ELEVENTH WEEK LECTURE

         On 24^th of September 2008, it was our 11^th 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. 

TENTH WEEK LECTURE

  On 17^th 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.

week nine ~ two heads are better than 1

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.

 

Week eight ~ Oh my SMARTBOARD

      

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 Lowyat Plaza, now I can proceed with my work.     

 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 Lowyat Plaza.