Thank You...

Words of appreciation …

Thank you to everyone who stood by me through the good and the bad. To everyone who has tried to help me.To everyone who has made me laugh.To everyone who refuses to give up.To everyone who loves and supports me.Thank you.Because without you I would never have been pushed to my limit.I would never have tested my boundaries.I would never have seen what a beautiful world this is.


By:Katherine Ruth Simpson

Thank you very much to Prof. Raja Maznah and the crew for being so nice to us. Dedicated to all of the teaching teams (Prof. Raja Maznah, Miss Chin, Miss Ng and etc) .You are amazing…

Something to ponder...

I have to say this semester in University of Malaya mostly on ‘technology explosion’. It is wonderful experience to learn new things about computers. Since I have being as a ‘computer dummy’, I really feel that this new knowledge has indirectly changed the way I do things. In the pastime (which is during my time at IPIK), I have only known few things of computers such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Power Point and little experiences to perform Microsoft Movie Maker. This array of software is commonly used for presentation and microteaching. Nevertheless, when I encounter UM, school of education, I know how to operate with interactive whiteboard (SMARTBOARD), participate in on-line forum, express my feelings and share some thoughts at blogspot.com etc.When I seat back and listened attentively to the lectures on ‘digital citizens’, it’s remind me to my schooling experiences. When I was at primary school, the word ‘computer’ is still bizarre to me as a young kid. Since I was schooling in rural area which is FELDA, (it emphases more on the agriculture land project), the using of computer is not really popular since people merely use the computer as medium of communication. The school itself also did not have any computer tools and services. Most of the teacher also hardly seen use the computer during teaching and learning process. Until one day when I was in year 6, my father had bought us a computer by using loan provided by his company. At that time, most of the government workers are given opportunity to apply loan on buying personal computer in order to bring the technology into the society.Meanwhile, there are adequate provision of the technology based infrastructure and facilities in my secondary school systems. I’m really shy to say that I was taking IT (Information Technology) for one of my SPM elective subject. In my opinion, the subject is quite tough and challenging. Based on my experiences, I have to memorize a lot of computer formulae to make the programmes work smoothly, besides that it was also compulsory to create creative homepage and websites for that subject. My memory like a sieve, I have forgotten every single formula that I had memorized during my schooling time.Although, I am not too technology savvy, I believed that ICT is important for our lives. Undeniably, we could access the information faster than traditional way of using books. The power of knowledge is just at our finger tips as ‘World without boundaries’. The expression http://www/ is known to us even slightly familiar with computer-based communication. The www refers to the world-wide which uses the internet to make available various types of information to people all around the world. Certainly, it uses a browser programmes such as Microsoft Explorer or Netscape Communicator.Technology in primary education is kind of interesting course and an eye-opener for me to become as IT literate. I should use the technology wisely and integrate the tools into teaching and learning process. Technology is a powerful tool that can be used in the engaged learning process. This process creates a classroom that is an environment for continuums learning community. Information technology will provide a means of placing the industrialized and developing societies on an equal footing.

Prompt quiz..

The sudden technology quiz really shocked me. Honestly, I did not prepare anything for the quiz. However, Prof. Raja Maznah soothes us by saying that the quiz is simple and manageable. I assume that I manage to answer the quiz whereas when I look at the first question of the quiz ….Oh my God !I forgot the acronym of PLEAsE! I said to myself “P.L.E.A.S.E Prof., help me!” The one-page quiz reflects our previous knowledge and it test our prior knowledge on ICT in the Primary Education. However, I realized that learning is life-long process. We should not learn and study hard just for the sake of examinations or marks, yet we should have intrinsic motivation towards learning. Meaning that, L.E.A.R.N.I.N.G….is never stop growing as learning is a lifelong process. That's something technical educators are always telling their students, but through their professional development activities they are also practicing what they are preaching. Meaning that, we are teachers of our own. I am learning and still learning. For me, education is school of lifes.The whole of life is learning, therefore education can have no endings. I had my own styles in learning and in getting knowledge. In my opinion, other people experience and ideas is also part of my learning since I can learn something interesting and valuable from them.
MORAL : This experience taught me to be prepared all the time. I should fully-equipped with knowledge and experience.

