FOCUS...

Salam...

The lecture for today was started by the presentation by Ms Chin regarding the ICT and learning principles in primary classroom learning, which I find very useful for us since we are going to deal with ICT in our future teaching. The way the ICT is used in dealing with the principles of the primary curriculum is very useful in classroom practice, since there are massive advantages of integrating ICT in the classroom to support learning process. The use of internet, audio and video in learning may attract students’ attention and prolong their attention span, which will give a good impact towards their learning. Besides that, teacher can use ICT for problem solving, which will sharpen students’ level of creativity in thinking.

Then, the lecture was taken over by Prof Maznah, who is more focusing on our SMART BOARD assignment. The main reference used was a text on the use of interactive whiteboard in schools by Tolley. I realised that it is very important to understand and implement what is written in the text, since it is very much helpful in this assignment. For instance, it is a requirement for us to use and integrate some of the 12 teaching strategies in our presentation, for instance brainstorms, simulations, video shots and others. This will be a bit challenging for me since I am not quite familiar with some of the strategies, but I will take it positively and try to integrate it in my presentation. This is good in the sense that it trained us to be more practical in our presentation, since all these strategies were based on research and practice in the real classroom. Besides that, the text also stressed on the level of interactivity in the classroom, which is crucial especially in the primary classroom. Many of the teachers are just focusing on the finishing the syllabus in the classroom without paying much attention on the participation of students in the classroom activity. This is wrong in the sense that participation of students is one of the good proof that illustrate the understanding of the students in the classroom.

In addition, a lot of thinking was needed for this assignment since there is a need to adopt teaching and learning model such as ADDIE model and Dick Carey model in the presentation, besides learning theories such as behaviourism, cognitivism and constructivism. This make me realised that this assignment is really like real classroom application for me, and some readings need to be made in order to get a clear view of how to integrate the learning theories in this SMARTBOARD presentation. Therefore, I need to be more creative and innovative in manipulating all the resources around me and make use of it in my presentation. The presentation must be clear, challenging, interactive, and the most challenging part I think is where we have to rationalize whatever we present in the assignment.

This assignment is really a challenge for me and I am now in the process of exploring this new technology in order to be implemented in the real classroom.

SMART BOARD ASSIGNMENT

Salam...

The lecture was started by the reflection of the previous assignment that we have submitted last week. I got to know that there were so many other software that can be used for the video-making assignment, for instance PENCIL 4.0, U-LEAD, POWER DIRECTOR, and others. So, what we can said is that technology is something that never stop; once you find a software that you think is the best among the best, there will still be another software that you have never heard of it, and that software may be better than yours. Hence, the important point here is that technology is for you to explore it, and once you are familiar with them, most of your work will be easy to be settled with just the click on your fingertips.

In addition, Prof Maznah also commented on the way we make the storyboard and the details on the video clip, and most of the discussion were focusing on the misunderstanding of some terms, for instance the word ‘narration’ and ‘the media’ used for the video clip. Some of us have different interpretation for both, and as the results, the answer given were not as expected by the lecturer. I learnt that in certain situation, we as undergraduate students need to be more alert and inquisitive with whatever information that we have doubt in it, especially if it is regarding the assignment. Asking straightforward using ADEC, or just having a small discussion with members from other groups will be very much useful in solving all this sort of misunderstanding.

Besides that, we also received our next assignment, which is closely related with the SMART BOARD short course that we have attended last week. We have been asked to create activities for primary ESL classroom, and since this is a group work, 5 of us will be focusing on 5 different topics. Although this assignment sounds easy, but when the application of SMART BOARD is involved here, there is a need to put more effort in exploring this new technology, so that it may be integrated fairly with the activities. After getting into respective groups, we discussed about the different topic for 5 of us, and some activities suitable for each topic. I realised that we have to widen our scope in searching for the activities suitable for students, so that a more creative, challenging and practical activity will be produced as the output for students. Furthermore, Ms. Chin also displayed the ‘work of art’ of our seniors, which I thought was very much useful for my reference in completing this assignment. I got a wider picture of this assignment by observing the kind of activities producing by my seniors, as lots of creativity and thinking has been put on them. Some of my friends even got the opportunities to complete the exercise, which make the class very much interactive for the day.

Moreover, the latest SMART BOARD software which has been updated with new features especially the animation will promise a very enjoyable journey for us along the process of completing this assignment. A good activity cannot be described with one word, but it can be seen clearly only after we applied it in the real classroom. However, a good teacher will try to put as much effort as they can along the process, as the process is sometimes same as the result. Hence, it is my hope that I can produce my best for this assignment.

SMART BOARD FOR SMART TEACHER

Salam...

