>> Overall Reflection <<

The End of the Course…

Finally this course has come to an end not only for this course but all the courses for this semester. I fell so relieved because there are no more assignments and tasks need to be completed. As the time goes by, I can reflect that there are many things has happened during this course. There are bittersweet memories in completing the assignments and tasks with all of my friends. I have learnt lots from this course. Some of the thought than can I share with all…

1. What I like about blogging?

First of all, blogging is the place where we can express our thought, feeling and make reflection about what have been learnt for the day and also reflection on our readings. That is the main reason I like about blogging. In addition, through blogging, I can share my opinion and ideas with my friends. We can discuss about something that we do not know I also can get new useful information from my friends about new software or anything regarding this course. Indirectly, blogging also improve my communication skills as this is one of the medium to communicate with others. Since this is the first time that I used blogging. I think blogging is a good medium to express thought and ideas and share with others.

2. What have they gained from blogging?

Language skills, improved fluency, critical thinking, improved thought processes, technology skills etc.Personally, I think I have gained lots through blogging. My language skill has little bit improved as I can practice my writing skill in order to reflect about everything that has been learnt in the class through this blog. In my opinion, I have develop my critical thinking a lot as I need to think critically before I can write my reflection after the lesson in the class. Then, sharing opinions and ideas with friends also make me gained my critical thinking. But there are the times when I can’t apply my higher order thinking skill because my mind has been block with something else. And the most importantly, blogging has improved my technology skills as I have learnt lots about technology became more technology literate.

3. How?

I think maybe by sharing opinions and thoughts. In addition, we reflection on the topic learnt need to considered many aspects and this will enhance or promote critical thinking. There is lots of writing and this will practice language skills in writing.

4. What I like about the course

This course has make me became a technology literate person as everything is done using technology. By hook or by crook, I must equip myself with the knowledge and skills of technology as we all know that technology has been integrated in the teaching and learning process nowadays. In addition, there are many other things that have been learnt such as learning models, pupils conditioned and matters that are related for teaching and learning process in future. This course is really prepared me to become a good teacher in future. I really enjoy this course, learn new things, acquire useful knowledge and build my confidence in order to be a good teacher too.

5. What I have learnt from the course?

Technology skills such blogging, creating video, smart board, learning models, gain soft skills. As I said earlier, this course has prepared me to be a good teacher in future. I have learnt how to produce an educational video as a teaching aid in the teaching and learning process. There are lots of creativity can be seen through the making of the video. It is not easy to create an educational video as lots of aspects need to be considered. In addition, I also learnt about the learning models which are really important for a teacher to know because it is really related towards the teaching and learning progression. Another skill is designing activities using smart board. This skill is very useful as it might be integrated in school in future. With the basic skills that I have, I will integrate it in the classroom in future. I also gain some soft skill from this course. The most important skill is cooperation. I realize that cooperation is the key word in the learning process. We really need others in helping us if we do not about something. Then, new knowledge can be acquired. Overall, I enjoyed learn in this course.

To put in a nutshell, actually this is not the end of the journey. It is just an experienced that I get along the journey. The journey is very long to be reach. However, I am satisfied with the overall performance in this course. I have gained so many things from this course. Lots of thanks to the lecturers and tutors because all of you had given me lots of inputs and useful knowledge in preparing me to be a better teacher in future. I also want to say thank you to all of my friends for helping me in the process of learning. Without your cooperation, I might have trouble to go through it. Thank you… loves you all…

ETeMS programme???

I think it is not too late for me to discuss about this matter because I have done some research about it. That is why I really want to share my findings to everyone.

What is ETeMS programme? It is English for teaching Mathematics and Science programme. This programme ha been introduced in 2003. For more information about this programme, you can visit this link:

http://www.tutor.com.my/tutor/bpg/index.htm

Actually this programme has been introduced in order to improve English among students and teachers in our education field. However, if there any progress from this programme or it is just make decrease pupils’ performance? In my opinion, this programme is very good because we will improve our education standard parallel with the needs of the job market nowadays.

I have done some interviews regarding this matter in one school. According to the teachers in the school, this programme is not quite success because of the weaknesses in the English performance. The main reason is because the Mathematics and Science teachers are not enough proficient with English language. However, the teachers have done their best in order to achieve the objective of this programme. They have put many effort to make it success such as involve in buddy-support system. Although the performance is not quite satisfied, but in my opinion, this is a good start to improve our English standard. Gives more times to the teachers and I am sure they will succeed to do it.

Are we going to continue in English or revert to Bahasa Malaysia? (Refer to the article in The Star dated 24 August 2008). This is the main question that has been reported regarding the weak achievement in the Mathematics and Science subject. After reading the article, I agree that we should continue to teach in English. The main reason is because this programme has been for 5 years. There is so much precious time, effort and money had been sacrifice in ensuring this programme succeeds. So we need to continue to teach in English.
Overall, this ETeMs programme is very benefit to the pupils because in can improve their English language proficiency. But, as a teacher, we must improve our level of English competency to the highest level. I myself still working on it, and I hope that I will success in being a good teacher in future.

- Promoting the usage of the school computer lab -

Education field in Malaysia nowadays wants to promote the integration of technology in the teaching & learning process. That is why most of the school nowadays has their own computer laboratory that is equip with at least some computers with the internet connection. In my opinion, as a teacher, we should promote the usage of computer lab in order to achieve some the objectives of the lesson in.

How to promote the use of computer lab? One of the ways is by held computer classes for pupils at least once a week. First of all we need to equip pupils with the knowledge or skills to handle the computer. As for example are how to turn on or turn off the computer, how to use the mouse, how to type and some basic skills about computers. This is because, not all of the pupils have the opportunities in handling the computer at home. So, this kind of classes will encourage them to learn and this also will motivate them to use technology in their learning process. Then, other subjects can be done by using technology.

