a memorable dream...

There's nothing interesting and exciting to share..
I just intend to recall my childhood learning environment..
This is why I adore my teachers
and it is also what I want to do with my students in the future..

Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Every morning you greet me
Small and white, clean and bright
You look happy to meet me

Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever

Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Bless my homeland forever







This is how Edelweiss looks like..
The song is as "Unique" as the flower...

sELaMat hARi rAYa Aidilfitri to all Muslims!

Click disini untuk dapatkan e-cards

A message from me for those who are travelling during this Hari Raya..

"Stoppage tiMe"

Now Loading 3

The 9th class was another class meant for IWB assignment. IWB is the word everyone talking about. Me? I try to join the conversation but as expected, they are way further than me in the assignment, and still, I am way behind (you lazy fella!)

Ms Chin was there for us as our guiding angle in this assignment. She talked us through some websites/ portals that is meant, dedicated and purposely developed for educational purposes. So, as teachers-to-be, these sites should be a helping hand in our career (?). Some of the websites are:
· http://portalbahasamelayu.fateback.com/index1.htm
· http://eleaston.com/
· http://www.bmspm.cjb.net/
· http://www.tutor.com.my/
· http://portalbahasamelayu.fateback.com/index1.htm
· http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/33.html
· http://www.karyanet.com.my/

Ms Chin is a good English speaker, but, who knows that she very good in Bahasa Malaysia too? As a matter of fact, she is the author of one of the websites, which is http://portalbahasamelayu.fateback.com/ . I would not want to believe it but, as CSI movies always said...’people lies, evidence don’t’. As a Malay myself, I am confuse with myself when I know that somebody from other races is interested in our language, when I am not at all. *ponder*

Later by the class, Ms Ng entered the class and a moment after, Prof turned in. She asked us to walk through our assignments while at the mean time; she went around the class and checked in our progress on the assignments. She brought up and discussed with us some issues that can we can refer to improve our assignment.

One particular discussion thet caught my attention was regarding the Bloom Taxonomy. She talked us through our blog and relates it to the Bloom Taxonomy. She said that some of us are still in the early level of the Bloom Taxonomy in relation of our blog writing while some are in other hand of the taxonomy. I wonder where am I in the Bloom Taxonomy, *ponder*

When I was in Maktab, I was taught that Bloom Taxonomy has 6 levels, which are
1. Knowledge
2. Comprehension
3. Application
4. Analysis
5. Synthesis
6. Evaluation

But, Prof said, the 7th level of the Bloom Taxonomy, which is the highest level is ‘Instruction’. I was rather puzzled but later, I thank Prof for adding valuable knowledge to my lazy brain *wink*

During the class, like others, I also worked on my assignment and exchanging ideas and opinions with my group members and friends from other groups as well. We discussed about how to make the lesson using IWB as interactive and as interesting as we can, without jeopardize the academic content and input.

We are aware the fact that young learners love games, cartoons etc but we are having hard time in finding the appropriate games and pictures to be adding on. We are afraid that some games are not suitable for the age of the students which might hinder their learning. Furthermore, Prof said that our activity on the IWB must be closely connected to the Curriculum Specification and Lesson objectives/ lesson outcomes. My lazy brain is so close to explode! (Please don’t).

So, there goes the 9th class of the semester. I hope that everyone realizes that it is so near to the end of semester and start putting on more efforts to our assignments and study. Moreover, next week we shall present our assignment in front of the class. I am looking forward for the IWB product from my friends and hopefully, with so much time and helping hand given, we will produce something brilliant.

I wont bother (IWB) about others work from now on and concentrate on mine (selfish kan?), chaiyok!

Cheers!

"pERfeCt sTRaNgEr"

How smart can the board be? How interactive can the whiteboard turn to? The 6th class introduced me to a new weapon for teacher to shoot their pupils, SMARTBOARD. I have never known about the simplest fact of the smart board. So, when I realize that the thing in front of me is the SMARTBOARD, I keep on wonder, how can a simple plain, thin layer can be called as ‘SMART’?

At first glance, I was getting annoyed by the ordinary white layer of screen in front of the lab. I keep on asking myself..”it’s normal, nothing special” and “you get too much limelight for nothing at all,huh!”
It is over rated!

Soon, as the class progressed, I realized that my pre supposition was rather precipitate and harsh.
So, let’s move on to the story of the day....

Prof Maznah is away, she is somewhere in Malacca. So, the technology band is again without its main vocalist. But, the band today is collaborated with a lady in blue, presenting........techno band featuring Ms FENNY! (clap here, clap there, and clap everywhere)
Ms Fenny was in the class to train us (she is a trainer by the way) on smart board. She takes us to a whole new world of technology. I was there like a child watching cartoon. I am so amazed and impressed by the Interactive Whiteboard (IWB)

My next part of the blog is Q & A session with the IWB itself...here goes

ME- Good day to you IWB, how are you today?

IWB- I’m fine, I just got back from UM from a techno class for teachers-to-be. I’m quite tired because they use me for 3 straight hours, I can’t even go to toilet!

ME-hoho...pity you....ok, so, without further a due, shall I proceed with my questions?

IWB- ok...make it short and nice eh...

