society.

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As an educator, while choosing any digital tool to be used for my teaching, I keep certain factors in consideration which are as following. First and foremost, these should be easy to use, free from any complicated format of its functioning. Second quality of digital tools, it should be accessible (budget friendly) to everyone so that there should not be any inequity in delivering the content. Every student from any financial background must have access to that tool. There shouldn’t be any subscription charges on its utilization. Thirdly, it should be interactive platform for all the participants. It must enable the students to stay engaged in class activities by providing some features like quizzes and polls. Additionally, it should enable the students learn collaboratively by sharing documents and computer screens to make teaching effective and fruitful. Another preference should be those tools that can track student progress and help me in designing instructions accordingly. Furthermore, integration of videos, animations and audios should be on one suitable digital platform for delivering the content. Apart from this, it should be able to accommodate multiple participants or students simultaneously. Last but not the least, it should be updated timely to add new features in it to make it popular learning tool. Artificial Intelligence detector should be inbuilt or attachable to detect copied material. I personally prefer above said qualities in any digital tool to fit in my teaching tools. For instance, Zoom and Google Classroom (Video conferencing tools) are my personal favourite platforms, which enables me sharing my screen with multiple participants to work collaboratively and engage them in online activities.

I prefer Class engagement and interaction using Video conferencing tools (Zoom, Google Classroom) which helps me interact with the students through polls, chats, breakout rooms (Kahoot, Quizlet). As per my favouritism, needs and qualified tools, my inclination is towards digital tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Classroom, Kahoot, YouTube, Quizlet, Canvas, Moodle and many more. My requirements are fulfilled using these tools and practices. Using these tools, my life, as an educator, has become easy and significant as has helped me to deliver study material more effectively and productively. Teaching has become impactful because of applications of these tools. I have successfully reached to the students sitting miles apart from me. Using video conferencing tools, during Corona Pandemic, teachings and lessons were delivered successfully. Only these tools had made studies possible during pandemic.

In the last, I would say everybody should be digital literate in this technological era. Despite certain limitations, IT tools has made teaching impactful and productive.

From this Blog post, I have been through Online and Distance Learning: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications

I have also watched https://youtu.be/DJnqZgHFV40?si=Blqe0Em90WpLfLLG

In my teaching, I align strongly with the cognitivist approach to learning, which emphasizes understanding the mental processes involved in thinking and learning. The cognitivist approach shapes my teaching philosophy by focusing on the mental processes involved in learning. By fostering active engagement, and connecting new knowledge, I aim to create a supportive environment that encourages all students to thrive.  The cognitivist approach informs my philosophy and classroom practices by:

Encouraging me to look beyond observable behaviors and explore the mental processes that influence how students learn. In my classroom, I strive to create an environment where students actively engage with content through discussions and collaborative activities, this encourages them to think critically and connect new ideas to what they already know. I also emphasize the importance of linking new concepts to students’ prior knowledge, as I feel that by activating what the students already understand, they are better equipped to grasp new information.

I believe that teaching students to think about their learning is essential for their growth. To make them think, I integrate reflective practices such as journalling and self-assessment, this in turn makes them evaluate their strategies and become more aware of their learning processes. I also support diverse learners by ensuring that they have the necessary support before tackling more complex concepts as this would help them to build confidence and help the learners to progress at their own pace. Additionally, active engagement is key in my classroom; I incorporate hands-on activities and problem-solving scenarios to stimulate curiosity and encourage the practical application of knowledge.https://youtu.be/fFZs7I4FxP4?si=TI5vm7YEOl5FkJhJ

As I reflect on my teaching journey, I recognize that my beliefs about education and learning have evolved significantly; I previously had the traditional belief that teaching or delivering content and ensuring students could recall facts was the primary aim of education, my lessons often followed a lecture-based format where I was the main source of information, I tended to use a one-size-fits-all approach, expecting all the students to grasp concepts in the same way and at the same pace and I primarily focused on academic outcomes and I saw education as a destination; that once I had a solid plan and knowledge base, I would be set.

