G.A.M.E.R.S

After reading the article about video games posted on adec, I realize that it is actually true. Computer games can increase a person’s language proficiency. I don’t make a blunt assumption on this one because it is related to my own experience as well.

As a child, English doesn’t come to me naturally since my parents don’t use English that much with us (though they use it in their working place). But they provide me with a source to learn language, besides making countless excercises on workbooks, which is the video games. I’ve been introduced to the world of video games, either in computer or in consoles, since I’m in year 1 and it was very addictive. Of course, the earliest console that I use to play games doesn’t introduce much to language but as I switched to Play Station, the language became more demanding. In order to complete a certain task, I need to understand what is required so that I could move to the next stage. Therefore, I was forced to learn the language. Besides that, video games have different genre, just like the movies and musics, and my favourite will always be the RPG (role playing game) which involves lots of reading (dialogue, instruction, etc). This provides me practice to learn the language without being conscious about it.

Therefore, I’m quite against those who said gaming is a waste of time but of course, the choosing the ‘right ones’ are alsoimportant. Besides, we need to take into account the time spent for playing video games. Spending excessive time playing video games may also affect studies. Therefore, there should be limit to everything, no matter how good it is.

interactive W.H.I.T.E.B.O.A.R.D

Interactive whiteboard or famously known (by us) as the smartboard is a unique whiteboard that, instead of using markers and all, has a ‘touch’ screen in which the pupils are able to manipulate various tools (readily available during the installation of the smartboard software) during teaching and learning activities. It is an easier way to manipulate what is on board rather then the traditional whiteboard.

This smartboard is related to our latest assignment in which we have to design the teaching and leaning activities using the smartboard software. For me, the difficult part of this task is to select the suitable topic. This is because, not all topics can be used using the smartboard. Therefore, I have chosen the topic of year 4, planet, which I find quite interesting since there are various videos and gifs animation that can be used in this activities. Then I have to think thoroughly about the activities. I have to make it as interesting, interactive and educational as possible while making full use of the smartboard tools. While developing the activities, I didn’t forget about the learning theories. Once in a while I will refer to the theories to ensure that the activities, the layouts, fonts – everything, is relevant with what are mentioned by the theorists. I don’t to be classified as ‘syok sendiri’. Everything must be based on evidence to show the relevancy of the activities.

I also have my own doubts about the whole smartboard thing. No, it is not about the efficiency of the smartboard in the classroom. I agree that it is highly interesting and it gives the teachers and pupils a new experience in teaching and learning process. However, not all schools are equipped with this board. Mostly aren’t and even if they do, the board may be placed in the computer labs. Just imagine, two smartboards in two computer labs to be used by, let’s say, 1500 pupils. I wonder how many hours will be spent on teaching the pupils using smartboards. And before engaging them with the board, the teachers have to familiarize the pupils with it first. So, how many hours will be left to teach the lesson…hurrrmmm?? Besides, I also wonder how the teachers themselves are going to manipulate the interactive board. Some of them may make full use of this techno, but how about a few others? They may just prepare a simple lesson and a video and send all the children to the dream land. Why do I say so? Because, that’s what happen when these few teachers start using OHP and powerpoint when this techno are at their peak. They do not engage the pupils at all even though, for example, powerpoint can be a powerful and interactive tool as well. Now, the interactive board may suffer the same fate as those earlier techno

I.C.T - getting connected

Not much to be said on this particular topic but I just realized that Malaysia also has such sites for teachers since I often ‘bumped’ into international sites and forums. These sites are very informative for teachers since they provide new insights of latest teaching techniques, especially on developing resources and making full use of ICT. Since there are from Malaysia, the information is relevant to Malaysian context. The problems, obstacles and loopholes are real experienced by Malaysian teachers especially in terms of integrating technology in the classroom. Therefore, through such links and sites, especially those that offered forums, offer teachers from all over Malaysia a platform so that they can interact with one another and share information as well as experience

instructional D.E.S.I.G.N

This is not the first time I heard about the learning theories. In fact, it has been constantly repeated over and over again in each term. Everything that I did for the lesson should be justified based on these learning theories. Personally, I don’t think that every little thing that I did for the pupils should be based on the theories. They are somehow as guidance so that I plan the lesson based on thorough consideration on how it can benefit the pupils and assists them in their learning.

Of course, I also felt that even though I am more in favour of one particular theory, it doesn’t mean that I should neglect the rest. In fact, I can use various theories in one particular lesson so that the effectiveness of learning can be maximized. I also believed that there is no one theory that can be considered as perfect to be used in all conditions. Therefore, I have to make used all of them according to the situation in the classroom.