ME- ok....so, tell me briefly about you

IWB- Like most of the technological gadgets nowadays, I need computer to operate. I also need LCD projector, some cables and of course, a board. I consist of 4 pens of different colours and an eraser. The pens are very special and one-of-a-kind of pens. Each pen has its own ‘home’, together with a sensor and it cannot be placed other than where it should be. Because, by misplacing the pen, I will get confuse and later I cannot perform well

ME- ooo....so, what about a teacher with vertically-challenged nature, will he/ she bother to use you?

IWB- No problem, I am adjustable and will always be within reach of a teacher, don’t worry

ME- ohhh....lucky me of the hobbit species, justice for all! *wink*...so, what about a teacher of bad hand writing? Will it be ok for him/her to write on you without causing any ‘visual’ pain to the students?

IWB- oh, I was not called smart for nothing. I can change all the ‘doctors’ handwriting into a readable font and size. Just write the word on me, i.e., book, then you click ‘recognize book’, then you will have a nice written word on me for the students to see

ME- Wow! You’re like a makeover machine....so, besides words, do you have any pictures with you?

IWB- Of course I do. I even have my own gallery. If you want to transfer any picture into the slide, just click ‘Gallery’ and later copy and paste it, very easy right? If you feel that pictures in my gallery are not suitable etc, you may take pictures from the internet. Just select ‘keyboard’ and types the words on the space provided. After that, you need to select capture, then choose ‘camera picture’ and paste it on the slide, got it?

ME- ok, I think I got the idea...mm, I was told that you can do clone, is it true?

IWB- Yes, I am. But I don’t clone any species or living things; instead, I can clone words. Because I was designated for education, I’m also design to help teachers in their lesson. You can select ‘Grouping’ and then choose ‘group’ or ‘ungroup’. Next, you choose ‘infinite clone’ and that’s it. You can drag out a word from its ‘origin’ as many times as you like. Furthermore, the word can also be rotated too, it is fun eh?

ME- wow, you’re amazing!

IWB- heheh...I’m flattered.....so, I think it’s time for me to go because I am late for a high tea with my friends which are blackboard, skateboard and signboard. I’ll leave you with a note about me for you to refer on, ok?

ME- ok, thanks a lot IWB see you later; send my regards to all the boards, bye!

So, that’s it for the interview, let’s go back to class...

After Ms Fenny explained and did some demonstration with IWB with us, the class was assigned for a group’s task. We are to design a simple activity using the IWB and later present it to the class.
All the groups did reasonably well and Miss Fenny, Miss Ng and Miss Chin did some comments on our presentation. They told us some do and don’ts of using IWB.

- Don’t use two pens at one time as this may cause confusion to the IWB, and also, don’t use the eraser and pen together at one time.
- ‘Lock’ the words/ pictures in your slide so that it will not move away as students do the task on the IWB
- Utilize and maximize the IWB speciality by providing instant ‘answer-checking’ in your task so that students can learn fast and effectively. It can also encourage students to correct their friends’ answers.

-

One of the unique features of IWB which is the gallery, must be used wisely by teachers. Use appropriate pictures to cater student’s levels and needs. Don’t use something that they are not familiar with or pictures that may be sensitive for some reasons
- Use suitable words. For example, don’t use the word ‘spaghetti’ to students in rural areas as this maybe unfamiliar to them and may intrude their learning
- Colour of the words and backgrounds must always complement each other. Teacher must make sure that colour of the words can help word to emerge from the background. Don’t use background that is too bright and fonts must be large enough for all students to see


Some reflections questions regarding IWB

Do you understand the basic knowledge using Notebook function in SMART Board? If yes which part that you understand the most? If not why did you not understand?
Yes...I came to understand almost every part of it. Especially regarding the unique features of ‘answer-checking’, cloning, dragging, gallery and attaching. The part that I understand the most is cloning (ungroup/ group). The word must be touched on the letter to be dragged out because if we touch the empty space around the word, it cannot be dragged out
But, as I claimed that I understand the IWB, I may/ may not have troubles/ problems in applying it into the real-life classroom context. In brief, knowledge is only the theory while application is the practical part of it.

Do you understand the basic knowledge to use gallery feature and attachment picture in SMART board incorporate for teaching English vocabulary for standard 4 students?
Yes...I can use the pictures from gallery or attach pictures from the internet to my slide. For example, if I want to teach about part of the body, I can get a picture of a boy/ a girl from the gallery. If in later class I want to teach about face, I can still use the same picture and highlight only the face. With IWB, I can ‘cut’ part of picture and left out the rest.

Do you find that SMART board a useful tool to support in teaching and learning? If yes, why it is useful? If not, what is the problem?
Obviously, it adds fun element into learning and may provide better environment for teaching and learning process. With so much unique features, students may have fun using it but in the same time learn as well. No more dull and boring whiteboard since the IWB can be very colourful with type-written words and fonts.
It can also provide teacher with flexibility in the task since the fonts and pictures can be adjusted in matter of seconds. Besides, it can also help students to learn about ‘self-checking’ in their learning. Most of all, it saves time, a lot of time.

Till then pen off, cheers!

"LeFt uNdONe........."

‘It seems an age since I've seen you, countdown as the weeks trickle into days’

This sentence is dedicated to my dearly IWB assignment which has been neglected for a week. I realized that my only time to work on my IWB task is when Wednesday comes (1200-1500 hour). When others are running to the finishing line with the task, I still learn how to walk properly, how pathetic does it sounds?

