Final Entry

What are 2 or 3 meaningful things you have learnt in this class?

First and foremost, I just could not believe that the semester has come to end. Time truly flies very fast.Perhaps, this would be the true and exact starter in building and developing ourselves.In fact, the experience of our first day in class is still fresh in me. I remember that I was a bit nervous as everything appeared to be new to me.Nevertheless, I was fascinated with video presentation where the hologram was shown by Dr Tee. My life began to shape as I have registered for this course.

Firstly, I came to know that distance learning has its own attributes. I always had the false conviction that what am I doing is actually distance learning. I was enlightened of that fact as the lecture took place. I have learnt a lots of interesting facts, information, technology and precious great insights on how does DE truly works. I realize that it is not an easy task as it appear to be. It covers lots of pre-planning,designing, strategy verification, analysis and evaluation. People out there may have a false believe that DE programme is THE easiet and simple project that any Tom, Dick and Harry could do. BUT, I have realised the job is not as simple as that. Thre ar lots of aspect that eed to be considered. Is the objective achievable? Doesit cater to the needs of the DE learners? How does the activities designed helps the DE learners? These are the frequent questions we asked ourselves as we design a distance learning module. Thus, I have truly gain, imbibe and learnt many profounf knowledge which could not be derived anywhere out there unless we are distance learner ourselves.

Next would definately be the experience in creating the Wiki. As I have admitted earlier that I a toddler learning to crawl in the world of Wiki, it appeared to be an entirely new experience in completing the task. However, the gradual learning process, guidance and collaboration have bloomed the victory for our Wiki. I never knew that we can create and participate in a Wiki. But, as for now, I am glad and fortunate to learnt that I can apply the knowledge gained to my students as it would definately bear a fruitful and effective learning outcome.

LAst but not least, my total learning process moulded in the completion of our website project. It was a significant experience as I am new to the field. This is my first experience in creating a module for Distance Learners. The work went through many layers of planning, analysing and designing. At first, I was not too sure of how and what should it be like. Drafts after drafts have finally rectified many of our flaws. It was truly a memorable and usful experience working in culminating this task. One useful tips that captured my attention while doing this project was the advise given by Dr Tee. " We have to think of instructional strategies and design process before venturing into the project" where it requires many versions of drafting.


What will you do with the knowledge that you have cultivated from this class?

I will definately try the gained knowledge with my students. As blogging has captured my interest, I would want to try that with my students for effective learning to take place. It would be interactive rflective ground for my students and at the same time learnt better.

Ultimately, I have truly gained a lot of great insights by taking this course. Thanks to Dr Tee for his patience in handling students like me who is still new to the field and needed thorough guidance. Thanks Dr Te for your endless advise and dediaction in moulding me into the path of higher order thinking and implant the importance to think in-depth and cultivated the ability analyse things as needed.
Lastly, I truly believe that whatever has been imparted on us will not definately go in vain. The journey begins now......

E-poster and prototype

The day was indeed a stressful and pressured one. Nevertheless, it was indeed an eye-opener to both of us ( Kuldip and me).

We have learnt a lot on how to create a compact materials as question and answer session have rectified many doubts.. All the presentors were simply amazing and did a wonderful job. I was fascinated and taken aback with their presentation.

It was there and then that i realized that we need to amend our presentation to a better one..

Thanks to Dr.Tee and dear friends for their valuable discussion.

Reflection

The wiki assignment was indeed an eye-opener to me in many ways. Before I can proceed my experience in describing the quality of the content , my contribution and the benefits I’ve got playing with the Wiki. I must first admit that I didn’t know anything about wiki and how does it function. Wiki was very new and appear to be a ‘stranger’ to me. But, today, it is part and parcel of my learning schedule. It has created a close rapport amongst us.

Let me talk about the content. It is very well-organized by Dr.Tee. The content is very apt with the need of all types of learner. In fact, the topic is an interesting title that would arouse the interest of everyone. It consists of every level in the Bloom’s Taxonomy. It begins with lower order thinking and finally culminates to higher order knowledge. I feel that it is very important and necessary for a lesson to be in such a way because learning takes place gradually with intense progress. Learning is a very subjective matter of fact whereby students learn better and grasp the knowledge learnt only when it reaches their heart. In like manner, the wiki has created a room for the learners to actually imbibe the required knowledge and achieve its’ objective. In that sense, I always made sure that I share something worth being learnt amongst my friends.

The wiki has also created a plateau for us, the PXGT 6308 members to collaborate effectively and derive tremendous benefits from it. I personally have upgraded myself by working together in getting this task done. I learnt by studying how my friends work and contribute in the completing the assigned task. The discussion, forum and questions asked in the wiki had allowed for learning to take place subconsciously. I read and go through my friend’s reply in attempting the activities and eventually led to a collaborative learning to occur. My knowledge has indeed expanded. I must also admit that I have begun to think in a wider scope and not be comfortable in my comfort zone of lower order thinking. I have developed and tapped my higher order thinking to work effectively on a frequent basis. As we have contributed the required answers which finally bottoms down to a threaded discussion, is indeed a very useful and beneficial deed in getting learners to learn.

