final reflection..

assalamualaikum..

this is probably the last entry for my blog..=p..so, what have i learned from this blogging stuff?
being a new blogger, i was quite fascinated and excited to write since all my thoughts can be shared by people from all over the world. there was nothing that i don't lke about blogging..i felt that this is a new way of learning as i gained a lot from being a blogger..i have improved my language and writing skill as i don't like to write before..since i had to reflect on what have i learned in class, my critical thinking skill improved as well and i could share what i had in mind with my classmates and lecturers..as for this course, i've learned a lot on how to develop teaching materials especially those involved technology. but, using technology alone was not effective..we had to use the traditional one as well..so, this course should focus on both, instead of technology only. but, learning to use technology was good for me since i'm not a technology savvy..there were lots of things that i've learnt such as, creating my own video, uploading in youtube and converting the files. however, i did not expect to do tutorials for every task and assignment that i've done..this was totally new for me..well, have to admit that tutorials made my life miserable as i had to print screen every details and steps taken to develop each material...

well, those were my thoughts for this course..having said that, i enjoyed this class so much..till we meet again guys!

final destination!!!

assalamualaikum...



today is the last day of our resources class n of course it's the exam day..the exam started at 10 o'clock in the morning..in the computer lab 1..i came a bit early on that day and able to have my breakfast before the exam started..i wasn't really sure whether i'm fully prepared to answer those questions..unfortunately,i had no choice but to read the questions and started to answer them..there were 4 questions that very alien to me..well, the reason was..i did not read the notes given!! poor me..=p..suddenly, ideas bombarded into my head as i tried to attempt the first question..then move to the second..third..and fourth question..luckily, i managed to answer everything although the answers that i gave might not be the exact answer that Pn Foziah expected..well..pray to God that i do not have to repeat this paper..very tough indeed!

learning through games!!FUN and EDUCATIONAL

assaalamualaikum..

since all the assignments have been completed, i could feel the joy and fun attending the class today..there is definitely not much thing to think about as in previous classes since this is the last class before we had our final exam next week..

but, the time that we still have shouldn't be waste just like that..in today's class, Pn. Foziah has shown us a collection of cd's of educational software for children..Educational software is computer software, the primary purpose of which is teaching or self-learning. The design of educational software programmes for children use has been influenced strongly by computer gamimg concepts – in other words, they are designed to be fun as well as educational. However as far as possible a distinction should be drawn between proper learning titles (such as these) and software where the gaming outweighs the educational value (described later).

these are the selected reports and academic articles that could explain more on this educational software..

Judi Johnson, “Then, Now and Beyond… A Look at the Past 30 Years of Educational Software” in Learning & Leading with Technology Volume 30 Number 7 (2003)
Warren Buckleitner, “The State Of Children's Software Evaluation--Yesterday, Today And In The 21st Century” in Information Technology in Childhood Education (1999), 211-220
Virvou, M., Katsionis, G., & Manos, K. (2005). "Combining Software Games with Education: Evaluation of its Educational Effectiveness." Educational Technology & Society, 8 (2), 54-65.
J. Enrique Hinostrozam & Harvey Mellar, "Considering Pedagogy in the Design, Development and Evaluation of Educational Software" (2000?)
Said Khalifa, Chris Bloor, Walter Middelton, Chris Jones. “Educational computer software, technical, criteria, and Quality” in Proceedings of the Information Systems Education Conference 2000
"An Environmental Scan of Children’s Interactive Media from 2000 to 2002" (An executive summary prepared for by Just Kid Inc., June 2002)
Seels, B. (1989). The instructional design movement in educational technology. Educational Technology, May, 11-15. http://www.coe.uh.edu/courses/cuin6373/idhistory/1960.html
Niemiec, R.P. & Walberg, H.T. (1989). From teaching machines to microcomputers: Some milestones in the history of computer-based instruction. Journal of Research on Computing in Education, 21(3), 263-276. http://www.coe.uh.edu/courses/cuin6373/idhistory/ibm.html

enjoy reading!!!

assignment 3 awaits us!!!

assalamualaikum..

it's glad to hear that assignment 3 is our last assignment...having said that, this is the toughest of all and i'm sure all my cohort mate will agree with me..for this task, i have to devise four lesson plans including four skills namely listening, speaking, reading and writing..we also need to develop our own teaching materials and explain how to develop them in the tutorials..

