~computer lab~

As far as I know, now we can see most of the school in Malaysia had been equipped with computer labs. But the question is how far teacher can maximize the usage of computer labs. It is the matter of how frequent a teacher will bring the pupils to the computer labs for their lesson. Teacher will always afraid to bring the pupils because the pupils might went out of control when they entered the computer lab. But it is important for teacher to realize how helpful a computer lab can be in playing its' crucial role in the part of the learning process.
Computer lab is where the pupils can used the computers and explore the provided software in learning. It is a place where the teacher can make a full use of technology and integrate it in the lesson. We have discussed the important of integrating technology in a lesson and in the computer lab; almost all of technological materials can be access by the teacher. by letting the pupils to have fun playing, exploring, learning and experimenting meaningful learning with computers, the teacher will eventually achieved the objectives of technology integration in the classroom.
There are so much that can be learn by pupils through the use of computers. Educational software is one of the alternatives that can be used so that the learner will able to learn, enjoy and apply their knowledge, all at the same time! Isn’t that great? It can help the teachers too by letting the pupils acquire their own learning and hence can become an independent learner. It is like killing 2 birds with 2 stone!
So, it is important for the teacher to make a full use of the computer lab. This is a good facility provided by the Ministry of Education to help the pupils to learn in a more effective and interactive way. Teacher should not just let the computer lab being abandoned without thinking about the potentials that the pupils can discover when they experienced learning with technology. So, teachers: good luck!

~GameS and Learning...?~

nowadays, some of the kids are obsessed with game. video games, especially like PlayStation, xbox and so on had become one of their best friend, ever. parents often become worried on how these games will affect their children's study or behaviour. it is true that gaming can brings negative effect on the young children but if we try to look it in the positive way, it can stimulate your child learning and cognitive progress. sometimes, games provided imaginary or fantasy situation where the children was playing with their imagination and put themselves inside of the game plan. don't you realize that this will eventually can developed the pupils' imagination and creativity? this is an important element in learning as they will bring that kind of imagination to the classroom and their cognitive process will perform better. we can't stop the children interest by avoiding the children to have their own fun. but limitation should be there so that these kids will not be too carried away about this kind of hobby.
when we talk about game, it is a great tool of teaching strategies to be integrated in the lesson as well. since games are always become one of the major interest for young children, teacher can use this opportunity to use game in any of the stages of the lesson development. eventually, this can help the teacher to find a perfect solution to grab and sustain the pupils' attention span and this will also help the pupils to enjoy the lesson at the same time. when they were having a blast in their learning process, they will feel motivated and interested to learn in order to acquire the knowledge. it is easy for the teacher to prepare games as game board is always the one step solution to it as it can be created easily. teacher can also surf the net and download a lot of game that can used in teaching the young learner. i am sure they will be trill to get their hands on experience by trying and play the game by themselves.. this can promote a healthy environment of learning as the teacher can of course, decrease the pupils' boredom.

for teachers out there, here are some cool sites that you can visit and download any suitable games for your pupils and let make their learning experience, the best that they can ever had!

http://www.esl-kids.com/eslgames/eslgames.html
http://www.marks-english-school.com/games.html
http://www.eslkidstuff.com/gamesmenu.htm

so have fun teaching!!!

here comes the future

yesterday i talked about my opinion regarding the future classroom and today i came across this video about the description how the future classroom would be like. my opinion about the video : the classroom is size is rather too big but the equipment that being portrayed in the video could be happening. each pupils will be provided a laptop or a computer and the classroom is condusive enough. so share your opinions, guys! is this video had answered all of your questions or there are certain things that you think is not necessary to be included in real classroom? or is there anything you would like to add on? come and share your ideas!

