Yeah.. two more papers..

Yeah, today I had my second paper, TITAS I after so much of reading, scrutinizing, & memorizing.. trying to squeeze in as much facts as possible into my tiny little brain. haha.. Im currently in a state of disappointment at having made some mistakes which I realise upon checking the answers when I reach home.. ARRghh.. Yet, it's a relief that it's now over and I believe that I've put my best in it.. only regretting in certain areas where my memory fails me.. :(

Yesterday was my first paper, a one-hour paper on Kemahiran Maklumat. I'd revised what had been taught in class and read through our coursebook. My worries for this paper would be identifying the relevant different names of databases or 'Pangkalan Dalam Talian' which I'd no idea of regarding the content area of each of the database given.. Huh, tough trying to figure out the options given.

I shall now get back to prepare for my next paper tomorrow - Muzik Melayu Asli (my elective paper this semester). A reminder for myself:- No time for relaxing ya.. Study time.. Hope i wont fall asleep.. ^-^

Will be back soon! :)

~ He Knows my Name ~

He Knows my Name,
God knows our every thought, sees each tear that falls
& hears us when we call.
For the One who made heaven and earth,
knowing a few billion people is not a problem.
God loves you immensely (John 3:16)
He thinks about you all the time. (Psalm 139:17-18)
He knows your name. (John 10:3)

God knows each winding way I take,
And every sorrow, pain, & ache,
His children He will not forsake-
He knows & loves His own.

Finals Tomorrow!!

After a mere two weeks of study week, it's finally the time for final exam which starts tomorrow. Besides spending my time revising and studying for my exam, I'm glad to have the opportunity of attending conferences during the Raya break and last weekend which has truly been a fulfilling time after a whole semester of lectures, assignments, and work! I thank God for the wonderful time and all the messages that He has dawned upon me as I learn to lean on Him in my my life and trust in His ways for me.

It's also been quiet time on my own in preparation for my exam which will begin throughout the whole of next week.. (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday).. Hmm.. well, I hope all the papers will be fine. I would do my best and trust in God, my Helper.

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye."

~Psalm 32:8~

~Setia PadaMu~

Shared to me by one of the teachers I met from the camp:
Im greatly inspired and a constant reminder for me of His presence.


'Setia PadaMu'

Maafkan aku, ampuni aku
Kadangku tak peka 'kan suaraMu
Seringkali ku, melayaniMu
Hanya untuk kepuasanku
Ajarku 'tuk berjalan
Sesuai kehendakMu

Ke mana pun jua Kau membawaku
Aku ikut bersamaMu
Dan apapun ja yang Kau mahu
Ku 'kan turut kehendakMu

Kerana ku di sini
Penuhi panggilanMU
Ajarku 'tuk setia kepadaMu

~I'm back ^^ ~

Im back from the iPOT's conference from the 12-16th October 2007 at Peacehaven, Genting Highlands. It's a conference organized by the Fellowship of Evangelical Students (FES) for the Professionals of Tomorrow consisting of students from these three fields; Hots (Healthcarers of Tomorrow), LOTs (Law graduates of Tomorrow) and TOTs (Teachers of Tomorrow).

It's truly a remarkably life-changing and enriching experience for me and I believe for most of the participants as well. I've learnt so many things and am renewed in mind and spirit as we were challenged to be willing vessels to be one of the few called into these professions as faithful servants of God. It's a challenge for me to really let go of my self-centredness and 'Let GOD' to take charge over my life. Im amazed by Him as Im deeply encouraged by all the sharing from the beginning teachers as well as those who are seniors in the teaching profession during the TOT's workshops and forum session. I begin to see the beauty of teaching in a totally new perspective especially in the area of postings, knowing that He goes before me in the school that Im placed in.

It's also been a memorable time of making new friends and getting to know a bunch of wonderful students from different colleges and uni. I truly thank God for a refreshing and rewarding time throughout the iPOTs camp in Peachehaven. Thank you for making it possible and for the impactful messages that You have spoken to me.



Participants from UM..



Games.. Yeah, let's cheer for our team!!




The 'Professionals of Tomorrow!!'