the topic that i got was "let's put it together" for year 1..this topic is basically the last topic for year 1 pupils and it's the combination of all topic learned throughout the year..so it was a bit easier for me since i had a various topic to choose..

nevertheless..i still had to struggle to finish all the works..one lesson plan is ok..but 4 lesson plan in an assignment..definitely could kill me..lots of work need to be done for this assignment..i'm still confuse why it's consider as group work if everyone of us in the group do different things and the marks that we will get is individual marks..not counted as group marks..but, it won't stop me from giving my best in this assignment ..i'll try my best..GOOD LUCK to me!!!

analyzing research papers..

assalamualaikum..

as usual..new task for new week..this week our lecturer asked us to find at least two research materials that discuss/report on the research in using teaching aids in the classroom. The materials could be in the form of a book, journal articles, reports and theses and Project Paper report. Then using an article analysis form, i have to read the article and then carry out an analysis. The division of the article especially the introduction to the research, the statement of the problem, the significance of the study/research, the research Question, the Methodology of the research, the analysis of the data and finally the findings, conclusion and the implications of the study.

finding an article is easy..but an article with all the requirement things that need to be analyzed was so difficult..besides, each and everyone of us cannot use the same article..but i managed to find one and still waiting for Pn. Foziah's approval..

since i am already in the Hari Raya mood..i leave out all the task and assignments behind and enjoy my Hari Raya to the fullest!!but, it's only for a few days..the rest of the month i have to continue my work and start to focus on exams..

to all my lecturers and friends..Happy Eid Mubarak..sorry for all the wrong doings!!=p

let's publish our works!

assalamualaikum...

this week we have been introduced to the microsoft publisher..very common name as this software has been in my laptop throughout the years..but to be honest..i never used it before and the worst part is i don't know how to use it...well, this is the reason i love resources very much..i always learn a new thing..and this week my task is to explore this software..thanks to Pn. Foziah..this task required us to do in pairs..so the burden will be lesser..

i started to explore this thing in the computer lab..there were four things to do in pairs which are pamphlet, book cover, business card and poster..and we were given freedom to pick the theme..so here, i can develop my own creativity in developing those materials...Pn. Foziah did helped me in exploring this software when she passed through me and my partner..guess she could see that we were getting a headache!!..well,as i get to know this software, if ound out that it was not so difficult to use..and i managed to do all four things needed.

in addition to this work, we had to do the newsletter..this time in group of five..my team partner are edora, kasthuri, fadliyana, kamal and mukmin..here we learn to cooperate and collaborate in order to ensure that our graphic will be a tip-top!!

well, for those newbies out there who eager to learn the microsoft publisher,here is link for the tutorial that could help you guys..enjoy!!
http://www.bcschools.net/staff/PublisherHelp.htm

ninth week reflection

assalamualaikum..

this week was the ninth week of class...well, i didn't realize that the time flies so fast..seems like yesterday was the first day i met Pn. Foziah...since every week we had task to do..it showed that i've done many tasks already...so IMPRESSED with myself..=p.

back to business..this week Pn. Foziah introduced a useful website for us..here is the link..http://www.onetruemedia.com/...Its is an alternative video making website which utilize three simple words namely ‘upload’, ‘choose a style’ and ‘wow everyone’..things became simpler with this website..we just have to choose a mixture of pictures and videos and the web will add on effects to make them wow-worthy..besides, the web is F.O.C..but of course we have to sign up first...all we need is only an email account..that's all..from only simple pictures and videos, the web will make them extraordinary wonderful!!it's actually a good web for teachers like me..i can use it as teaching materials in my classroom..the children must be interested to learn when they see colourful and interesting pictures with great effects!

coursebook- take it or leave it

assalamualaikum..

well, today was a presentation day...the topic that we get was "Working with a coursebook"
What's a coursebook in aid of, really? Why do we always have to do the exercises on page, say, 45 and not those on 62? Are we supposed to write a letter instead of a descriptive essay?" and so on and so forth. Experience has provided me with an answer, albeit a tentative one. I have partly realized the necessity of a coursebook in English language classroom but I am still all at sea when I try to teach English according to some rule or method prescribed by this or that book. as a teacher to be, i do not pride myself on being a good one, yet I feel that this dilemma of mine is shared by many teachers and students - at whom the coursebook is aimed, after all!

throughout my experiences as a practical teacher, sometimes I catch a glimpse of my students scratching their heads, listening to me with cloth ears, reminding me that something is going on. Yes. Something is going on! Whether this has to do with my teaching strategies or the books I choose, the fact remains that we all have to ponder on our inclination to use one coursebook instead of two or this coursebook instead of that! Someone once said that a bad coursebook is better than none, but this is no consolation, really. Much to my chagrin, there is no magic wand to wave and put things right, even though a lot of teachers and students seem to regard a textbook as such.