future classsroom~_^

this week is where we talk about a future classroom. hmm... of course, for me, classroom in the future is where everything should be technological and advance. the situation will be very different from today's condition of the classroom. it might be more conducive with small amount of pupils in 1 class. But what technology will do for the future schools is a question that many could talk about and we as a teacher will sure have our own opinion on how it should be done. there will be a lot of question that we would like to know about how the future classroom will look like. Would we still have a teacher talking at the front until his or her mouth goes dry and all the poor students will only sit there wondering why they are in that classroom? Does the future classroom mean that every teacher has a laptop and every student has a computer? Does future classroom mean that the teacher will only communicate with the pupils, online without having to go to the classroom? These are some of the questions that come into my mind when imaging the future education location-the classroom.
for me- we can imagine and dream of having a perfect classroom equip with the latest technological gadget of materials. maybe in our time, Smart board is one of the latest invention in classroom teaching materials but who knows in future, Smart board will also become ancient method like what happens to the traditional blackboard in the classroom nowadays. technology will becoming better and better where the invention will become more advance than ever. but will the teacher is up to the challenge? hmm...my worst nightmare when i think about the future is where we as teachers will be no longer needed in the classroom. instead, new and latest inventions such as robots will take over our place. maybe in this era, they had already invented robots and now we can say that robots didn't have any feelings like a real human-being teacher but if one day, they will invented robots with feelings just like a human being, who needs a teacher anymore? then we will lost our job, forever... scary? that's the negative feelings that i have but i know we should think positive, right? anyway, nobody knows what will happen in the future. we can only predict but we don't know about the reality in the future. but for me, as a future teacher, i only hope the very best for my pupils. hopefully in future, pupils will become more productive and successful in their learning process. with that, i rest my case!

~catch the energy ; release the potential~

2ND day of Hari RAya...never fails to update my dearieee blog! hehe... just want to reflect upon on last week's class where Prof Maznah taught us of Fish Philosophy... Fish and philosophy?? kind of funny at first when i think about it. but when Prof told us about what it is actually all about, i was impress and a BIG yes to fish philosophy! she started a class, unexpectedly with all her 'fish friends' all over my friends. luckily i'm not one of those that being targeted. hehe... so the motto of fish philosophy? catch the energy, release the potential... that's deep...
so what is actually FISH philosophy? FISH! is a skill that provides the process, tools and language to generate the skills necessary to design a workplace full of inspiration, creativity and innovation. this is what had been posted by Prof Maznah in Adec. this can be done in the classroom where as a teacher, you can implement this philosophy in the lesson. it will help the pupils to release their full potentials if the teacher was able to generate the lesson as interesting as possible. there are 4 principles in the FISH philosophy : A language that will help improve your culture by using four simple practices – Be There, Play, Make Their Day and Choose Your Attitude.
let me just simplify it according my own understanding regarding these principles. Be there- it is important for a teacher to always 'be there' for their pupils. we have to know their interest, needs and level of proficiency so that we can develop their potential to the fullest. Play- play is where you have some fun with the pupils. let them enjoy the lesson so that they will give their concentration in the lesson. let them play around (but only for your lesson purposes) and having some fun. so it is important for the teacher it self to be as creative as possible in developing teaching materials and activities. Make their day- this is a very important element of teaching process. always make sure that the pupils enjoyed the lesson. this will motivate them to learn. this is where teacher have to know the pupils' interest so that they understand the lesson. it will increase their potential and decrease the feeling of boredom in them. Choose your attitude- it is important for the teacher to apply positive attitude towards teaching so that it will promote positive behaviour of the pupils. if teacher was the one that applying negative behaviour, pupils will lost their respect towards the teacher and therefore, decrease their interest towards the lesson.

so hopefully that we as a future teacher can applied this interesting principles of FISH philosophy in our lesson. we could catch the energy of the pupils by promoting a meaningful learning to them and unleash the pupils' true potential. this will help the pupils to become a better person.

teacher as a teaching aids...??

I’ve found one article that I think is quite useful for us (trainee teachers) to ponder... in our obsession on designing and creating a bombastic teaching materials, we, as a teacher too can become one of the teaching aids? Funny, right? But when I’ve read this article, it makes me realize how to maximize my own potentials... (ehem...), in the teaching process. I believe with an interesting and cheerful attitude of the teacher itself may become as one of the tools in grabbing the pupils' attention, when we first entered the classroom. I still remember in my primary school years (a long long time ago), there's one teacher that i like so much. so every time she entered the class, I will give my full concentration and I having my own quality time even the subject is not that interesting. but the teacher's fun attitude, really make the lesson enjoyable. I wonder if I can be like her someday. hehe... so, to all of my friends, try and read this article. maybe it can be a turning point for you like it did to me!

