time to put my thinking cap! v(",)v

Time to put a thinking cap!! My future classroom? Actually I am afraid to say it. Afraid I might be too ambitious…but then, I still want to imagine and dream on my future classroom….surely, I want a conducive classroom, not only for me to be comfortable to teach. But also for all my kids in the classroom. They need that more right?

As what Suhaili and I had posted in ADEC, we would like to have smartboard, a television and peripheral learning in our classroom.

Thus, I can conclude here that actually what I dream my future classroom to has is that both traditional and the latest stuff. I began to think what I have learned at IPIK and here. At IPIK, more on traditional method, still technology is not left behind. But then, here we focus more on technology as it is the latest. Thus, for me both are important. I remember what I have read in a book that mankind actually easily bored with the same things. It means that we can’t bear doing the same job forever. Thus, the variety of materials used in classroom as teaching aids should serve this basic mankind characteristic.

I also dream to have a classroom where my pupils can freely move and arrange their tables to suit any activities that I prepare, means I need a big class. There should be a space to put smartboard with LCD already fixed like in our lab. There will be also a televison set, a few computers and at one corner there will reading corner with all the reading materials and pupils’ work. On the wall, there should be updated charts and latest info that serve the peripheral learning. Is this too much? Hope not. And hope that could comfort all my pupils so that help them learn better. InsyaAllah…

FISH PHILOSOPHY

BE THERE + PLAY +MAKE THEIR DAY + CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE = FISH ATTITUDE…the four simple to write, simple to say practices yet difficult to practice. Still I do agree that the four practices of Fish attitude if practiced or employed could create a positive workplace. As in term of being a teacher, I think these are what I should learn and force my self to embrace. It is because and I do admit that I am not practicing all that fully yet. Back to the article on Fish Philosophy, I like to quote this favourite and I regard as beautiful sentence, "We're not afraid to use words like ‘love’ and ‘soul’ and ‘spirit’, because those are an essential part of our humanity”. Ermm..what do you think? Doesn’t this sentence strike you? From my opinion and experience, I think these most essential part of human sometimes are incidentally forgotten. Not that we don’t appreciate that part of humanity or in simple word, the human touch, but then we always think it already in us. But then, ‘human touch’ should be expressed or shown so that the people around us know how we appreciate them. Thus, the four practices of Fish philosophy could help us to improve this part. In teaching, knowledge and theory and lesson are not the only main focus. If teacher can’t be able to reach pupils' heart, it might be a tough job for teacher right? Teachers (especially me, as a future teacher) should always remember that children and even all human being has emotional state and effective filter that determine how much they can take what the environment gives to them.

There is also one more thing that I would like to share. As related to the Fish philosophy of the four practices, it reminds me on a book that I read entitled ‘Life is an open secret’ by Zabrina A. Bakar. She mentioned about what Federick L. Collins said which is ‘There are two types of people-those who come in into a room and say, “Well, here I am!” and those who came in and say, “Ah, there you are”’. Well, this make me questioned myself am I a ‘well, here I am’ person who always be there to those needed or am I just the one who is “Ah, there you are”? Now I know why one of the Fish practice is BE THERE. She also states an answer that came from our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) which is ‘Do not belittle even the smallest act of kindness, even if it were no more than meeting your brother with a smiling and cheerful face’. This can be related with one of the four practices which is MAKE THEIR DAY, am I right? Thus, after reading the Fish Philosophy, I get one more answer besides of what she has gave me.:)

