My Zen Garden: 2011

Sunday, 20 November 2011

Week 10 - Thank You!!!

Finally, it all comes down to this week. The final week before the anticipated HOLIDAYS!

Throughout these thirteen weeks of intense ICT learning, I've found out that I gained so much more than what I've bargained for. In fact, I've never known that acquiring ICT-related skills could be so strenuous yet interesting at the same time. I used to stay out from anything that's related to ICT because I've always thought ICT learning is much more difficult and time-consuming compared to any other academic learning. And I am not wrong. Truth to be told, I faced numerous difficulties throughout Educational Technology especially problems regarding to stress and time management (Blame in on procrastination). I hardly had enough time to complete the tasks given on time. What more to say about the other remaining course subjects. I've learnt a valuable lesson through ICT learning that one must not procrastinate and postpone every work to the eleventh hour. I ended up becoming a zombie (figuratively) trying to finish up all the tasks given in all five course subjects on time. Thankfully, I have my group mates to help me out. In order to further reduce more time being wasted, we even delegated the tasks among ourselves. In other words, the road to ICT learning might be bitter and energy-draining, but the fruits it bear are definitely sweet. I've walked away a more knowledgeable person. I not only learned a bountiful from ICT learning but also got the chance to re-use my prior knowledge regarding to ICT tools and brush up those existing skills. In fact, this entry is dedicated for those who have helped me to get through this difficult yet educational phase.

First of all, I would like to thank our course lecturer, Mr. Norsarihan for all the helps given and received. Thank you for making ICT learning all the more interesting.

Thank you to my group mates too, Abang Joharizal, Allen Ting, Rachel Chin and Jennie Tie who have always helped me through thick and thin of ICT learning. Their existence are definitely a blessing to me.

Last but not least, a heart-felt thank you to all my course mates for making ICT learning more bearable. Your selflessness in sharing information and providing guidances is deeply appreciated. I'll remember it forever.

Well, folks! This would mark the end of Educational Technology (GGGE2153). But rest assure. This would not be the last time you'll see me. And I'll always continue my journey in ICT learning to the ends of my life regardless the hurdles I might face.

Toodles ~ ~ And I hope to see you again... =)

Aileen Tiong Ling
A135735
B. Ed TESL IPGKS - UKM
GGGE2153 Educational Technology
Faculty of Education
Telephone Num.         : 013-5603522
Email Address(es)      : aileenukm7@yahoo.com/ aileenukm7@gmail.com
Blog Address              : http://aileentiong135735.blogspot.com

Thursday, 10 November 2011

Week 8 - Review Presentation

Ohayo! Irashaimasei!

I'm feeling pretty much japanese right now! It must be the effect of a full week of J-drama marathon. Amazing me! There's still tins of work to be completed and yet I'm still using those precious time of mine to watch Japanese soap operas. Well... I need to release some stream off. Hence, drama marathon. Little did I know that I'm soon going to regret it.

There's nothing much happening this week except for ASSIGNMENTS. Unless you do consider doing a bunch of assignments some sort of happening. Same old, same old. I am rushing, competing against time to finish up all the assignments given within the allocated time. There's the article review (Educational Technology), E-Learning courseware (Learner's Strategies), TITAS report, Teaching Profession report and PPT slides as well as updating our Edu Tech blog entries. (Hey! It's also a part of our overall assignment too) Not to mention the little tasks we're given during lectures. Yes! You heard me right. We've still having lectures towards the end of the semester while others (other classes) are sitting for their final examination. Good luck to them! And to us as well! May we complete our assignments in time *fingers crossed* Needless to say, I can only complete those assignments one step at a time.

Before I forget, we're been told (last minute again) that Mr. Norsarihan will enter the Friday classes. In other word, we need to prepare our presentation before time's up. Honestly, the presentation was very much disappointing for me. I realised that I've still not put in my best into that assignment. Indeed, our groups has received much criticism from Mr. Norsarihan. However, those criticisms were not meant to put us down. Rather, Mr. Norsarihan would want us to realise our mistakes and correct them. He wanted to prepare us mentally as well as intellectually before we head out to UKM, our next big destination point.