Although we now live in a high tech world and have access to a variety of teaching aids, there is one aid that is convenient, portable, uses no electricity, can be used effectively in light or dark and is available all the time. Yes, the teacher him or herself! In my experience as a teacher I have discovered that I can involve students more in classroom discussion and activities if I follow certain simple steps.

• Movement

• Use body language

• Eye contact

• Gesture

• Facial expression

• Speech

• Student talk

• Names

Movement Sitting behind a desk or standing on a dais creates a "distance" between the teacher and the students. Try to have an aisle and enough space between the rows so that you can easily reach those at the back. This way you can talk to individual students, allow the shy ones to ask questions quietly without the fear of embarrassment, as well as check their work and help them . Some movement on your side is essential, because it allows the students to focus on you.

• Stepping forward to emphasise a point, small steps towards different sides of the class lets the student feel that the teacher is taking genuine interest in what he or she is saying.

Use body language Your body should be in your control. Hold it in such a way that you look alert and awake. Avoid slumping and sagging. Just as too little movement is boring, too much movement can be a distraction.

• When your posture is erect it puts the you in control of the situation and the students realise this. It also encourages the students subconsciously, to become alert as well. You may notice the lazy ones sitting up and paying more attention to what is happening around them.

Eye contact
Make an effort to keep eyes lively, aware and interested. Move them around to take in everything. Fix them on specific students, but not for so long that they become uncomfortable! Avoid focusing on the worst or best students.

• Knowing that the teacher demands eye contact keeps the students alert. It also gives the teacher a feedback on the impact of what he or she is saying. This is particularly important in large classes, where "distance" between the teacher and learner is greater, and individual attention is more difficult.

• An effective teacher can control class behaviour to a great extent by the expression of his or her eyes.

• Make sure that you make eye contact with each student, so that it seems you are talking to him or her individually.

Gestures
Arms and hands are a very expressive visual aid. They can be used to describe shapes, actions, movements etc. but, remember to keep still while listening to a student . Otherwise the message sent to the student is that he is being long winded or boring.

• Habits such as fiddling with notes and books, playing with pens , key chains, or doodling with chalk on the black board can be both distracting and irritating for the student.

Facial expressions
There's nothing worse than a constant frown, which discourages students from asking questions, feeling free to discuss a problem or coming for help.
A smile can work wonders.

• It encourages the student to participate more actively and dispels the notion that the teacher is over critical.

• Look interested while a student is speaking.

• A smile, a grimace, a curl of the lips, raised eyebrows etc. at appropriate moments will send messages as needed.

• Send positive vibes and cultivate a sympathetic and encouraging expression!

Speech
Have you ever heard yourself speak? Do you know what your voice sounds like to others? A low monotone or a high-pitched voice can be difficult to understand or grating to the ears. Does the sound of your voice send students to sleep or running for earplugs?

• Be critical of yourself. Try taping your voice - listen to yourself. Where are you slipping up?

• Make your own personal checklist:
  • Are you speaking at the right volume?
  • Does the end of your sentence fall so low that students sitting at the back cannot hear?
  • Are you hemming and hawing too much?
  • Are you speaking too fast?

Student talk Break the monotony and give students plenty of time to talk! It will keep them alert. Make small jokes, be friendly. Names Call students by their name. It sounds warmer and friendlier and lessens the distance between the teacher and learner. The teacher is the best teaching aid. Be sure that you are using yourself to the full effect.

the key of success

today's class is about presentation... one representative for each group, presented their smart board developed material in front of the class. the one that is presenting, basically who is the one that create the best material in their group. talking about secret weapons of the group. the best?? some of them have to repair their work after they receive feedback from their friends. positive comments as well as critics on the materials, given by selected group that prof pointed, before the presentation. i enjoyed today's class as their presentation gave me some ideas on how to improve my materials. this is not plagiarism, guys! it's a process of learning...hehe *wink* I'm not the best of my group, of course but still, i am glad because i was given a chance to improve my work! hopefully, i will be able to produce something that is useful and interactive enough to be use d in classroom teaching. hopefully, insyaallah...!

