Why do we have to use USAT virtual

Fiorela Anai Fernandez Otoya

Professor assigned to the Department of Science Education

Distance Education Unit

¿Why do we have to use USAT virtual classroom?

Today we have a global digitized world where technology is used for everything; is in this context that Distance Education Unit of USAT provided a workshop called Using the USAT Virtual Classroom and its utilities last month, to pilot group of USAT teachers with the purpose of raising awareness on the use of this important tool for their working lessons with students, allowing to appreciate the various competitive advantages offered by this virtual environment in the development of cognitive and metacognitive skills.

By using the USAT virtual classroom, it starts from knowing how to design a didactic material, it should contribute to the skills of a particular subject; Also , the mentoring system is an essential element in a virtual learning environment whenever the student requires the accompaniment of the learning process and this can be achieved through synchronous tools such as chat , which is a tool that facilitates interaction between the teacher and student, allowing greater interactivity and allows solving doubts or difficulties immediately; Online assessments allow students to check their learning about the contents worked and readings, etc.

Moodle USAT virtual classroom also has tools such as tasks, which are areas where the teacher assigned an activity either individual or group one, which should respond to the skills of the subject; It has documents tool where teacher provides information to students such as readings, case studies; PDFs, power point presentations, audio, videos, URLs, etc., too.

According to Harasim (1990) the use of computer tools applied to university level, are a new way of teaching very consistent with the requirements of independence, individualization and interactivity of learning development in these times. Now the interactivity including the ability for students to send and receive messages, ideas and questions from other students or teacher is emphasized, which also leads to a teaching method simultaneously remote and team, thus facilitating cooperation and collaboration. These features contribute to the development of learning.

Currently there is a need in the USAT continuous training of teachers through training and updating on new technologies applied to education, according to the progress of science and technology, changes in strategies and new methodologies teaching and learning. So in August, the Distance Education Unit will be giving to all teachers from USAT the academic course: Design and management of e-learning courses, in order that all teachers know, design and manage their subjects to virtual environment. We wait for you to develop this new educational experience.