What can a rubber fish do?

Last week, the 3rd assignment of PKEY3101 came to the end. We handed in the SmartBoard activities that we had compiled and burned in a CD. I really felt happy that my group members and I succeed to complete them. Suddenly, my attention turned to the rubber fishes which were brought out from Prof Maznah’s bag. The squeaky sound made by the fishes had attracted many people to look. In a split second, Prof Maznah threw the fishes, one after another to us. Almost everyone was shock of her act. Then, Prof Maznah asked those who were holding fishes to throw at their friends. I saw the fishes were ‘flying’ everywhere around the classroom. The whole class was involved. I had a chance to grab one of the fishes. I quickly took it and threw it at my target, Aichoo. She was in fear as well as excited when I was about to throw at her. Without wasting time, I just threw and OH NO! The fish landed on Azliza’s head. Azliza was tremendously shock yet she was laughing about it. Then, the fish flung somewhere else. It was really fun! After that, Prof Maznah asked us to reflect on the purpose of asking the pupils to throw the fishes around. We agreed that this activity is good enough to be used in set induction of a lesson in order to grab pupils’ attention and also arouse their interest on the topic. In my point of view, this activity also awake pupils who are less energetic and low concentration to learn. Besides that, Prof Maznah told us that it is not necessary for teachers to prepare or spend much to attract pupils. I totally agree with Prof Maznah. There is no need we as teachers to struggle a lot in order to draw pupils’ attention. We could just utilize simple things in a fun way that brings excitement for children.

Reconstructing SmartBoard activities

After preparing hard on the SmartBoard activities, it was time for us to present them in front of Dr. Maznah, Ms Ng, Ms Chin, Mr Hafiz and other class members. My heart was galloping fast because afraid that Dr Maznah would call out my name to present my SmartBoard activities. Even though I had completed 90 % of the work, I was not actually satisfied with it. I know there was something lacking in my activities. Thus, I was not confident enough to present. During the three hours of PKEY3101 lesson, I really focused on the presentation of others. Some SmartBoard activities were designed to be simple and easy to handle. Whereas, some activities were created with quite attractive animations and videos. As for me, all were “PERFECT” and I was amazed with their exploration of SmartBoard software. However, after each presentation, we reviewed on it and figured out that almost all the activities presented had plus and minus. Dr Maznah as well as the students pointed on the good side and weaknesses of the activities so that they can mend the activities to be better and the rest can gain some ideas out of it. Prof Maznah highlighted on certain features that should be taken into consideration when constructing the SmartBoard activities. For instance, the font size must not be too small as the children at the back would be struggling and straining their eyes to see. Besides that, the background color of the activities and images can be used to attract the pupils. However, it should not distract the pupils from receiving input. In addition to that, the number of questions in a slide should be limited to one or two. I was very glad that Prof Maznah gave us the tips which were very useful to all of us. In order to avoid further mistakes, I showed my SmartBoard activities to Ms Chin and Ms Ng right after the presentation. They both patiently looked at mine and told the positive and negative effects if my activities are used in future with primary school children. At first, I was very sad and disappointed because I need to change the whole activities as Ms Ng said there is no connection between each task. However, I was relieved and thankful when Ms Ng said it is still early to do changes and she gave me some ideas. I began working with the SmartBoard activities that night and finally completed them. Now, I am very satisfied and confident with my activities.

Working with SMARTboard software

As we know, we are required to construct English, Mathematics or Science lessons using the SMARTboard software as our 3rd assignment.Day and night I was designing and mending the activities for better product. However, yesterday I got to know that I was working on the activities using the trial version of the SMARTboard. No wonder the countdown of days was keep appearing on my laptop screen. I was panic when I could not open the SMARTboard folder. I tried to activate the software on my own bt it was unsuccessful. I realized that some of my friends face the same situation too. Thanks to my friend, Wai Lai Yee for informing me on the activation of the software through product key. So, my dear SMARTboard-users, please do not be like me...do not use trial version of the SMARTboard. Activate the software as soon as possible for your own convience.