I guess it all comes down to time management. Let me prepare simple equations here:
- Good time management = excellent work produced + movies + shopping + hang out
- Average time management = good work produced +more SMS + enough sleep
- Poor time management = average work produced + stress + no sleep at all + workload ++++

So, it is easy to see why I am anxious now, rite?
On the other hand, since the marching for Independence Day has been cancelled...

1) I can’t get my free t-shirt and track bottom
2) We are out of contention to win 5K of prize money
But...
3) I can sit in the air conditioning lab with free access of internet
4) More time for me to work on IWB assignment

BLESS IN DISGUISE! Thanks, but no thanks...

So, it is business as usual. Our class today is not really an academic class at all since we were told to concentrate and work on our assignments. However, our ‘fair lady’ was there to be our helping hand and shoulder to cry on *wee*. Ms Chin was there to answer our queries and clarify some confusion regarding the assignment. It’s all regarding number 5:

- Do we have to produce 5 slides of activities including all the instructions, procedures etc?
- Do we have to come out with 5 activities?

Generally, those 2 questions were the most asked questions for the day. Ms Chin serenely told us that we need to come out with 5 slides of activities, means all the instructions etc shall not be included in the 5 slides of activities. (Thank God for Ms Chin)

I was assigned to do Mathematic lesson for this assignment. While my fellow group members worked on their part which are Science (Soddiq) and English (Muhafiz and Caroline). We worked really well as a group and each member is a team player. Everyone keeps checking each other’s work and we are sharing opinions and ideas all the time. It was a great pleasure working with them and I didn’t face any difficulties or uncooperative behaviour which makes the assignment of ‘rocket science’ seems like A B C.

From my observations and exchanging verbal opinions with my course mates, I have no second guess that I will be in problems with colours. I think to have a right combination of words + background colours are only the beginning of the problem. To choose the best colours to be used is something to ponder on. Some colours maybe too bright that it irritates students’ eyes, some maybe dull and uninteresting that may cause boredom to students and some background colours may overshadow the colours of the words and cause students inability to see the words.

I am never good if playing with colours and will never be one. But, I shall try my best here in dealing with colours and find the right combination to use in my IWB assignment. The matter of fonts also came across my mind, how big should the font be to make it visible in a classroom with 40+ students? If it is too big, will it affecting other part of my activities? (Pictures, answers space etc). Without even touching the mouse yet, I have been poured by my active brain with questions of IWB

However, my most problematic difficulty of designing this lesson is regarding the map-drawing. I realized that even with so much credit and positive comments about IWB, it is still an incomplete tool (being an appliance, you can never be perfect, haha!). One of my activities requires me to prepare a map for students to trace on. When I can’t find any mode/ command of ‘map-drawing’ in the SMART notebook software, I decided to do it manually by using Microsoft Words.

Patiently, I draw line by line by line by line (make it as long as you can) and then join it with other line so that it can become a proper road in my map. It takes me almost one hour to complete it because it requires details and precision (see? I told you it’s a rocket science). As a result, a nicely-drawn map was completed and I am grinding from ears to ears. I am satisfied with my works and then, I ........
a) Work on my other activities
b) Improvise the map
c) Ask Ms Chin about my assignment
d) Help my team members with their lessons

The answer is, none of the above, haha! I stopped working and start loitering around and kill time with ‘non-academic’ chatting with my friends. Being a late-timer (procrastinator), I always come out good at critical time. So, when I did something way ‘earlier’ than I always done, I feel like a winner even though it is only half way through.

I wonder why that I am easily satisfied? Maybe my laziness of finishing works early and unwanted ‘nature’ of procrastinate contributed to that. While everyone is leaving the lab with something to think about their assignment, I stepped out of the lab, totally forgotten the assignment (about one hour ago) and start to think about doing some shopping since the Mega Sale Carnival is around the corner. I am so honest here..Honesty is the best policy *wink*

For the moment, my meaning of IWB is ‘Irresistible Will to Buy!" See you then, cheers!

P/s: Did I mention that we need to present our lesson on 12th September?

"nOw LOaDiNg......."

Seconds tickling away, minutes become hours, days gone by, week in and week out, what??!!!! !! I’m getting older and fatter, aaargghh!!! I didn’t realize it till today that I’m halfway through the semester. It’s the 7th week of the semester and I’m still a day dreamer, huhu!

MAMA Maznah reminded us...
‘Make sure that you have at least 5 academic entries in your blog, I will do the ongoing assessment eh...’
‘Do visit your friends’ blogs and don’t forget to leave your comments as well, ok?’
‘Keep on participating in the forum and share your ideas with others’
‘IWB? Work on it...remember’

So...I guess I will not enjoy the class as usual because today I realized that so many things were left undone by me:
1) I only have TWO entries in my blog, and neither is academic enough
2) I have never comments on other’s blogs even though I visited few blogs before
3) Forum in Moodle...I love to read it but has never participate in any topics
4) IWB? I almost forget it...

So...now, even simple work like blogging seems like rocket science for me, arghh!! Wise man said, PROCRASTINATON IS THE THIEF OF TIME...now I understand it clearly, very clear I should say *wink*

Let’s go back to the class stuff...