Furthermore, teacher also can promote the usage of computer lab by organizing programmes that integrate technology in teaching and learning process the example that I can state here is “Program Bestari”. I have seen the teaching and learning process based on this programme in a school in Kuala Lumpur just few months ago. This programme integrate the use of computer lab because all the teaching and learning needs the use of computer pupils are taught to use “Mind Manager Software”, serve the internet to find some pictures for their project and also to produce their own Microsoft power point presentation. In my opinion, this kind of programme is very useful in promoting the use of computer lab.

In addition, the most important thing is the school authority should try to upgrade the maintenance in school computer lab in order to motivate pupils to use technology. Problems such as low internet connection and not enough computers for each pupil may occur in the school. As a result it will make pupils not interested to take part in the activity that is being carried out. They may get bored to wait for long time in order to download something or to search the resources. This will demotivate pupils in their learning. So, try to upgrade the facilities in order to promote enjoyable and meaningful learning.

In conclusion, teacher should play their role in promoting the usage of computer lab. If there are no encouragements from the teachers, how can pupils get interested to learn using the technology? We should develop their interest in using technology first, then, it can be integrated in our teaching and learning process. So, as a teacher, try to promote the integration of technology in the school. We should do the changes in order to upgrade our education standard parallel with other modern world.

>>> My Future Classroom <<<

In my dreams, my future classroom should equip with enough teaching and learning tools such as Smart board, LCD projector, computers, networking and air conditioned. It is such a wonderful dream. But it is ok right, although it just a dream, maybe my future classroom will be a reality in future. Hopefully it not just remains as my dream. So, with these facilities, I can practice and apply what I have learned here in University Malaya, I mean based on the subject 'Technology in ESL Classroom'.

In new modern era nowadays, technology gives great impact towards educational field. Many teachers want to integrate technology into the teaching and learning process. This is because technology can enhance the participation in the class. It also can promote advance learning as pupils can interact with others by using technology. As for example, each class will be provided with computers and there is internet connection. While they are learning, they will serve for the internet and find some useful resources for their learning. This is what will call technology integration.

Smart board is the useful tool that should be equip in each classroom. This is because it will help teachers to create some interactive activities and it will motivate pupils to take part in the classroom teaching and learning process. As we all as a university student also excited to used this interactive whiteboard, just imagine how a child’s reaction towards the use of it. It must be fun and enjoyable yet meaningful. So, hopefully, interactive whiteboard will be equipped in my future classroom.

There are many reasons why I really want my future classroom will be equipped with all those modern technologies. First, it will give comfortable condition to the pupils. Second, it will promote the integration of the technology which is so important for the teaching and learning process nowadays. Moreover, we as future teachers can bring difference to education; especially in teaching language. Plus, technology now is a demand in our globalization era. Thus, this teaching and learning process will be parallel with the current educational conditions. In addition, it will promote pupils centered learning as they can do their work by working with their friends in the classroom.

I really agree that technology is good in enhancing teaching and learning process. However, sometimes it will ruin our plan. As a teacher, we need to consider some matters such as electricity problems ('bulb blown out'). All these problems will disturb the lesson during the teaching and learning process. That's why, backup plan should also be prepared in order to ensure teaching and learning process can be carried out smoothly; even without the technology. I cannot deny that traditional way is still have its values in teaching and learning process. In my opinion, I will integrate both technology and non technology materials in my future classroom.

To put in a nutshell, I hope that my future classroom will became a reality. The reason is because it really useful in helping to enhance the teaching and learning process. Our job as a teacher also can be challenging because teachers should equip themselves with knowledge and skills regarding those technologies. However, it will make our job easier too.

more smartboard presentation....

For that week, we can see there are some improvements for the smartboard activities. So do I because I have done it almost 100%. Then, when I watched more presentation from my friends, I became afraid whether my activities is appropriate with my learning objective or not. I am confused right now. Luckily there are another week to complete my assignment..hopefully I will success to do it.

I will try my best to do my assignment... there are many skills that I need learn in order to ensure my presentation is better for the last touch up...

smartboard presentation...

today we are given some time to look at the presentation in the classroom regarding our assignments. some of our friends had been presented their work that are using smart board. some of them are really put lots of effort to do their best for the activities. i enjoyed watching the presentation and i also learn so many things.

in my opinion, this is very good as we can hear good and bad comment about our work. we can improve our work and do it better next time.

i also learn more as i also can get some ideas for my assignment too. as for example when one of my friends had done link fot the answers of the activities. i felt interested and i asked them how to do it since i don't know how to do. then, i can acquire new knowledge about smartboard.

i felt very happy and hoping that this assignment can be completed successfully.

smart board

Smart board also called interactive whiteborad(IWB). Nowadays, this technology is very famous in educational. This is because this tool is very helpful in making the teaching and learning process become more interactive and atrractive. For more info about the definition of smartboard, you can search this link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMART_Board_interactive_whiteboard

We met miss Fenny Setiawan for the second time. At the first time we met, she introduced us with smartboard and teach us how to use it. For this time, she shared withus the latest version of SMART board software. There are more interactive tools to enhance the lesson. This new software is very useful to us as we need to do the third asignment which is designing the activities using the smartboard.

Hope I will get to use and will practise to use the interactive whiteboard and who knows one day I will use it in my real teaching and learning activities in future. Hopefully this link will give broader view and some on how to create the task by using the smartboard:

http://www.bristolvaschools.org/mwarren/SBActivities.htm

Have fun learning with new and modern technology
^^smartboard= interactive whiteboard^^