My beliefs about teaching and learning have shifted significantly throughout my career as a continuous journey of growth; I actively seek out professional development opportunities and stay open to new ideas and strategies. This commitment to lifelong learning not only enhances teaching but also sets an example for my students about the importance of being curious and adaptable. I have also learned that emotional well-being is just as crucial for effective learning, and this has made me shift my belief to include a focus on social-emotional learning, recognizing the importance of creating a supportive classroom environment where students feel safe to express their thoughts and emotions. As my view keeps evolving, I have come to understand that each student brings a unique set of strengths, challenges, and learning styles to the classroom. This realization has led me to embrace differentiated instruction, where I tailor my teaching strategies to meet the diverse needs of my students, ensuring that each learner has the opportunity to succeed. I realized that students learn best when they are actively involved in the learning process. As I write this, I am still learning, unlearning, and relearning about best practices in education delivery, I am still evolving, and my current belief is not cast in stone, as I move ahead, it is going to change. https://youtu.be/7fFTdkO8OsA?si=Mo_waASpR1EArgQ_

During the Monday night presentation, Ayushi, Gage, and Mohammad asked a thought provoking question regarding the use of productivity suites. They asked whether we felt the use of these software programs enhanced creativity or suppressed it. It took me a long time to answer and I continued to think about this question throughout the evening.  While I do believe some aspects of the productivity suites do foster creativity, I also think they have worked against creativity in many ways. Productivity suites are better suited to preparing young adults for certain aspects of the work, there are gaps in many areas not filled by the productivity suites.

First of all, we’ve reached a point where the productivity suites are simply embedded in each of the academic subjects and their use is no longer explicitly taught. No longer do students spend time learning how to word process, create formulas in excel spreadsheets, and learn additional features in word processing or presentation software. I have witnessed this over the past decade with the removal of computer labs and introduction of chromebooks and carts. While more work than ever is completed on a laptop, there is less intention than ever on its basic uses. Students struggle to type more than 15-20 words per minute. Students struggle to use any features in Microsoft excel, Apple numbers, or Google sheets. Students struggle to design anything creative in word processing and presentation software. I often wonder if this is more attuned to apathy and our own focus on the outcomes rather than the overall presentation of their products or if this is a product of a lack of explicit instruction to their use. Perhaps, a combination of both. 

The productivity suites have increased creativity in a number of ways. The ability to collaborate with the cloud based documents have allowed students to work together and share their ideas. These programs have increased their capabilities and the speed at which they can process information to make working on them more seamless. These programs provide quite a few opportunities for students to be creative, if they choose. 

Productivity suites have decreased creativity in a number of ways. Gone are the days of doodling in the margins of a notebook or honing your cursive skills. Even for myself, my penmanship has decreased and word processing software has become a neat means to an end. Canva and other programs have decreased my creative skills in the sense that most of the creations are made via pre-set templates that I simply plug the information into. 

Productivity suites have prepared students for the workforce by allowing them to create simple documents, prepare presentations, and digitally collaborate with their peers. The vast majority of careers today require basic computer skills. Those careers which require a more advantage skill set will either 

Productivity suites have created gaps due to our lack of explicit teaching and the increase of other third party software apps that are better suited for many tasks. Products like Prezi and Canva have become as commonplace in my school setting as our Google or Microsoft programs. These thor party programs foster creativity much more than the standard productivity suites we use.

Educational technology can be said to be the use of technology and digital tools to enhance teaching, learning, and administration in education. Reading about Educational technology,, I learned that, educational technology is about making learning better; it involves using cool tools like interactive whiteboards, virtual reality, tablets and laptops, podcasts and videos, gamification tools, collaborative tools like Microsoft Teams, and various methods to help teachers teach and make students learn. Educational technology includes anything from the materials used in class to how teachers interact with their students, and even how students get along with one another. Educational technology includes everything from software and applications to online courses and interactive devices that enhance how students learn and how teachers teach in today’s classroom.

Should we conclude that educational technology has only benefits and no drawbacks? For me, I would say, that for every positive aspect that technology offers, it also detracts from something beneficial, so I believe technology can be either advantageous or disadvantageous depending on its usage. please watch this brief video clip and share your thoughts.

