Just Thoughts

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2008-08-01T01:57:00.001-07:00

Slidecasting 101

2008-07-30T00:46:00.001-07:00

ICT in my teaching and learning practices

2008-07-26T06:07:00.000-07:00

It has been quite sometime that I write in my blog. I just uploaded my presentation at International Conference of Education and Innovation (ICEI) 2008.

The presentation is about what I have done in my school, being an ordinary day school in Shah Alam. To ask me how I did it, look through the slides. I believe in lifelong learning and doing that, I never stop learning (especially online), well, proved to be beneficial, especially when I have a "teacher" who never stops me from getting knowledge from her (thanks to Prof Raja!).

ICT innovative practices in a Malaysian school

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Podcasting

2008-02-16T18:02:00.000-08:00

As curious as usual, I now am trying podcasting.

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On Smartboards

2008-01-31T17:02:00.000-08:00

I may get a smartboard for my school if I can explore the usage, train others to use it and carry out a research especially on the effectiveness of using smartboards as a learning tool.

So much of doing a teaching module huh:) So probably I need to find out what would the teachers benefit from using the smartboard IN RELATION TO THE TOPIC I INTEND TO RESEARCH ON.

May be, I can still design something for teachers, but use the smartboard as an added or the learning tool for teachers...wow, there's a lot to do!! I wonder where do I go wrong in conceptualizing my ideas? Have I started a little bit narrow? Now my literature map has another added component - the teaching module, the future skills, the gap in EST syllabus, the use of web 2.0 ..and now the smartboards.

But I have found links to the use of smartboards, the thing that I like is that it is claimed that the smartboard can help in solving problems of lacking computer access. But..how do I use only one smartboard with many learners? How high is the level of thinking that can be applied when using the board? How do I get to enhance my teaching by using the smartboard, other than for the sake of using the technology?

I need to explore.

New media literacies in learning

2008-01-27T21:33:00.000-08:00

I found this informative slideshare on Multiple Literacies:

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Skills for sustainable future

2008-01-27T20:45:00.000-08:00

I am still searching for what would be the skills needed by our young generations for their future. I started off with the word "sustainable future" and am still reading about them. What I can see is that sustainable future is mostly used in environmental education. So what is the scope for environmental education? Still am searching too.

I found a sample of book in the Internet: "Studying Society and Enviroment: A Guide For Teachers" that explains the meaning of sustainable. What catches me is the 3 Strategies that needs to be applied in educating the youngs for the future:

1. "balance of emphasis in education between reproducing existing social system and promoting social change";
2.development of teaching and learning processes that stresses on "moral virtues, ethical discernment, learning how to learn, reflection, creativity, civic mindedness, and the motivation and abilities to work with others" in building sustainable future; and
3. Focusing on the school as "a sustainable community and seek to provide the students with practical experience in building sustainable school."

I start of somewhere...so now I understand that if I would like to refer the skills for our future as "sustainable future skills" I may need to define and have a list of the skills required.

Hmm...still a long way to go!

Get things right!

2008-01-24T17:51:00.000-08:00

Too many things in my mind now, having started a personal reading program on research and also defining the meaning of curriculum. I have yet started my literature review seriously, still, I managed to find a few good and latest article in current trends of educational technology.

It bugs me greatly to know that they are practitioners who claim that technology have done wonders in teaching. Personally, it is not the technology that does magical transformation but how the teacher/ trainer integrate technology into his or her teaching processes. A good foundation on the trends of technology in education through reading should be the answer. The emphasis by instructional technologies worlwide is now on "technology-enhanced instructional designed learning environment" as such the technology or media should not be evaluated or looked into in isolation. It has to be with the approches or methods used together with the technology. As what Prof Raja said, "it should be the people that we teach first", not thinking about which technology we are using before knowing the problem of the learners.

So, my research will be what problem my learners are facing now, in school? I am thinking about the lack of soft skills being planned and integrated in teaching and learning. Ad I am thinking of the common practice of ICT integration with all the facilities provided by the Ministry. Combined with the claims of Web 2.0 that can facilitate communication and collaboration eith no boundaries. Hmmm, that could make a good current research in terms of developing modules. Yet, will be current enough in another 2-3 years? That one I need to think again!

What is Web 2.0?

2008-01-17T22:31:00.001-08:00

Actually, I should have put in this slideshare before creative learning with 2.0:)

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Web 2.0

2007-12-20T23:28:00.000-08:00

Thanks to my friend, Norhisham, who has introduced me to Web 2.0. Some ideas on Web 2.0 in classroom.

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PhD Comics

2007-12-14T23:22:00.001-08:00

Found interesting comics on PhD:

Slides on PhD

2007-12-14T22:44:00.001-08:00

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How to use slideshare

2007-12-14T22:36:00.000-08:00

I am learning how to use slideshare. Consider this as an experiment.

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Starting PhD

2007-12-13T02:09:00.000-08:00

This blog will deal a lot on how to do PhD for the coming months. I have just read an article on how to be a good gradute student by deJardins (1994), quite enlightening, especially to somebody new like me.

These are the tasks I need to do first:

1. If I have not found any topic area to do research on, then I have to look for books and current journals or conference to find out.
2. Then in doing research, I have to think of what to do EVERYDAY BY:
- KEEPING A JOURNAL OF MY RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND IDEAS
- read, read and think and respond as I read
- put any material I have found in a file and BUILD AN ONLINE BIBLIOGRAPHY (LIKE BIBTEX)
- stay motivated (set regular meetings with supervisor, attend conference and have EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES)
- important: SET DAILY, WEEKLY AND MONTHLY GOALS ( break down any project activities ino smaller, manageable
pieces)
- Take ONE DAY AT A TIME...DECIDE TASKS THAT CAN BE accomplished even in an hour or less

SO I need to be discipline and have a planning file ot journal for my Research. As what I am doing in this blog.