However, the models are quite unfamiliar to me. I never heard of them before this. But the models can be used as guidance in teaching as well. It provides step by step of the learning process. Again, these models are not meant to be used in isolation of the rest. They can be useful in one particular situation but may not be much of use in others. Therefore, as teacher, I should take into account every aspects mentioned by the theories and model to ensure an effective lesson

video making - D.O.N.E

Making my own video is tough (as expected) but worth it. The most difficult part is to make it as educational and interactive as possible. I have to ensure that, the audience will receive the main objective of viewing the video and not just a mere entertainment. Of course, selecting the software is quite hard as well. There are various softwares that offer many ways to make a video. They are all great softwares but it takes time to learn them before being able to use them efficiently

So I decided to use paint and windows movie maker instead. Simple, yet can produce a nice animation for young children (yep, finally i decided to use animation than real objects). There are also obstacles that I have to face while making the animation. Most of it is when I have to endure repeating the same frame all over again to make the drawing moves. Patience is most important. Besides that, I have to take into account the font and the colour of the text to ensure that it can be read and seen clearly by the audience.

All the troubles of creating the video is worth it because the experience of making it is vary valuable. The assignment has proved that making an educational video is not impossible. Teacher should not rely totally on what is in the market because the objectives and content may not match what he or she intended for his or her classroom. Making own video, however, can give the opportunity for teacher to focus on certain language area as guided by the CS. Besides that, making own video means it can be developed to suit the pupils’ level of proficiency. Therefore, the lesson will become more effective to them

V.I.D.E.O

Well, I have the rough idea of what to do (and I’m finally able to download the latest window movie maker, phew!). but the problem is now I’m unable to start anything yet because my, erm…can I say ‘actress’, is in my hometown and I can’t go back home yet. Hopefully I can start video shooting next weekend and finish the video clip on time

This won't be the first time I'm using windows movie maker to create a vid clip but i just use slides of pictures only. Never try using vid to make a vid clip

M.O.N.I.T.O.Red

techno... anyone?

Next G.E.N.E.R.A.T.I.O.N learning (2)

How you as a teacher will be learning?

Gaining access to technology means a lot to the me. It can expand my ability to search for new teaching methods, materials and various teaching and learning activities. Therefore, I can improve myself.
In my opinion, even though I haven't try it yet, technology can also connect teachers from all over the place through online forums designed for teachers. They can share information and materials and learn from each other’s experience

Next G.E.N.E.R.A.T.I.O.N learning (1)

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

I believe that nowadays, technology has become a scaffolding tool to assist pupils in learning. Instead of just relying on information given on textbooks and materials prepared by the teacher, pupils can now gain the access to explore more than just these through technology. Therefore, they can develop into independent learners. They are able to be responsible of their own learning. For example, pupils can obtain information by surfing the internet.

Technology can make learning more fun for the pupils. They can learn through various activities and games that are related to a particular subject (example: Magic School Bus). Young learners are very attracted to colours, moving objects as well as hands on activities, so using technology can help them from getting distracted. As a result, pupils will become more motivated in learning which can influence their academic achievement

It is also important to highlight that using technology also means that the teacher-learner relationship is further improved and this can positively affect the pupils learning. Teachers and pupils interaction are no longer limited to classroom context but beyond that. They can interact almost anywhere with their teacher regarding their problems in study by using internet (email and messenger)

However, in Malaysia not all can afford to have a computer at home, let alone to have an internet access. Even wi-fi is limited to certain area only. Therefore, for those unfortunate learners, technology is not more than just a burden. Not all schools are equipped with the latest technology, and even if they do, our curriculum is exam-oriented, which means the teachers need to rush to finish their syllabus on time to prepare the learners for exam. Learning by using technology takes time since the learners have to familiar themselves with it first before able to use it. That is why most of the time we can see that the pupils in school learn using the classic ‘technology’, pencil and paper.

L.O.S.T in cyberspace

Hi guys, so this is my first post and I’ve been cracking up my head the whole night on what to write. This is not my first time blogging actually. But the difference between this blog and my other blogs is that this one is more on academic writing so I have to come up with something sensible instead of all the rubbish I’ve been trashing around in my other blogs. Hehehe.

Okay, enough of that. Let’s talk about my opinion about my first class. Well, nothing much was done on that particular day except that I needed to sign up for the adec and fill up a form. This is when I realize that there are a lot of things about technology that I never knew about. I mean A LOT. Then, there was a brief yet meaningful presentation from Prof. Dr Raja Maznah about PLEaSE.

To tell you the truth, I’m not a techno savvy kind of person. But, I won’t deny the fact that technology is important in today’s world. It’s a man-made wonder (blessed those people who invented ‘technology’). However, discovering that I have so little knowledge in dealing with these techno thingy, I feel slightly nervous to learn this course (Is it going to be hard? Am I able to cope with it? Bla..bla..). But this feeling of insecurity won’t stop me from learning, that’s for sure. I see this as an opportunity, not a threat to my weaknesses. So, I should just sit back and relax and let the rollercoaster ride into the cyberspace begins. I’m sure it’s not going to be a smooth ride but it’s worth it.