Tuesday, July 29, 2008

The 3 Models

I read again and again about last week's lecture notes and I was trying to relate them to the use of technology in classroom. Well, indeed, a slow learner I am!

I could see that there are quite a number of similarities among the three models. Each model has its own strengths and weaknesses. I have gone through many theories and models and I realise that theorist A would say his/her theory is more appropriate and theorist B would say the same way like A does. And I wonder, why don't all theorists sit together, have a cup of coffee in Starbucks and come out with one theory which everyone agrees at!

LoL.

Back to my business here.

I think if the three models, namely, ADDIE Model, ASSURE Model and Dick and Carey Instructional Design Model, combine together, I believe we teachers can achieve what we intend to.

I strongly agree with the three models saying that analysing and identifying are pretty important procedures to start or plan a lesson. We have to take the pupils' learning styles, their existing/prior knowledge/ schemata, the needs of our pupils, their learning problems and the goals and objectives into consideration. Every single thing that I mentioned earlier plays equal role to achieve the outcome of a lesson.

The selection of materials should also be used. Many teachers are reluctant to find sources to use in classroom. I am not trying to say that I am better than them as I believe EXPERIENCE TELLS EVERYTHING. Yet, despite the time factor, learning with interesting materials would definitely enhance learning. According to Piaget, pupils are able to understand a concept better when there is a concrete material that enables them to visualise as they learn.

In ASSURE Model, there is one stage where teachers have to preview and prepare the materials as well as to provide the learning experience. I think it is important for the teachers to preview the materials prepared the day before the lesson, especially when we are using teachnology. We do not know what might happen on that day itself. Hence, prieviweing would save much time on that particular day.

Learners' participation also needs to be noted. If there is no participation, the learning is not meaningful as pupils are not given the opportunities to engage themselves in the process of learning. During the presentation stage, pupils should be actively involved so that the teacher can do a simple assessment to see how much they have learnt. A simple yet useful approach in teaching.

Lastly, evaluation comes into ACTION! Evaluating means a lot for teachers as well as pupils. When a teacher does evaluation, the result tells how much the pupils have learnt from that lesson and what are the things that need to be improve or reinforce. On top of that, it serves as 'wake up call' for teachers so that they will not conduct a 'teacher oriented' classroom but 'pupils oriented' classroom. Not to forget, pupils will be 'awake' from their dreams and pull up their socks before they sit for the final examination.

Models are somehow a guide for us so that we are able to deliver a lesson well. I know it is important but I may not know how effective is it to use the models in a real classroom. Thus, these models will be saved in my mind and I shall open this file once I am out for my teaching practicum.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

The first attempt in video recording!

What an amazing weekend I had had.
I started off with drawing the skeleton on my story board with as much information as possible. Initially, I wanted to do more things, put more effects etc in my video but it was just unworkable.
The moment when I first recorded my video, it was almost 12am. I thougt it wouldnt take much of my time as it was just a 3 minute video. But, guys, trust me... I only manage to finish it around 7am. Urgh..... Conclusion is, you should have enough sleep before you get to work! hohoho...
Suggestion - do record your video in the midnight (if possible) because there are going to be interruption that might affect your whole process!
Enjoy!

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

15th of July 2008

It's the first day we can officialy get things started.
Though it was a beginning, it seemed like the end because I don't know where should I begin. There are so many things need us to plan, to prepare, to get ready with our digital camera, practise again and again so that we can get the best shot ever!
It sounds really fun. Again, challenge is there!
No matter how difficult it is, no matter how much time we need to get it done, I believe our final product will definitely make us smile.
WE CAN DO IT! Let's be the director! ( whispering.... of our own video which no one might ever discover)
hohoho....

I recently browsed a video regarding technology application in primary school in US ( I supposed). Really good. They have the Smartboard (no longer new to us), peer response system, wireless slates, ipods, new computer software. Really good. Is an eye opener for me and I believe it is gonna make u amazed with the technology available in western country.

I wanted to post the video up but I tried for thousand times and I still couoldnt manage to do it.
I shall paste the url below and you people and go and have a look.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XceOCq8ue9c

Enjoy.

Cheerio!