Okay,now I would like discuss about learning technology is a lifelong learning process. In education, technology is a compelling force that needs to be in line with the curriculum to create an engaged learning atmosphere that allows pupils to become skillful learner with an endless passion for learning. According to Brennan,there are few visions of ICT in educations which are to enable the child to live a full life:
- to enable the child to live a full life as a child, and to realize his or her potential as unique individual
- to enable the child to develop as a social being through living and cooperating with others and to contribute to the good of society
- to prepare the child to further education and lifelong learning.

In my opinion, ICT offer teachers and children educational tools and resource which extend their learning environment. There are 3 ways of approach to ICT which are learning with ICT, Learning through ICT and Learning about ICT.

LEARNING ABOUT ICT : Teacher and children develop skills and knowledge in using the ICT technology tools to support learning.

LEARNING WITH ICT: Teacher and children use ICT resources to support the curriculum and achieve the learning objectives.

LEARNING THROUGH ICT: Teachers and children use ICT to transform the process of teaching and learning in new ways. They learn effectively and meaningfully by the use of technology.

Just to drop by...

There is informative and useful websites for educators which is http://www.homeroomteacher.com/index.html. Feel free to retrive some teaching resources for your future use.

BLOG 9

Do the best for your TEST! (Do not copy your friends’ answer…)

Examinations for the PKEY 3101: Technology for Primary Education.

We have to answer only 2 questions only and I had decided to answer questions 1 and 3 which are:
Question 1: Describe how you would use the following tools to engage the children at the primary school level. Give examples of how the tools can be integrated into your teaching subject. What advise would you give to a teacher who would to use the tools?

I have trying hardly to answer that particular questions.I do not know whether my explanation on Blog and AirSet.com as the teaching tools that engage the children at the primary school level is clear or not. Based on one of the websites at Yahoo.com, the application of AirSet.com is quite similar with Moodle. Basically, AirSet.com helps educators create effective online learning communities and it full-packed of pedagogical principles. Nowadays, educators could access vast informative sources or teaching materials from various internet websites.

According to Wikepedia, a blog or also known as weblog is a personal online journal that is frequently updated and intended for general public consumption. Blogs are defined by their format: a series of entries posted to a single page in reverse-chronological order. Blogs generally represented the personality of the author or reflect the purpose of the Website that hosts the blog. Usually,the blog sound academic, include brief philosophical musings, commentary and could be linked to other websites.

Question 3: Brennan in his chapter 1: ICT and the learning principles of the classroom curriculum outlines 14 learning principles which a primary school teacher should follow in order to successfully use technology in teaching and learning.
Based on Brennan in his chapter 1: ICT and the learning principles of the primary school curriculum, I have chosen one of the Principles out of 14 learning principles which is higher thinking skills and problem based. Luckily, I have read and go through that particular note before the test. (However, I’m quite nervous during attempting the test + worried that I cannot do well in the test).
Meanwhile, I had suggest some of the resources and tools that are suitable for use with the principle which are content-based free software, educational websites, Adobe Photoshop and fun-learning games and etc. There are many ways teacher could manipulate those tools in order to engage young learners into higher order thinking skills. For instance, the teacher should promote pupils’-centered activity which the pupil could actively involve in the tasks. Pupils learnt better by doing things instead of just look at their teacher’s demonstration. Besides, the activities also stimulate their critical and creative thinking skills since they have to think critically, make analyzing, evaluating and so on. Do you realize that pupils that always learn by themselves are independent learner? They know on how to manage their own learning as well as their lives since they anticipated in various ICT thinking skills activities. However teacher should always facilitates and monitors his or her pupils so that they know what is good and bad for them.

PRESENTATION WEEK

Blog 8
SHOW us....


On that fine day, all of us have to present our SMARTboard activities. Most of the group came with superb masterpieces.Walla... Some of them inserted videos and audio in oder to make the activity more interesting and captivating. It's clearly shown that they apply the knowledge they learnt during the lecture .In my point of view, they look alike expertise in this field.

