Students are Blind


I wonder why students nowadays are so blind.


Ten years ago while I was still in school, we dare not make too much noise in class while the teacher was still in.
But now... It's the other way around.

Ten years ago while I was still in school, we were punished if we did not finish our homework.
But now... The teacher get punished (mentally by PIBG, JPN, PARENTS) if they scold the students for not finishing the homework.

Ten years ago while I was still in school, we dare not raise up our voice or even kick the teacher.
But now... Some students even dare to KILL the teacher.

Ten years ago while I was still in school, the SBPs, SMKAs, SMAs, Bestari Schools, and MRSMs were still standing high above not only in academic but also in manner.
But now... It's hard to see the difference anymore.

Ten years ago while I was still in school, we never swore to the teacher (exceptional for friends).
But now... Students used swear words to the teacher more frequently than to their friends.

Ten years ago while I was still in school, we did feel the pain of being scolded but still, we understand that it's for our own benefit.
But now...

Now, the students are blind. Folded by their own fort made of EGO.
They said that they wanted freedom but ironically, knowledge is the only way to freedom.
They want to be rich. But their richness are always risky.

Students nowadays are blind.
I wish someone would be generous to lend them an eye.

-Cikgu Syuhada-


*Am so frustrated with my students attitude today. It's a heart-breaking thing when one of them said "Teacher berani la buat macam cikgu tu.. Saya anti dengan teacher baru tau." (with a cynical expression).
- and all I did that caused her to say that was just, smile.
Students are so blind (sigh~)

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LESSON PLAN

Form : 4 Maju Date: 18 March 2010

Subject : English Time: 11.20 am – 12.40 pm

Enrolment : / 29

Level: Intermediate

Theme : Science and Technology

Topic : Learning to Use the Internet to Communicate.

Teaching Areas: 1.0 – Language for Interpersonal Use

i) Talking about oneself to others, sharing information about each other that is of interest to both parties. (Level 1)

ii) Responding to questions politely by giving the required information.(Level 1)

iii) Relating personal experiences. (Level 1)

iv) Carrying on a conversation with people one meets for the first time. (Level 2)

2.0 – Language for Informational Use

v) Asking and answering questions. (Level 1)

vi) Converting information into text. (Level 1)

Grammar : Present Tense (used when one makes a conversation with a friend at the present time)

Sound System : Messenger

Vocabulary : Censored, Messenger, Instant Message.

Previous Knowledge : Students have been exposed to the basic knowledge on internet, e-mail, and messenger.

Educational Emphasis : Multiple Intelligences

Intrapersonal – students are able to process the information on their own and provide output from the information.

Thinking Skills

- Students are able to express themselves creatively in the target language.

Learning How to Learn

Information Skills – Learning by themselves independently on how to get information from others through internet.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Skills

- Using internet as a resource of information and practicing communication skills with others using messenger.

Instructional Aids: Computers

Learning Outcomes: By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1) Communicate with their internet friend using the target language.

2) Ask at least five (5) out of the six (6) questions given as an outline for chatting by the teacher.

3) Learn the advantages and disadvantages of using the internet.

Teaching Procedures:

Stage / Step / Time

Content

Teaching Learning Activities

Notes / Remarks

Set Induction

(10 minutes)

Introduction to the topic:

The use of internet to communicate.

- Teacher asks students whether they already have an e-mail account and a messenger that is Skype or Yahoo Messenger.

- Teacher tells the students on her own experience of using the messenger to find friend for the first time.

- Teacher asks the students on their personal experience.

“How do you find the messenger? Is it useful or not?”

“With whom do you usually chat with?”

- Relating one’s personal experience with the topic.

Step 1

(30 minutes)

Hands-on experience of talking to the native using the messenger.

- Teacher asks the students to sit at their respective place in front of the computers. One computer for each person.

- Then, the teacher gives the instruction on what they should do next:

a) Connect to the internet.

b) Open their messenger (Skype or Yahoo Messenger) account.

c) Go to the chat room for Americans or English.

d) Find a friend there and starts a conversation based on the questions given on the board.

- The teacher writes the questions that is required for the chat:

a) What is your name?

b) Where do you live?

c) How old are you?

d) Where are you studying?

e) What did you do during your pastime and your ambition?

f) What do you think of Malaysia?

- Students respond to the teacher.

- Teacher monitors the class.

- Communication Skills using ICT.

Step 2

(25 minutes)

Presentation

- Teacher asks the students to print out their conversation.

- After that, teacher asks for volunteers to share their experience of conversing with a native speaker with the class.

- Students are expected to respond to the teacher.

- Each students are required to e-mail the conversation to her as a prove that they did the activity.

- Communication Skills.

Closure

(15 minutes)

Class Discussion

- Teacher asks for students’ opinion on the advantages and disadvantages of internet based on the activity today.

- Teacher concludes from the students’ experience of talking to the native speaker through internet. The advantages and disadvantages.


Self-evaluation:

Supervisor’s Comment:

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Article Review (Task 2)

A. Proper citation of the article:

The title of the research that I am reviewing is “Comparing Web-Based and Classroom-Based Learning: A Quantitative Study. It is taken from ProQuest Education Journal where the publication title is “Journal of Research on Technology in Education”. The journal has been published on 2002 in volume 34, issues number two on page 31 which contains 7 pages altogether. The author of the journal is M.O. Thirunarayanan with the help of Aixa Perez-Prado. Due to the growth of World Wide Web, education at any place is seen as possible. The research study on the effectiveness and the compatibility of this new education style to the society.

