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
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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!