Reflections on Group Project

Despite the pressure from the high amount of assignments due, I enjoy the preparation of ICT assignment. My group is planning a lesson which involves student breaking into groups and shooting video with a script based on Chinese idioms. After which they have to upload their videos on a facebook group page and discuss on each others' video. They will also construct sentences using Chinese idioms which they have learned from their peers' videos. We are shooting a sample video to try out the feasibility and it not only works out fine, the entire process is very fun and definitely has bonded our group closer together. Though we had some disagreement on the topic to be done at the initial stage, but we learned to listen and come up with the best accepted plan within our group. This is definitely a best illustration of what collaborative learning is about. Now I'm waiting to edit the video with Window Movie Player..

Reflection on Session 8

Missed a week of lesson due to sprained ankle. Have yet to fully recover, though walking with bearable pain, at least I need not limp when walking. The lesson in the Media Lab was quite interesting although I wish I could have the chance to explore all stations. It would be great if schools can invest in a learning environment like that because the different stations is really a good concept that allow groups to have their own private space for discussion and also to engage in interesting, stimulating activities.

If the resources are available, I would love to try to incorporate game-based learning in my lessons. For example, students can learn to report their own or others' playing experiences verbally or on paper. Or they can be assign the role of market surveyors in which they compare the different games and this definitely require them to verbalise their thoughts and practice good writing or oral skills as they have to convince consumers. Though Chinese language is stereotyped to be boring, I strongly believe that it just takes this extra effort, time and creativity to make lessons fun and meaningful.

More Video Links

<<Some Local Videos On Cyberwellness>>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J61MdYfyUB0&feature=fvsr

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ42Jwg6GhY&feature=PlayList&p=992DD3035EB04BE5&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=53

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxfYukAKBck http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE_Ynj5oWZc

<<A video on Cyberbullying>>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDBiqUWRtMo&feature=related

Cyberwellness

Missing session 6

Oh no. I have fallen ill and was given 2 days of mc by the doctor. On one hand, I am glad that I can get a good rest from the hectic schedule, yet on the other, I worried about the things that I will miss out these 2 days.

For my CS pedegogical lessons, they are mainly notes oriented which means I should still be able to catch up by self-reading. However, for modules like QED527--ICT for meaningful learning, missing a lesson might meant missing an important tip which can spice up one's teaching career. How I wish that video recording of lecture was available, then students who cannot attend classes will still be able to grab those valuable teaching strategies taught.

Another point to add
As I was browsing for information for the e-learning activity and individual assignment, I realise that many schools in Singapore have conducted wonderful and interesting cyberwellness activities. While Cyberwellness is often the term coined in Singapore, another term commonly used is "netiquette". Regardless of the term used, I think this is an important concept which should be imparted and introduced to students as young as lower primary. Children nowadays have access to IT and cyber internet at young age and I know of a couple of cases which were involved in cyberwellness issues. The more common cases involved game and internet surfing addiction. Another common problem is disclosing personal information to strangers or making acquaintance based on superficial contact with cyber strangers. Though parents do try to alleviate the problem but the fact that most of them are working make it hard to monitor their children's networking behaviour. Hopefully all schools and teachers can play a part in educating children about cyberwellness so that they can benefit from ICT instead of becoming victims of potential threats involved.

Lesson 5 Reflections

This week's e-learning activity shows that a e-learning lesson plan stretches beyond academic planning.

Issues related to IT such as cyberwellness and plagiarism must be taken into consideration when intending to engage students in self-directed learning through IT resources. Teachers have the responsibility to inform students of the pros and cons of internet. While IT provides much convenience in academic learning, there exists threats such as addiction, over-exposure to unhealthy content (eg: violence and pornographic content), illegal downloading and misusing of others' content which can constitute to plagiarism.

Such non-academic knowledge will help to shape students into safe and responsible net-users. In addition, such information need not be given in a conventional way where only teachers do the talking. They can be introduced through case-study or problem-solving as this will require students to critically analyze scenarios which can help to deepen the understanding for cyberwellness and other ICT related problems.

In sum, this activity is yet another example that teachers meant more than teaching academic knowledge. At times like e-learning, teachers are also responsible in grooming students to be responsible and safe "netizens".

Lesson 4 Reflection

WOW!! WOW!! The 2 lessons experience shared by Darryl and Wan Ching were FABULOUS! Darryl's example clearly showed how game-based and project-based learning can be infused together to produce a wonderful and meaningful lesson. Wan Ching's lesson demonstrated how lesson planning can extend beyond the 5 pedgogical approaches we learnt in the 3rd lesson.

Indeed, regardless of the delivery mode of the lesson, a lesson should be planned to create motivate students by grabbing their interest and curiosity such that they will look forward to subsequent lessons and perhaps even develop interest for the subject itself, not just the lessons. In addition, lessons should be meaningful in that ideas, skills or knowledge will be permanently imprinted in their brain instead of short retention. This is perhaps one of the important concerns for most teachers as many faced students complaining that they "FORGET" things. Darryl's and Wan Ching's examples show that relevance to students and students' participation are important in constructing meaningful lessons. This is also supported by research thus the call for a student-centred and active approach in education.

Also, I think a successful lesson should have learning objectives given at the beginning of the lesson and a recall at the end of the lesson. Students must get a clear idea of what they will pick up from each lesson or every lesson will only be a dull, meaningless repetition of rote learning of text in books.