Today, I completed reading an article...despite my morning sickness, WONDERFUL!!

A fruitful day

2007-12-11T05:09:00.001-08:00

I am feeling wonderful today, despite my morning and afternoon sicknesses. A prayer to God last night is answered.

Well, I went to ETD and met a few people. The best thing is meeting my long lost friend, Norhaida. Then meeting razman to discuss leave really puts me into alert. There are many things I need to complete as my preparation for Phd. BUT I found something good for me on Phd for beginners at:
http://www.uq.edu.au/student-services/linkto/phdwriting/fr_phsta.html

So tonight, I will need to learn something from the site, good for dummies like me!!

I am paying a visit to Prof tomorrow, hopefully, God will give me another fine day like today, and my baby behaves!!

SOLO taxonomy

2007-12-09T16:18:00.000-08:00

What have I learned during my Level of Competency Assessment course recently? I learned about SOLO Taxonomy.

SOLO stands for Structure of Observed Learning Outcomes, basically it is to measure the learning outcomes of your students. There is a very clear description of what outcomes this taxonomy has at the following link:
http://asp2.wlv.ac.uk/celt/pgce/popup/solo_tax2.htm

This page even categorised the five levels of learning outcomes into LO of quantity, and LO of quality. Good for you to think about what your students be learning from your classes. I totally go for the quality of it, meaning level no.5, yup, teachers should be teaching the students to grasp the concepts (so that they will achieve the intended learning outcome) and facilitating learning beyond the intended, like of level 5.

In a short description, learners should be learning FOR LIFE.

Beneficial course-cum-assessment to attend, even if it nearly "killed" me with the stress!!!

Exhibition in PICC

2007-11-21T23:15:00.000-08:00

Managed to complete the booth with the girls and cikgu Syed. We had many visitors, most were interested in knowing the activities done by the reporters.

A day of exhaustion

2007-11-21T06:50:00.000-08:00

It's 10 to 11 and I can't hardly open my eyes. I've been going to and fro my school as I kept forgetting things. But..yes, mind you, there are matters and incidents that happened today THAT I CANNOT FORGET.

Whatever it is, I dearly would like to thank my two students for accompanying me since Monday. We have a project - an exhibition- to be completed. Sandra and Syafiqa are more than helpful...they have been angels!

I should also never should forget to mention about some of the ETD officers who have been very accommodating. Truth is, these people never failed to impress me with their care and courtesy.

So what have I learned today?

Kids can go beyond what you expect when given the chance. That goes well with Sandra and Syafiqa. The latter is making personalized chocolates to give away!! And Sandra for being very, very concerned with things that may not happen:)

Tight schedule does not necessarily make people less courteous. Would say that well to those from ETD. That's the spirit.

OH I DO LEARNED SOMETHING DISTURBING TODAY...I may have to pretend that I am so lowly foolish and the queen of stupidity to one person in particular...a person who never cease to make my life miserable. May God bless this individual with happy life as she is soooooo unhappy being herself!!

Well, penning off as my eyelids are rebelling against me...yaawwwn.

The Road Less Travelled...a new journey has begun

2007-11-19T07:27:00.000-08:00

The moment that I have been anticipating has arrived. I now at the beginning of a new journey where I can spend ample time doing things I love...creating ideas for the love of lifelong learning. I left behind a few projects that I need to improve on especially in my quest of making people realized the importance of embracing changes in the 21st century.

At least in many of my students I have taught in a couple of years, the notion of learning and individualization in learning have already invaded their minds. I hope that in future there will be more than few people among us that will not stress on learning for the sake of passing examination. I hope that the less preferred professions or careers will become a norm...and nobody is a FAILURE.

For the sake of future generations....

Reflection 1

2007-11-11T05:06:00.000-08:00

I have not been writing for such a loooong time! Well, I am out of words then!

It just dawn onto me that I the school holiday is just starting and I am NOT GOING TO BE TEACHING in my school anymore...It also makes me realize how I will miss my students dearly especially those who have made my years in S9 so wonderful and memorable.

Those students who never complained of the plentiful work I have dumped onto them; those who have ways of comforting me when I feel down and useless as a teacher; those who make me shed tears of joy and wonder...those whom I will hold dearly in my heart as long as I live.

Thank you and I will miss all of you.

Some reflections

2007-04-19T04:04:00.000-07:00

I can see that some of my students are catching up with the blog creation. What's next?
I will like to see each of them present once I come back from my course. Each of them.

As for English, I have just started Campaign For Rewards or C4R. Well, I have plans to make students produce blogs too, but as options.

ICT classes, the Form 5 students have quite a lot to accomplish. I need to remind them to again identify the components of a motherboard. The Form 4 is actually doing the same thing.

Then again, I hope to remember doing things that I should.

The Beginning of a New Blog

2007-04-18T05:09:00.000-07:00

I'm laughing at myself, having forgotten my own username and password for my old blog! Age is catching up, I guess.

Anyway, just say that it is good for me to have a new blog dedicated especially for my work and my students' contributions. Mind you, these kids are more advanced than me especially in designing blogs.. Well, let's say that this is a new age of learning, knowledge is shared, as such I am not the sole reference of knowledge. No harm to let your hair down and say "my, you know this better than me...let me learn that from you..."

GTG, then.