5th Reflection: Good PPt

Hi there!

It's me again, back to  my 5th reflection of my class.

The class started with the topic "Music". Music is an element that can help in effective teaching and learning. Music are able to create interest in student and also can be used as a good teaching tool. An example is when we are giving exercise in class, instead of mentioning "Time's Up" we can use music as a time keeper as to tell students that they have to finish it before the music ends.

We also learn on Learning Objective and Learning Outcome. I've learn that  learning outcome is more than learning objective because learning outcome is the specific skills that are required to be achieved by the end of the lesson and are based on learning objectives. Learning Outcome also is in verb form to show learning process occurring.

Besides that, Dr also explained what makes a good presentation and also show us some slides in class and together we amend the slides together. So what makes a good power point presentation?
1. Use a clear background (white is suggested)
This is to provide more space for the presentation and to make the slides look clear.
2. Include some related pictures and animation in slides
To attract students to the lesson
3.  Use bigger fonts and colors
To stress on important points and to make the slides more attractive

Next, our task for this week.

CHOOSE ONE SET OF POWERPOINT FROM INTERNET, THEN FIX IT.
IF YOU THINK THE PPT DO NOT NEED TO BE FIX, EXPLAIN WHY. GIVE 4 REASONS.

The title of this blog is 12 Simple Health Tips Everyone Should Know.
Obtained from :
https://www.slideshare.net/stevescottsite/simple-health-tips-everyone-should-know/8-3Add_garlic_to_your_diet

Reasons why I think this slide is good.

 1. The title is CLEAR, CONCISE & ATTRACTIVE
The title is specific and is understandable. Usage of different font in the title also makes the more attractive.

2. Simple usage of language
Jargons (bombastic words)  are not used through out the slides. This makes the slides easily understood and it also ensure effective delivery.

3.Suitable image
Relevant and clear image related to the points stated are used. This helps to stress on the message and also gives better understanding. Besides, enlarging the image making it as a background image also adds stress to the points and provide a clear point other than making the slides colorful and attractive.

4. Short and easily understandable sentence
Instead of writing long sentences and being long winded, short sentence are used. This makes the presentation simple and short. Despite being short and simple, sufficient information are included in the slides making it a good presentation.

I guessed that's all from me for now.

Thank you for dropping by and do comment in the comment box below to share any views.

Till then,

Reflection 4: Jen's Template of Lesson Plan

Hi there! Yea, its me again. Just to start off today's post, here's a photo of my friends and me being silly! Today's post is basically on my 4th class reflection on Pedagogy. WOW! Times flies! 

Well, today's class is about lesson plan. We are exposed to what a lesson plan is and I came to realise that being a teacher is not as easy as I think it would be. From my understanding, a lesson plan is a very important thing as it is the skeleton of the whole lesson. A good designed lesson plan determines the effectiveness of teaching and learning in class (mostly). Lesson plan are different for all as to cater to different types of students and there is no fixed template to design a lesson plan. A lesson plan must be specific and must be clearly describe in detail.In order to prepare students for success, lessons must be planned thoroughly and include all components of an essential curriculum. 

Our task for the week: BASED ON TOPIC LESSON PLAN, DESIGN YOUR OWN STRUCTURE OF LESSON PLAN

We are to evaluate and analyse 3 samples of lesson plan and share our views regarding it.

Based on those 3, here are some items that I think should be omitted and items to be added.

Remove:

1. Educational Emphasis

I think this item is not a necessity as it is less important and not much information can be obtained from it. 

2. Learning Areas

Should be remove because it's not neccesary as it is already included in the topic of the lesson

Add

1.Questions to ask in class 

This is to remind the teacher what to ask the students to test their understanding. Sometimes, teachers might forget. Thus, prepare before entering class and include in lesson plans are the best way to keep track  

2. Teaching aids/materials

This is to ensure that all materials needed to conduct the class are well prepared and to prevent any items to be forgotten when conducting class. This also to ensure planned activities can be carried out smoothly with the materials

JEN'S TEMPLATE OF LESSON PLAN

Justifications

1.The title format should should be as above 

To provide a clear and concise lesson plan written for what subject, what topic and what group of students is that particular lesson plan for

2. Date and time/duration 

To know when the class take place and how long the lesson will be

3. Level of Proficiency is optional as some teachers may evaluate wrongly and there are also multiple levels in one class which makes it difficult to mark the class in which level. 