progress of my assignment

class of 3rd Sept. there was no lecture for today as prof maznah gave us a chance to do our assignment. the smart board assignment. well, i just install the software in my laptop and still in the process of exploring and experimenting. i guess better late than never aite? for this assignment, i will do it for an English subject but just can't figure out which topic to choose. there are a lot of things going on in my thoughts but i can't help my self to feel the fear as i didn't know how to make it interactive yet appealing as what smart board is all about. learning in fun and interactive way. hmm... i hope that my group members can guide me along my way to complete my assignment as i actually quite, not fully *doink*, L.O.S.T... hehe.. but determination is what i need to stay ahead and accomplish success...! but again, this is hard ok. well, based on my performance during my video assignment, ( which is NOT that impressive to compare with others *sigh*), i really hope that i can improved on this assign... but the question is HOW? hmm... just need to think as positive as possible. insya-ALLAH...

COURAGE

In the midst of thunder and storm
Stood firm and fair
In the den of lions
Stood undaunted and unshaken
In the Kingdom of the ruthless
Stood robust and intractable
Through thick and thin
Stood in a posture of perseverance
Through temptations and trepidations
Stood poised to triumph
Under Pressure
Stood steadfast
Under machinations and defamation
Stood confident and unperturbed
Believe in yourself
Such is Hope And Faith!
Keep it up!
Keep “HOPE” Alive!




YESS...! hope is still there. keep it ALIVE!


this poem might reflect today's class. it's all about hope. in today's class, ms chin has taught us about ICT and learning principles in the classroom. i found it very helpful for the 'future' teacher like us. how to integrate technology in classroom teaching? that is why it is important for us to equip ourselves with the correct knowledge so that we can applied it in the classroom. and yess, today's class also help us to ponder upon many things that we need to apply in our assignments. thanks to ms chin, she has showed us our senior's work on the smartboard's assignment and it really help me a lot. when i look at their work, it gives me some kind of idea and inspiration to work on my 3rd assignment. i know that i have to change all my negative attitudes towards my study, to a possitive one. hopefully, all the idea that i have in mind can be apply in thi assignment! *doink!* now, it's only about the matter of time. but, who cares! possitive + ideas = success!!!

the stress is with ME...!!!

today... 3rd ASSIGNMENT is revealed... *doink*. hmm, lots of my friends used to say, 'it's the process of learning. assignment is what campus life is all about'. but for me, STRESS!! yes. they can say whatever they want, bla, bla, bla... but i've tried to work under pressure but definitely, i've failed! hehe.. i know that i can't run from this yet, i'll tried my best to accomplish it. owhh... the 3rd assign is all about the smart board.. we have to design teaching material by using the smart board applications. wow. we just learnt about it last week, and taadddaaaa....!!! here comes the challenge! *sob* *sob* now i really need to find the software so that i can do this assign without any difficulties... but first... really need a day off... so that i can re-charge my battery before i put on my thinking cap, AGAIN! hehe

sMarT? WhaT?

Entered today’s class with the feeling of: s.l.e.e.p.y…! Just managed to sleep about an hour last night due to finishing my assignment. That is why lots of people advising me, never do the assignment at the very last hour. Hehe. But that’s what happened! Even though my eyes were swollen and ‘panda’ eyes started to emerge, I tell myself that I need to keep everything behind as today’s lesson is about the most interactive board ever, the ‘smart board’! This is not new to us as we had been exposed to it since we were in teacher training college, but some of the applications make me in the shadow of doubt. Just like one of my friend says, beyond the shadow of doubt, lies the truth… The ‘shifu’ of the day was miss fanny-cute, energetic yet understanding instructor! (She understands us on why all of us look so sleepy, thank you). Smart board for me, is a tool that can be used by teachers in order to create and interactive yet effective lesson so that the pupils will be interested and motivated to learn. But the problem is, whether the school administrator will provide this magical tool to be used in the school. If not, they had just missed such a golden opportunity to enhance the pupils’ abilities and interest towards the learning process. During our lesson, we were also asked to do some simple presentation by applying the applications that had been taught and create some activities that can be used in the classroom. Since this is not our group’s expertise (*wink*), we consult one of our ‘super-techno’ friend, Hafiz, for further consultation. Thanks to mr.piske! Then, walla! Our work is done! Hehe. Even though it is not that impressive, (due to the time constrain) we were able to present out work in front of everyone. We accept the challenge given and we did it with our utmost integrity. As the sayings say, ‘Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one’. Think deep!

