Her name was Mrs. Thompson and his was 'Teddy'. As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children a lie. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. But that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard. Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he didn't play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. And Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers. At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise. Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners ... he is a joy to be around." His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle." His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death had been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken." Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class". By now, Mrs Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to." After the children left she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, and writing, and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets." A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs.Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had in his whole life. Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favourite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer - The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD. The story doesn't end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he'd met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the place at the wedding that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. And she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together. They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs.Thompson's ear, "Thank you, Mrs. Thompson, for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference." Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you." This article has been posted by Prof Maznah in ADEC. I am just want to share it with my friends who are not study in this course. This story makes me realize how important teacher is in students’ life. As teacher is the second important agent of socializations after parents, we should play our role seriously. As globalization is changing rapidly, we should prepare our selves with this matter. Children are very naïve. They just can see only from their perspective. So, we as a teacher need to help them by giving our support and not condemning them. It is important because children’s nature to be loved and they easily sensitive if someone scold them. For me, scolding and punishment are not suitable to be applied unless you have set the positive punishment for them. In conclusion, this is depends on us to create our children and students plus make difference in their life. Whether it is a good improvement or a bad improvement, the answers are in you.Mrs. Thompson and Teddy
salamafter reading this story,it made me ponderam i wanna be a Teddy?who has strong intention n spirit never give upcan i be like him?am i d Teddy?or am i wanna be a teacher like Teddy's teacher?who inspired Teddy 2 become someonecan i be like her or just be myselfcan i inspired someone until he/she become a Teddyno matter which 1 i am, i know that it is x 2 late for us 2 become Teddy and Mrs Thompson
I was late entering the classroom. So, I have missed the group presentation. The topic for the presentation was
“As a teacher, how do you promote the usage of the school computer lab. Choose 2 or more than 2 activities which are suitable in teaching and learning in the classroom/computer lab. The presentation is based on group work.”
Students nowadays are lucky because the government has built many school computer lab for each school. When I was in primary school, I even do not know what e-mail is. Believe it or not, I tried to find the word in the dictionary but it was not there. So, as the government has spent a lot of $$$, the school should use it wisely. When questioned has been asked to the school, they said teachers are not capable enough to use it in their teaching and learning process. However, the government has taken action in order to solve this problem. They have sent teachers for the in-service course regarding on developing their technology skill. Hence, teachers can apply what they have learnt while they attend to the course. For me, I am very lucky because in this sem, I have technology in primary school subject. I have learnt many things regarding on how to integrate technology in my lesson.
Beseides, it is a waste if teacher not use the computer lab. This is because the computer lab is complete with the equipments. So, teacher should take this opportunity because it can give students new experience in learning. Yet, it may vary the lesson as well as it can make the lesson better.
As for example, teacher can use internet to teach English. The computer lab has this kind of help as teacher can surf the net in order to find good and suitable online activities. Many online activities can be found in the net. It provides many advantages to teacher and students.
Fish philosophy??? A fish has a philosophy??? That was the first impression after I heard about it. So, is that mean a crab, a cat and etc also has a philosophy. Erm, I am wondering what is fish philosophy is all about. After Prof Maznah gave this article, http://www.charthouse.com/content.aspx?nodeid=1066, I was quite clear what fish philosophy is. A fish philosophy is a skill that provides the process, tools and language to generate the skills necessary to design a workplace full of inspiration, creativity and innovation.
WHY IT IS CALLED FISH PHILOSOPHY?
On a visit to Seattle, Christensen observed how animated and happy the employees at
Christensen realized that not only were the workers making a routine errand fun for themselves and their customers, they also were selling tons of fish. He constructed the FISH! Philosophy from his observations of
§ Play
§ Make Their Day
§ Be there
§ Choose Your Attitude
I started to like this philosophy. This is because I think it is very suitable to be applied in the classroom. As a teacher, be there is important as it shows our concern towards our students’ learning. We have to support and guide them because they need us a guider. Pupils believe that teacher is everything for them. They even will refuse to listen to their mother’s advice if their teacher asks them to do something. By being there, it makes me realize how important for a teacher in order to make students interested with their learning as well as acquire the knowledge.
Children love to play. Unconsciously, actually children do not come to the English language classroom empty handed. They bring with them an already well-established set of instincts, skills and characteristics which help them to learn another language. For example, children take great pleasure in finding and creating fun in what they do. So, what we as a teacher can do in order to make them play and keep on feel excited to learn.
• Keep a sense of playfulness and fun.
• Avoid drill and rote memorization.
• Use group setting to encourage interaction among children.
• Encourage children curiosity about language and experiment with language and print.