In a nutshell, Wiki has helped me a lot, not only in getting our assigned task done but in the expansion of our knowledge. Wiki- ‘The Learninghaven’, a great tool in learning. It is truly a collaborative knowledge-built, synthesized, and expressed discussion about instructional strategies. It has also created the opportunity to explore and learn through experience. “Experience is definitely the Best Teacher”.

Today's Technology

Well done job to Zamiah and Wan. They ahve actually took a graet trouble and iniative in making their presentation interesting. I was fascinated while watching Zamiah in action in on the scree. I wa wondering to myself, 'why she is not here yet, is she lat for the class or what'. Then, i realised that it was part of their planned presentation.

I was glued to my seat as I realised that I have a long way to go in getting to know of the latest technology. the presentation had really captured my attention as there are plenty of new technologies which was unknown to me. Ultimately, the Acrobat Adobe Pro Connect was very interesting to learn. I never knew the exixtence of such site. And, I found that it is very useful and comes in aid for our assignment. However, we were not been really guided on how get into it using the correct channel.

Another thing that had pin down my attention was the explanation on Web 3.0 and 2.0. The subject content of these two topics were very vague to me at initial stage. However, Dr.Tee's explanation has made it clear. I am able to differenciate both of them.

Lastly, the sharing session with Kak Hana was truly a useful and beneficial session as it created room for improvement for our project.

Benchmark

Hats off to Kak Fazu and Mosayeb for the superb presentation. Their slides, templates and the multimedia effect were awesome. Obviously, it is Kak Fazu, the expert in action. ;-)

Well, I always had the confusion in differentiating benchmark and standard. But then, it was clarified in their explanation. They were keeping us engaged and made us to think with the aid of the activities.

Ultimately, the fruitful and helpful agenda was the discussion board with Dr.Tee and our friends on the project and out new wiki. I realize that the new wiki is growing greatly. In fact, i didn't know that we can actually check several things like history and give our comment through discussion. Learned a new thing.

Experience is the best teacher. I am truly learning wonderful things in this class.I have learned numerous interesting things being in the midst of our helpful and guiding team members ( classmates). I am developing myself by observing at how others work.... I believe i will carry this lesson in me forever.

Evaluation

Well, this is a backdated entry. My sincere apology for that.

I was late for the class and so, I have missed their set induction. I was told that the set induction, American Idol was good. Nevertheless, the presenters were kind enough to show me again a glimpse of it at the end of their presentation.

The presenters were very good and spoke confidently. The topic was well covered. I was able to comprehend the topic reasonably well because it was linked to my presentation's topic. :-)

The slide which had grabbed my attention was the slide on the formative design process. I have understood better when Kak Fazu explained and shared her experience. I was truly astonished to realize that the outer world of design has got so much of WORK..... to do. And, here, we are happily commenting and complaining on the quality of the course ware that are sent to the schools. It not easy then. IT design has slowly made its entry in arousing and cultivating my interest.

As evaluation is part and parcel of our daily in our profession, it is not something new. But, to learn it theoretically was the fun of it.

I am growing in expanding my knowledge. :-)
Thanks to everyone.

The new wiki..

# What do you think of the new "how people learn" wiki?
# What helps you learn?
# What gets in the way of your learning

First and foremost, my heartiest thanks and gratitude to Dr.Tee for actually been moulding and guiding us into the track of acquiring knowledge. As I have honestly admitted, I knew nothing about Wiki and how does it function. I always wondered how our wiki will look like once it done. However, the stress and pressure of it has been reduced by Dr.Tee. The new wiki is definately very systematically planned out. The structure speaks for itself. It very interactive as it should be. Here again, we confront the various ways people learn. A child learns in a different manner than an adult. Similarly, a college students or teens learn in their own respectively ways. so, learning is vary from each individual. It is combination of many skills, interpretation and capacity. Obviously, the learning begins at understanding and eventually develops to higher order thinking as the designated task in learning. Therefore, the new wiki caters to the needs of all types of learner with its own attractive features which are very presentable.

My answer to the next question......Carrier (1980) defines learning as an activity carried out by co-operating on completing decision, seeking to achieve within the rules and their objectives which is parallel to the types of task assigned. In this case, the activity designed should provide the maximum opportunities for language acquisition for pupils to engage in using real communication.

The video, multimedia effect and the activities designed that requires hands-on experiment are several aspect to the culmination of the learning process. I have personally learned on how to create a better, efficient and interactive blog for my project paper. The maximum exposure of collaborative work and real life situation presented in a fascinating ways enable me to learn better.

My final answer on what gets in the way of my learning. well, I guess it's the team work and guidance of the lecturer supported with the featuristic equipments. I am sure I wont be able to grasp things easily within this short period of time if not because of the strong collaboration. I learn by observing and studying on how others perform and how can i learn from them. Apparently, I did managed to learn a lot of stuff and great inputs. When I first walked into this class, I knew nothing but now, I can boldly admit that I have learned some new things in life which are worth treasuring. I am glad I keeping myself up-to-date being an educator to the future generation.The things that i have learned may it be practical knowledge nor life experience. Glad that I am upgrading myself.