Progress of my video assignment (T_T) *sob...sob...*

With so little time left and confusion of ideas, my video still under serious construction. I still searching for appropriate material for my video (as other people had already producing the storyboard), and the outcome was not as I expected. 3minutes video is not easy as it sounds. There are also so many soft wares that I was not aware of and if I do, I don’t even know how to use or explore it. I keep changing this and that, praying for some rays of hope… so that I can complete my task and able to produce some ‘simple video with big impact’. How I managed to do that? This is not about stress anymore but the producing stage is about effort vs. frustration. But I believe in trial and error. Hope it will lead me to something effective yet convincing enough to at least complete this assignment.

here comes the ‘theoretical’ part....

3rd lesson...hmmm...this is when my major concern become reality...well, to be honest, I'm not that good when it comes to theory, learning models, strategies and etc... but, when Prof. Dr. Raja Maznah told us that today's lesson will be conducted by Ms Chin, the excitement appears... (i really want to hear her voice since the 1st day of lesson...heheh*wink*). well, she presented on several models such as the ASSURE Model, ADDIE Model and D&C model... surprisingly, i was able to participate and response to her presentation regardless of my weaknesses before. actually, what she had presented is related to our previous knowledge and my 'schemata', triggers with excitement and enthusiasm. hehehe....however, for the Dick and Carey Model, i kind of 'lost' in the thin air, maybe because all the input of the model is new to me... so, my attention towards the lecture increased as i really need to adapt all the new knowledge. huhuhu... but, due to the 'noise', my 'affective filter' arises and therefore my attention span, decreases (this is not an excuse, ok)...hehehe....but overall, i enjoyed the lesson as it provides me an opportunity to ASSURE the effectiveness of my lesson, in the future.

first asignment = S.T.R.E.S.S

video editing.. really dun hv any idea about it. i've done video before using windows movie maker but the thing that hit the word stress on me, is the process to come out with 3minutes video, it's complicated. i dun have any idea how my video will look like but i really hope i can do it. this is not about how 'savvy' you are in technology, but we'r talking about creativity and how effective the video that you produce to teach the chosen topic. if i'm stuck somewhere, i hope that my group members can lend me a hand. based on examples and explanation given by Prof. Dr. Raja Maznah and her team (Ms. Ng, Ms. Chin and En. Hafiz), i get some brief idea about it but since my mind yesterday was thinking so hard about how to publish effective yet a creative 3 minutes video, i seems quite blur today. hehehe... hopefully it will turn out well and the video of mine as well as videos of my group members, can be published in youtube, sooner or later. *wink*. today's class also give me some exposure of various kind of video editing software like power director, easy media creator, dvd movie factory and so much more. the thing is, whether i have enough time to explore these softwares. hopefully i can! p.r.a.y.i.n.g...!! wish me luck!!! really need one...!! waa...!!!

How you as a teacher will be learning.

QUESTION 2

Teacher education in learning technologies is essential for teachers to realize technology's full potential in language learning and teaching. Teachers should be equipped by all the latest knowledge of technology that can be used in teaching and learning purposes and can be implemented with reference of the curriculum and the syllabus. There are also many research done that shows the effectiveness of technology-based instruction for language learning. As the students itself had an advanced knowledge with some technology, teacher should have a better knowledge than the students as the teacher should be the one who will transmit the knowledge to the students.
In order to develop the full potential in the learning process of the students, teacher should know the basic technology on how to download certain interesting clips, create a simple video clips or even editing the video or songs that will be suitable for the students’ learning. This will help the teacher to use it as teaching resources in the classroom and bring the students in the wonderful ride of technology in the lesson instead of let the students learn with the traditional methods through chalk and blackboard lesson. For instance, through the movements that appears in the video clips, students can easily learn about verbs, adjective and other language topics. When they were able to see and watch it, they will understand and acquire the knowledge that the teacher tries to transmit. This will eventually make the lesson more productive and enjoyable for the students, especially young learner age between 7 to 9 years old as they would love to see the animation or movements.
Furthermore, we as teacher can also benefited a lot with the help of technology. Besides that saving the time and money to prepare the teaching aids, teacher can also learn how to fully exploit the usage of resources from technology, through out the lesson. Teacher also must have adequate understanding of and appear confidence in various technologies that can be used in the classroom. Besides, teacher should be students’ role model in learning. That is why teacher should shows positive attitudes in front of the students.
In the nutshell, it is important for teachers to have the mastery knowledge of technology or well-known as ICT. It will provide lots of benefit both to teachers as well to the students. As the saying says,
"Who dares to teach must never cease to learn." -- John Cotton Dana

~Questions by Prof.Maznah~

QUESTION 1.

