Here in the ninth class, we were exposed to the importance of the criteria when evaluating the effectiveness of the activities that we have developed using the smart board. The lecturer was trying to recall back the criterion which has been mentioned by them in the previous class.

The presentation from each group was very interesting in the sense that we could see each others work and some more; we were given the chance to give comments on each others work. Here, we could help each other to improve on our work. For me, it is very good to practice the peer evaluation as by doing this, we will be able to know what is others opinion on our work and by knowing this, we will be able to improve on the flaws later if there is any. I was very impressed to see others piece of work especially the one made by Tengku Nor Amirah. Her smart board task was very colourful with the use of variety of colours, pictures and animated videos. I gave 5 stars to her piece of work. Hehe…

All in all, I would say that this session was very helpful in order to make us foresee our piece of work again and again before handing them in to the lecturers. This was kind of chance given by the lecturer in order to ensure that the final piece of work that had to be handed in is of the highest quality. Hopefully, mine has the criteria of a successful one too and hopefully god will answer it..

Techno blog for the 7^th week (27/8/08)

“Back to the core business”, that was the phrase that comes across my mind as I entered the computer lab for the technology class this week. Hmm, actually the holiday blues was still in the air…but what to do, this is the life of a student, which equals to study, study and study……

As for this week, the lecturer brought me across a tour on the articles regarding the ICT. It tells about why a teacher needs to use the ICT in the classroom, how a teacher should introduce the skills in ICT to the pupils and the benefits of using ICT. From here, I realize that a teacher have to teach the pupils step by step on how to use the ICT appliances. The expectation of the teacher should not be too much or too high depending on the pupils background knowledge. As for example if the pupils have zero knowledge on computer, so the teacher should teach the pupils step by step right from the very basic step and every little progress made by that particular student should be acknowledge by him. This is vital to overcome the fear of computer by the pupils. Based on my experience, one who did not get exposed to the computer has this kind of fear. And in order to get rid of the fear, that person should be allowed to explore the computer by themselves slowly. Once they have the confidence, it would not be a problem anymore. Again, this requires teachers’ effort to provide encouragement and support.

Talking about the benefits of using ICT, I do believe in its efficiencies. It is fast, less time consuming, durable and also easy to manage. As for example, during the past time where a typewriter was used, if there is any mistakes done, then the writing process have to be restart all over again right from the beginning. Somehow, with the use of computer, this kind of mess can be overcome easily by just deleting the particular part only. Besides that, by the use of smart board for example, will save a lot of time and energy especially in making up the teaching aids. This is very different from the traditional method which requires one to cut out papers, draw pictures and paste it onto the manila card. It’s a tiring job after all.

Next, the use of ICT in the classroom also encourages collaborative working spirit. This can be seen when a teacher sets up task that requires pupils to work in groups. Certain period of time will be given to the pupils to work on the given task. For example, they are required to come up with a power point presentation in groups of five. In the process of completing the task, all of them will interact and learn with each other and thus create a meaningful learning situation.

In short, I do agree that ICT have the power to enhance the teaching and learning to the maximum. Despite its shortcoming, there is still more positive insight to be gained.

Techno blog for the 7^th week (27/8/08)

“Back to the core business”, that was the phrase that comes across my mind as I entered the computer lab for the technology class this week. Hmm, actually the holiday blues was still in the air…but what to do, this is the life of a student, which equals to study, study and study……

As for this week, the lecturer brought me across a tour on the articles regarding the ICT. It tells about why a teacher needs to use the ICT in the classroom, how a teacher should introduce the skills in ICT to the pupils and the benefits of using ICT. From here, I realize that a teacher have to teach the pupils step by step on how to use the ICT appliances. The expectation of the teacher should not be too much or too high depending on the pupils background knowledge. As for example if the pupils have zero knowledge on computer, so the teacher should teach the pupils step by step right from the very basic step and every little progress made by that particular student should be acknowledge by him. This is vital to overcome the fear of computer by the pupils. Based on my experience, one who did not get exposed to the computer has this kind of fear. And in order to get rid of the fear, that person should be allowed to explore the computer by themselves slowly. Once they have the confidence, it would not be a problem anymore. Again, this requires teachers’ effort to provide encouragement and support.

Talking about the benefits of using ICT, I do believe in its efficiencies. It is fast, less time consuming, durable and also easy to manage. As for example, during the past time where a typewriter was used, if there is any mistakes done, then the writing process have to be restart all over again right from the beginning. Somehow, with the use of computer, this kind of mess can be overcome easily by just deleting the particular part only. Besides that, by the use of smart board for example, will save a lot of time and energy especially in making up the teaching aids. This is very different from the traditional method which requires one to cut out papers, draw pictures and paste it onto the manila card. It’s a tiring job after all.

Next, the use of ICT in the classroom also encourages collaborative working spirit. This can be seen when a teacher sets up task that requires pupils to work in groups. Certain period of time will be given to the pupils to work on the given task. For example, they are required to come up with a power point presentation in groups of five. In the process of completing the task, all of them will interact and learn with each other and thus create a meaningful learning situation.

In short, I do agree that ICT have the power to enhance the teaching and learning to the maximum. Despite its shortcoming, there is still more positive insight to be gained.

