3rd Reflection : Student-centered ?

Hello Bello beautiful people~ 

Last time Dr Ng briefed us on the implementation of new curriculum  (KSSM) that has been introduce to  Malaysian public schools. we focus on computational skills, which one of the way to enhance higher order thinking skills (HOTS) conjunction with advancement of technologies.

Well,

When it comes to KSSM and HOTS, we know its all about STUDENT CENTERED based learning. Student-centered teaching methods shift the focus of activity from the teacher to the learners. These methods include active learning, in which students solve problems, answer questions, formulate questions of their own, discuss, explain, debate, or brainstorm during class
We can list down numbers of advantages or benefits of student-centered learning theory. However, there is always negative sides of everything. Felder & Brent (1996) mention 11 barriers or problems that might happen in their journal 'NAVIGATING THE BUMPY ROAD TO STUDENT-CENTERED INSTRUCTION'. We have discuss all of them in previous class.

For now, I will discuss on four of the issues/ problems and providing two methods on how to solve it.

1)  'If I don't lecture I ll lose control in the class.'

Solutions :
i. Ensure the students know and understand what I teach them and get the ideas on the tasks that will be given. Divide them in groups and assign group leaders to control of their members.

ii. Provide them sufficient times or periods to complete the task during my presence. Deduction of marks will be taken if students make noise or do other than the tasks given .

2) 'When I tried active learning in one of my classes, many of the students hated it. Some refused to cooperate and made their hostility to the approach and to me very clear.'

Solutions :
i. Ask the students to bring any articles or items that related to next topic in next class either in group or individually. By doing their own findings, they will find or read more on their own and this will help them to get the ideas of next lesson and use it during discussion with the teachers.

ii. Divide them in groups or pairs and let them discuss the ideas. Call each of the representative to share their opinion in front of the class. The best group will be rewarded with presents or given carry marks.

3) I'm having a particularly hard time getting my students to work in teams. Many of them resent having to do it and a couple of them protested to my department head about it.

Solutions :
i. Initially before starting first lesson,  spend time to work on relation between the class. Create a harmonious atmosphere among students. for example, do activity that needing them to work or interact together. get them know each other and erase any gap that exist between them.

ii. i. Give them freedom or chances to choose and create their own group members. This will make them happy to work as a team.

4) ' If I assign homework, presentation, or projects to groups, some students will "hitchhike," getting credit for work in which they did not actively participate.'

Solutions :
i. Every participant is given different role and task. For example, provide number of questions and let the members decide who will find the solution for each of the questions. Then ask them to discuss all of their findings. every one has to explain their answer. Then teacher will call the whole members to present and other group and teachers will ask them to explain more from what they have discuss together.

ii. Group members will write reports on during their meeting and discussion. Rotation representative will jot down attendance and report of what they have discuss to teachers.

Yeah!

I think that s all for now.

There s always room for improvement for every difficulties. I believe all teachers should never giving up in order to create an excellent and effective learning and teaching in classroom. Be patient with the students. We are the one who will shape them inter and intra- personally.

Hope you enjoy your reading here!

See you on next pages~

Love,

Teacher Azie (^_^) v

1st reflection : SCHOOL OF THOUGHT????

Well hello everyone~

As i have said before, today i am going to share reflection of last class which we discuss on '3 Schools of Thought about Learning and Teaching'. Well, that s what education is all about; teach and learn~ ;)

In this topic, we are being exposed to understand how students learn in class; the process, acceptance and clarification of knowledge delivered. There are 3 classes :

1) Cognitive School of Thought ( how people think) 

2) Humanistic School of Thought ( "affective" education focus on social and emotional learning and    development of  student)

3)  Behavioral School of Thought (understanding why we behave as we do)

After studying all those 3 types, I can say it is hard for me to choose which one is the best method or approach. As for me, I believe each of the school of thought has their own strength.  it is depending on how the teachers want to shape the students, which as all of us knows, every learner is different. not everyone comes from the same background or same level of potential and attitude.

In order to create effective learning process, i realize a teacher should know how to handle and recognize their students. Chronologically, Behavioral School of Thought is first being introduced which stating that our behavior is modified by our environment. the teacher will guide and doing things gradually with the students until they could master the lesson; be it in academic or daily routines. those who shows no improvement or change will be given negative reinforcement or in another word punishment until they improve. However, as time pass, sociologists begin to research the effectiveness of the method towards the development life of the human. It is not fully accepted especially towards minority background / deficiency some group of learners themselves. Some might born with slow progression thus it is not fair if every learner treated the same way.

