Today I Learn, Today I question!

   Last Saturday was Monica’s presentation. She matching the Malaysian Smart School Vision & the technology mentioned in the horizon report. After that, there was power failure during the class but an interesting discussion started among us.

   There were many messages from our friends, about Smart School, our education, our new technology. Through the informal discussion, I really “learn” a lot.

   Actually, we as a teacher still ‘blur’ about what is Smart School. Many of us taught that Smart School is just carried out in some selected schools. But after Monica’s presentation, than we realize government have a great vision to implement the Smart School concept to all the school in Malaysia.

   Until now, I didn’t see any changer of technology using in my school, so I don’t know when the vision or mission can come true. If Smart School concept can apply and implement in all the schools, than it is a good new to all of us.

Below is what I get from the internet about Smart School. Hope that we can know more about Smart School.

http://www.mscmalaysia.my/topic/About+Smart+School

 In technical jargon, the Malaysian Smart School is a learning institution that has been systemically reinvented in terms of teaching and learning as well as the improvement of the school management processes in order to help students cope and leverage on the Information Age. Smart School is not just about ICT intervention in teaching and learning. The national curriculum and pedagogy are given the highest importance, with the role of teachers, administrators, parents and the community enhanced in the education of the Malaysian students. Individuality, creativity and initiative amongst the students are prioritised. However, ICT is critical in making the teaching and learning processes easier, more fun and effective, as well as making communication and management among the stakeholders more efficient. The Malaysian Smart School is a place where all students can learn within a conducive learning environment. It offers various curricula with on-going evaluation, handled by professional administrators and teachers.

The 88 pilot Smart Schools have the following components :

 The milestones proposed and the four waves of the Smart School implementation plan are:

1. Wave 1 - The Pilot (1999-2002) Implementation on 87 schools 2. Wave 2 - The Post-Pilot (2002-2005) Lessons learnt from the Pilot 3. Wave 3 - Making All Schools Smart (2005-2010) Extending the digital transformation to all 4. Wave 4 - Consolidate and Stabilise (2010-2020) Technology becomes an integral part of the nation's learning process

The milestones proposed and the four waves of the Smart School implementation plan are:

1. Wave 1 - The Pilot (1999-2002) Implementation on 87 schools 2. Wave 2 - The Post-Pilot (2002-2005) Lessons learnt from the Pilot 3. Wave 3 - Making All Schools Smart (2005-2010) Extending the digital transformation to all 4. Wave 4 - Consolidate and Stabilise (2010-2020) Technology becomes an integral part of the nation's learning process

 Ministry of Education, Malaysia (MOE) is the key implementor; whereas Multimedia Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (MDeC) is the key player in the development of Smart School in Malaysia and abroad

The Ministry of Education (MOE) as the lead agency and the MDeC Smart School Department as the facilitator and coordinator share the responsibility of making the Malaysian Smart School a success. The Smart School Department, was involved in coordinating and monitoring the implementation of the Smart School Pilot Project. The department is now involved in activities to formulate strategic recommendations for the roll-out of the Smart School across the country. MDeC and MOE have jointly conducted various studies and enhancement efforts for the Malaysian Smart School.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) has spends a lot of time trying to implement the concept to all school in our country. So do all the teachers in our country ‘ready’ to receive it as a mission and vision in their teaching career?

 

Today I learn, today I question.

From the lesson last week presented by Chan about ‘ Blended Learning’, and I also searching some material from internet, I can make some conclusion about Blended learning. Blended Learning actually refers to a mixing of different learning environments. It combines traditional face-to-face classroom methods with more modern computer-mediated activities.The strategy creates a more integrated approach for both instructors and learners. Formerly, technology-based materials played a supporting role to face-to-face instruction. Through a blended learning approach, technology will be more important.

There are many different approaches to blended learning. It can take on many shapes or forms, depending on the teachers and learners involved. The terms "blended," "hybrid," and "mixed-mode" are used interchangeably in current research terature

Last semester, when I serached for some research paper for my assignment , I found that teaching which involded face-to-face learning and online learning is called ‘hybrid learning’.  ‘Blended learning’ is not a new concept, but may be a new term to many users. As Node said (2001):"You may hear blended learning described as “Integrative learning”, “hybrid learning”, “multi-method learning”.

