Time to be serious.....

Video clip…video clip..video clip…hahaha…This word has been roaming if not haunting the whole class this week. Everywhere you go, you can hear this word. Whether you go to the end of the class or the front! It is like a chant that can be heard every corner in the class. Whatever it is, I am glad that we were given the opportunity to work on the video clip. This gave us the chance to ask the tutors on the video clip. Well, before we were allowed to work on the video clip, there was some presentation on teacherweb, where we have to go online and register ourselves. Unfortunately, we were not able to do so as the server was slow. Nevertheless, after that my group members and I discussed on the video clips and set the criteria for it too. In a nutshell, I would like to say that I am delighted as the time that was given to us was spent to the maximum. Yes, as I mentioned earlier I did some work on the video clip and also had group discussion. As the saying goes “Time is gold”.

Another STEP into technology....

Yes. Models! That is what we learned and were exposed today through lecture. We learned about Dick and Carey model, Assure model and the Addie model. Friends, I am just going to tell the very basic stuffs on these models as I am very sure you all definitely know what they are all about. Basically, the ASSURE model is beneficial for creating courses with the use of various media. It incorporates resources that are out-of-the-class and also technology. Instructors designing online courses may find this model useful. On the other hand, the Dick and Carey model involves a few steps. They are identifying instructional goals, conduct instructional analysis, and identify entry behaviours and learner characteristics and so on. Whereas, the ADDIE model means Analyse, Design, Develop, Implement and Evaluate. Here, these terms are discussed in depth. For instance, learners’ characteristics are spotted, goals are ascertained and instructional problem is elucidated. We sure learned something as the explanation given is crystal clear. Personally, i prefer the ADDIE model as it takes into account learner's characteristics. I am a believer that it plays a crucial role in the teaching and learning process. Without it, the process of learning will not be complete. Moreover, in whatever we do, we need to analyse and plan properly. This is to ensure minimal errors and success in the work. The same goes to teaching. Later on, we were all given time to work on our video clip. I am really grateful as we are given time to complete the video clip. This is so as we are given the opportunity to discuss about the assignments with our members. As we all know, during these few weeks we are bombarded with assignments and tasks for all subjects. It really eased me. Moreover, whatever uncertainties and doubts that were lingering in my mind were cleared as we were able to ask the lecturer and tutors.In a nutshell, the third week for this subject was spent by working on our video clip and we were exposed to the models.

The attack !!!

Well friends, I am very sure that you are all wondering about the title right? Actually, it has a very significant meaning with what I am going to write today. You see, on the 16th of July we had our second class for technology in the primary education class. To my SURPRISE, I found out that the video clip that we are working on is a group work. This is so as initially I thought that it was an individual work. I cannot hide the fact that I was relieved when I heard it was a group work. ‘Hehehe…. better for me, I thought’ as I am not that techno-savvy person you see. Nevertheless, I know that it meant more work for us to do as we (the group members) have to check on each other’s work and comment on it as our marks depends on it. I personally feel that it is a good idea to do so. Usually, when there is an assignment to do, there is a sense of competition. The breeze will tell you so. Now, it is an individual and group work. How? Yes, we have to proceed on the video clip and our friends have to scrutinise it and tell us the pro’s and corns of the video clip. Their ideas and opinions will enable us to improve ourselves and vice-versa. Thus, it leads towards cooperative learning and creates a sense of team work where all play an equal role in making the video clip into a success. So, I feel that this assignment not only help us to learn about video-clipping but also indirectly teaches us on the spirit of team work and critical thinking. As the saying goes, ‘Two heads are better than one’. Oh yes, coming back to the title, it was a kick in the teeth when I heard that it was a group work. I felt that I was attacked by a bombshell that dropped directly on my small head. The bombshell left a good impact though. Yes, it did! All that I was saying earlier. Aaa…haa… yes, about the cooperation thing is a beneficial bang on us. I really cannot describe how delighted I was when I heard about it. After the so called attack to me, we were left to proceed with the discussion. So my group members and I sat and discussed on what we were to do next. After the discussion, we started (individually) working on the video clip. However, here and there we will pose question to each to other seeking clarification about certain things. While starting to work on the video clip I realised that there is a lot of editing work that needs to be done. ‘It is not that easy that I thought it would be’ I remember saying this to myself when I started doing the video clip. Mind you I have not really got into the business yet and I am already telling that it requires a lot of work. Hehehe.. Basically, the class was enjoyable as we were given time to discuss and work on our video clip.

Climbing the Ladder of TEChnology....