The process of evaluating and reflecting are the normal processes which involved after the implementation of something particularly something which is new in order to see its effectiveness as well as its drawbacks. Same goes with our assignment. The second assignment was just over and now its time for us to reflect and also to evaluate what is the problem that we encountered during the completion of it as well as asking for our suggestion on how to make it better in the future.

Our feedbacks were very important as we were the pioneer group to try out this kind of assignment. The lectures really need to know what is lack here and there and therefore to improve on it. As the saying says, the first one is always the black sheep. So we found out that it is necessary for us to be frank our reflection as well as our evaluation.

Among the questions in the evaluation sheet are on what kind of soft skills that we have developed throughout the completion of the assignment. Other questions are basically about the good and bad experience that we have learnt as we go through the assignment.

As for me, I have developed the skills of downloading video, uploading video, editing the video as well as editing the pictures. I found out all these skills were very important as sometimes teacher cannot just take chunk of videos from the internet and use it in the classroom due to its suitability. Here comes the need of the editing processes.

To end up, I realized that it is very important to have the quality of patience and hardworking in whatever task that we are dealing with. Without it, one will never succeed as the saying, hardworking is the key to success.

I was so happy today as we were going to have a special session with Fenny, one of the facilitator from the Smart board company on how to use the smart board. This is what so called the Smart board workshop which was carried out in order to expose the pupils to the latest version of this technological tool. Actually, we have had this kind of workshop last year during our study in the previous college. However, the smart board has keep on changing as the time flew by, so in order to make us familiar with these new features, we really need this kind of workshop session.

Some of the new features that is provided by this newer version of smart board is the adjustability of its tools and application according to pupils height. This is very important as kids nowadays are smaller in size. Apart from that, the availability of duo screen enabled the teacher to use this smart board to the maximum. As for example the teacher conducted an activity which required the pupils to write up in two different columns on the board. Other extra features are the magic pens which can also be used as magnifier and also page recording where the teacher can simply record the process of problem solving particularly subjects involving calculation. This will definitely save time as well as energy.

Furthermore, we were also given with some of the useful Smart board websites which can be used by us, the future teacher to be to add on on our current features of Smart board. Among the features contain in the websites are the Teacher’s Hub, smart video and also smart exchange. The ‘smart exchange as for example enable us to download the lesson plan from other teachers in the other counties such as US and UK. All of this will make it possible for us to have a variation in our daily lesson plan.

In the end, I would like to say that this session was very helpful in providing me inputs on how to make use of this ‘smart’ tool to the maximum. Though I was a bit tired due to insufficient sleep but still I enjoyed the session very much. Thank you lecturers.

If last week we were introduced to the theories and models, this week the lecturer showed us some useful educational websites which can be integrated with the future kids in the classroom. With the globalization that took place all over the world, teachers have to admit that the education field also needs a change. The information delivered should always be up to date, interesting and also applicable and suitable with the current state of the world. So, with the implementation of these websites, all these problems will be able to be resolved by the teacher. Even if it is not fully resolved, at least this will be able to make the life of a teacher easier and calm.

The ‘Cikgu.net, and the ‘eduwebtv’ are among these kind of websites. I found out that one of the prominent features that capture my attention was that it is of Malaysian context which means that teachers can use it as it is in the classroom without having to adapt it to the suitability of the countries context. This saves a lot of time and energy as we knew that, apart from teaching, teachers were burdened with lots of other extra tasks and works at school. Besides that, the use of Malaysian context in the websites makes it practical to be used with the kids. The exposure to the real life is the most important aspects for the pupils as they are going to face it later in their life. Apart from that, games are provided in these websites which enable the pupils to enjoy while at the same time they gain something. This will be able to alleviate the boredom ways of formal ways of education.

In a nutshell, the introduction to these websites was really an eye opener for me as a future teacher to be. It really gives me insights and new ideas on the teaching resources that are available outside to be used in my future classroom.

This week’s class concerned more with the theories and models underpinned the implementation of the technology in our education field which makes it different from the previous class. I find it heavy and quite boring when it comes to the theory and models as it deals with facts. But, what to do, there were times when it comes to theory, and also the application of it. So I think, I just want to enjoy it.

Here, the lecturer also mentioned about our next assignment which is the assignment three. Huhu, what a day! I thought to myself as I have not even completed the given assignment on the video and to my worries, the due date is approaching. I was very sure that this coming assignment will be harder and more complex but I do not make myself worry too much about it. I will try to complete it one by one and I believe that I can do it. For now, I will concentrate on my dynamic video assignment. There were still lots of things need to be done regarding the video.

The models that was taught today was called the ASSURE model. The name has already conjured up its usage in the process of planning the classroom teaching and learning activity. It provides me with the prominent information on how to develop the right resources and materials using the technology to be used with my future primary kids.

Besides that, there was one more model that was introduced which is the ADDIE model. This model concerned more with the aspect in the development of the teaching and learning process starting from the analyzing stage up until the final stage which is the evaluation stage.

In short, I realized that it is not a matter of memorizing the models but the most important is to understand it and to be able to apply it later with the future generation. Learning the facts without applying it is just a waste of time.