• Whenever technology occupies a prominent position in education, it’s similar to placing a poker chip into a cultural mix. We acquire some useful new methods but may also sacrifice some traditional aspects in the process. It is essential to strike a balance.
• In the unpredictable realm of technology, there are always those who succeed and those who lag. Some schools receive brand-new devices, while others are still trying to get their Wi-Fi up and running. It is quite a varied experience that makes me wonder how we can guarantee everyone equal opportunity.
• Every piece of technology has its hidden nuances! Whether they involve a bias or a belief, the tools we use are more than just gadgets; they represent ideas that can impact our teaching and learning processes. That’s some serious food for thought.
• Embracing new technology is not simply about adding sprinkles to a cupcake; it is more like overhauling the entire recipe! It impacts all facets of education, and I’ve realized how interconnected these various elements can be.
• We often view educational technology as if it’s a magic wand that can effortlessly resolve all our problems. However, like in any good story, we need to ask ourselves whether the magic is genuine or simply an illusion. Let’s be realistic, everyone!

Thanks to this week’s presentation by my classmates on productivity suites that gave me a chance to reflect on their effect in education and to ponder on their role in developing 21^st century skills among students. The below mentioned readings gave me some valuable insights into how these digital tools mould teaching as well as learning experiences.

Microsoft office, Google workspace etc are productivity suites that have become integral part of modern education.As mentioned by Lake (2022) in his article,in this technology driven world these tools help students to organize their work as well as horne their digital literacy skills.The readings provided shed light on the evolution of these suites from simple word processors to comprehensive digital environments comprising word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and collaborative tools.

Productivity suites like Google Docs allow multiple users to work on the same document on a real time basis , promoting teamwork and sharing of ideas which in turn enhances collaboration and communication. These features lead to learning environments where students learn to foster group dynamics, negotiate ideas and contribute towards collective goals. The role of these experiences in preparing students for the future workforce is apparent in the given video.

Furthermore, it can be seen that students develop their critical thinking and problem solving skills by engaging with productivity suites. Students can analyse data, create formulas and visualise information using Excel or Google Sheets. The analytical abilities, data literacy and logical reasoning acquired help them face the real-world challenges in professional environments.

Despite their various advantages, one major drawback , as discussed in the presentations,is the issue of accessibility and equity. A clear digital divide is created as many students don’t have the same level of access to technology and leave them at a disadvantage in developing these essential skills. In large countries like India, students from several rural areas are devoid of access to any modern forms of technology leaving them far behind in the technological marathon as mentioned by Kumar and Kumara (2018).

The presentation also draws our attention towards understanding the broader impact of technology on society and ethical considerations. This necessitates deeper understanding of these tools beyond their basic functionality. In addition to being proficient users of these tools students must be aware of terms like data privacy and digital ethics.

On the whole, the presentation conveyed the role of productivity suites in developing digital literacy and preparing students for the 21^st century workforce provided the educators essentially address gaps in access and ensure students engage with these tools ethically.In this way we can co create an inclusive and all rounded learning experience for students that can not only help them to use technology effectively but also to understand its implications in a broader context.

A immensely informative presentation was done on Productivity Suits and Productivity Tools. A productivity suit is a set of applications that includes apps like a word processor, a presentation, and an app to make spreadsheets- these three apps are typically the mainstays of any productivity suite. I was actively using the Google and Microsoft suit, but it was like second nature without giving much though to the theoretical aspect of it. While Google suit is my favorite, these productivity suits along with their tools has have endless implications (negative and positive) on both students and teachers, some of which will be discussed below.

Productivity suits enables real time collaboration for both students and teachers thus increasing productivity. One can work in real-time collectively without physically being in the same space using google docs. It is student-centered, as well as it fosters group work and shared understanding among learners. It also facilitates creativity and allows individuals to learn and work at their own pace. Feedbacks are a crucial to support students in understanding how to improve their performance and for teachers to improve their teaching practice. Productivity suit facilitates creativity along with instant and continuous feedback from teachers. The mobile version of the productivity suits like Microsoft Office Mobile and Google Docs for mobile devices allowed users to create, edit, and collaborate on documents directly from their smartphones or tablets. This provides a convenient and flexible way for teachers and students to stay productive while on the go.