Although it did feel disheartening at first, but it's for our own good. In other words, we have to redo the assignment. Actually, it's more to editing some points as well as inserting more proofs (from other articles) to support our stand regarding the topic of interest. Luckily, I have my group mates to help me out with this assignment. Honestly, I'm grateful for the help given throughout the process of completing this assignment.

A zillion times "Thank you" to:-

Abang Joharizal
Allen Ting
Jennie Tie
Rachel Chin
And not to forget, ME! (for the motivation to push forward)

Lots of thanks to Mr. Norsarihan for his guidance throughout the Educational Technology course. Thank you for making ICT and technology all the more comprehensible for me to understand. =)

In a nutshell. we managed to complete the article review in time to be submitted before the holidays. Hip Hip Hurray!

Wednesday, 2 November 2011

Week 7 - Assignments!!!

See that? I've believe that's me.Figuratively.... =)

Hello! Welcome again to My Zen Garden!

How irony it is that my blogspot's supposed to provide relaxation and yet here I am, screaming out of stress. Haha! Real funny...

Despite the fact that we're having a one-week break for the Deevapali Festival, yet it felt nothing like any other holidays before. Indeed, it's a holiday to be REMEMBERED! Why? We've been piled up with tons and tons of assignments AND we have to hand them in before the long holiday starts? Speaking of last minute work, eh? All in all, there's 6 assignments waiting to be completed within 3 weeks prior the Nov-Dec holidays. Pity me much...

This holiday is pretty much filled up with course works and assignment tasks. Although I might be the last to complete those assignments (due to my procrastination habits), I still believe there's always a way out. I knew that somehow, somewhere God wouldn't put me in a tunnel of darkness for no other reason. (Actually, I'm the one who place myself in such sticky situation) Needless to say, I've learnt my lesson. Never Procrastinate! I've always done that before but never suffered from the full burn of it. Previously, I've never done last minute ASSIGNMENTS! See the emphasis of -s there? Yup... I barely survived from it. Honestly!

Okay! Back to the main point... I've heard that we HAVE to present our article review (or is it literature review?) within this week and we haven't even start on anything yet. Including information searching! Speaking of bad luck? Nah... It seems that we've been told to present our literature review (our last assignment for Edu Tech) the week before the Deepavali holiday but I must have been VERY busy with something else not to notice that piece of information. Hence, it's time to get down serious.

Luckily, we're told by Mr. Norsarihan himself that the presentation would be postponed to our last week of lecture. Thanks Pete! My prayers have been heard... However, it does mean I can slack off just like that! I went ahead to divide and delegate tasks among my group mates. Oh! We're going to review about an article concerning E-Learning in Malaysia. So much work, so little time!

Never mind! By faith, sure can one! - Rachel Chin, 2011

We've managed to compile all the articles needed to prove our stand regarding the topic of interest. After tons of compilation and editing work, I can say that we've really show our potential in completing last minute work. Haha! Needless to say, thanks to the cooperation within the group, we've managed to complete the review plus it presentation slides on time (an hour before presentation). Yet, how we're to know that there's more coming towards us?

[To be continued]

Till then, so long.... =)

Wednesday, 26 October 2011

Week 6 - Lesson Plan / Mini-teaching

Remember the time I told you there would be a final evaluation? It’s here. In this case, it’s our presenting of a lesson plan based on the video we’ve produced that day. Indeed, we’re all small scale producers, directors, editors and etc etc. Same old, same old… We’ve done this last semester and we’re doing it again this semester. As if we’re be going through this whole cycle of presenting a lesson plan and conducting a micro-teaching every turn of semester.

Indeed, we’ve decided to stick to our original video to be included into our lesson plan. Initially though, I’ve thought of changing our topic of interest to grammatical components. Thanks Pete, my group mates did talk some sense into me that we would have to start all over again, digging for information and reediting the video. So much to do, so little time… It’s a blessing in disguise that we’ve decided to go through with the “Flash Floods” video. We’ve received pretty positive reviews from Mr. Norsarihan.

Our target group is Form 3 students. In fact, our micro-teaching is an 80 minutes long lesson (2 periods). And since it’s a group work, it would be fair to divide tasks amongst us. There would be 5 important parts in our lesson plan, namely:

· Set Induction (By Allen Ting)

·         Pre-S/L/R/W     (By Abang Joharizal)

·         While S/L/R/W (By Jennie Tie)

·         Post S/L/R/W    (By Rachel Chin)

·         Lastly, Closure   (By ME!)