Somebody told me that there was a person from US came to the class to take a look to our presentation and her name is Elham. Perhaps, she wants to see the development of technology in Malaysia and on how Malaysian trainee teachers handle with the SMARTboard. It's proud to say that most of us did very well.However, we shoud always improve and enhance our work in order to educate our future pupils to the world class level of education. PHEW...it's seems hard...but 'try the best' is the best word.

The Progression of the SMARTboard group tasks. (HI-Tech)

BLOG 7

The CHRONOLOGICAL of the SMARTboard making….

What I’ve done…

29th August 2007
Divide tasks between group members. I was appointed to do the activity for science
subjects. Brainstorming what is suitable topic for the science activity. I had selected SOLAR ECLIPSE as my topic. Besides, I understand the topic very well so that it’s not a big deal for me to construct science activity based on that particular topic.

1st SEPTEMBER 2007
I have selected the material for SMART board activity. I had retrieved several information of solar eclipse from internet.The websites are very useful for my Smart board making. According to Ms Chin the facilitator, for the one who do the science activities, he/she should incorporate with some notes of the topic that had been chose. Due to that. I had make 3 slides of the notes (which is info of the phenomenon of the Solar Eclipse). To add, I combined my pastimes group science project with this SMARTboard slides in order to make it useful and meaningful.

5th SEPTEMBER 2007
Furthermore, I have found some animated pictures and photo which is all about Solar
Eclipse. There were numerous animated and colorful pictures to grab from the net. I believed that young kids learn better by the assistant of pictures or diagrams. Since I teach them the science concept, I have to put more diagrams to show the clearly the concept of the formation of the solar eclipse. Based on Piaget, children learn fast and get clearer view by looking at concrete material rather than abstract material.

7th SEPTEMBER 2007
I managed to complete my work successfully. However, I have to check my work for many times and I realized that I should ‘touch-up’ few of my slides in order to make it captivating instead of an eyesore.

8th SEPTEMBER 2007
6. Gradually, my mission ACCOMPLISHED!

10th SEPTEMBER 2007
Road to FINALE…
The FINALE….SMART board group work formation (The process where we have to combine the work together and recheck our masterpieces if there are any mistakes found) Thank you for my dedicated friends…Your ideas and comments do help me to improve my work.

The day is coming….12 SEPTEMBER 2007 - My heart pounding very fast. Nervous..actually. All of us have to present our job for the last 2 weeks in front of the lecturers and the facilitators.

The Importance of Smart Board

Blog 6: SmartBoard

These are the questions for you to reflect on.

1. Do you understand the basic knowledge using Note book function in SMART board? If yes which part that you understand most? If not why you did not understand.
2. Do you understand the basic knowledge to use gallery feature and attachment picture in SMART board incorporate for teaching English vocabulary for standard 4 students?
3. Do you find that SMART board is useful tool to support in teaching and learning? If yes, why it is useful? If not, what is the problem?
The SMART Board is an interactive, electronic whiteboard which can enhance instruction and learning. The SMART Notebook software makes it possible for teachers to create content rich, dynamic lessons which address specific student skills.

On that fine day, my friends and I had been introduced to the using SMART board by Miss Fenny. She had taught us on how to use SMART Board for primary education.It’s so cool!! She gave clear instructions and demonstration on how to use the SMART Board correctly. Besides that, most of us are given opportunity to ‘touch’ and operate with that particular tool. Haha. It soOO nice to handle Smart Board especially when to create activity for ESL classroom .
This is an exciting technology that every teacher should have in the classroom…Someday… Smart Board is an interactive whiteboard that allows you to manipulate objects on the screen by just touching them. As English language teacher, this is especially exciting because many of young learners are tactile learners. They can actually go to the Smart Board, and move numbers and variables around in the equations.