B. Summary of the article:

i. The aims of the research

The aim of the research is to study the result of students’ achievement when they learn using the web-based learning whether it is equally the same with classroom-based learning or better. Knowing that during the year 2002 where the research was being conducted, this kind of learning is still alien to the students and lecturer as well. That was why the research was made so that one can see the effects of learning web-based method which is believed to be better in terms of its mobility (knowledge can be accessed anywhere) and its assistance.

ii. The methodology

Two tests were delivered to the online students (web-based learning) and offline students (classroom-based learning); pre-test and post-test. Those two tests are of the same questions which all are based on the concepts and ideas learnt in the subject. The marks were given by the course instructor and her colleague. The scores gains by the students were checked more than once and were then transferred into t-test to see the differences between both groups.

iii. The subject/sample

Students of the same lecturer were being used as the sample of this research. They were between the ages of 21 to 47 years old where 95% of them are in the early 20’s. Female students dominate the sample as there are only five male students among fifty five female students. Overall, there were sixty students who became the sample for this research. They were all in their last semester that enrolled in TSL 4141 class.

iv. The findings of the research

Based on the Table 2 shown above, we can see that there’s not much difference between the groups’ achievement. However, looking at the differences between both groups’ pre-test and post-test average marks, the Online group shows a slightly bigger margin than the Offline group with 2.02 points. The Offline group’s difference in average score is only 1.54 points.

C. Your reaction:

i. Does the research interest you?

Web-based learning being compared to classroom-based learning might sound unexciting now but to think that the research was made eight years ago was what interest me. Back in 2002 when I am still studying in high school, web-based learning did sound very highly technology and unpromising as the students were used to being taught by human and not machine. Despite the fact that this research contains only 7 pages, the aims of it were achieved and it is reader-friendly as well where this research is suitable to be read by people in general.

ii. Do you think the research well conducted?

The research is not completely well conducted. The methodology of this research is not able to fulfill the lust for information and great experiment. Furthermore, the researcher only tests in one field and on one subject only. The result could be bias in a condition where the subject taught using web-based learning (TSL 4141) is not a tough subject. For example, comparing two subjects which are Phonetics and Phonology, and Educational Psychology, it is easier to teach Educational Psychology because it includes theories and ideas that can be learn by reading and memorizing only. But on the other hand, to learn Phonetics and Phonology need the lecturer to demonstrate and show the students on how the sound of every phoneme and such sound in order for the students to understand.

This problem can be improved by improvising this research.

iii. What are the implications of the research in teaching and learning of ESL (in the general and Malaysian contexts)

In reality, web-based learning has already been implemented at higher learning institution such as PJJ (Pendidikan Jarak Jauh). Our Ministry of Education has launched the E-learning for Malaysian in (year) where it is highly recommended for Malaysian to learn through technology. Open University is one best example of university which offers courses learnt through web-based learning method. In attaining the web-based learning, teachers as well as students must be hand-in-hand in attaining the full use of web-based learning.

http://proquest.umi.com.newdc.oum.edu.my/pqdweb?did=113176806&sid=1&Fmt=4&clientId=56581&RQT=309&VName=PQD

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My Students' Creative Writing

This is a way to show them how I appreciate their work ^_^











































































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New Semester



"Ala.."



My new semester began with a sigh. No more late night sleep, no more Pingu at 9 am every Monday to Wednesday, no more relax time, and no more Mom's food. It's time to be tortured...again.



I went back to hostel on 4th of July, Thursday. The day after that, I had a motivational program at Sungai Gombak. I was one of the fasilitators there. The program was held for 2 days, so I was back to hostel on Sunday. Tired but happy. I've checked my timetable and there's no class on Monday. I was so relieved...



8th of July, I went to the Education Faculty building as usual.



"Kak Syu! Miss you so much... Long time didn't see you..." bla...bla...bla...



The chat goes on for about 23 minutes and 17 seconds between me and my juniors at IPKB; the link program students. They asked me about life at UiTM, how's the lecturers, the hostel, shopping complex, and so on. I ran away from them after that. Not because I was tired of answering their questions, but because if I don't hurry to my class, I'll have to answer the lecturer's question.



Being the JPKCA (Jawatankuasa Perwakilan Kolej Cemara Akasia), I get to stay in the hostel for this semester. Some of us had to stay in other hostel while others were staying at rented houses.



"Syu, jom la visit us at Mawar..."



My friends asked me to visit their rooms at Kolej Mawar as I have another motivational program on the 10th to 13th July at Batang Kali and that makes me extremely busy during weekend. The visit was fun. We enjoyed ourselves, chatting about the things we did for the past two months, and ate sizzling for dinner. The sizzling there was so delicious and cheap. Student price.



My new semester was beginning to be exciting. Having great and funny lecturers made the class more appealing than I thought it's going to be. Looks like i won't be having a sigh anymore. Yet, the worst hasn't come to show itself. For the time being, I'll be working hard and enjoying myself with the life at Uitm Seksyen 17.

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