I must admit that everyone in the group has great sense of cooperation. We managed to finish our lesson plan preparation and even task sheets for students in time, despite many little insufficiencies.

Indeed, there’re some amendments to be made in our lesson plan. Through this presentation, I’ve realized that even the littlest thing could make a huge difference in our lesson plan preparation. Comments given by Mr. Norsarihan are indeed useful for our up-coming practicum later. To sum it up, I would like to express my deepest gratitude towards Mr. Norsarihan and my fellow group mates for making this lesson plan a successful reality.

Toodles…

Week 5 - CASPER Model, etc

This week marks another new beginning, another new entry into Educational Technology. Prior this week, we were introduced to the CASPER Model, of which we had no clue what-so-ever. In fact, the name itself reminded me of the little kid ghost, Casper.

After searching high and low for more infos, CASPER Model, in actual fact, is a presentation kit which consists of a series of dos and don’ts in the making of an effective presentation. I’ll break it down for you.

C – Contrast

· It is advisable not to use more than 3 colours per slides in your presentation preparation. It’s a big no no and you should always remember this especially during your template & font selection. It would be best if you opt for colours that contrast one another. E.g. Black vs. White or Blue vs. Yellow. It would be a strain to the eye if the colours are not defined precisely. Imagine yellow with orange... Ouch, right?

A – Alignment

· An important tip of the day: Present your idea in point forms, starting from your left-hand side. It’s much more comprehensible for audiences to understand rather than jumbling all your thoughts into a single slide. If you want to emphasise on any other points, align that particular sentence(s) in the middle. You could also try to bold, italicise or even underline the text for better emphasis. It is advisable not to type more than 20 words per slide as it would turn the audiences off. In fact, there’s a high tendency that the audiences would read the slides rather than focus on your presentation. It’s a minus point for someone who aims to become an effective presenter.

S – Simplicity

· DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT pack all your main thoughts into a single slide. Simple and compact is not what we’re aiming for an effective presentation. Simple, YES! But compact, an enormous NO NO! This goes the same with images and pictures too. Indeed, the audience would lose focus during the presentation.

P – Proximity

· Try to equalise the spacing between words to create balance. By all means, avoid wide spacing. 1.5 line spacing would be optimal. Try to maintain the same fonts and size throughout the presentation. We’re aiming for focus and attention here.

E – Emphasis

· However, you could put emphasis on the intended image but selecting an image that could closely relate to the idea you’re presenting. ‘One and meaningful’ or ‘Many but pointless’, it’s your choice, eh? Indeed, besides “bold”-ing, italicising or underlining your ideas for better emphasis, you too could go for changing of font colours.

R – Repetition

· Yet, the most effective step for greater emphasis of thoughts, it would be repetition. Keep repeating, if possible, the main idea throughout the whole presentation.

I think that’s all for this week. Hopefully, all future teachers could implement this CASPER Model in their presentation preparation to guarantee better T&L process.

So long...

Thursday, 6 October 2011

Week 4 - Reflection (Blog Presentation, etc)

Hello,Folks! Welcome to my 4th entry...

This week, it's all about our official blogspot (Actually, it's quite personal to us). Last week, we were told to be prepared with our updating and customising our blogspots as we're going to present them to Mr. Norsarihan. Our Educational Technology assignment consisit of 4 different yet related parts and this is one of it. Yes! You heard me right. We are required to constantly update and if possible, customise our personal space as it carries marks which will eventually affect our overall GCP pointer...

As aforementioned, we were each given an allocated time (preferably 3 to 5 minutes) to present our blogspots in front of the entire class. It's interesting to see how different people came up with different ideas and concepts through this presentation. Funny but true to see how different colours, templates, fonts and etcetera in a blogspot could differentiate mine from the others. Mine was pretty different or so I thought. I opted for the "Zen" concept. Odd for a Educational Technology blogspot but to me, it's all the more practical.