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

In the globalization era, technology can be viewed as a scaffolding tool that should be used effectively during teaching and learning process. Technology becomes a more prevalent part of the education culture with each passing year. Schools cannot ignore the impact of technology and the changing face of curriculum. It can offer a positive impact on the students’ learning as they will be provided an interactive lesson if the teacher integrate technology in the lesson. When the students are interested in learning, eventually they will feel motivated and participate actively in the lesson.
Technology has a lot to offer if the teacher knows the right way to integrate the technology into the curriculum and syllabus of the lesson. As one of the teacher’s roles is to be the director and facilitator in the learning process, it is an essential element for teacher to ensure students’ understanding throughout the lesson. Pupils can easily acquire the understanding when they are interested and fully motivated towards the lesson. When they are in these conducive yet non-threatening conditions, this will eventually decreased the pupils’ affective filter as been proposed by Stephen Krashen in his affective filter hypothesis of his ‘monitor model’ (Lightbown and Spada, 1999) as it had arouse the pupils’ interest and motivation by the usage of technology.
Furthermore, with the used of technology, pupils will be entertained by the beautiful yet variety of colourful pictures and video. This also will trigger the pupils’ aesthetic skills as they will learn to appreciate the art of colour and illustrations that should been displayed by the teachers with the help of technology.
Students nowadays are aware the functions of e-mail and sometimes, they were more advanced than the teacher itself. If the students are able to compose an e-mail to the teacher, a mutual community will be created. Hence, teacher-students relationship will not be limited only when they met at school but they can also interact with each other by using the e-mail. If the students faced some problems regarding their school works, they can just straight away send a questions via e-mail and both teacher and students can discussed on the solution of the problem. Therefore, with this mutual community, it will give a positive impact in the students’ learning as well helped the teacher to ensure success of their students.
In the nutshell, there will be a lot positive implication and impact gained by the students if the teacher are able to integrate the usage of technology, affectively. Students’ attitude towards the learning process should be given the major priority by the teacher to develop the full potential of the students. It is important for the teacher to be able to create or produce something interesting enough with the help from technology in order to grab and sustain the pupils’ interest and curiosity in the pupils’ learning process as what had been said by Anatole France, 1924:
‘The whole art of teaching is only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds for the purpose of satisfying it afterwards’

First Class

let me get started... first class.... b.l.u.r
that was my first impression when i entered the comp lab. basically i know that this course will force me to work harder as i'm not that good when it comes to getting involved with technology.
application, application and application... *sigh*
but that impression changed when we were asked to fill up the questionnaire to know our learning styles. i enjoyed it as it helped me to understand myself, BETTER...hahahah...
Then the envi changed when Prof. Dr. Raja Maznah and her team (Ms. Ng, Ms. Chin and En. Hafiz) entered the comp lab and gave us some brief introduction of the course ( besides enjoying the picture taking and the 'massage' session at the beginning of the class...). the presentation of the slideshow by Prof. Dr. Raja Maznah also had helped me to acquire new knowledge about "PLEaSE". it's not a new vocab for the day but the meaning behind it is more important.
Personalize
Learning
Environment
and
Student
Engagement

that's what PLEaSE is all about. simple word with a big meaning. i admit that students active participation is one of the key of success in teaching and learning process. it will advanced the students understanding when they participate. (that's what happened to me..*sigh*)
this course is getting more interesting later on. (i enjoyed looking at our seniour's picture in the slideshow as well...hehehe) i think dat's just about it. (not bad for my very first post..hehehhe)

p/s: forgive me for any typos or grammar errors. wahahaha.. will work on it to improve.. heheh