Last time when I was at IPIK, I had a visited to English Language Teaching Centre(ELTC) which is situated at Pantai Dalam,KL. It was an interesting and meaningful visit that exposed me with teaching professions. And I agreed with the ELTC ethos which is ‘Professional Development for Quality Language Teaching’. There, I have been introduced with Mr. Smart Board and there were 2 persons that demonstrated the use of Smart Board. I feel amazed on how that particular whiteboard functions. I cannot remember clearly who had conducted that session but I still remember how that particular whiteboard functioned. Some advantages of SmartBoard are:

- Integrates the simplicity of a whiteboard with the power of a computer to bring an interactive, flexible tool into single- site meetings or lessons and data or video conferences.
- Enhances information sharing by allowing meeting or lesson participants to run a variety of multi- media materials form a touch-sensitive screen.
- Enriches group collaboration and productivity by allowing teams to work together on computer files and save notes over applications for future reference.
- Encourages meeting or class involvement by providing participants with an intuitive, natural interface and familiar whiteboard tools.
- Displays high-quality data and video images without light reflections or shadows. Best of all, the full-featured SMART Board interactive whiteboard is incredibly easy to use. If you can use a computer, you can use a SMART Board interactive whiteboard.

Educators should aware of the importance of technology since nowadays we have to communicate through the internet, such as blogs. Research skills and navigation skills are important at most any age in order to pull information for projects of all kinds. I do feel that every teacher should know how to use a Smart Board. Somehow, we are teachers, which means we are flexible and find myriads of ways to make things just as great without pricey technology. Some places can't afford these luxuries especially the schools at rural and remote area. As far as I am concern, the price for a SmartBoard is about RM5000++…Phew… it’s quite costly.

Furthermore, the SmartBoard works together with LCD and computers which means that the school should provide with computer and LCD as well. Hmm…I feel that money is not everything. In order to produce IT literate and knowledgeable students, the government should invest vast amount of money for the sake of education. Besides, the Ministry of Education should aware the situation and try to equip the schools and students with such facilities in order to produce high-quality students that able to contribute to the country.

Perhaps someday, the government will equip all the schools in Malaysia with SmartBoard, internet networks and etc. As for what I would include, I would put internet/technology ethics on this list as well. The internet is a wonderful resource and is quite often misused, causing it to be viewed as a negative, rather than a positive learning tool. Educators should always seek ways to improve their technology knowledge, but it should be relevant to their needs and the needs of their students.
I have just retrieved from the internet the use of Smart Board and it is useful for your better understanding of Smart Board.

ADVANTAGES of using a SMART BOARD - dynamic interaction with user
1. Touch of screen functions as cursor on computer. Allows blackboard-like presentation to students as you manipulate computer by
touching the screen instead of bending over the computer.
2. Input directly from screen to computer facilitates focus and emphasis on particular
content.Light pens enable highlighting or added comments.
3. Lessons can be saved for review or for access by absent students. Can use Smart Board Notebook or other applications.

WRITING TO THE SCREEN using LIGHT PENS and the ERASER:
1. Pick up the color light pen that you want to use.
2. Use either the pen or your finger to write on the screen.
3. When you are finished writing, return the pen to its position on the tray.
4. If more than one pen is off the tray, the last pen to leave the tray will determine the color of the writing.
5. Use the eraser to remove any mistakes. When the eraser is lifted from the tray a small circle will appear on the screen and any writing touched on the screen will be erased.

USING THE NOTEBOOK and CAPTURE TOOLS:

1. Capture tools appear on the screen when you lift up a light pen, even when you are in other applications. Capture part of the screen or the whole screen by selecting the corresponding icon. To capture part of the screen:
· Hold your finger or pen firmly in a corner of the box you will draw. Keeping your finger/pen firmly on the surface of the Smart Board, move diagonally across to the opposite corner.
· Lift your finger/pen. The image of what you have outlined will automatically be put in your Notebook. Since the Smart Board software uses the clipboard to accomplish this, you may also paste the same image into any other application you prefer using, eg: Word, PowerPoint, etc.
2. Move images around the notebook pages. You can touch and drag any image from one page to another in the notebook. Or you can copy/paste from one notebook page to another.
3. Save your work.
You can save your work as a notebook file or as a gallery image. The notebook file can only be read by computers with the Smart Board software. Thegallery image could be saved on the network on Shared Student, and students could access it from any computer at school.
· You could use the Notebook capture capabilities to paste into other software, eg: Word, and then save that file wherever you want it accessed.

Smart School & DISC(Posters Making)

BLOG 5. (week 5)

Pelan Tindakan Pembestarian Sekolah. (SMART SCHOOL).