Teacher must not have sense of bias or favourite students. Treat them equally as it makes them feel they are not isolated by their teacher. Students like teacher pay more attention to them as they believe their teacher cares and love them. Teacher is important in order to make their day bright and not gloomy.
As teacher, we have to choose our attitude. This is because we must portray a good example to our students. Pupils will make their teacher as their role model. If we portray bad attitudes towards them, the fish philosophy cannot be applied as the practices are not complete.
On 24th of September 2008, it was our 11th week lecture. This week, we have to submit our last assignment which is SMARTboard assignment. Many weeks has been given to us in order to design activities using SMARTboard. We have to compile all the five files in one CD. After submitted the assignment, I felt so relief because all the efforts has came to the end. Now, it is time for lecturer and the tutors to evaluate our works. Honestly, I am satisfied with my works. All of us should felt like that as the time given to finish this assignment is a quite long duration of time. Besides, this was my first time designing activities for primary students using SMARTboard. I took this opportunity to learn many things.
I realized that it is not easy to design activities for primary students using SMARTBOARD. We have to consider many things such as the font size, the font, and the suitability of content as well as the maximization of using SMARTboard. If the size and the font cannot be seen from students at the back of the class, it is no use for us to design good activities to our students. Besides, the important thing is we have to consider whether we can exploit the use of SMARTboard or not while designing those activities. If the activities that we design can be done without using SMARTboard, so we cannot exploit the integration of technology in our classroom. As technology is important and help teacher to support teacher’s lesson, it needs to be exploited so that the lesson can be conveyed successfully. Now, I realized how important to design good activities for students. Thanks to Prof Maznah and the tutors because they have reminded us with the criteria that need to be considered while designing the activities. Without their concern and help, we cannot design good activities.
Before Prof Maznah started her class, she has played a simple game with us. She has thrown a rubber ball to us. Then, she started her lesson with Fish approach which has been used in corporate world.
On 17th of September lecture, we have to make sure that our assignment is 80% done as Prof Maznah randomly will choose anyone of us to present in front of the class. She has informed us earlier so that we can get prepared with our work. Personally, I am quite worried if I am the lucky one to present in front of the class. However, Prof Maznah has changed her mind as she asked us to choose the best among the best of the assignment within our group. In my group, we discuss to choose Husna’s work. We choose her work because her activities are linked to each other and she has variety of activities in her assignment.
While other friends presenting, we have to evaluate and give comments to our friends’ presentation. Prof Maznah asked us to tell them two good and bad things about their presentation. I found that it is important to have this session as we will think and reflect back our work. Even though we are commenting other’s people work, actually this is our opportunity to think again on our work. Some of good things about their presentation that can I use are the suitability of content to students, the colourful and attractiveness of pictures as well as the exploitation of using SMARTBOARD. Meanwhile, for the bad things, some of the group did not consider the font size, the colour of the background, the instruction given and so on. I realized that simple and little things did not take seriously while designing the activities. For us, maybe it is suitable and ok but we did not consider that the students are primary students. For example, the colour and hethe font size. For us, maybe the size can be seen at the back but for them, they may struggle while looking at it. Besides, the font also need to be considered which are we can use Comic Sans MS. This is because the font is related with them as other font like Arial and Times New Roman are not suitable to be used.
From the presentation, I became aware with my works. so, I decided to look again and modify the parts that has been commented in the classroom. For good and bad things, I alter it again so that the activities suited and can be successfully achieved by the students. The knowledge that I gain on that day were beneficial to be used in the future. Now, I know that if we want to design activities for students, we have to think the students’ view and not simply design what we want to design. Moreover, after the presentation, I found that actually they are many things can be done using SMARTboard. If before this I did not know that what kind of activities can be done by using the “tirai”, after one of my friends use it for her assignment, I have gain new knowledge from her. However, I cannot use it for my activities but I will use it one day as knowledge is beneficial in anytime.
This week, i take the opportunity to approach my tutors regarding the assignment. I have approached Miss Chin to help me because I have problem while designing my activities. My topic is Money. The activities is about to drag the note to the box. However, when I drag the note, it will take many spaces. So, Miss Chin has taught me on how to solve it. Still, it cannot be solved. Suddenly, one of my friends comes to me and asks what happen. After I tell my problem, she gives her idea. She recommends doing small boxes so it will be 1 note for 1 box. Before this, my idea is in 1 big box, all the notes will go in there. Then, I tell Miss Chin about it as I want to le her know that the problem has been solved. I am relieved now. I am touched by the concern that has been shown by my tutors and my friends. What I learnt is two heads are better than 1 head. Discuss our problem with others will help us to solve our problem. We cannot keep it alone as it will not make things change. This assignment teaches me a lot about everything. I hope in the future, I will get cooperative team mate like I get from this course. Tutors are really helping me. In my video clip assignment, Miss Eng, Miss Chin and Mr Hafiz also help me a lot. Thank you for your help. I am really appreciate it.