Today’s lecture was quite different since we have been given a short course on smart board application in the classroom. This was like a golden opportunity for me since the use of smart board in Malaysia education context was not very well developed yet. In addition, this was not the first time we were exposed to this training, and this is like the refreshment of what I have been attended one year ago. In this short course, we have been exposed to the new version of notebook smart board software (version 10, if I’m not mistaken) which contains many new and improved features, for instance animation tools which is very interesting to be implemented in classroom context. Besides that, our facilitator for today’s training; Fenny was very good, funny and friendly, hence creating a very interactive and comfortable learning environment. Although the early session was quite ‘uninteractive’ since many of us slept quite late, and some didn’t sleep at all in completing the assignment yesterday (including me), the presentation part was very alive since a lot of creativity has been displayed in order to create a good, simple activity to be taught in the classroom. I was very amazed with one of the presentation, in which the presenter is trying to use the new feature in this smart board in order to create a meaningful, fun learning environment. (using spotlight to spot the transportation base on the pictures).

Throughout this training, I have gained a lot of input, especially in the basic function of using smart board. Learning can be made more interactive using smart board, since the participation of students in the activities presented by teacher can be observed clearly. Instead of paper pencil exercise, teacher may ask students to directly come in front and use the attractive, user friendly features in the smart board to solve the problem stated. This will give a very good impact in teaching and learning, since the participation of students are widened, and lessen the domination of teacher in the classroom. Besides that, many of interactive activities can be produced using smart board, for instance quiz and drawing.

Lastly, today’s training session was like an eye-opener for me, since I now realised that if the smart board is ‘well manipulated’ in the classroom, the teaching and learning process can be made more effective for both teacher and students. I cannot wait to explore this technology and the upcoming assignment will be the good place where the first step begins.

ONLINE EDUCATION WEBSITES

Salam...

We were in the fourth week and I felt that times flow like water...very fast. The lecture for today was more focusing on the available online references for teachers in Malaysia, and I did admit that I never heard some of the name! It may be a quite embarrased to say that because as a ‘teacher to be’, I should always be aware with any medium that was prepared for the betterment of teachers. In addition, the challenging world of technology today required teacher to be well-equipped not only with knowledge, but also will the current news and activities relevants to them. Hence, numbers of website like Cikgu.net, Eduwebtv, MOE, and many others has been specially prepared online in order to equipped teachers ,teacher trainees, and educators with useful, current information regarding the world of education. For instance, if we surf Eduwebtv.com, we can explore and make use of massive useful information relevants to teaching profession, for instance latest news on activities regarding Malaysian education that can be watched conviniently and clearly with videos.

Besides that, there was also tv pendidikan which I found very helpful not only for students, but also beneficial in the way that it accelerates ideas for teachers in classroom teaching. Besides that, another education website that I found practical for teachers was ETEMS (English for Teaching Mathematics and Science). This website is just like an alternative way for Mathematics and Science teachers in helping them to enhance their English language skills as the medium of instruction in teaching these two subjects. Interestingly, this website is equipped with modules for both teachers and facilitators, which is like an eye-opener for them in using instruction effectively in the classroom. As we know, since the drastic change of teaching of Math and Science in English, many Math and science teacher faced difficulties in adapting and using English as medium of instruction in classroom. Some of them were not very competent in the language, and others may lack confidence in using English while teaching, since this is not their native language.

Hence, the existence of EteMS can be observed as a practical tools in helping teachers to cope with this kind of situation. Therefore, it is a must for me as a ‘teacher to be’ to always be updated with all this online education websites since it is very useful for my future teaching, as it is loaded with many useful information and updates regarding my very own profession of teaching.

THIRD WEEK LECTURE...

It's already the third week! I feel quite tense since the video clip assignment has to be submitted within a very short period of time. However, I always bear in my mind that if I try to give my best for this assignment, everything will always be alright. The lecture was started by Ms. Chin, who introduced us to ASSURE Model and ADDIE Model. I found out that both of the model have their own benefits in classroom teaching. ASSURE Model, which is an abbreviation for steps of the model stands for analyze learners, state objectives, select methods, media, and material, utilize media and materials, require learner participation and lastly evaluate and revise. ASSURE model is like an eye opener for teachers as it provides alternative way in designing teaching and learning materials. Teacher does not have to depend fully on text book or exercise book. Here the application of technology comes in, and teacher were free to integrate their skill of using technology using this model. Hence, a lively, interactive and interesting classroom atmosphere will be created, compare when there is no integration of technology in the class. Another model which has been introduced to us was ADDIE model. It is a systematic instructional design and model consisting of five phases, which are analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. We can see that both models tend to help teachers and educators in their instructional design, by providing specific steps that are crucial to be practised in the classroom. We can say that both models are good guidance for teachers in enhancing the effectiveness of teaching and learning process, since it wider the range of conventional way of teaching into a more flexible one.

After the explaination by Ms. Chin, we have been given opportunity to continue our video assignment, besides explore and learn many other skills that were needed in producing a good video for teaching in the classroom. Without wasting time, I searched for the video clip needed for my assignment, under the topic of animals. Since it quite difficult to record real video for animals, especially the wild one, I decided to just looking for suitable video clip, and do some editing in order to make it interesting and contained the teaching points that I am going to teach. I found that there were some suitable video for my assignment, and there was some useful teaching points that match with the curriculum specifications that I want to insert in my lesson. Since this assignment prioritise creativity and originality, there was a crucial need for me to turn the video clip that I will download into something 'different' and unique for teaching in the classroom.