To help teacher to set the level of difficulties in teaching. For the beginner stage, teacher may have to include teaching from basic while for expert, teacher can include tougher questions to match the students level of understanding

4. Number of Students is optional but it's better to have

To help the teacher know the exact amount of students during that lesson so as to better prepare and plan any activities that suits the amount of students

5. Background knowledge is also important 

For the teachers to design the lesson as to prevent repetition of topic/sub topic in any lesson. Background knowledge means lesson taught in the previous class and not referring to knowledge the student already know

6. Learning Objective is what the teacher hope students will obtain through the lesson. It also describe the goals, aims and intentions of the teacher who teaches the lesson

7. Lesson Outcome is what the student needs to be able to do at the end of the lesson. It also describe or list measurable and essential mastered content-knowledge, reflecting skills, competencies, and knowledge that students have achieved and can demonstrate upon successfully completing a course. An assessable outcome can be displayed or observed and evaluated against criteria through assignments, test or evaluation.

8.Teaching and Learning Approach

To know the methods and pedagogy used to teach students, explain how teachers will get students to achieve the learning objective and outcomes to ensure a effective teaching and learning

It's better to put the detailed description of lesson plan in a table form to make things organised and easily understandable. The activity and duration must be specific to provide a clear understanding. There must be a  + sign beside every duration mentioned to indicate the approximate time allocated for there will be plus minus minutes for each section because sometimes things doesn't goes the way we want. Content column must have to describe in detail the activities that are to be carried out. Set induction is a must as it is the first stage where introduction of the topics happens. Creative activities like simple dance or games can be use to attract the students to the lesson. The development stages should be separated and stately clearly stages by stages to make things more organised and also to make time allocation more specific in order to complete the lesson on time. Both teaching and learning method should also be separated to provide a clear cut of what the teacher and students should do in each activity. Rationale should also be in a lesson plan to provide valid reasons behind each activity and to ensure that the learning objectives and learning outcomes are achieved from the lesson. Teaching aids is important to ensure that all materials needed to conduct the class are well prepared and to prevent any items to be forgotten when conducting class. This also to ensure planned activities can be carried out smoothly with the materials

Follow up activity is also important as it reflects on what activity the teacher plan to do at the end of class to test the students understanding. This also help remind teacher what they have assigned in the previous class. Self-reflection is optional but it's best to have to obtain feedback from students and to self-evaluate themselves. Teacher can also take the opportunity to self-reflect her teaching and if there's any improvement needed. Appendix should be included to show prove of activities/ worksheet/ handouts / notes given out during class. Reference is also optional but then it's still recommended to be put in so that the reliability and  credibility of the lesson can be proved especially when there is inspection. 

I think that' all from me now. Do give me some feedback be it positive or negative regarding this template as I am still in the process of learning. All feedbacks are very much appreciated and I believe it will help me to learn more.

As per ritual, I leave you with a qoute.

"If the plan doesn't work, change the plan, NEVER the goal."

Till then,

3rd Reflection

Hi there! Yaa,. It's me again. Are you wating to read my blog post? Are you excited?! Because I am! Hurrayyy!! Let's get started shall we? 

To start off, I couldn't manage to attend class on Wednesday, 8th March because I went back to my hometown due to famliy issues. I din't know that our lecturer will postponed our usual class which is on Tuesday to the next day due to some unavoidable reasons. I wouldn't have skipped class but unfortunately I have to go back. 

Although I missed class, I still keep up with class by asking my friends what have they learnt that day. I believe that there are no excuses for not keeping up with class saying "I don't know because I din't attend class when the topic was taught". When there's a will, there's a way. Thus, I came to know that they discussed about the article on "NAVIGATING THE BUMPY ROAD TO STUDENT­CENTERED INSTRUCTION". It's about the 8 steps students might face in Student Centred Learning and also on 11 problems teacher face with Student Centred Approach. From the additional information our lecturer shared in our student portal, she also mentioned that she shared on the philosophy and the purpose behind the KSSM curriculum, and what are the type of students the curriculum intended to produce. 