Indeed, Educational Technology might be quite a stressful subject to others. Why not create a more relaxing ambience then? Green is my main choice of colour. Plus, after long consideration, I've decided to name my blogspot, "My Zen Garden"; courtesy of "Plants vs. Zombies" an online gaming application. The following are some of the gadgets I've 'planted' in "My Zen Garden":-

On the your left side

Profile
Follow by Email
Followers
Chatbox (ShoutMix Chat widget)
Blog Archive

On your right side

Search Box
Calender & Clock
Music Playlist (MixPod.com)- Featuring soothing & Zen-like music
List of favourite blogs

At the bottom of the webpage

Virtual Pond (Fish application)
Number of visitors

Next, we were also given extra task, to prepare a PPT presentation based on the notes given by Mr. Norsarihan titled, "Video in Multimedia". Long story short, we have to translate the notes from BM to English. Extra work but all the more educational *fingers crossed* Luckily, we were given time till after the Deepavali holidays to present those notes. Whew!

All in all, plenty was gained throughout this week where ICT and technology are concerned. Hopefully, this will persist in the future to aid my acquiring new technological knowledge, as we're a new breed of teachers.

P/s: My podo is embeded in my very first blog entry. All is welcome to listen.

Link: http://aileentiong135735.blogspot.com/2011/09/self-introduction_09.html

Saturday, 1 October 2011

Video Presentation - Flash Floods

Watch and Learn...

Enjoy!

P/s: Sorry for the poor quality...

Thursday, 29 September 2011

Week 3 - Reflection (ASSURE Model)

Aloha! Welcome back to my 3rd entry!

Imagine my surprise when it was announced that the previous video presentation was the very first part of our group assignment. What a pleasant surprise! In other words, we've unknowingly completed the first half of our group task. Although Mr. Norsarihan gave satisfactory remarks concerning the video presentations, there're still areas in which we need to rectify so as to guarantee good quality video presentations. These initial videos only served as drafts so that correction could be made at the presence of any loopholes to ensure better and smoother video clips for the evaluation process later. (In this case, it would be the FINAL evaluation)

We moved further into the "Instructional Models" as explained by Mr. Norsarihan during lecture hours. One example of "Instructional Models" that of great significance is the "ASSURE Model". Please rest assure that it's not something that requires high cognitive abilities. Ha! Ha! Such a lame pun...*cough* It's time to get down serious. In fact, the ASSURE Model is deemed an effective model used by educators alike to design attractive, meaningful, interesting yet workable lesson plans within a classroom context. This model is highly applicable during teaching a heterogeneous classroom as it enables teachers and educators alike to track the students' academic progress. Besides, the teaching and learning process (T&L) could be made more systematic and effective yet fun as well as interesting at the same time. In other words, the application of the ASSURE Model within the classroom context could help in catering to the different students' learning preferences as T&L instructions will not be delivered solely through textbooks or face-to-face lectures. Rather, different types of media other than that of the former two are greatly used in the preparation of a practical lesson plan.

In fact, the ASSURE Model encourages the incorporation of outside class resources and materials into the course subjects. It's also deemed useful in helping instructors designing online courses. (E.g. LMS - Learning Management System) Truth to be told, the word, "ASSURE" is the acronym formed from a collection of words.

1. A = Analyse Learners

2. S = State Objectives

3. S = Select Objectives

4. U = Utilise Media & Materials

5. R = Require Learner Participation

6. E = Evaluate & Revise

In short, the model comprises of a series of procedural steps of which teachers need educators alike need to oblige in order to ensure the effectiveness of the intended lesson plans.

Last but not least, a reminder to all, do constantly update and customise your blogspot. In fact, our very first individual assignment revolves around our "Educational Technology" blogspots.

P/s: Mr. Norsarihan is going to brief about the steps of preparing a mini lesson plan with the help of technological aids next week. I am so looking forward to it... Another new knowledge to be absorbed and utilised in the not-too-distant future.

Happy Reading!

Aileen Tiong Ling

A135735
B. Ed TESL IPGKS - UKM
GGGE2153 Educational Technology
Faculty of Education
Telephone Num.         : 013-5603522
Email Address(es)      : aileenukm7@yahoo.com/ aileenukm7@gmail.com
Blog Address              : http://aileentiong135735.blogspot.com

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