Prof reminded us on the IWB assignment. She said that product from each group must consist of English lessons, mathematics lesson and science lesson. Minimum of 5 slides per lesson and it must include topic, target group, student’s prior knowledge, lesson objective, user guidelines and rationales.

Next, some demonstrations and examples of what we can do with the IWB. Here goes:

- Young learners love stories especially those which are famous in children’s literature. So, by manipulating stories/ fables, it will help to capture students’ interest. We were shown a modified version of the ‘Red Riding Hood’ and how it can be used more than just a mere story-telling session. With colourful and attractive display that IWB can offer, the story was manipulated for a science class. Instead of focusing on the story line, the story can be used to attempt more of teaching students about the periphery part of the story. In example, teaching about plants that can be seen around Red Riding Hood on her way to her grandmother’s house.

- The matching activity also shown to the class and personally, I found it quite useful to teach meanings to students. With IWB, students can forget about plain straight line to match one box to another. It has lines with colourful and variety of patterns. In addition, some of the lines are filled with smileys and stars to prevent boredom among students.

- Classifying or grouping is another example of activity that can be done by the IWB. Students can group items/ things/ words according to it’s’ groups. For example, grouping things living things with non-living things. This can help students to see the idea. Concept more clearly as it provides graphics presentation and colours variation.

- We can add video clip(s) to our slides by adding hyperlink to the page. It is as easy as ABC. I never thought that being a teacher can be this easy. Using video clip is a very interactive and effective method to teach students about new topics. It can also be used to help students to revisit ideas and knowledge that they have been acquired before

- GAME!!!Some of the examples shown by Prof include game in it. Kids love game, it is as simple as that. As much as stories, game can also be used to teach students especially young learners. One of the principles in learning is to use students’ interest as based for learning. Thus, using game in learning obviously activate student’s interest in the lesson. The use of IWB can support children as it offers opportunities to revise concepts and skills embedded in game-like situations.


After that, Prof showed us on how to check students work using interactive features of IWB. It is like instant feedbacks and results for students and also teacher. From students’ point of view, it is ‘magic’, believe me (I was once thought that it is ‘magic’ *blush*)

· Drag –We drag the box to each answer column and the answer will emerge from the background. The colour of the box is different with the background and the answers.

· Drag/ move – move the answer across the two columns of different colours
· Erase – erase the answer with the duster and the hidden answer will be revealed
· Drag in – drag the answers into a box and if it is correct, it can be placed in the box but if it is wrong, the word cannot be inside the box and will go through behind the box.

Basically, dragging is the most common way to check answers using IWB. It is just playing with colours and thus, deceives students. That is one of the mystery of IWB, unique one I shall say. You’ll never know about this until you develop an activity using IWB.

Before the class ended, we were asked to register in a website containing useful contents and space for us to optimize. The web is http://www.airset.com/. We are registering ourselves in a SMART group so that we can get some information and ideas on how to implement and maximize ICT in classroom context and education as general.

YEYYY! à No class for next week
OUCH!à 50 of us have marching for Independence Day celebration
YESS!à We will get FREE t-shirts and track bottoms for the marching
ALA.... à I cannot see Prof ,Ms Chin, Ms Ng la next week *wink*

Got to go, cheers!

May the blessing of Ramadhan be with us always...

U have missed the fasting annoucement by Penyimpan Mohor-mohor Besar Diraja?

Don't worry!

Watch this instead..

Okay, now...want to see what my little nieces are up to during this fasting month?

You'll be surprised!

Upin and Ipin : Episode 1

wait for my next entry for more Upin and Ipin!

hApPy 50th biRtHDaY mALaYSiA!

ma pics~

posterama--making MERDEKA out of nothing at all

Dear blog

Five is the number.....it’s my 5th class of ICT with technology artistes’ team. The trio of Prof Maznah, Ms Ng and Ms Chin has never disappointed me so far and I can say that I’m always looking forward for spending my Wednesday’s afternoon with them. But today, my day should get better with one more artiste is due to perform her song. It makes the trio became the quartet of wonderful talented educators. So, a big warm welcome to the Mdm Nazirah, a special guest from Multimedia University.

Ms Chin takes the centre stage and all eyes were due to concentrate on her. But, due to time constrain, she just briefly went through the slides and was unable to talk much about her topic, which is about ICT tools. She said that the file will be uploaded soon and we can download it from the Muced website.

Next is Prof turn to bring in more appetizer to the class. Her session was an purely academic as she talked us through PPSMI, Smart School, School.net, computer lab and TV pendidikan. This was partly a recap on our previous class with addition of some new informations about technological examples (i + 1, well done Krashen)

I was thinking about TV Pendidikan, Prof said that now it is broadcasted in TV 9. Since i was a kid, i always heard this ‘TV Pendidikan’ but have never really watched it at all. From my personal point of view, this programme is very much wasted and overlooked. I was told that the content is ok and beneficial but the main block point is the time scheduled. It is very unhealthy things to happen in government’s plan to improve technology education.

I don’t think much things could be done to improve on this. It is because in the money-driven world today, so many prime and available broadcasting times have been bought and booked by major production company to broadcast their films, movies, dramas and programmes. Except for government-owned RTM, other stations are privately own by certain people and they prefer profits to come first rather than supporting not-so-much-profitable educational programme.