While I could have listed several other positive implications, I must acknowledge that there are some cons to using productive suits as well. While it is student centered and fosters creativity, it also create disparity in learning opportunities due to lack of access. The reality is, not all students have access to devices. Collaborating in real-time remotely limits face to face interaction and diminishes social skills among individuals. This was most evident post-COVID where it truly felt like a burden having to go to meetings in person and everyone felt like a stranger even though we interreacted weekly online. In addition to that, completing tasks in productive suits can be distracting as notifications, games and social media are one click away. This also have had significant impacts on individuals’ writing skills with the help of predictive text and autocorrect in both google doc and microsoft office. Lastly, both teachers and students can become overwhelmed with trying to operate the applications of each productive suit. As these applications evolve over time, one has to be abreast with the changes in addition to ALL other daily professional task which can become overwhelming.

The Role of Productivity Suites in Shaping Tomorrow’s Workforce

Living in the world with technology, the education tools play an important role in developing critical skills. Productivity suites, such as Microsoft 365, Grammarly, Teams, Google Workspace, and some of their open-source counterparts like LibreOffice, One Note have moved beyond their initial role as task-based software into comprehensive platforms that shape digital literacy and workforce preparedness. All these productivity tools not only increase technical abilities among students but also foster creativity, time management, collaboration, and problem-solving skills needed to excel in a fast-evolving, tech-driven job market of the 21^st century.

Mastering Digital Literacy

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Digital literacy is not only the knowledge of using a computer or a specific device, but also the capacity to evaluate digital information and to use the tools and technologies at one’s disposal in numerous ways to solve a problem. Productivity suites are basic to this process as these suits are set of applications that students use every day which may include word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and cloud-based collaboration tools. However, these tools are used to perform tasks in the academic setting as the students get to enhance their previous, present and incoming document production abilities, management of information and the presentation abilities respectively. For example, while typing using word processing applications like Microsoft Word or Google Docs students learn the procedures of writing as well as font formatting, they also learn standard computer operations such as copying, pasting, creating links and embedding images and videos. These, of course, are not just academic skills, they are indispensable in the kind of workplaces that requires efficient and precise verbal and written communication and technical skills.

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Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets are other examples of spreadsheets that go a step further and introduce students to the world of data management. They learn how information is organized, how to generate different charts, and how to perform formulas and make decisions.

As a result of this, they are building a framework of skills that are relevant in many different fields ranging from the financial sector to marketing where data is always important to decision making. The more students use most of these tools, the more they feel comfortable working in most digital spaces than worrying about the future development of the tools. Particularly, the digital literacy acquired in the course furthers the students’ application of the knowledge in practice that requires technological skills.

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Building Essential Skills for the 21st Century

Today, in the modern technological era, productivity suites are a critical component in preparing employees of the future for the necessary 21^st century competencies. Along with the basic functioning, these tools help to develop creativity, teamwork, problem-solving skills as well as flexibility i.e. valuable in the current global scenario. For instance, PowerPoint and Google Slides engage students in the creative process when designing presentations, in ways that are much more than just relay of information in an artistic form. The skill of presenting ideas creatively applies well in the working world as creative ideas can go a long way in an organization. Likewise, the cloud applications such as Google Workspace help students to work against the flow yet learn how to engage and what collaborative tools and platforms are suitable for handling various tasks and persons, thus preparing them for the number of organizations, which embrace the opportunities of massive remote cooperation.

Besides, productivity suites develop creativity, time management, collaboration as well as critical thinking, communication, and flexibility.

Like if the students start using spreadsheet systematically to analyse the data it may help them to take informed decisions which could play an important role in developing skills in the field of data science and other related fields. In addition, word processors and presentation software enhance student writing, presentation and organization skills as they work out how to effectively convey their thoughts determined by the mode to be used. Since these suites are dynamic, with features being added with time, the students are urged to be flexible, to be able to learn new technologies introduced in the tool. This ability to learn and adapt quickly to changes is paramount in the current world workplace where drastic changes are triggered by technology.