Article research

During the short break (hari raya holidays) while searching materials for PBEY3102 assignment, I came across an article research which had captured my eyes...it was Prof Maznah's research paper on Deployment Of Ict: A Case For The Interactive Whiteboard. So, absolutely I quickly downloaded it and read it. From the article research I got to know how the development of the use of interactive whiteboard in UK. Surely they already advanced compared to Malaysia as the Smartboard is just being introduced here. Prof also mentioned how they were supported by the government, led by a national body – the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta) – that oversees, manages and monitors the “ICT in Education” progress. This shows how UK is very concern on deployment of ICT in education and want to make it a success.
Throughout my reading on this article, I gave much attention on one subtopic which is "Teacher preparation". In my opinion, this topic is important for me as a future teacher in order to bring ICT in classroom where training and practicing should be main concern. It is true because how good technology depends much on how teacher implement it to make sure teaching and learning become better. Thus, I think that I should consider what Kelly (2005) said that teachers should develop four abilities in using ICT which are
-Subject knowledge – knowing what to teach.
-The way to teach – knowing how to structure lessons, and what interactions to build into
the lessons, especially when using the IWB.
-Attitude –- knowing that it is alright to make mistakes.
- Fluency in the use of ICT – learning one good skill then moving on to learn new ones.
These four skills are important as to ensure what we teach is effective and understandable and encourage pupils' participation.
I think, Smartboard that I am learning about now and that is slowly implemented in our schools can be useful software for teachers and students. Personally, I like to use it and found it effective as long as teachers know how to benefit it by preparing suitable activities that enable students become alive and interactive. I am not putting aside our traditional board, but then, this Smart Board do assist teacher's teaching and help in creating fun and interactive learning environment. but then, there were still a lot that i should explore and learn about this software. Really hope can use it wisely. Actually, every time I look Prof , tutors and Miss Fenny using Smartboard, I wish I also can use it one day..

I think, it is better for you all to read this article research for further reading.
so, this is the link for the article...

pppjj.usm.my/mojit/articles/pdf/0406/09-Raja-Maznah_UM-final.pdf

Presentation

This is the real presentation week. I am so grateful, at last I am able to complete this assignment. However, I am so nervous as my group members ask me to present representing our group. But then, we did not get the chance today as Prof gave all of us some more time to improve. There were only 4 groups that had presented their work. The others got another chance to fix and look over what should be improved. This should be an opportunity for all of us to come out with a marvelous and great job. From the comment given by Prof and tutors, I could say there are a lot to be considered. What I have mentioned in previous post, the knowledge of child psychology is very important. They are our audience and we should consider what they like, what they able to do, what motivates them and so on. One more important thing that I can say from the presentation is that this is a good way of improving the work. It is because, when we are doing the activities, we rarely see much what are the weakness or strength. But then, after other people see it and give their view, only then we sees our weakness and strength. It is so good. That’s one more the importance of grouping. Sharing ideas and discussing. :)

Assignment 3

This week we are still working on the Assignment 3 which is developing activities using Smart Board. I am still struggling to finish it. Preparing activities using Smart Board is different from using usual method or usual board. There are a lot techniques and tools need to be discovered to make full use of the Smart Board. When exploring what it serves, I just can say this is so good, marvelous. Children could like this technique where they can join during the teaching process. But then, it just does if the activities prepared are suitable and suit the learners and also the Smart Board’s function. Further more, the features teachers used in the activities should be interesting and welcoming to encourage pupils’ participation. That what need to be bear in my mind all the while throughout completing this assignment. Besides, other factors should be considered such as the font, the colour, the pictures and the instructions. All should be suit to my major audience, the little Malaysian who are their physical, cognitive and social growth yet to be full developed. Therefore, what I can say, it is not easy to prepare this interactive activities using Smart Board. Creativity and knowledge on children psychology play important part. I remembered what Tolley mentioned in his article, that this line somehow struck my mind….

“You cannot hold the butterfly (of excellent performance) inside a text-book – it is transient or ephemeral – it needs to be seen to be believed.”

Yup. Depending on text book per say does assure how far pupils understand what have been taught. When teachers can see pupils’ response, teachers can get immediate message whether they are on the right track. On the other hand, pupils also can get immediate feedback. Means, if they are wrong, teachers can correct on the spot and this can be shared with other pupils. Teaching what pupils can see and touch and do, make them understand better.

This week also, my group has been chosen to share what we have done. We chose one of our group members’ works to be presented. Actually, I am so grateful as after presenting and get feedback, we can see what should be improved and changed. As what I say above, they are a lot of factors to be considered in preparing this teaching aid. Luckily, there is still time for my group members and me to improve.