Cognitive School of Thought is then  been introduced in the midst of 1960's which involving  mental development of learner. This is including how the information is processed and stored in one's brain. By studying this approach, a teacher can practicing few teaching method that is more effective that suit the processes. for example applying authentic learning during class lessons. this learning approach shown vigorous positive results because it works how the brain worked best! i would like to suggest an analogy. There s a family of four members; parents and two siblings let say brother and sister. one day the siblings want to ask for extra expenses to buy their stuff. but they know their parents don't simply give more than usual unless they are in good mood, and good mood is only appears when the house and bedroom is well kept. the sister might know their parents well, and therefore before they ask for the money, the sister put on extra effort to clean the entire house! and of course her bedroom. but the brother not knowing the trick. so after meeting their parents to ask for extra money, the sister shows them how she has done perfect house cleaning. satisfying with her, the parents give her extra money as the rewards. but not giving any extra to the brother thou he not doing anything wrong! errr well.. i hope you get me? hehehe . what im trying to say is, if we do  things accordingly, the results would be way better compared to things that might be done correctly, but not accordingly.

last but not least, Humanistic School of Thought. it is to understand the development of human's feelings, attitude and values. positive personal development is totally essential.

effectiveness of every lessons are parallel to the inner and outer needs of the students. human is not a moving robot.  we are gifted with heart. student with stronger heart/ desire is way more passionate than those who with less desire. Disciples of this school of thought mostly want to make children feel better about themselves and become more accepting of others.by respecting or have tolerance, they will be a better person with beautiful attitude and undeniably, good attitude leads to more success. one of the way teacher can apply is always show or praise them with more praise and strong motivation. those intangible rewards is an approach leads to their hearts.

Now i hope you understand why i mention there s no such thing as which school of thought is better or the best. all of them are applicable to learner during teaching and learning process.

i think that s all for now. indeed teaching is not an easy-peasy job  rightt! we are handling with human beings. and indeed, we are the one who actually is shaping them too~ :)

till then,
see you on next pages~

loves,

TEACHER AZIE (^_^)v

About Me

LETS START WITH LOVE!

 Good day everyone! Hi, the given name is Aziyani and please call me Azie in short~ 

I was born and bred in an uptown of Perlis but living my teen-ager life in Negeri Sembilan. Currently  I am pursuing bachelor of Education majoring in English and Literature. But let me tell you a story about a path had been taken.

Few years back I literally underwent medicine studies for almost 4 years.being a medical student was seriously a no-no-joke. I had been suggested by my parents to pursue medical studies and became a doctor as it was a career that very close to human's hearts. Numbers of scholars mentioned that doctor is the most noble career as it helps to save numerous life. However things did not happen according plan. I realized i was not fated to become a doctor but my passion to educate and help people has never faded away. 

Since I completed my SPM examination while waiting for another phase of life begins, I worked as a full time kindergarten teacher in Kangar. I have faith that God is the best of planner. Until today, whenever i am free or having my semester break  I will go back to visit or look after those kids. Educating those little angels indeed the best job I had done in my life. The best part of teaching profession is to watch how pure soul of those little angels, from a kid who knows nothing at all about life; daily routines to intellectual activities, start to learn things slowly but surely. To see them happy and enjoy every class lesson, be it indoor or outdoor activities, is my personal satisfaction! 

        

My 1st class that I am given responsibility to handle them until they graduated~

If a doctor saves life of a human, a teacher creates life and build them bridges to a better future! This is my very own personal view on a career or path of a teacher. Without a teacher, there will be no doctors or any other professions in this world. 

My philosophy in education is Educate to Empower!

Every teacher is playing the main role after the parents to design or provide platforms for the students to nurture and nourish their abilities and skills in order to enrich their qualities of life in various field.

 i believe institutions of any levels should not only focusing on class activities, but also a place where the students shall expand their experiences, given sufficient opportunity to boost up their potential and intellectual discourse. During my days teaching kindergarten kids, I aware indoor activities in school are limited to what the learning materials are provided. In order to create new and more delightful environment, I  propose to the principle to bring the kids out to really learn things through their observations and learning experiences. Here are some example of previous activities I do with my students during outdoor activities.

During the trip to Aquaria,Penang to learn about aquatic animal species. 

Bring the students to Kedah,s famous tourism spot centre museum, Muzium Padi Negeri Kedah.

Having fun with the kids during playing session. 

Well, I think that's all for now. I am looking forward to search and learn more on teaching and learning pedagogy in order to develop and prepare myself as a future teacher. In this blog, I will write and studies more on reflection on what we learn during Pedagogy In Education class in sequence. Hope you will enjoy and drop some comments or ideas to improve my skills and writings, hence achieving the goals of this assessment! Your guidance and valuable knowledge and time spent are highly appreciated~ 

Till then~

LOTS LOVE,

TEACHER AZIE (^_^) v