Prof also introduced us two terms that we teacher are supposed to know.

1) BTPN (Bahagian Teknologi Pendidikan Negeri) or formerly known as PSPN (Pusat Sumber Pendidikan Negeri). It is a place where teachers or schools can get copy of archive from the TV/Radio Pendidikan . Teachers can also get technological information regarding education.

2) PKG (Pusat Kegiatan Guru). It is much like a coffee house for teachers where they can keep themselves abreast with current educational affairs and issues and also as a reference centre for any inquiry and problems.

I will certainly be an active member of that coffee house since it can keep me updated with educational issues and Prof also mentioned that we can also get some teaching ideas here (since teachers from other schools will be there too). I feel this PKG is a place where every teacher must be informed and involved with. For me it’s like a hospital for doctors to gather, heh!
The next session is the main song for the performance. While Mdm Nazirah takes the centre stage, we wonder of who she is. Later, we were told that she is a student from MMU and formerly studied under Prof Maznah. She came to our class to do research regarding DISC (designing for interaction and students’ collaboration).

We were briefly lectured on how to design a good poster. We were told about ‘HOW’ and ’WHAT’ regarding poster that we will be designing later. I am quite disappointed with myself (I don’t know about others) because, when she asked us about the theme for this year’s merdeka celebration, no one really knows the exact answer. In the month of August, where merdeka celebration has build up everywhere, I still didn’t know the theme of this year’s celebration! It really makes me wonder what if in the future, my students asked me the same question but I can’t answer it? Thing can really be more shameful if my students know about it and just trying to test me.

Then, we were instructed to work in group, prepare a poster and later present it to the class. The poster is regarding the Merdeka Day. We have 45 minutes to prepare it and we were not allowed to access internet to find info, pictures or anything. Instead, we were given specific guidelines to be referred to and even the pictures that shall be included in the poster were specifically prepared by Mdm.

It was a challenging yet interesting activity. My group was able to finish it in time though we found it very difficult play with colours because not every colour is suitable for a Merdeka Day poster. We were also having hard time in choosing the most suitable pictures because all of the pictures are equally nice and attractive. At the end of the preparation part, we were quite satisfied with our work but we believed that some things in the poster could be improvised if we are given more time to prepare it.

1) Did you face any problem during the session? Why?

We did face few problems especially during the starting of the session with Mdm Nazirah. We didn’t understand the instruction because we cannot pay attention to it. It was nothing wrong with the instruction since everyone else can understand it. This happened because of the class size and we were seated at the last line of the class. We cannot hear it at all and eventually need to find out about what we should be doing from our friends.
Thus, as a result, we started the activity quite late and luckily, we managed to complete it in the time given. We also have problems in getting Caroline involve with the activity. It is because she is foreigner and has no idea about our Merdeka Day. So, we let her do her ‘other works’ but we asked her opinions occasionally so that she will not feel left out.
Also, we have come to few disagreements among our group members and it did waste our time arguing on simple things such as choice of colours, words, fonts and pictures. We decided to put everyone’s opinions in the poster and view it time and time again. Fortunate enough, we have came to mutual consensus and the poster are completed in 45minutes.

2) What do you think of the instruction?

I cannot say much about the instructions that Mdm delivered verbally because I didn’t hear it at all. But, from what I got from my classmates, I can say that the instructions are clear, understandable and well explained.

3) What improvements can you suggest?

I strongly suggest that the activity is conducted in smaller group or if possible, pair work. This is because such large groups (5 a group) will potentially made up some passengers who just care about matters done rather than being participative with the process. Even though it would mean more work for each of group member, but it can produce better learning and co operative environment.
In addition, I think that people should be allowed to access the internet in order to find more pictures, quotations and other relevance information in relation of designing a poster. It is not much wrong with the pictures provided by Mdm Nazirah, but by restricting students in choosing pictures for their poster only from the file provided, it has indirectly limiting student’s creativity and most of the presentations will also mainly be attached by the same pictures over and over again.
Lastly, I think that the pictures should be more in variety. Some of the pictures are not reflecting Malaysian as much as the other pictures did and some of the pictures (for me) are not good enough for a poster presentation.

4) How would you carry out this design session with the primary level students?

Firstly, i would like to put them in small groups or maybe pair so that they can work with their friends. Next, I will explain to them the theme of the poster. As for example, for Merdeka Day Celebration, i would like them to tell me first about what they know about Merdeka Day such as date, history, cause or people behind it. Then, i will talk them through about Merdeka Day such as history, people behind it, important dates, places and its meaning.
Briefly, that will be done to prepare a correct mindset among them so that the poster will not be slump away from the theme they are supposed to work on. Later, I will show them some examples of posters so that they can make it as references for their poster.The reason for this is that I don’t think by explaining step by step they will understand more, instead, I think it is burdensome for young learners to understand concepts of poster designing in such early years
Later, I will briefly talk them to include suitable/ interesting colours, size of their writing and pictures that can be included. When they start designing the poster, I will go from group to group with examples of posters so that they will always be on track. Later when they present, i will point out things that can be improved and the dos and don’ts. Thats all
..............................................