~A Round-Up WiTh A Surprise~ Quiz in our FiNaL CLaSs!!

3rd October 2007 (13th Class)

Wow, Im amazed at how fast time flies.. It's already the 13th week of our course.. We're fast approaching the end of this semester. I must say that Im filled with mixed feelings of excitement and yet overwhelmed by a sense of sadness, reminiscing back at the time spent in equiping myself with ways to integrate technology in the classroom throughout this 13 rewarding weeks. Reflecting back, I have truly learnt a mile and picked up many little things in improving my ICT skills along my pathway of this course PKEY 3101. This journey of learning would not be possible without the guidance and relentless effort of Prof. Maznah and facilitators.. Ms Ng, Ms Chin, and honourable guests.. Ms Fenny and Ms Nazirah. Thank you so much for your time in preparing and guiding us to be well-equipped with ICT skills before we step out into the real teaching classroom in the time to come.

We also had the opportunity to be a part of Ilham's respondents in her survey on teachers using the IWB in the primary classroom. I penned down my thoughts and responded to her questionaires on my experience of designing a software using the Smart Notebook as part of our assingment. She then left us with her ever so sweet smile.. All the best to you, Ilham in all your undertakings.

Then, Prof brought us into the forum on our 'Soft-skills Acquisition' and encouraged all of us to contribute to the topic posted. She then introuduced us to the 'Fish Philosophy' which I find it very enriching and insightful. I am stirred by the important role that we play in our lives as a teacher and how we can make a difference to each of the pupils we teach. The four main principles applied by the 'fish philosophy' are 'Play', 'Make Their Day', 'Be There' and 'Choose Your Attitude'. This philosophy can be applied in teaching our pupils as we bring into class the element of 'play' or 'fun' in designing activities for our pupils. Learning should truly be fun and enjoyable for young learners to create a conducive learning environment. Indeed, it makes so much different when we choose to start each day with a positive note, walking around trying to make the day special for another person, and most of all, be a good listener and make it a point to be there for a person in need. We never know how an act of love and care can touch the lives of a pupil. Wow, Im just amazed that.. There's actually so much to learn from people around us.. the fishmongers!! Thanks Prof for bringing to our attention this beautiful philosophy in life and your sharing on your trip to Seattle. In fact, it reminds me of the movie 'Sleepless in Seattle' each time the name of the place comes to mind..:) It's just a beautiful movie that I love and remember.

As the title for this post suggests, yeah.. I'm throwned into a state of 'Surprise' with the announcement of a 'Quiz' which carries 5% of our overall grading for this course. I really do not know what to expect.. And at the first sight of the quiz paper, I was like.. "Hmm.. I remember this in class, but I just don't seem to recall the complete answer for it.. Aarrggh.." I tried my best in the quiz and it was another surprise when we were told to do peer-marking for our quiz.
Well, I'd put on my best effort and I really hope to do well in this course.

Prof briefly discussed through the questions we did for our test last week on the 'Airset', 'Yahoo Group', and 'Podcast'. Then, she gave us a round-up of the whole course with much valuable piece of advice for us to bring back home as this is our final class for this course. Many thanks to you, Prof and all the teaching team. I've truly learnt a lot and be refined in my perspective towards ICT as I learn to integrate technology into the classroom.

The class ended smoothly with Ms Chin bringing us through a list of useful sites on Yahoo Groups which we can be part of and learn from many other teachers around the country by joining the group http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/DipEd_2007/files

All the best to all my dear coursemates and may we leave this place a different person as compared to when we first stepped into MK1 and MK2 in the beginning of the course. As for me, I know that I have truly been enriched and hope for the best in our quest of being an 'Educator', the best profession that opens doors for us to touch the lives of children whom we keep in contact with.
Let's run this race together!!

The TEST!!!