Copyright, Managing and Leading.

The topic looks simple but the fact is that is VERY deep and consists of 'broad coverage'. First of all, I must thank and congratulate both the presenters for a simplified version of difficult topic. They began well with a superb video. I was truly stunned to watch the video. The first thing that crossed my mind was 'where did they get all these..... the definition on copyright!" As I always believe in that learning that arouses the interest of the audience will definitely remain longer in the brain.

I just wanna share my experience on how learning takes place better. Currently, I am indulge in completing my project paper entitled "Language games to enhance teaching grammar". While writing the Chapter 2, I came across many writer who stressed that learning is a subconscious process whereby it will only remains in the learner for a long time if it fulfills the needs of the learner..

According to Wright (1979) the process of language learning is a difficult task. Every person has to face this kind of process in his or her life. They must make an effort to understand, to represent accurately and to use the language that is known in conversation and also in written form. Efforts are required at every moment and must be sustained for a long period of time. In this case, language games could help and encourage learners to make and sustain those efforts.

Thus, while listening to presentation, I realizes that the visual effects had played a very important role in creating a steady platform for me to remember and grasp the knowledge being conveyed. I am not denying it was content-packed but they made it simpler.

And, talking about copyright in Malaysia will definately take a couple of ages to be implemented.

Assessment

Our presentation..... I did my best that I can but I have a strange feeling that We didnt get to the mark of everyone's expectation. I could be wrong but hope we did a good job. It was indeed a very different experience. I was prepared to talk in front of the crowd but I was not well prepared withe required knowledge perhaps.. i must admit that I am not good in IT and tried my level best to give a good one.

Assessment appears to be a simple topic but it has many aspects to be focused on. As teachers, we confront the methods in dealing with assessment every now and then. We know that it exist but to put it under one nutshell was the challenge taken for our presentation. Perhaps, assessment can be better understood with a bit of analytical thinking and synthesizing the input to form aperfetc understanding on the topic.

Nevertheless, it is a good learning process.

Internet Distance education

First anf foremost, I must congratulate Pat and Khor for their compact and well done presentation. They were rocking with detailed and compact information. Obviously, the textbook had lot to say and it became simpler when they presented. Their induction as capturing though didnt really match the purpose. Nevertheless, it was a good one. The entire thing that was shared was very useful and informative. However, I must admit that I had too much of input whereby I had difficulty ecollecting back what was learnt and presented. As the presentation contained a lot of stuff. I could only retrieve Pat's MSG and the Hypo dance. Of course, the CMS is there at one corner of my brain but it was kind of heavy for me.

But, I managed to get the gist of their presentation and was in fact mesmerised of the capacity that Internet has in learning.

Good job.

Understanding Distance Learners

I just would like begin by saying that the presentation was simply mind-blowing. I like their layout, templates, effort taken and the capturisation of the audience. I was glued to my seat with 100% concentration.

Things are slowly beginning to fall into place. The first of the class, I was exposed to the content with a culture shock. Then, the next session clarified the fear. I began to form a conceptualized idea on what is this DE all about. Gradually, things are falling into place with the aid of forum, discussion and presentation and of course with lectures.

The content was made simple and comprehensible. Ultimately, the it reached its' peak when we discussed our wikispace. I truly felt that the session was indeed a meaningful and useful session. We or perhaps I were lost in the wiki not knowing of my exact role to play. The discussion brought into many clarification and solution. Infact, I'm very much thankful and contented for having it as it has come to a consensus. Alas....

2nd reflection on DE

The input was truly good and compact. I truly understood and have a clear picture of what is DE now. It was truly amazing and fascinating to know the framework and elements of DE in depth. Though it was very in depth but yet, it was very informative and gave a broad picture.

Reflection

I guess I must admit this.......... I had zero knowledge about what and how is the course gonna be. I was looking forward but was a bit reluctant in the sense of my incompetency in the IT world. Nevertheless, I marched forward and registered myself.

And, no regrets........ Truly no regrets. I am convinced that I have made the wise choice. The class is interesting, very creative and innovative. I like the presentation and the ways the lecture is being conducted. in fact, it is very interactive and gives room for abundance of sharing and learning to take place. Indeed, I am learning a lot. I am not proficient and good in dealing with IT stuff but, I like venturing it. So, I guess...here is my kic-off platform. The first class was very friendly and at ease. I felt oneness amongs us. I have gained my confidance that I can count on everyone if I need favors. I was also fascinated with the very planned and focussed preparation by Dr. I will definately use the similar strategies to start off the first day once I start lecturing later.

The second session was abviously great. I am sorry to admit that I didnt do my reading as I had no access to Internet. Actually, I was restless about it. but, Dr had his own way of revealing us ( those who didnt read) by closing our eyes. Thank u Dr. Sorry about that and will not do it again. For that reason, the lesson was so much simplifies and I really understood what is DE all about. Vast subject but was ,made simplified and comprehensible. In a nutshell, it was good and I am picking up. Pls do bear with me and my learning pace.

thank u....