This week is very hectic week. I have to reformat my laptop. My laptop cannot support the SMARTBOARD software. My laptop has problem with its windows. It makes me sad because I need to do my assignment. After I reformat it at 
Then, I realize if we are eager to do something but there is a “road block” if front of us, we have to find the solution fast. I am lucky to have friends that support me because they immediately offer themselves to accompany me to the
1. Learning about ICT 2. Learning with ICT 3. Learning through ICT I found that it is essential to apply these three approaches as we can understand better how to manipulate ICT in maximum level. Sometimes, we are too eager and too ambitious to integrate ICT in our classroom. Nevertheless, we are not equipped ourselves fully the knowledge of ICT. What I can say is as a teacher going to be, knowledge and readiness to apply ICT in the classroom are important. The principle should be mastered very well so that children can benefit the lesson vividly. The use of ICT in the classroom is essential especially its specialties to convey the limitation of our effort. For example, the previous assignment requirement that we have done before is we need to produce a video that the content cannot be delivered without using a video clip. Like scuba diving, it is quite difficult for teacher to demonstrate the action of scuba dive without integrate it with ICT. As humans have limitation to do thing, ICT is needed to help us in our teaching and learning process. However, we should remind ourselves to use it wisely and think again whether the lesson is better to use ICT or not. This is because we have to bear in mind that children in early stage of learning process are still in concrete stage. The relia is important to be applied n the lesson. So, as a teacher, the effectiveness of the lesson is depending on the teacher. Even though she uses latest technology and extraordinary relia but students cannot cope with it, it is no use at all. After Miss Chin has presented her presentation, Prof Maznah has something to say to us. It is regarding our SMARTboard assignment. She asks on our progression. Yet, she tells us about the Interactive Whiteboard by Tolley. This note is really important to us as it gives us idea and guideline on how to design very “SMART” and interactive activity. There are 12 guidelines that can be implemented in my assignment. As she presented in front, I am keep thinking how am I want to apply these guidelines as I do not know how to use it. But I know, our tutors are there to help me. I decide to try it first and if I am face with difficulties, I will approach them. She also stress on the use of learning theories in our activities. as the assignment is meant for children, we should think and consider their human being development. For instance, it is good to apply Behaviourism, cognitivism theories in the activities. For cogntivism theories, it can be applied by designing activities that make them engage actively in the lesson. So, as IWB offers this opportunity, I think I have to think deeper and start to plan interactive lesson.I wonder what we are going to learn in this week. Our lecturer and the tutors always have a new knowledge regarding technology. I cannot wait to learn for today. This week, we learnt about ICT and the Learning Principles of the Primary School Curriculum. Basically, they are three approaches ways in using ICT in teaching and learning.
I cannot feel that I can do like her. However, when there is a will, there is a way. We have reminded to think again what the main purpose to have Smartboard activities is. If we tend to prefer quantity, we need to make sure the quality is parallel with the quantity. I think that the important thing how I am going to design interactive activities as that is the purpose of design activities using smartboard. Today is the day where we send the video clip assignment. Actually, I am quite nervous because I am worry if they are no viewers want to view my video if it will be uploaded in youtube. (I have updated this entry and this is the url to link to my video entitled: Like and Dislike http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba2slijDwj0 ) When I sent my assignment, I feel satisfied with work. This is because I have considered the criteria to produce this video clip. Prof Maznah gave us some questions to be pondered while producing the video clip.
is it appropriate to have the video when the content can be delivered easily with a demonstration or a picture or a book?
Luckily, I found this reminder. So, since my topic is about hobbies, I modify the hobbies which cannot be delivered without using the video clip. That is why I chose hobbies like surfing the net, surfing at the sea, scuba diving, ice climbing and so on. These hobbies cannot be delivered without using the video clip. If the hobbies can be demonstrated without using video using, so there is no purpose we use video clip to teach them as it is easier to convey it in the class.
In week four, we have been introduced to local link on ICT. They are variety of online education that has been prepared by ministry of education like example, cikgu.net, eduwebtv, MOE, ETeMS, BTV and etc. These websites have different approach and each of them as their own specialities. However, the main purpose it is being constructed is because to help teachers in
For example, ETeMS website.
What is ETeMS?