SMARTBOARD-Surely smart

On last Wednesday, Ms. Fenny greeted and welcomed with her warm smile to learn the use of Interactive SmartBoard. Ms. Fenny who we were familiar with, did not feel exhausted to share her previous knowledge with us on the integration of SmartBoard into the process of classroom teaching and learning. Through the three hours lecture, i have gained a lot of information on the usage of this interactive board. Due to this, we are required to create a 5 slides activities for primary pupils using SmartBoard tools. First, during the process of creating these activities, I learn to drag a word text or picture from one place to another. Besides that, I also have learned to match from one point of idea to another when a designing a matching activity. Furthermore, I learn on how to group a word text and a basic shape so that they move together. I also learn on how to use fancy lines to beautify a slide.This tool can be used, for instance,when pupils are required to create a birthday card. During the lecture, I had the opportunity to learn on how to clone a picture to several copies. I definitely agree that SmartBoard can make the learning language fun and interesting as it involves colorful and motion pictures. Besides that, SmartBoard allows teachers to bring the outside world into the classroom. Therefore, SmartBoard is a beneficial gadget for teachers to work with.

The fruitful models

Previous week, we learnt on the models that explain on the instructional learning system. Even though the models look simple, they surely helpful for instructors to design online courses. These models emphasize constructivist learning where pupils are encouraged to interact with environment (Net) and not passively receive information from teachers. The names are 'ASSURE', 'ADDIE' and 'DICK & CAREY' models. One of the models that attracts me the most is 'ASSURE' model. This is because the steps in this model have been arranged in a very simple and systematic way.The model begins with 'A' for analysing the learners. The purpose is to understand the general characteristics of the learners. Then, 'S' stands for state objectives which is to determine the learning outcomes. After that, the letter 'S' for select methods, media and materials where teachers must select and prepare the appropriate aids for pupils' learning. Then, 'U' for utilizing media and materials. The 'R' for requiring learners' participation in the classroom lesson so that can maximum pupils' learning. The 'E' for evaluating and revising in order to measure the students' progress.The model surely demonstrates a good flow of planning, implementing and evaluating (PIE). This model indirectly help us as teachers to conduct lessons systematically in classrooms.

Video clip-under construction

Do you agree that the teaching and learning process can be effective when we integrate different types of technological widgets, websites and courseware into the lesson? I, of course…
For instance, during my SEP program at SK Desa Tasik, I observed that the science teacher tend to play science video clips and CD-ROMs for the pupils to watch more compare to asking them to read or refer to science books. The primary school pupils were also being interactive as they responded actively to the motion facts and images displayed on the screen. The pupils also could recall easier the pictures and scientific terms from the clips when teacher reflected the lesson. It is crystal clear that one of the ways that pupils’ learning take place is by viewing video clips. So, as teachers, we should be able to prepare video-clips to assist the teaching and learning in classroom. Therefore, now through this course project, we were given the opportunity to create a 3-minute video clip, using our creative strategies in order to teach topic for English, Science or Mathematics. As for me, I have decided to teach a grammar point, prepositions by capturing the video of the positions and movements of an artificial mouse. The equipment that I going to use to shoot is probably my hand phone video. Besides that, I would be using Windows Movie Maker to edit this video clip. However, I don’t have the basic knowledge to use this software and I was quite nervous about it. Fortunately, through ADEC, instructions and examples related to educational video clips were displayed for us by Prof.Maznah and Ms.Ng. Thus, it helps me to learn the basic features of Windows Movie Maker such as importing video, adding effects, splitting clips and so on. Hence, I’m working hard on it as I learn from my friends and browse net for info in order to prepare a video clip for an effective and attractive learning tool.So, good luck for the rest too...

Handy Technology for Teachers...

Dear TESL students,
As you know, technology use is indeed vital for nowadays primary schooling. Therefore, as teachers, we must develop our ICT skills one step higher than the pupils. By using technological gadgets for pupils, teachers could also learn many beneficial things. For instance, by browsing through Internet for video-clips related to a science lesson, the teacher could enhance his or her general knowledge on the science facts and concepts. Thus, the teacher could share them with pupils and colleagues in school.
Besides that, through some educational webpages, teachers will be exposed to new pedagogical methods of teaching. Hence, the teachers could practice these methods to make the lesson in classroom interesting and also widen their experience of teaching. If we say the word 'technology', it is not limited to computers and Internet. Technology widely covers on other multimedia tools like cameras. Those days, teachers usually describe a thing or and event verbally to students. However, teachers began to realize that children of the pre-operational stage, as said by Jean Piaget, understand better if the learning is supported by concrete things. Hence, nowadays teachers tend to use digital cameras to capture pictures of outside classroom environment for pupils' learning. In a nutshell, we as trainee teachers should start pampering ourself with these multimedia tools for an effective learning of our future pupils.