Our class ended with presentation of slideshows that produced by primary kids. I am so impressed with their ability to come out with such mature and beautiful poster. If Ms Ng didn’t tell us about who did the poster, I will assume that it is produced by students in secondary schools or maybe tertiary level. Though the class ended almost 30 minutes late from time, it is worthwhile since I gained so much input about many different things that is essential for a future teacher like me. Till then, pen off, cheers!

oh..song of technology takes its toll on me

Blog dearie

We began the class by accessing to a website containing our seniors’ blog in order to provide us clearer view about blogging and help us understand more about the concept of blogging. I really feel fortunate because we have some place to refer on (seniors’) compare to the seniors. As the first batch of this programme, they are kind of ‘experiment’ and they are lacking in real examples and references for their work and my heart really goes to them.

Here goes the address-- http://www.seedwiki.com/wiki/pkey3101/blogspot?wpid:571027.

Credit to them for doing very well despite of all the disadvantages they are having compare to us, hail the seniors!

Someone has just got back from Penang, but no ‘buah pala’,’ rojak pasembor’ or keychains, instead, she brought the class something that way more expensive than those things, experience.

Prof Maznah has just got back from Penang after attended a program called ‘Teach to the World’ in SMJK Datuk Ahmad Badawi in Kepala Batas, PUlau Pinang. She told us her experience there and I am really impressed with the 1:1 computer lab, in which there are 40 CMPC (my classmate PC) in there, equipped with one smartboard and a teacher console. It is awesome and impressive since it offers almost everything technology can offer in Malaysian school.

Students in that school must be overwhelmed with gratitude for they were blessed with some of the best gadgets ICT can offers. But according to Prof, this attempt of fully using technology in lesson has brought so many unforeseen problems from teachers nationwide. Prof also said that problems here were caused by teachers. Because they did not actively involve and stand out in ICT programme that contribute to a major stir in this programme. I believe that even if the Minister of Education (MoE) provides one laptop per student, the teacher’s mentality, perception, knowledge and skills regarding technology should be the major concern first before proceedings to the next level.

Let’s talk about teacher’s mentality towards technology supports. During my SEP, I’ve encountered with an experience with a teacher who uses a computer lab just for the air conditioner only! He brought his students into the lab, let them do their work on the floor and he merely sit in front doing his work. This is a very sick situation and to make thing worse, it happens in one of the best school in Kuala Lumpur! What is the computer there for? For me, it’s very shocking and I just can’t imagine how teachers in rural schools use their computer lab if even elite schools are like this? I don’t want to generalize or stereotyping, it’s just my humble assumption.

Next thing we did was discussing about PPSMI/ETEMS, e-Bahan and MyCD. These are 3 examples of integration of ICT in education. So many questions have been raised regarding those things and it doesn’t stop there in the class, it continues into the Muced website and the forum in the web is flooded with inquiries and questions.

For the later session, we were brainstorming about e-portfolio. Frank words, this is a new term to me, I’ve never heard about it before, not even once,huhu! So, I paid extra attention and focus in this session even though my affective filter is very high (its lunch time, I can hardly think a thing).

What is e-portfolio? Answers from lecturers and rest of the floors are it is electronic way of doing portfolio (‘e’ stands for electronic), it is a collection of students’ work, to show their progress and to reflect their ability to organize.

Why use e-portfolio? Variations of answers were collected from every angle of the class. To promote yourself, to show creativity, to record progress, to share information and knowledge, easily retrieved and to let other comments about you. I guess I have not much to say about this e-portfolio since I am new in it but fortunate enough, I have gained precious knowledge about yet another branch of ICT in learning that will surely help me in my pursue of becoming a future teacher.

We also go through the Chapter 1 of Brennan ‘The ICT and learning principles of the Primary School Curriculum’ with Ms serene Chin. We have discussed about the 14 principles of learning that can use ICT in learning process. Basically, they are three ways in which ICT can be used in approached of teaching and learning in class. They are learning about ICT, learning through ICT and learning with ICT

There were many principles discussed such as learning is an active process, hands-on experience, integration and transfer of learning. I would like to relate the importance of hands-on experience among young learners. It gives young learners more room to explore and it is helps them to gain more knowledge rather than visual and audio support. Lev Vygotsky, a famous interactionist also a firm believer that child learn best when they communicate with what they hold, what they can feel.

In the end of the class, Ms Chin gave us few websites that we can use in order to find more information about ETEMS, e-Bahan and MyCD.

http://myschoolnet.ppk.kpm.my/indexi.htm
http://www.tutor.com.my/tutor.etems
www.on-sl.edu.my/e-bahan/

We were also assigned to prepare power point presentations regarding the topics for the next class.

In brief, so far this is the most cognitive-demanding class out of four lectures. I shall say it was not as interesting as the previous classes but certainly the most academic one. The sunny afternoon get me sweating even though I sat in an air-conditioner lab (one of the aircond is not functioning!). With so much input taken and mind-pushing session, I am weary and forced to skip my lunch and took a nap at the Surau before my next class at 4pm. That’s all, so long and cheers!

points are powerful in power points

Dear blog....