When I first heard about this subject, it never cross my mind that in this subject I have to create a blog and view my peers’ blog and comment on it. I thought that this subject will be something connected to software and so on. Well, when I entered the class for first day I realize that I am partially right. It was connected to software and technology but as mentioned earlier I did not expect to create a blog. On the first day, the cohort was blur at first as to which class we are to go in. Later on, we were all told to go together into a class for briefing. There we were told to update our profiles and on how to log in to http://adec.um.edu.my/code/. I was puzzled as it keeps lingering in my mind- Why should I update my profile? What is the purpose? Is it just like Friendster profile? Nevertheless, while updating my profile it opened my eyes on my computer proficiency. I did not reflect before this on my proficiency in computers. All I knew was that whatever work or assignments set by lectures that are related to computers (like recording and so on) will be done. That day I realized there are so many things that I need to learn. Friends, when I say MANY I really mean it. Before this, I did not know about this http://adec.um.edu.my/code/ where university students can log in and discuss with their lectures 24/7 online and check out the latest assignments in store for them. I was still thinking about assignments given on papers. Anyway, this is a real eye opener. It is fun isn’t it? We can all express ourselves in blogs and comment on our friends’ blog. I feel that we are all going to have fun in this class. Yes, after updating our profiles we had a lecture on P.L.E.A.S.E. Professor Raja Maznah lectured us about that. When I first heard about the P.L.E.A.S.E, I thought -What is it? How is it related to our subject? Is Prof. about to set certain rules through P.L.E.A.S.E? Luckily, Prof. Raja Maznah explained that it stands for: P- Personalise L- Learning E- Environment A- And S- Student E- Engagement I feel fortunate as this P.L.E.A.S.E exposes us on what we are expected to do in the class. During the lecture, Prof could see that we were all tired. That’s the speciality of educators, isn’t it? They can detect things that we try our best not to show through our facial expression. And hey, we were given time to relax ourselves. How? Hahaha…massaging session! It really helped me to rejuvenate myself at lest to certain extend. To sum up, this 3 hours lecture really taught me numerous things. From blogging to P.L.E.A.S.E . It was compact with input which is and will be very beneficial to me and my future as a teacher.

technology to teachers ....

Hi everyone…well the name technology is not an alien word to many of us today. I bet even the lower primary knows something about it somehow or rather. So, I 100% agree that technology will leave an impact on the pupils as it involves the way the pupils are going to absorb knowledge. Previously, during our parents’ schooldays and ours, the teaching and learning method was completely different from today. They had to depend on traditional learning aids like picture cards and so on. But today in the era of globalization, technology has immersed itself into the education system itself. We cannot run away from the fact. Therefore, technology is DEFINETLY going to affect on how students are learning.

Formerly, if students wanted to learn about weather for example, the most the teacher could do was show picture cards about weather and explain to them. Well, they sure will understand. But the question is to what EXTEND do they understand. Are we neglecting the individual differences here? What about the visual learners? Wouldn’t it be better if the weathers were shown in a video clip? Wouldn’t they have understood better? Wouldn’t they have taken their level of understanding into a better pace? Do you think that the process of learning would be smoother? Of course yes!! So, coming back to the first question, I agree that technology will affect the way our students are learning by bringing the level of understanding to a greater pace. In other words, students will be able to comprehend the input better as they can actually visualize what they are learning. For instance, as stated earlier the topic weather. They can actually see in the video clip how winter looks like. This is good particularly for Malaysian students who of course have not seen winter before as our country is not a four season country. Yes, I agree we have television and so on, but how many of them watch documentaries and movies especially English movies specifically in the rural area. Thus, I personally feel that we learn better if we are able to see in real what we are learning. In this way, technology affects how students are going to learn.

For the second question, as a future teacher I will definitely try to use and update myself with the latest technology or software in the market. How? Hmm. As we all know, technology changes all the time. Every now and then there would be new software or tools implemented in the classroom. A good example would the smart board. A few years back I am sure many or probably none of us know what a smart board is. But today, we all are familiar with the word and the board. Hehehe. So, as said earlier, technology changes all the time. So, as a teacher I will without doubt learn, use and adapt it to suit my students.

A simple and vivid example would be, let’s say I have been teaching in a school for 10 years. Suddenly, the government implemented a new rule whereby all teachers must learn and insert the new technology (GOD knows what) in the classroom. So, as a teacher, I will surely have to learn the new technology so as to implement it in the classroom. Even if it is not a must, I have to keep up with the times. So, I will surely learn!

tecHNOLOGy

hey people..... i am very excited as this is my first blog. though i know about these blogs long ago..it never cross my mind that i will be blogging as well.. hahaha..as the Bahasa Melayu saying goes ' humans plans but GOD decides'.. i am looking forward to blog and comment on my friends blogs...guess it would be fun..and we will get to learn lots of things together!