Soft skills that I have learnt from PKEY 3101

Time flies. It's the end of the semester.

I could still remember vivdly what I was expecting from this course in July and all the ridiculous thoughts that I had in mind. Initially, I thought technology could not be applied in real classroom because of timing, fund... So, why should I learn?

Everything was wrong wrong wrong! I have indeed learnt more than expected. I have learnt more about technology in classroom, materials that are created by using technology, interpersonal skill (which is a must for teachers)...

Communication played a major role in this course. Learning with friends are indeed very good but at times, there willl definitely be arguments, dissatisfaction... Hence, patience is one of the things that I have gained from this course. I have learnt to accept criticism, learn to be more considerate towards other people's situation. Communication was needed so that we were able to share our thoughts and ideas.

Critical thinking and problem solving - Yes. I have improved myself! I could still remember the first time I showed my video assgnment to Prof. Tonnes of questions were thrown to me and I couldnt utter a single word to defend my work! What a shame! 'Why do we need this when we can just deminstrate in classroom?' , 'Why do you use this colour?' , 'Why this?' and 'Why that?' Those questions were an alarm to me when I am doing assignments till today. A good lesson that I learned!

Team work - All our assignments were basically team work! I always like team work. Some people told me that individual work is better that working in a team! Well, I think there are pros and cons. Team work is very good because we can share ideas, exchange materials, discussion. Basically, team work allows us to use our strength to help friends who are weak in the area which we are strong in and vice versa. Cons? We have to again 'communicate' with each other to meet up and discuss. Well, for me, that is not a major problem if I dun have something on.

Leadership - When we elect someone as a leader, we should respect him or her. And as a leader, we have to be considerate as well. Leaders should not misuse their power. Leadership is important for us as future teachers. From this course, I learnt to respect and obey. At times, I think we have to voice out when we have a better idea. Leaders are human and human make mistakes!

Ethics and professional values were also being learnt! Every assignment taht we produced, we have to view and evaluate them from professional point of view. For instance, the materials we developed, are they humiliating other people's religion and culture, are we discriminating certain pupils... As teachers, we should be an all rounder and professional! We should be equal to all pupils' production. Just like what we did within our group.

Life long learning. Yes. Definitely. Making a video, using IWB are what I have learnt. Yet, I would not stop just there. I know the basic of these things and I think I can do better by exploring more on IWB and video making so that I can produce better production time to time. So, when I am doing my teaching in the future, I am able to produce something good.

Entrepreneurship. Erm. Can we sell our own videos? Well, I am too sure about this but I think if there's a chance when someday, MoE comes to me and asked me to create activites with IWB in classroom, maybe I can start my small business from there! Teaching materials such as videos, songs and so on. Perhaps it could be done in the future. But, if it wasn't this course, I don't think I will be able to learn all these precious knowledge!