How powerful do you think a power point can be? In this 3rd lecture of ICT in Primary Classroom, one lady has spoken behalf on power point....presenting........Miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiissssss NG! Give her a big round of applause (clap here and there)

I was amazed by Ms Ng, small in size, but big and powerful in sound system... (clap clap clap again)

This class was solely dedicated to promote another product of Microsoft Corporation, Microsoft Power Point...I believe Ms Ng is not in any way related to Bill Gates and associates, but all she try to do is to promote technology to ICT-challenged people, especially IT-blind person like me (look down in despair)

So much things were presented and explained by this talented Ms Ng. Should I explained each of it, I’m afraid of someone die while reading my post, so, to save life, let me put it in brief so that we all can benefits from it.

Ms Ng has provided us some principles, guidelines of Microsoft Power Point. She talked about pictures, simplicity, sources, fonts and many more.

Before this session, I thought I am well-equipped with knowledge of Microsoft Power Point. But this lecture is like a snapshot to my head and goes directly to my brain,huhu! It made me realized that I am too much of not enough. At the age of 22+, I am lucky to still have a chance of improving my poor-knowledge of technology.

Source(s) of pictures included in power points need to be cited below the picture (or anywhere applicable). It will prevent you from being accused of plagiarism. By putting pictures that is not related to the content/topic, it can be interesting in a way, but it may also trigger confusion and misunderstanding among your audience. According to Ms Ng, it can also reflect your immaturity; (I did it before, another snapshot in my head!)

She also mentioned that if you can, you may put the main title in every slides of your power point. The words must also be mixed with a correct choice of colour, emerge from the background. Don’t be too wordy (so many words) in your slides and minimize your number of words so that it will prevent your audience from reading the power points instead of listening to you.

Pictures are preferably real-life picture since it is more interesting than cartoons or unreal picture. You must also take into account about the pixel of the picture so that it can be seen clearly in the presentation especially if you are presenting if front of the large audience.
From my point of view, I don’t think these principles are meant to be closely followed. I believe it serves more as a guideline rather than a standard codes. As for example, real pictures may be good for adults, but for me as future primary teacher, I really think that cartoons will capture more interest from my young learners. Also, certain concept and theories need lengthy explanation and limiting the words from the slide for me, does not really help the lesson.

Based from my reading, I came across a nice fact of Microsoft Power Point which is it has replaced normal plastic transparencies during presentations. No more dull and uninteresting OHP presentations. Frank words, I didn’t realize that OHP presentation has become out of favour as a result of improvement of Microsoft Power Point until I read the above statement.
I also believe that Microsoft Power Point is one of, if not the most well-known presentation program in the world. Its user friendliness helps save time for people who would otherwise have to make use of other kinds of visual aid which sometimes can be very costly.

As a pro Microsoft Power Point person, Ms Ng doesn’t talk so much about weaknesses, or setbacks or disadvantages of this program. As for me, I tend to lean on the fact that Microsoft PowerPoint may also tend to oversimplify peoples' thinking, because most of the time information is given in bullet point form, which is obviously too simple. On the other hand, i feel that there may be poor typography and layout if the user is not competent enough in using it.

To encapsulate, I firmly believe that Microsoft Power Point is another proof of success in technology advancement and a very useful program for future teacher like me. Though I’m still hurting to the fact that I was ‘indirectly accused’ immature by her words, I would like to convey my gratitude to this lovely facilitator for a very beneficial session that makes another dull afternoon look not so monotonous at all. Till then, pen off, cheers!

Power rangers can never beat power point,no doubt~

Dear blog

So, here I am again, this kid is now bigger but not necessarily better, haha!

18th of July, I woke up in the morning (not so morning since it is almost 11am), kiss my pa n ma, and started to drive to UM with one question keep on banging in my mind, ‘how will Prof Maznah excites me this time? Entering the lab with people crowded just to get a seat is like a bless in disguise. I will need to ‘work my muscle’ for a seat but will later rewarded with ‘a song of technology’ by Prof Maznah.

But, I was later discovered that Prof has got something to do and will come in later by the day. I was quite disappointed. Then, a serene Ms Chin walked in and asked us to form groups of 5 because we are to be set a task on power point presentation. I formed a group of not so 5 with Soddiq, Muhafiz and Caroline. (sorry Ms Chin, we disobeyed your simple order, bad boys + a girl!)

OH CAROL! (+ine)

Let me tell you about Caroline, she is a student from Switzerland and learn English as 4th language (as foreign language) after German, Spanish and France and was previously studied in Indonesia. She came here financially supported by her parents. She has a small book of Malay dictionary and she frequently asked us what is this and that called in Malay. To a certain extent, she also asked us a favour of checking her sentences in which she wrote in Malay. She is a soft spoken lady, a well behave foreigner and a cooperative friend. The interesting fact about her is even though she is from Switzerland, major manufacturer of branded watch called ‘swatch’, but she is wearing a watch made in Malaysia, nice right? Lesson of the story, proud of our Malaysian product!

Ok, so back to business again. Other groups were assigned different topics to be presented such as ‘hotmail’,’ google mail’ and digital camera. We are given a topic on ‘video camera’ and were assigned to make a power point presentation about the topic. We have optimized the advancement of technology by using Yahoo Messenger in connecting with each other and discussing about what should we include in our presentation. By doing this, we make less noise, and doing more works, efficiency at its best, congratulations! We are good boys once again!yahooo!