No doubt, a coursebook is looked upon as an indispensable vehicle for second language acquisition whose validity and significance are seldom impugned. In my opinion, many students working on a coursebook feel secure and have a sense of progress and achievement. They always have a book to relate to; they are not groping in the dark. Consequently, they become more confident and satisfied, as they tackle the target language within a certain framework.

Furthermore, a textbook provides them with the opportunity to go back and revise. They can also use the textbook for self-study and as a reference tool. Besides, a well-illustrated book, interspersed with eye-catching phrases and sensational pictures or titles, is preferable to tons of photocopied material, which teachers and students often take a dim view of.

Certainly, a coursebook is held in high regard by the anxious teacher who strives to put his / her message across, to teach the necessary vocabulary and help the students to acquire and consolidate the four skills: reading, writing, listening, speaking. It is a kind of panacea, a sine qua non for him; something that can bear the full brunt of the preparations for the lesson - obviating the need to produce or photocopy material, on his or her part - and thus take the sting out of a tiring, exasperating day.

Personally, I find a coursebook extremely helpful, as it guides me on what and how to teach, giving me some useful advice on the best techniques for presenting the material. How else could I make up all these stories found in every coursebook that efficiently illustrate a tense or introduce the relevant vocabulary? I am always pressed for time! How else could I write all these long or short articles on various topics, with which I only have a nodding acquaintance, while simultaneously trying to make my material presentable and workable? Without a textbook, everything would be a fine kettle of fish! There would be no guidelines, no signposts; students would feel insecure and teachers would rack their brains to collect, edit and photocopy materials - which are culled from other textbooks!

I am well aware that a coursebook has a very important role to play in the classroom. Indubitably, it is a repositoryof ideas which the teacher and the students can draw on and avail themselves of. Nevertheless, I think that we have accorded it too much importance, without bothering to see its "side-effects." It is often the case that the students get the wrong idea that the textbook is there to "do the job" for them; they no longer have to think, to work towards a goal, i.e., learning the foreign language. They always follow a regular pattern: they read a text, then they answer some questions, then they discuss, then they write a letter, then, they do not have to worry, although they are eventually fed up with this monolithic process. What they have come to appreciate, that is, the book, they most detest; and what they have come to regard as indispensable, they find meretricious and unbearable - and I am on their side! There are times when I want to break loose from the meshesof its conventions; when I feel constrained by its sequence of activities and units. Yet, there has to be a textbook!

So, what is the bottom line? Do we have to toe the line, to inure ourselves to the idea of teaching English with a textbook that someone else has chosen for us? Do we really have to have a coursebook that imposes its presence on us and our students? Should we dispense with it altogether? We do not have to dispense with the textbook. We only have to disabuse ourselves of the tendency to take a coursebook as gospel. Nothing should be taken at face value. No textbook is good enough. The onus is on the teacher to tap into its sources and potential. If we feel constrained and want to provide remedial work or further exercises, and we want to do all this in our own, individual way, then we should put our textbook aside and compose our own opera! It all boils down to our expectations and the goals we set, and whether we are prepared or willing to implement new ideas and methods. Of course, we cannot go about blaming our inefficiency on textbooks! It is always ourselves that we have to criticize when "something is going on"...

seventh week reflection

assalamualaikum to everyone..

today was the day that we were supposed to submit our e-book n Alhamdulillah I managed to finish the task within the time given..well, it was such a relieved in realizing that another assignment was done..

unfortunately..no so welcome news came from our representative..another task awaits us!!!this time, we had to devise resources for teaching the four language skills..we had to work in group of four and as usual the group must be in multiracial..as i was struggling to find a group to work with, Mark invited me n edora to join him and komathi..so, we were the fantastic four now..with 2 malays, a chinese and an indian..=p..