26th September 2007 (12th Class)

Today is 'The Day'. It's the day for our 'Test', the only test for this course. Wow, to be honest, I truly do not know what to expect for this test.. So, I would say I had basically read up on what we have been exposed to and taught in the class throughout this course. And, Yes, almost all of our tasks and assignments, in fact, ALL of them are ONLINE.. in other words, PAPERLESS! So, I basically go through the online learning tools which we are currently using- The Moodle, and the Airset which we all signed up and were subscribed to the SMART tech where we were connected to all the teachers and other users of the IWB software. I personally find it a very useful and helpful source of getting connected and be informed of the updates in technology and have truly benefitted a lot from these effective Learning Management System. Prior to this course, I was not very much engaged in the usage of such Learning Management System softwares and Im very glad to be able to use it and be involved in these online learning support system. Truly, I marvel at the wonders of technology and how it has lift a great burden from every human who is constantly lacking of TIME. With the availabilty of technology, it connects mankind regardless of where we are.

The test was a two-hour paper, from 12-2pm sharp in MK2. Fully essay questions, we had to answer 2 out of 3 questions. My respond to the questions at first look was, 'Err.. I know some of them, yet I have practically no idea about some of it..' So, after much contemplating, and thinking, and reflecting, and jotting down of all my thoughts, I decided to attempt questions 1 and 3.
Well, and the rest was history. I tried my best to recall and put to paper what I remembered from the notes and what I learnt in class. And, the rest was history.. I hope I had recalled the facts correctly and applied it appropriately.
We were allowed to leave after we have completed the test.

That's all for now.. I've got to be on my bed now cos it's way past my sleeping time.. **yawning

IWB Presentations..

19th September 2007 (11th Class)

We shall continue on the presentations today. Prof wrote down the names of the remaining group which have yet to present our Smart Notebook Assignment today; namely, 'Devil, Authentic Educators, Rejuvenescence, Eureka, Prestije, Technothinkers, Winter, Undecided, Max IT'. Each of these groups presented their best product to the class followed by a brief comment done by another group which is evaluating the particular group's presentation. Yea, peer evaluation is what we have been doing.. I believe this is really a good practice for us to get critical and be able to point out the plus and the minus of our friends' presentations. For me, I learn to give constructive comments as I observe and learn from each group's presentation. As for my group, Gladys represents our group with her very interactive activity for an English lesson on 'Prepositions'. One of the interesting activity involves the pupils in locating the missing objects in a bedroom such as the 'pen, hat, and clock.' Pupils can hear a whistle being blown if they manage to find the object.

Below are some of the photos taken during the group presentations.



Alison and her science lesson on 'Food Chain'




Peer-evaluation -Azlan commenting on Alison's activity.



Gladys in action- English lesson on 'Prepositions'

Another fulfilling day of learning from the group presentation and be amazed by the wonders of IWB in a primay classroom.

GraNd FiNaLe of IWB AsSignMenT

12th September 2007 (10th Class)

IWB Assignment is to be uploaded to AirSet today. All of our progressive work and development of activities for Smart Notebook for the past 4 weeks has come to an end. We would now be able to view the works of all our friends through the wonderful online technological tool known as the 'Airset' survival kit which offers the best life organisation and group collaboration service.

Wow, im so impressed by the wonderful masterpieces of my coursemates filled with real-interactive flowing ideas to be incorporated in the primary classroom. What a great and fulfilling time of learning from one another.


O ya, one thing to note. We're visited by a friend, Ilham, one of Prof's International student from Iran. She's a beauty and truly sweet to behold. Well, she's apparently doing a research or study on the usage of Smart Notebook in the classroom. Hence, Prof has invited her over to join us as we share and learn from each other in class.

Ilham, in the midst of discussion with Prof.


Well, should I say, at the start of the class, we were thrown into an unexpected predicament when the IWB was not in its usual day as it failed to operate as normal. Our presentations are put to a temporary standstill while Ms Ng and Ms Chin both tried to bring it back to live again. Well, well, this is when technology fails us and I believe as teachers, we should always be well-prepared for such situations and be prompt to take follow-up actions, just like the saying 'Teachers always have Plan B'. Similarly, Prof had another activity for us. She brought up the topic 'Teacher Readiness, Teaching Pedagogy and the Learning Outcome' which she posted on the Forum on the Moodle. We are then to respond to this topic in our groups to the class. Kudos to those who have intelligently attempted to her topic on the forum and she prompted the rest of us to share our thoughts and ideas too.