From the additional post, I learnt a new word which is COMPUTATIONAL THINKING. What is computational thinking? It is a problem solving approach using knowledge we know on computation regardless of subject and age group. A clear example is imagine you're a journalist and you want to know what people think about election. 

Option 1: Ask people around street, house by house doing Q&A session with people. 

Option 2: Use a computer programme that can analyse social media posts from thousands of websites in just few seconds. 

People who use computational thinking will definitely pick Option 2! This a good example to illustrate the benefit of approching a problem computationally.

Here's the task for the week: 

Based on the article read, suggest 2 methods to solve any 4 selected issues from the 11 issues faced by teachers when using Student Centred Approach listed in the article.

Issue 1: Losing Control in Class

Solution 1: Do not worry! You are the facilitator and guide!

You have to look at it differently. You are definitely still in control of the class because you are the one who initiate and lead any class activity. You still have to direct and take full charge of the class in order to ensure the class runs smoothly.

Solution 2: Ensure that students are doing the task.

Check on the students from time to time in class to ensure students are participating in class. Guide and correct them if you find there are mistakes.

Issue 2: Students Don't Read Assigned Readings and For Those Who Do Seem Unable to

Understand the Material Independently

Solution 1: Remind Students that You'll Do A Q&A session in the Next Class

Each time when you want to assign students to do early reading before entering class, remind them that there will be Q&A session in the begining of the class to ensure that they read. 

Solution 2: Discuss the Article in Class 

Detail discussion in class should be held in class after assigining students with the reading to ensure that all students are able to understand what they are reading. This is also to give a clearer and better understanding to students who does not understand the article even after reading it. Discussion in class also helps in making sure that the students truly understand what they have read and to correct them if they did misunderstand any concept.

Issue 3:  "Hitchhike" when Assign Homework, Presentation, or Projects to Groups

This is a normal case even I myself as a student often face it too. Hitchhike is a person who is getting credit for work in which they did not actively participate. 

Solution 1: Randomly pick any members to ask questions

During Q&A presentation, pick any student from the group and asked them questions according to the assignment given. This is to ensure that all of them did the assignment together. If he/she can't answer the question, ask the group members to double check.

Solution 2: Let the Students to Grade Each Group Members

Allocate 5% of the assignment grading for each students to evaluvate each members. This is because they are able to give marks that each student deserve for each of them because they know who is putting effort in the completing the assignment. This is also to ensure that each student participate equally because they know their groupmates will evaluvate them.

Issue 4: Many of the Cooperative Teams in Class are Not Working-Well- Assignments are Superficial and Incomplete

Solution 1: Carry Out More Group Activities in Class

Activities like small group presentation, group discussions and should be done in class to make the students have self-belonging to thier team and make them feel more comfortable together as a group. This is also to create a coopertative learning and to make each student used to doing things in a group.

Solution 2: Autonomy in Choosing Group Members

Give students freedom the choose their group members of their own choice. Do not pick and place students in groups according to your preference because they will feel uncomfortable with other people. Allowing students to exercise some control over their own learning will empower them, and that can be extremely motivating, appealing and inspiring for students. As long as assignment or assessment aligns with the lesson objectives and lesson outcome, giving students autonomy to choose can be a win-win for both teacher and student.

"Every Problems Have It's Own Solution"

again, "When there's a will, there's a way"

Signing off,

Teachers: 10 Things Jen Don't Want From You !

Hi there! I’m back again with my 2nd reflection of my pedagogy class. 

Well, how should I start? In this class, we’ve looked into 10 Things students want their teachers to do. It's just a simple image with deep and meanigful knowledge in it. All thanks to our lecturer, I am able to understand fully what is it about as she discuss all points one by one, givin relevant examples and situations for us to access.