We can combine two or more methods of teaching. A typical example of blended learning methodology would be an integrated combination of technology-based materials and face-to-face sessions to present content. We can begin a lesson with a well-structured introductory lesson in the classroom, and then proceed with follow-up materials online. Blended learning can also be applied to the integration of e-learning with a Learning Management System using computers in a physical classroom, along with face-to-face instruction. Guidance is suggested early in the process, to be used more sparingly as learners gain expertise.We must focus on literacy instruction, using both technology and face-to-face instruction, in order to develop independent learners so they can interact with the texts in meaningful ways.

The role of the instructor is critical as this requires a transformation process to that of learning facilitator. Quite often, with the increase of baby boomers going back to school and pursuing higher education the skills required for technology use are limited. Instructors then find themselves more in the role of assisting students with computer skills and applications, helping them access the internet, and encouraging them to be independent learners through both guided and individualized instruction. Blended learning takes time for both the instructor and learner to adapt to this relatively new instructional concept.

Is Blended Learning important?

In differentiated instruction, we must look at students’ learning styles, interests, and abilities. Once these factors have been determined, educators decide which curriculum content, learning activities, products, and learning environments will best serve those individual students’ needs. By using blended learning, we are definitely altering the learning environment when students work collaboratively in learning communities online.

In a study by Dean and associates, research showed that providing several online options in addition to traditional classroom training actually increased what students learned. (2001) Another study showed that student interaction and satisfaction improved, along with students learning more, in courses that incorporated blended learning. (DeLacey and Leonard, 2002)

If a student is absent, she/he may view some of the missed materials at the same time that the rest of the class does, even though the student cannot be physically in the classroom. This helps students stay on track and not fall behind, which is especially helpful for students with prolonged sicknesses or injuries that prevent them from attending school.

Question:  Are we really need to apply Blended Learning in all our class because most of our students can’t

                access internet in their home ?

Today I learn, today I question. (Flipped classroom)

  Last week, Sakirah was presented her topic about flipped classroom. She explained the flipped concept very clearly, thanks for her explanation. Last two weeks, before the presentation of Dee, when I, Te and Yee Hui were searching some materials in the library, we saw Shakirah and Dee were seriously preparing their presentation. Last week we met Shakirah again , she alone working so hard from morning until night sitting in the UM library, still ‘ flipped’ with her topic. Oh, so pity with her. But after her Saturday presentation, I can make a conclusion that she actually put efforts to doing well in her presentation. There is new and old concept to us to learn ‘flipped classroom’. Why I said ‘new’, because I really don’t know we can ‘flipped’ like that in our classroom. I said ‘old’, is because we actually have done it in traditional way or offline teaching and learning process in our classroom before.

         But indeed, there has been a lot of interest and controversy about the flipped classroom. Most people are currently defining the flipped classroom as a class in which the teachers are watched at home and the class time is used to work on what used to be assigned as homework. The flipped class is not a narrow methodology, but rather a philosophy, which has many different applications and modifications.

         Is the flipped class the future of education? Does it have serious flaws? As we see it, there are several misconceptions, which contribute to the controversy.

Below is what I can found in the web, share with you all: 

http://flippedclassroom.com/

• Fear that the flipped class would lead to less engaged students who simply look at videos:

The finding is, the writer discovering that what actually happens is that student engagement and student-teacher interaction increases.

• The flipped class will lead to huge classes with little engagement:

 This is what the writer said:                   

The thinking here is that you could have many more students in a class if the video was doing the direct instruction.  This would make education cheaper because you would be able to hire fewer teachers.  One thing I say whenever I share the story of the flip with people is that I talk to every kid in every class every day.  One of the hallmarks of how I have flipped my classes is this statement.  But, if I had class sizes which were too large, even this methodology will fail.  The key to the flipped class is actually not the videos, it is the freedom those videos give the teacher to have engaging class activities and interaction with their students.

• The flipped class is just bad lecture on video:

       This is what the writer said:

 The assumption by some is that if ALL we do is move the lecture online, we are only using     technology for bad pedagogy. Their argument is that we need less lecture and more hands on, problem based, student generated, and inquiry learning. And I agree with these folks.  However, I see the flip as a stepping stone for teachers who have lectured for all of their career.  For them the idea of moving to an inquiry, problem based learning model would be very difficult.  But the idea of simply recording what they already do and then move that to outside of the class is not a huge step.