back to the task..each group has to choose a topic and devise a task for each skill;listening, speaking, reading and writing..to be fair,my group use the drawlord technique..n lucky me..i had to do the speaking skill..we chose the topic of places..

for my task, i picked the market as my main subject as market is a familiar place for children..devising a task for speaking skill wasn't as difficult as developing the tutorial..to be honest, i hate the tutorial part..the printscreen thing was not easy as it looks..

hopefully i can finish this task early so that i could focus on other subject as well...GOOD LUCK for me!!

sixth week

assalamualaikum...

each week we had something to do and this week our task is creating an E-Book..well, what is E-Book??..according to wikipedia, the free encyclopedia..An e-book (for electronic book: also ebook) is the digital media equivalent of a conventional printed book. Such documents are usually read on personal computers, or on dedicated hardware devices known as e-book readers or e-book devices.

actually, e-book is a new term for me..frankly, i never heard of such thing and this is the reason why i further my studies; to gain more knowledge..=p..

here is the link to get some examples of e-book..
http://www.teachingvalues.com/ebooks.html

as this is a pair work..my partner, edora and i choose to teach water cycle..so,we collect materials from various resources such as books, internets, and brochures and combined everything inside the ebook..but of course by following the correct format...

let's forget the ebook for a while..this week we had to do two task actually..and this one is more important for me as it is called ASSIGNMENT..for this assignment, we are required to use our downloading skill in order to download the video of the "Earth Song" by Michael Jackson. we have to extract the audio from the video and captured frames from the video. all the material gathered from the video then should be manipulated in order to be used in developing teaching aids for lesson in a classroom. adding on the assignment, we had to find another video and do the same thing as the Earth Song video!!!this assignment was killing me!!..well, what more i can say..GOOD LUCK guys!!

w.o.r.k.l.o.a.d.e.d

many assignments at one time!!!..how am i going to do all that in a very short of time..well, i'm not really good in time management..so,i'm sure that i will face difficulties to do all the works..
today, Pn. Foziah already gave us the assignments that we are going to do..as well as the percentage for each assignment..regarding the assignment,there were some confusing of what should be done..many of us were not clear about it..maybe it's because we have to explore everything by our own and still not use to this kind of learning..well,now i learned that life in UM is all about being independent!..and don't rely too much on the lecturers..that's all folks..=p

edited photo..

well, one of my friends did help me to edit my photo as an example..he taught me on how to use the adobe photoshop cs3..well, since he himself edited the picture..i can't send it to Pn. Foziah..So i
decided to share the photo in my blog..credit to aloy!

photo editing drives me crazy!!

last week was a mess for me..the photo editing tutorial really drives me crazy..i wasn't good enough in editing any kind of photos..well, i still believe that real pictures are still the best!!haha..

the dateline was on sunday..well, a bit relieved as i had some times to prepare the edited version of my picture.

then..i've heard that it has to be sent on the saturday midnite..which means the very first minute before the day was changed to sunday..because of misunderstanding n miscommunication..i couldn't upload the picture to photobucket on time..actually, it was my mistake too..i didn't open the adec website quite a long time..so, i didn't get the latest info about it..

now...what's going to happen with my marks...i wonder...

my e-book..

my group members; farah, shu ling, kamarul, nisa, and nona hv agreed to pick the story of goldilocks and the three bears as our theme project for the assignment 3. the story is simple yet gives a huge impact to the children as it has moral values that children can learn from. we thought of acting ourselves as the characters in the story..but, these are only our plan..n a plan does change even until the last minute..for those who forget about this story..i've the picture here..it may help to activate your schemata about this story!huhu..

goldilocks and the three bears

my very first entry~~=p

STERN and STRICT..those two words can best describe my thought when i met PN. Foziah for the first time..BUT, as our first class went through..i should admit that i was wrong..she was friendly..she shared a lot about her experiences in many places..n the best part was..she even knew the story of hanakimi! that's my favourite story of all time..=p..having said that, don't mess up with her..that's my advice..

this subject requires me to work a lot with technology..which i'm not really good with..luckily, i was surrounded by 'techno savvy' people.. they make my life easier..well, "that's what friends are for"..hopefully my group can finish our first assignment on time..please pray for us!..huhu..