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Technology Technology Technology

It has been almost a week plus I'm in UM. Surprisingly, I am still alive but half dead!
I am gonna die if the word technology is continuing drowning me down till I couldnt have a minute to take a deep breath!
I just ask for a break though I know there is no handbrake for me! :x

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Some thoughts to ponder

Undoubtedly, technology is playing a role in classroom. I am sure many of us would be aware of technical errors, no electrical current (esp in rural areas). How could we use ICT then? as for laptops, we could use the battery. What about smartboard? What about LCD projectors?

If we were in that situation, do we have a choice not to use flascards, wordcards, display sheets?

Technology could be a marvellous tool in life but it also could destroy our 'lesson plans'.

So, our backup lesson plans should go along with traditional methodolgy. Am I right? Paper and pencil, chalk and talk... Or, someone have a better plan in case of electrical failure?

Do ponder.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

My thoughts on 'NEXT GENERATION LEARNING'

Here comes my second blog!

So, technology - a big word that tells everything about this world. Computers, Handphones, Smartboard, LCD projectors, Bluetooth, GPRS, Wi-fi............. Just imagine, if one day, all these things no longer exist, what kind of lifestyle are we heading? The world is going to be a mess. Technology has become a part of us and we couldn't afford to lose it.

Same goes to the field of education. Children at the age of 7 own a handphone, know how to deal with computer(at least the basic like typing and printing). There is a visible transformation of world. Educators should transform the metholody applied in classroom as well. It does not only help the sustain the pupils' attention in the lesson but also conveys the message or lesson effectively. For instance, if a teacher were to teach the sound of animals, record those sounds and play in the classroom. Isn't better than telling 'A cow moos, A cat meow...' (Boring!)

The two questions that Prof. Maznah posted had made me thought deeply. Yes. Technology will definitely help our pupils to learn better. The word "PLEASE" would certainly come into play. The environment would be different when there is technology in teaching and learning process. Computer is no longer an 'alien' to a primary school kid. With teachnology in classroom, they can use their imagination to come out with different things. For instance, if a teacher would like to teach greetings, technology would definitely make the learning interesting. They could probably surf the net on how to greet a friend on his/her birthday. Then, they could use Microsoft Publisher to come up with a card. I think it's an interesting activity which is applicable. Technology provides pupils the opportunity for the pupils to explore the world themselves. Teachers no longer teach but facilitate. I think that's what learning should be. All these while, our education system is more to the teacher-centered. Pupils learn best when they explore themselves and that would definitely make them remember what they have done. So, tthe objective of our lesson is achieved! Moreover, technology helps widening the pupils' general knowledge. They learn about other country's culture, their norms via internet. How does an igloo look like? It can be easily shown with just a click! Marvellous, isn't it?

As for teacher, I think learning is an life long process. We cant stop learning till the day we lay ourselves in a casket. >.<
We, teahcers should always follow the path of technology because some pupils might have better skills in technology. If we just use LCD, movies... that would not attract them much. Teachers should make those movies personalised. How? Through movie maker! Once the pupils see themselve sin the movie, they would just get excited about it and their attention is successfully grasped. Many teachers would stop themselves from improving themselves in their teaching. I think the teacher should always be alert with the latest technology that can be used in classroom. Go for short courses where many new and latest stuf could be learnt. For instance, 'Flash' is something good that can be used. Learn and use in teaching. Learning a skill especially in technology needs patience. Those trials and errors that we encounter would make us learn.

Teachers have been using blackboard and whiteboard all these years. We are entering the field of teaching and we should be able to prove to the people that teachers in 2010 are not teachers that would use chalk and blackboard solely but SMARTBOARD! When SMARTBOARDs are available, use them! Don't hesitate to learn the skill. Surf the net on how to use the smartbboard. The first time might be a bit difficult but it will definitely make you a better teacher. NO harm to learn more!

Let's make it a change!

Hey people...

Way to go.... This is my first blog entry as a PKEY-ian.
I won't say that I am very good in technology but still there's much more for me to polish up my skills.

There are certain things which I find it quite interesting to take up this course. Despite the reason that we have no choice but to take it, don't you think is indeed very nice that we couold stay online even though we are in a lecture? Where can we do that? In college? No way! But, somehow, college life differs from university life.

There's only one thing I could say about what I mentioned above! Technology.

What's so great about technology?

Read my upcoming blog.

By the way, how could I upload a picture in my blog if I want to? Not in my profile. Anyone knows? I tried but it says what Html error or somethign like that.

Ciao.