7th week

This 7th week, we learned about “ICT And The Learning Principles Of The Primary School Curriculum”. I think, this topic is really beneficial for all educators. In Malaysia context, the integration of ICT in education is not really vast due to certain unavoidable problems. However, towards the developing of ICT in our country, everybody especially educators should know about this. Firstly, we should understand the three fundamental approaches in using ICT which are Learning about ICT, Learning with ICT and Learning through ICT. Before able to use it, we should know well how ICT can help us. Then only we can exploit the use of it to the most. Yet, learners or children should be exposed to this approaches also as they were our core product. In order for our country to develop as an ICT country with ICT literate citizens, learning using ICT play great role. This is one ways for children to be more open minded in learning. For instance, through ICT, they can be encouraged to be more independent learner as to find further information in the internet. They also can be exposed to distant learning and conference. Thus, they will not feel reluctant to use ICT for educational purposes. It is not to be used as entertainment purposes only. Further more, using ICT, teachers can enhance their teaching as they can adapt and adopt various latest teaching and learning technique from internet and by using ICT tools. This will help them to ensure the progression of students parallel with the needs of current requirement.
So, start updates our ICT knowledge so that we can impart the knowledge to our students and share with them. We shoulder a great responsibility to ensure our next generation is ICT literate.

take a look for a while:)

Impact of animated cartoon pictures Animated cartoon pictures are targeted mainly towards children. They can have a positive as well as negative influence on children depending upon the theme and the content. The animated pictures contain a wide array of content matter and messages that may influence children in many different ways. There are some cartoons that are neutral and purely meant for entertainment, some are educational but some are violent to the core. Take a peek at the good side of cartoon pictures, they are fun, entertaining and a good way to rewind oneself. Moreover, some of them even have a positive influence on kids. In the year 2005, Sesame Street, the educational puppet cartoon series, launched its Healthy Habits for Life series. This was televised with an aim to encourage young kids to lead more dynamic and nutritious lifestyles. Healthy Habits For Life featured Wyclef Jean, the rapper, singing and applauding the benefits of fruits and veggies. The puppets and animated pictures in Sesame Street were an instant hit amongst children since the time it was first televised in 1969. Many parents insisted that their kids remembered each and every word that was taught on Sesame Street.There are many other animated cartoon pictures that inspire kids to adopt healthy habits. Remember Popeye the sailor man, who gobbles on spinach every time he faces a difficulty. This cartoon character actually inspired many toddlers to eat spinach. Keeping in view the positive influence that cartoons have, teachers started teaching kids through cartoons. They used cartoon character drawings to teach several subjects. Did the kids found this method helpful? Sure they did! Cartoon characters inspired them to study the subjects with a deeper insight.Children also have a tendency to consider some or the other cartoon character as their super hero. It is alright till the time the animated cartoon super hero they adore are cute and cuddly like Dido and Yappy , sharp and funny like Bel, Abby and Kewl or cute and wacky like Tumo and Ian However, they may become aggressive and snappy if they start picturing a violent cartoon character as their idol. The drawings of cartoon as stated earlier may have a positive as well as a negative influence. The images and storyline can have a enormous negative affect on kids because the violence and fury is honored without aftermaths, is extolled and idealized. Such violent cartoons should be avoided at all costs.The good news is that there are many cartoons that are simply made for pure entertainment, like Tom and Jerry, Yogi Bear, Mickey Mouse or even SpongeBob SquarePants, to name a few. Animated cartoon pictures are meant to entertain. It is more than acceptable if the kids learn a worthwhile lesson from them and are positively influenced. Utmost care should be taken to avoid young kid's exposure to violent cartoon pictures as it can harm their intellectual growth. Nevertheless, introduce them to the magical world of Dido, Ben, Kewl, Tumo, Ian and Yappy. With our six cool cartoon characters you simply do not have to worry about anything. They know how to make everyone smile.

http://www.d-six.org/Learn_Through_Cartoons/impact_animated_cartoon.asp