Then, in the midst of all these, Ms Ng broke the good news that the IWB has been restored back to its original operation. Yeah!! And there goes the first group with their presentation and followed by five other groups for the day. Each group would select one IWB activity from the members which they felt is most interesting to be presented and shared with the class.









Here are some of the shots taken during the group presentations, namely group by Teoh, Lee Jeng Yong, Siti Haslina, and Mellisa. Indeed, I truly enjoy and learn a lot from their ideas on what IWB can do for a Science, Mathematics and English lesson.

As for my group and all the other remaining groups which have not presented due to time constraint, we will be presenting next week. Till, then, we cannot wait for the time to watch what our friends have prepared to show us in another 7 days' time.

What an insightful day!!

OnLiNe ReSourCes CUM DeVeLoPMenT oF IWB AsSignMEnT

5th September 2007 (9th Class)

A vast array of educational online resources is shared to us in today's class by Ms Chin. She has brought to our attention the various educational websites which are useful to us in our vocation as a future educator as these sites provide us with interesting ideas and made us aware of online resources which we can use in the classroom.

Among some of the websites which I have gathered are:

• http://www.tutor.com.my/tutor/daily/eharian.asp?
  

This site contains 'e-tuisyen' which provides quality sample questions set by trained and experienced teachers which are aligned with the latest exam format. The 'question bank' provides questions for UPSR, PMR, SPM, STPM, Pre-School, and Pre-University level. In the link 'Bilik Guru', we can obtain teaching plans/ Rancangan Pengajaran, ETeMS materials, and the latest Syllabus, and the Curriculum Specifications.

• http://eleaston.com/spelling.html
  

This is a wonderful and comprehensive site on learning the English Language with details which ranges from its alphabet, rules, phonics, pronunciation, phonetics, homographs, and many more.

• http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/33.htmlenglish.com/quizzes/33.html

This is another site on using the English language equipped with games and quizzes to make the classroom learning more fun and enjoyable. We can even get online quizzes for the pupils from here after we have taught a particular topic.

• http://portalbahasamelayu.fateback.com/index1.html
• http://www.bmspm.cjb.net/spm.cjb.net/

These two sites above are useful for more in-depth learning and mastery of the Bahasa Melayu language. The first one provides links to notes, activities and exam questions while the second site provides soalan peperiksaan percubaan for the school/ zone/ district/ state level as well as detailed notes on the literature component for SPM or 'Komponen Sastera'

• http://www.karyanet.com.my/
  

This site is provides a variety of interesting online activities for children also known as 'karyanet laman kanak-kanak', suitable for pre-schoolers or young learners.


At the later part of the session, we were glad to have Prof joining us for the class. She checked through some of our progress on the IWB assignment and gave constructive comments such as getting our Learning Outcomes right for the lesson which we have planned. She emphasized that we should make sure that the 'Learning Outcomes' are not of a very low level of comprehension as expected from the pupils to complete the activities we have designed. We should give learners the opportunity to practice higher level of thinking such as the Application, Analysis, Synthesis, and Evaluating instead of merely testing the level of Knowledge, and Comprehension. The Learning Outcomes should also be behavioural in nature which can be measured and observed by the teacher. Hence, the word 'Understand' should not appear in the initial part of our Learning Outcomes. Prof called upon two of our coursemates to share with us their progress and to point out the comments which she has made on their Learning Outcomes.

Here, I would like to share on my development of my IWB assignment on 'Plants'. I have searched and browsed through several sites to get my little brain into working and feeding it with ideas to come up with interesting activities using the IWB software. Among some of the links which I find helpful are: http://www.bbc.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/7_8/plants_grow.shtml

http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/science/powerpoint/Plants.ppt
These sites provide me with ideas into creating activities on learning about the basic needs of plants such as having the right amount of warmth or temperature in order to grow well through the game-like activity from the first website.

Here are some of my IWB slides which I have completed based on different activities after gaining some ideas browsing through the websites.












Click on the link and play the interactive game of discovering 'The basic needs of a plant'



Matching the functions of the different parts of a plant.