As we go through each and every point , the SCARY Q&A sessions starts. I was caught off guard during that session, and was unable to answer because I was not paying attention. I’m sorry but things happens right? The question asked was, “In your opinion, do you think teachers should let their students to decide on what to be accessed in assignments?” I disagree to the questions as students nowadays wants an easy way, and if they were given choice to be accessed based on what they want, a proper assessment will not take place. Thus, teacher should be the one in charge of the assessment criteria but also have to prepare a rubric for the students to focus on the are assessed. But at the same time, I agree to the extend that if students were given choice, at least they will be motivate to do the assessment and will be interested in doing so.

Before we end the class, we were asked to read the a book, entitled  "Totto-chan, the Little Girl at the Window " for extra knowledge whenever we are free. The e-book has a total of 72 pages and I doubt I can finish reading it because I always get sleepy when I start to read books with only words ! *cross fingers. I'm just half way through but I find it interesting already.  Maybe I shall share them with you in the next post? :)

Here are 10 Things Students Doesn’t Want from Educators. (From my point of view as a student)

Teachers: 10 Things I Don't Want From You

1.   No Favouritism

I will notice if you always call on someone else more, praise them more, smile at them more or talk to them more. I might not say anything about it, but I will always think about it and feel less valued and cared for in class. I will know that I am not your favourite and this will shape how I act in your class.

2. Not having patience with questions

I might ask you the same question over and over again. It might be a repetition for you, but it’s a new thing for me who is still learning. Maybe the you have just answered it 5 mins ago, but I ask again because I really do not understand. Do not embarrassed me by rolling the eyes or sighing with impatience, irritated. Helping me to understand why help me to learn more and have better understanding

3. DO not give up on me

Sometimes, I’ll fail. When I do, please don’t push me away. This makes me feel like you hate me and do not care for me. Instead, stay with me, be by my side and please help me to understand why I fail. I promise to try my best but just DO NOT Give Up on Me.

4. DO not assign to many homework or assignments

Too many homework and assignments might be a burden to me. Living life a student is not as easy as it seems to be. There are many more things to be done not to mention tuition, extra curricular activities, and many more. Giving homework is fine, but when it becomes too many for a subject, I will dislike the both the subject and the teacher also.

5. DO not expect me to Be someone I’m not

Never ever compare me with their anyone be it my siblings, friends or whoever you had thought before. I will feel sad when I’m being compared with. Am  I not good enough? I would love to know that I can be who I am and that you accepts me for who and what I am. Do encourage me to the best I can be without having to completely change who I am.

6. DO not make me feel left out

In class, when I’m passive or not participating actively, do reach out to me. Do not ignore me. I need to feel like I’m still care for and that you will be always there for me. With that, I am will know that you care for me and that you notice me in class. I will then feel like I belong to the class and feel self-belonging towards the lesson.

7. DO not threatened me

Threats like  “I will deduct your marks if....” or “I will call your parents if...” makes me feel like you are threating me and I will feel like you are forcing me to do something I don’t want. Do not use grade as weapons. Grades are to be given according and not to be used as threat to control students.

8. DO not include topic that are not taught in class to examinations

Do not incorporate questions on topics that are taught in class into the examinations. How am I  going to answer it if it is not taught in class? I might not have basic knowledge of the topic and that will make me feel like  I am stupid for not knowing it and will demotivate me.

9. Taking forever to grade and return assignment

Us, students works hard to complete our assignment. I need to know your feedback in order for me to know where my mistakes are and to make necessary corrections. Taking months to check and grade the homework or assignment will prevent all that. And by the time the homework or assignments are given back, I might already forgot what it is about and it no longer meant anything to me.

10. No autonomy in choices

Why I pick who I want to sit with? Why can’t I choose my group mates for assignments? Why am I not given freedom to make decisions? Students like options. Allowing me to exercise some control over my own learning will empower me, and that can be extremely motivating, appealing and inspiring for me. As long as assignment or assessment aligns with the lesson objectives and lesson outcome, giving students autonomy to choose can be a win-win for both teacher and student.

"Learn to listen, listen to learn."
Sometimes, all teachers need to do is to step out of their ‘teacher shoes’ and step into the shoes of students.

Signing off,

*All pictures are for ilustration purpose and are obtained from goggle images.