ETeMS has been proposed as an urgent interim measure to ensure that teachers of mathematics and science (MST) will have basic capacity to use English as the medium of instruction. Bearing in mind the limited duration of interaction, ETeMS is not to be regarded as a complete language development course, but rather, one of several support mechanisms introduced by the Ministry of Education to encourage the MST to further develop their English language competence to a level that will engender optimal performance in and outside the classroom.
The overall aim of ETeMS...
To enhance the English language skills of Mathematics and Science teachers to enable them to reach effectively using English as the medium of instruction.
My mother is a Mathematics primary school teacher. She has attended this course. This is a beneficial course as my mother gets opportunity to improve her Englsih. I can see her improvements as she is more confident to speak in English in her classroom. She has been taught Maths in malay for about more than 10 years. Imagine, how difficult to teach maths in English because the terms in maths are different now. But, by attending this course plus there is online link to ETeMS, it is a bonus for my mother to improve herself.
I think being a teacher is very lucky because the ministry of education has prepared many links for us. It is such a waste if these online links did not use wisely. As for myself, I will surf these links more often in order to equip myself with the latest and current information about teaching profession. This is important because we know what is happened outside there. Besides, the information is just on our finger tips as we just need to surf it in the net without go to the MOE in order to find the latest info.
This is the third week for this semester. As the last two week, I cannot wait for the next class. As the class started, we had been reminded to finish our first assignment which producing the video clip. I am struggling to try my best to produce a good and useful video clip for my audiences as this is my first time to explore and use movie maker. I am zero and do not know how to use it. Yet, I asked my friends to help me. After that, Miss Chin gave her lecture about two models which are ADDIE and ASSURE model. These models are model of learning process which can be implemented in our teaching and learning process. Evaluate & revise In order to use this model, the first step is we have to analyse our students learning problem, the goal and objectives of our lesson, audience’s need and existing knowledge. I think that 1st step is very important because without we know our students’ problem, we just teach on what we want to teach without considering their problem. For example, if students still not acquire with the previous lesson, but then we have proceeded with new lesson, it might be difficult for them acquire the lesson. Besides, with goal and objective, it will lead our lesson. So, our lesson will have focus and will be on the right track. In addition, the impact is on the students themselves as they can gain the knowledge better. After we analyse their problem and our goal, it help us to guide our lesson in order to equip with students’ need and suit with their prior knowledge. Students’ prior knowledge will help us to prepare lesson that make them participate actively. For instance, we have to prepare lesson that familiar like daily life situation because they can use their existing knowledge and know the clear picture on what we want to teach. For the second step, designing our objective more specifically will help us to expect more what we want from our students. So, we can get more information whether they understand the lesson or not by giving our expectation in our objective of the lesson. In addition, the lesson’s flow will be design I this step. It makes our lesson runs smoothly as we have design the aids. The third step is, development phase. We develop and design what teaching materials that we want to use for our lesson. Then, it makes we prepare well for our lesson complete with the aids. For the implementation, this is when we apply our plan. We teach students based on what we have prepared earlier by using teaching aids. I think that teaching aids are important for a teacher to assist her lesson. However, it is depends on her if she wants to use the teaching materials throughout the whole lesson or only on certain stage of lesson. The last stage isevaluation where we evaluate our students’ progression after we have conveyed the lesson. It can be done it in immediate feedback by asking questions or from our observation. the another way is by having summative or formative evaluation like monthly test. For me, evaluation is very important as it gives us feedback on what we have taught. If the students cannot acquire the lesson, maybe we can reteach or give remedial activities. And for the good students, we can give enrichment activities. All these actions make students understand the lesson vividly.
This is the second week in this course. After I had attended the first lecture, it made excited to study in this course. This is because I found that this is one way for me to use technology for my students. My lecturer, Prof Maznah reminded us that effective planning is important as it can ensure effective teaching. Actually, before she gave the reminder, I took for granted the use of technology. I thought we can use technology just like that without considering our audience @ students. Thanks to her as she claimed that there are three purposes for us in order to apply technologies which are to inform, to teach skills and to influence the students. I realized that we have to consider all these three things so that our intention can be sent to students.
The first assignment has been given last week. We have uploaded the information in ADEC in terms of title, target group, subject and so on. So, this week we have to tell to our lecturer and tutors on what we want to do. We have to produce a 3 minute video. It is excited as this is one step for us to design our own video. We have to work in group of five. This is my group member
It is considered as group work but each one of us got opportunity to produce the video. In group, we have to brainstorm our idea and think together on how to make effective video. We are lucky to have Prof Maznah and the tutors as they help a lot in our assignment. They will read our topic and learning objectives so that we will be in the right track and our objectives can be achieved.