• The flipped class hurts students who have limited access to technology:

      This is what the writer said:

 I am surprised at how often I continue to see this objection.  When Aaron and I started the flip in 2007 we had a number of students without both computers and access to high speed internet.  We HAD to solve this problem.  We simply took 4-6 videos  and burned them onto a DVD and handed the DVD’s out to students.  Some students who had a computer at home but not high speed internet brought in flash drives and took home the videos that way.  If you really want to see an example of how the flip is working with a school with low SES, watch this video of Greg Green’s school on the outskirts of Detroit. 

There was a lot of argument about applying flipped classroom after Shakirah’s presentation. But I still believe that the flip are a good concept, so it depend on how the teacher implemented it in their class.  Flipping the classroom gets the student to become more independent learners, if we implemented it well, it not only can, but can changes the lives of many students, helping students become better learners and preparing them for their futures.

            

           Although flipped classroom concept can help students to do better in the future, but many   teachers are still struggling to ‘flip’ or not ‘flip’ in their classroom. My question is, honestly, do we really  can ‘flip’ it in our classroom?

Today I learn, Today I question.

This week Dee presented about the variety of Pedagogical Strategies for Internet Teaching and Learning. She showed us a very function able social network-platform, Schoology. The function of this platform is nearly the same with Facebook, but after the explanation of Dee, we could see the different of handle the online learning. It is more useable because it worked just like a form teacher managing the class duty. This platform indeed very helpful for us, especially for the teachers whose use online learning as one of the part of their teaching.

Dee showed us the Pedagogical and strategies for Internet teaching and learning. She listed out some questions before we select one for our online course, we should consider the following:

a) Are the students in the course familiar with e-Learning?

b) Am I experienced in conducting interactive e-Learning?

c) What technologies are available for facilitating the course's activities?

d) Do the students have the technical skills to use these technologies effectively?

e) What exercises would help prepare students?

f) How much time do I want to use for the activity?

g) How much time do students set aside for participation in the course?

h) What learning objectives do I want to achieve through an exercise?

i) What other goals do I want to achieve?

     All these questions above actually we have to ask ourselves before started an online teaching and learning. To design an online learning is not as easier as we thought. Every single think we have to cover before planning and before started to ask students to sign in our e-learning platform. If all the questions from (a) until (i) we can answer them positively, then we are on our way to a success teaching and learning journey.

As a teacher, our mission is to educate pupils. As Mr. Wulf wrote in 2007, we are increasingly dependent on technology. We are of an era of human existence referred to as the Information Age; as such, we should be more concerned with whether individuals can use technology. We should also be concerned with they understand why we use technology and what we use it for. 

My question is, when we design an e-learning for our students, are we really know why we are doing this? And are the students know why we are doing this for their learning?

Today I learn, Today I question.

        When I started to prepare the topic that I have to present last two week, I was so struggled because I found that there wasn’t much reference for me to use. Until last Wednesday when Madam Ng listed out some sample of ID model, than I realized that Merrill, IDDIE and some famous ID model are using by instructors to instruct students on e-learning. Thanks Madam Ng for giving the guideline for me. I changed my power point slides 3 times in order to give the correct information in my presentation. I also was struggling with the examples that I gave because I really don’t have the best examples to show in class. After finished preparing the power point, I just took some familiar sample that I used to use.

        When Madam Ng asked me about how to put IDDIE in our web based learning, I noticed that actually I forgot to explain about the relationship within IDDIE and the sample I gave. Luckily Yee Hui reminded me that we had the power point to show how IDDIE was applied in our last assignment. Thanks Yee Hui.

        There are a few common ID frameworks us can choose to fit in our web-based learning. The choice of ID model depends on our objective of the learning also. And it is very important before we start to design a web based-learning.

         After my presentation, Madam Ng gave us some time to fit some ‘dots’ in a mind map (Theories of Learning, TPACK, PLE, Model of Learning Engagement, Visual Aspects of Designing Web-Based Learning, ADDIE.  ). This activity can help us to know better all the theories we learned, and from the mind map, we can really understand how these aspects worked. The purpose of the activity is to see how we connect the flow of these aspects in creating an effective Internet teaching and learning experience for both instructor and the students.