While searching for videos, one of my friend approached me and told me that our facilititor didn't actually like the way we downloading the video clip and use it for the assignment, since it doesn't replicate the originality of the idea. I was very worried about that, since my topic is about animals and I cannot imagine how I am going to video clip wild animals like tiger and elephant. In order to clarify this situation clearly, we approached Ms. Chin and ask her about the assignment. I felt so relieved then to know that we can use the video clip in the internet, but it is very important to edit and insert any important teaching points in the video, and the product must be different from the original video clip. Besides that, I felt really touched to see Ms. Chin and En. Hafiz searching for related video clips for my topics, besides giving me some tips in doing the assignment. Thank you...This incident taught me that I need to be calm and always directly refer to the lecturer if there is any doubt in doing the assignment. Besides that, I also got the opportunity to watch my friend's live video clip, which motivate me to do my best for the assignment.

VIDEO CLIP ASSIGNMENT...

The second week lecture was focusing more on the progress of the video clip assignment. After getting the feedback from Prof. Maznah about the details of our video clip, we were now moving into the production stage. There were three main objectives concluded by her which were to inform, to teach skills and to influence the students. Hence, a good effort has to be made in order to turn whats written on the paper into reality.


A good teacher has to be creative and flexible, and there were so many strategies available to be practised in our video making. Some of them were story telling, narration, animation, puppet, comedy, and so on. I realised that a good teacher has to widen their scope of teaching, by not just focusing on the conventional or similar method of teaching. This is due to the increase of demand of students' nowadays who are more attracted to colourful pictures, moving animation and 3D image, since they are exposed through this kind of stuff regularly through medias and internet.


Besides that, there was some uniqueness in the way we were evaluating for this video clip. Each group was given freedom in determining the criteria needed to assess their group , and this can be done by posting it to the forum. Honestly, I really interested in the way Prof set up the task for us.. It gave us freedom in learning and taught us to be an independent learner. Besides that, the credibility of the marks given will not be questioned since we ourselves determined the criteria. Besides that, the three stages of checking which were within group, tutors, and lastly using You Tube. This ensure the quality of the production and the creativity in the assessment process. Since it was for public viewing(You Tube), all of us were becoming more aware with our choice of teaching point, since it has to be clear enough for learning process to take place.


In addition, there was also examples of video presentation displayed in the lecture. This was really helpful as it gave a clearer view on how our video should look like. Now, we should start working on it seriously since this is like a good training for us in manipulating our skills in technology for the use in real classroom practice.

Assignment 1

# How technology is going to affect how your students are going to be learning.

# How you as a teacher will be learning.

In my opinion, technology was one of the practical, useful medium to be used in teaching and learning process in the classroom. It makes some of the ‘impossible’ things translated into reality, for instance the use of animation in teaching students about the concept of earth and universe for science. Imagine how much the effort will it takes by the teacher to prepare conventional teaching aids in order to show the circulation of the orbit, the change of night and day and the location of stars and galaxies. The amount of time and money spent will be so high and demanding, and possibly lead to lack of dedication and productivity of teachers towards their core business of teaching. This is the part where we are really afraid of, as it has massive impact towards the learning progress of the students. The environment of the class will somehow become so dim and depressing, resulting in the lack of the motivation of students toward their own learning. You may think that I am thinking too deeply or just dragging things too much, but we cannot deny the fact that this things may happen if the teacher himself/ herself lost their passion towards teaching after a long period of time.
In contrary, imagine the colour of the world if the technology is efficiently and optimisely applied in the classroom. There will be an interesting, lively, colourful, and interactive atmosphere in the classroom. However, I would like to remind that all these situation are not impossible to be created in the class without technology, but the effort and the effect may be quite reasonably different when you are using technology. Both classes have its pros and cons, and for sure we don’t want to underestimate the effort made by the previous generation of teachers. Stepping into today’s explosion world of technology demands for a better knowledge of a teacher in manipulating as much as the resources found so that the process of teaching and learning will become more effective.
Using technology, students will become more resourceful and independent, since the information was just at their fingertips.
Therefore, it is a must for me as a ‘teacher to be’ to equip and immerse myself into this world of technology, as the readiness of learning really depends on the total immersion in technology-based learning environment. All the important soft skills such as downloading, converting, editing and publishing must be in my grasp so that I can maximize the use of technology in my teaching. I am very grateful to be exposed to this subject of technology as it functions as a platform for me to explore, create, and even polish my skill in technology. However, it was really important for teachers to not be the ‘slave’ of technology and let it do all the teaching, while we just sitting ignorantly in the classroom. Hence, the basic skill of classroom management, classroom control, added with the glory of technology will be a very good ingredient in creating a successful, appealing classroom for both teacher and students.