While all the groups discussing the topics, Ms Chin went to group by group and check out on progress. Ms Chin has helped us in preparing a good power point presentation (she is so power (point) ful!). She guided us by giving tips of how a good power point should look like, some dos and don’ts of power point and choose of colours.

Later, presentations began and most of the groups have managed to come out with interesting and nice power points. However, due to lack of time, not all groups managed to present their slides, including my group. By not presenting, I don’t think it is a waste of effort, instead, I believe it gives us more time to improve on our slides. (i’m a believer...)

Today’s class is not much about input giving session but more to group works and independence learning. I am proud of the fact that my group manage to complete the task in the time given even though there is only 4 people in our group compare to other which in group of 5’s and more. I learned a few important things regarding power points. I also learnt new things from the presentation such as MSN messenger, which shares some common features with Yahoo messenger, digital camera and hotmail (another type of internet mailing).

I cannot say much about this class since not everyone in the same lab, we were divided into 2 labs, one with Ms Chin and one with Mr Shahril in order to save time and produce better works. Credit goes to Ms Chin and Mr Shahril who have made a dull afternoon becoming another interesting ICT class! Till then, see you in my next post, cheers!

new kid on the blog learn to grab his pacifier

Dear blog

11th of July as our 1st class, my 1st class, my 1st formal training course, subject of world of ICT. This shall be my doorstep to world without boundaries! we discussed about things, i really mean THINGS..its a lot for a new kid on the block like me...wuu!

give me B....Give me L.....take that O.....throw that G.....BLOG!!!but.....why blog?whhhhhhhy???????

mm..for me,i shall put this 'blog' in par with, ‘Smart Tunnel’, 'Pak Lah's wedding', 'me as an undergraduate student at University of Malaya' and 'Perodua Viva'.....guess what? Its new and interesting!

Fresh ideas of blog roam into my life from that fluent and sound-sweet-as-song mouth of Prof Maznah. She said that blog can do you many things, may do you little harm (if it is wrongly utilized) but surely come in handy for a teacher-to-be like me..

Gossiping, advertising products, making announcements and self reflection are some of the wonders that four letter word (don’t you dare think about anything else than BLOG,ok?) can do. I did realize that blog is so much like a diary, but it goes beyond normal diary can do.

For rest of my life (before) I thought everything that is free must be cautiously accepted, since it can bring you more harm rather than good things. but, at once, I confidently say that FREE website of 'www.blogspot.com' which offers FREE BlogSpot should be accepted with arms wide open, no precaution measure should be taken since it offers you no impairment...

I can use my blog for voice out opinions and ideas. As for example, if I don’t agree about PKEY1301 being core subject for this semester, I can voice it out in the written form of blog (but why should I do that?) and lets imagine what can Martin Luther King can do with blog if he is in our era? that magic 'I have a dream' phrase will surely overtake popularity of Mawi, emulate David Beckham, and being talked more than George Bush's claim of so called 'weapon (that never found) of mass destruction in Iraq'

I found blogging as an essential part and vital component of a teacher may possess. it can be so useful for teachers and will certainly help a lot in terms of academic, reputation, public relation and confidence. i believe that all teacher must at least being talked through to this idea of blogging so that they may see effects that a simple blog can bring.

We discussed many more things such as PoEiT (pedagogy of engagement integration technology), MYcd, school experience programme (SEP) and scenario of ICT.

One of the discussion is regarding things that is the most difficult to change in school, really caught my attention. We relate our discussion with our previous SEP programme and plus Prof Maznah’s pond of experiences as well. The culture, the beliefs, and traditions should never put in context of ‘things to be changed by a teacher’. It is everyone’s right to practise those things.

But, one example from my classmates has really caught my attention. It is regarding bureaucracy and favouritism in education system. One of my friends said that her school was badly damaged by thunderstorm. The roofs were nowhere to be seen, the tables and chairs are everywhere and class are filled with water. The school headmistress has filed in report, together with the pictures as proof and relevance documents for the Ministry of Education to go through and act on it. But, it takes them more than a week to receive reply from MOE and necessary actions are said to be taken ‘as soon as possible’. Can you imagine how will the school cope with the lost of classes and where should they place the effected students in?

On the other hand, another school which is also experienced the same damage, has been approved RM80 thousands only the day after they submitted the report and repairing works are set to be started in less than 3 days. We were informed that it is because one of the students there is a son of Minister in cabinet.

I really think that this is due to bureaucracy and favouritism. Such case needs immediate attention from the authority (MOE) but bureaucracy delay has taken its toll on the effected school while on the other hand, special privilege has been given to the latter school and element of favouritism is ubiquitous. I don’t think this kind of things is healthy because both school are entitled to fair and same treatment from the MOE


So, that is all I can write to this time. What more can I say about this class? It so interesting that I can hardly feel any slight sleepy element, any boredom syndrome or any dislike factors. Thanks a lot to Prof for that moment, worth of 3 hours of keeping attention and focus. Pen off an see you in my next blog, cheers!

why m?

keri, sodiq, muhapiz and caroline.....we were using YM for sharing and discussing our group work, the suddenly Prof Maznah came to us and ask, YM? (why m?)...at first glance, she was rather puzzled, but the doubt was soon slip away when she realized that it's quite interesting (unique in a way?hahaha)...she asked me to post it in my blog....and i did so Prof,heheh!pen off...