         This activity reminded us how to put all the aspects into our activity 3 also. Now, in my mind, that was more clearer how to start a web based-learning intead of just design a simple but useless e-learning platform for students. Thanks again to Madam Ng. So I think we have to plan again and design again our activity for assignment three in order to put all the aspects inside the e-learning. 

   Teacher can only be an effective teacher if and only if the concept of lifelong learning is put into practice in the teaching profession.  As a teacher, we do not expect to use the same practice years after years. The world is changing and so is our students, therefore a teacher who teach only do not make a good teacher, it is what the teacher learn either from everyday teaching experience or by doing some changes, that contribute to a good teacher.  

        Nowadays teacher can not just keep quiet without changing their mindset, waiting for something to happen. Teachers have to move in frond, define the suitable way for their teaching and learning. They have to work together with students, and make changes from time to time.

        My question is, how many teachers are willing to change their teaching methods?

Today I learn, today I question (week 6)

This week we learn about PLE, Personalised Learning Environment. First at all, Madam Ng asked us to write about the concept of PLE. I have to confess that after I  “scan” through the title and content given by Mdm Ng, I didn’t really understand what PLE is. I was quite worry but after listening to Pearl’s presentation and Mdm Ng’s explanation, it began to settle down, the concept become much clearer. From the discussion of class, I realized that actually we had unconsciously putting PLE in our teaching.In our understanding, PLE is not just about personal learning and ‘Personalized learning’ does not mean ‘individualized learning’.  According to Charles Leadbeater, written in his article, group learning may also involve PLE.

At first, I thought my online activity for my students is not an example of PLE. But after analyzing the activity using the concept of PLE, I realized that I did put the concept when I using TPCK in my online teaching. I asked my students to search material online and post it in my facebook study group. They worked in group, but they had finished it in a very short time. After that, they were expected to present the finding in class, and write an essay individually regarding different group presentation. After the essay, I marked it and asked them to post it on the webnodes learning platform. They write the reflection about this activity. In the process, students were actively involved in the learning activities. They were able to find out the problem they may be facing and solve it personally or in group. They were also cooperating among their selves and learn how to interact within their group. Just like what Charles Leadbeater said, personalised learning puts the emphasis on learning through interaction and co-creation. Students learn more effectively by participating more fully involve in their learning.  

 “Personalised learning schools equip children with better attitude and mentality to become more active, engaged learners, able to reflect on how they learn, what they find hard or difficult, how they best express themselves.”

     My question is, when we apply PLE in our students in or off class, does it really work? How are we going to evaluate the process and the outcome?  Are students really changing their attitude in learning or the other way happened?

Today I learn, today I question. ( week 5)

I really appreciate Te and Ezlin’s presentation today, it was inspiring and I learn a lot from it. Thanks, Te and Ezlin, they must have been working day and night for the presentation.

      There were lots of examples of online activities shown to us, including online learning website, online game and so on. That was really interesting. Cognitive activities are mental process such as thinking, memory, knowing, and problem solving which are challenging and interesting needed to be explored in online activities. The example of Cognitive that Ezlin showed us was the English online game. That game really got us so absorb in the activities that all of us were trying all out to answer   and try to solve it.

TPCK is not new for me. I have been used this module for my students since last year. The response were good, the students enjoy using the new and different type of teaching from me. But the main problem was some students are not allowed to access internet every day, so finishing their homework online were more difficulty. But anyway we had worked out, and I will continue to do it in future. Using technology tools in teaching and learning is a challenging task for teachers because we always come across new problem and get new solution to handle it. We actually don’t have much time to sit in frond of computer, thinking what activities that could help students, and activities which are more interesting than before. As for me, beside using online learning, when ever I decide to design a power point presentation for students, I am always so absorb to the work that hours and hours were spent designing the most appropriate background and animation, to serve the content and the teaching and learning activities I want to do. But after we have started to do it, things become easier and we can use the same activity and technology tools every year.