Preparing Students to Excel in the Workforce

Productivity suites are about more than classrooms as their uses are a pathway to the workplace. The attitudes students acquire when with these tools accurately conforms to the requirements of the immediate advancements in job market. The present and future workplace environment is fully connected through online channels to solve functional problems. By making students acquaint with these environments early enough, productivity suites assure them of the readiness for the workforce.

In the business world students, regardless of choosing finance, marketing or business, technology or even health care, productivity tools are used. From writing standard business reports and identifying business trends within organizations to presenting business performance reports on daily, monthly and quarterly basis, the students will discover that the skill learned while using the productivity suites are applicable in their future jobs.

In addition, the collaborative option of the productivity suites which makes the students ready for the workforce across the world. More people work remotely and use virtual teams, and the synchronous use of cloud-based tools will be an additional benefit as those students who have practised all of these tools in school will stand in a vantage point to help in those organizations that have adopted remote or hybrid work from home.

What’s Left Behind? Addressing the Gaps

As powerful as productivity suites are, they do come with their drawbacks. There is little chance to gain more experience in more complicated technical actions on the job. Softwares or applications such as Microsoft Office, Google Workspace and others are advanced productivity tools but the features are limited to basic to intermediate level work tools. They do not usually go deeper into core competencies such as coding or artificial intelligence, or other fields more pertinent to the digital economy which are now perceivably more applicable.

Moreover, although some of these tools encourage teamwork and innovative ideas, there are other types of business problems and analysis tasks that do not fit into these enumerated tools, or else they equip students with inadequate tools to face situations that need extensive technical knowledge or real experience with particular software types. For instance, the engineering, computer, and graphics students may likely need to learn the use of more professional applications like AutoCAD, Illustrator, MATLAB and Adobe etc which these productivity suites do not offer.

Accordingly, there is a need for the incorporation of supplementary assets and practices into the educating process to fill introduced gaps. However, effectively incorporation of technologies, such as coding platforms, tools for data visualizations, project-based learning helps students to master more complex technical skills. Further, developing opportunities for students to participate in internships, develop groups or teams that address real business situations, can help them acquire those interpersonal traits that are necessary for their success in their careers.

Productivity Suits tools offer an undeniably indispensable role in defining the future of learning and working. They equip the students with the online skills and skills in the twenty first century for better handling of the world challenges. Not only creativity, cooperation, critical thinking, and communication skills but also these tools prepare learners for future jobs. With industries transforming, education also must transform so that students are able to get more than basic computer skills they need required technological and social skills to succeed in a world that adapts in work settings. Implementing a balance between scalable and sustainable productivity solutions, necessary for creating more unique applications and enabling the acquisition of valuable real-life experiences, students will be more ready to confront a future day job.

I have read these articles

Digital Literacy in Education: Essential Skills for Students

Digital Literacy: Preparing Students for a Technological Future

A Comprehensive Guide to 21st Century Skills

This is an interesting topic since, as I am a little older than most students, I can vividly remember the beginnings of technology like Office and how groundbreaking it was at the time. In my old career, when these came out or when Microsoft Word was being widely used, the efficiency was amazing as opposed to old ways of information processing.

In education, if teachers and students are taught how to properly use these tools, the same efficiency can be achieved. I , myself, predominantly use Google products such as Slides, Google Meet and lately I have explored some of the uses for Canva as well. In our Overview of Productivity Software video this week, we had a chance to see how many of these tools have evolved since the 1980’s. Many of these tools are useful in the teaching setting, but they are also useful for students to gain an understanding of what is used outside of school as well. Companies want employees that can handle many types of software and know the appropriate time to use them. This is where it is vital, as educators, that we do not drop the ball here. We can provide the guidance students need in this area.

The possibilities are endless as technology grows exponentially with the next generation just beginning to emerge for educators; AI. If we learn how to us AI ethically, we can open up so much more in not only education, but for students as they head into the workforce. Guidelines and policies will have to be put in place, but the reality is, whether we like it or not, AI is here and I don’t see it going away. Pandora’s Box may have been opened.