My question is, whether the environment of our school supports us to using technology to teach students? Especially for language teacher, we are not provided with laptop, no computer lap and no internet service. These are only given to science teachers. It is up to our own initiative to try our best for our personal growth as a teacher and most importantly, for our students.

Today I learn, Today I question. (Week 4)

Madam Ng shared with us about Instructor Role (Phases of Engagement Model by Conrad and Donaldson). As teachers we actually like an actor who changes roles in different play. As a teacher who is well trained in applying different approach of teaching, our role changes according to the pedagogy we want to use. The changes also include the shift from traditional role in traditional classroom to online delivery and virtual interaction.

When Madam Ng showed the power point of film timer, it straight away grabbed my attention. It was very interesting. There must be a lot of different type to start a lesson but it is always great to start with an impact, to inspire students to enquire, to think and to learn.  What a great example. Thanks Madam Ng.

I really appreciated it how Yee Hui and Te shared with us about Web node and Wiki spaces. I was so amazed at how Yee Hui could manage her time developing the web based learning for her students. I really want to learn from her example for organizing herself insisting of getting a master in her studies and her teaching.  From her explanation, we were exposed about how to make Wiki spaces a student centre teacher learning experience, how teacher act as facilitator, and how to develop a web based learning. Well done Yee Hui and Te.  It was informative and inspiring. I will think about to developed a web based learning website for my form three history class next year because I only have 3 periods one week teaching them and I can finish my lesson on time.

My question is, do we have the passion, the support and time to develop and manage a web based learning platform for our students consistently and persistently?

Maybe it depends on how strong is our determination toward “evolution of education” We recognize human flourishing is not a mechanical process but an organic process, therefore we are giving due concern to every student’s individual talent, strength and passion, facilitate them with the best environment for their growth. In my opinion, there is no other platform better suit for the process than the web based learning platform.

Today I learn, Today I question.(Week 3)

It is so wonderful that every time after we attended Madam Ng’s lesson, we always gain new knowledge about internet resources. This week we learn about online games and online learning. Even though the games are mainly for science students and are in English version, not so convenient for me to apply in my history and Chinese lessons, they are so inspiring. It may not be useful now, but I am exposed to the knowledge that I never know, therefore I have a brighter and wider horizon to explore what I could do in future.

Week 3, Madam Ng gave us an online activity, an online chatting on “Spectrum”. It was interesting. But when the chatting was going on, I found that my “second world war” computer cannot function properly. It could not cope with the advance in technology. I have to “refresh” every now and then so that I can see what others were writing.  After typing, and than send, I found that I was always left behind, unable to catch up with the discussion of the group.  I think it is time for me to upgrade my net book. Add some new memory or use a SSD perhaps. I do not want to be left behind in the same chatting in class anymore.

From the chatting, we know that many of us are not so sure about how to make good use of wikispace and webnode. We really appreciate Yee Hui and sailor who make the effort to share with us their experience how they design the website for teaching and learning next week.  Beside looking forward for their sharing, I am anticipating how Mdm Ng enlighten us about more uses of youtube beside download video, how to make it a tool for teaching and learning. That is an exposure for me which I am looking forward to.

During the chatting we were also discussing how we could make Power Point Presentation interactive.  That question keep me wondering because I know how power point presentation could attract attention of the students, but could it be a tool that let instructor and audients interact with each others?  I usually ask questions to the students during presentation, not only to get constant feedback from them, but also to get their attention so that they do not fell asleep. We could make attractive design for the power point presentation, but the important thing is the content.  The purpose to design teaching tool is for students to see more clearly and understand our lessons. If we stray from the objective, adding too much tricks or animation in the design which do not help students to understand the lessons could cause distraction to their studies. Then the technologies we use do not achieve the purpose and we fail in our teaching.

It is challenging to attend Madam Ng’s classes. We do not know what kind of activities she will give us and what topic to discuss. But we know that after the activities, we can learn something new.  Learning in her computer lab is never boring. But honestly, I am still tension about the assignment given online, because I do not know whether I can still handle the assignment every week online or not. But I will try my best to cover all the homework.  

Kong Joo was the first one who made his presentation. He had done good preparation. With the help of video clip and music, we enjoyed his talk and presentation. We have a whole picture about the history and development of the internet in teaching & learning .Well done, Kong Joo.