Teachers will need to change their role in the electronic classroom from being information providers to counselors to help students develop know how and judgement to select information sources.
The Smart School Project is one of the seven Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) flagship applications. According to my reading, smart schools encourage students to be independent in accessing knowledge. Students are provided with the opportunity to learn at their own pace as well as to explore independently ICT field which interest them. Thus, students are able to maximize their potential to achieve excellence. Smart schools use technology as a medium of learning in order to enhance learning in science and technology as well as to equip students with ICT knowledge. Furthermore, Smart School is an educational institution with emphasis on thinking enabled-learning, student-centered, using technology and multimedia wisely, applying teaching-learning strategies appropriately and effective school management in order to create meaningful learning environment. The Ministry of Education has collaboration with Telekom Smart School consortium to design, develop and prepare a smart school solution package. The smart school solution package includes ICT-enabled learning courseware for Bahasa Malaysia,English, Science and Mathematics.


DISC- Designing for interaction and students’ collaboration.

Themes for ‘Merdeka’ Day : Malaysia Negaraku.

- Did you face any problems during the session? Why?
- What do you think of the instruction?
- What improvement can you suggest?
- How would you carry out this design session with primary level students?
‘Merdeka! Merdeka! We are now in the air of Independence Day celebration which is on 31st August 2007. Due to the Merdeka Day celebration, Puan Nazirah who is from MMU assigned interesting activity which is poster making. Actually, this poster making activity is quite different with typical pastel poster that we had made during our schooling time. It is because that we have to create a poster by using computer software that had been prepared by the facilitator. Besides, we were ONLY allowed to use the pictures in computers which had been set by them. Sadly, we were not allowed to download images or pictures from the internet. Perhaps, this activity purposely designed to trigger our creativity and critical thinking since all groups use the same pictures for their poster. All groups in that class have to use the same ‘Merdeka’ pictures to convey their message of freedom, independence and etc. Whoa… However what is the difference of each group are how they manipulated the pictures and designed the templates. For me, I do not face any problems during this activity, however the instructions is not really clear since my group and I be seated quite behind from the facilitators. Sometimes, we could not hear clearly the lecture. However, Miss Nazirah had been done a good and wonderful job for the presentation. She’s so animated during presenting her lecture on how to make effective posters by using computer software. She also showed her concern by helping us to install the software into our computer.
We have to create the posters and present the masterpiece in front of the class as well as Prof . Raja Maznah.
In group, we try all of our best to create a meaningful and patriotic poster to show our respect and loyalty to our beloved country. My group ‘Hi-Tech’ had brainstorming for a few minutes to find the best ideas and work out for the best! Undeniably, this task is quite challenging since we have to create the posters with limited resources. The topic of this task is clear and specific which is about Independence Day.

I particularly enjoy listening to presentation of all of my friends. I could see the high level of motivation as they are really engaged in their work is always a rewarding and satisfying experience for them.


The Advantages of Using Posters for ESL classroom.

The advantages of these poster presentations include:
lots of out of class researching and use of class time for collaboration in groups;
little or no reading of notes in the presentation;
and, highly motivated students working towards a final goal.
Please Make NOTE….

In order to know more about the benefits and advantages a poster can bring for your classroom take note of a basic difference between posters and other advertising media. Posters, unlike other advertising and promotional materials, speak to the audience who are mobile or are “on the move”. This is the main difference since newspaper ads, magazine ads and mailing pieces like brochures, flyers and pamphlets are designed for audience who has time to site and take in a lot of information. A poster can only put in a few words and graphics that should capture a viewer’s attention immediately and spark them to react. The poster should be fully knowledgeable of the features, benefits and designs of an effective poster. You must be definite on the custom printed poster you will need depending on your objectives for it. About custom printed posters Posters are flexible advertising tools they are intended to catch more mobile viewers.

The effect of the balance allows the viewer’s eyes to flow from one point to another on the poster and this causes movement. Your poster achieved a good design by having both balance and movement. These poster design essentials will be the foremost factor and will give the viewer’s a mental pull to pay attention, read and react to it. As much as possible make your poster eye-catching, attractive and not too crowded with information.

ICT Learning

BLOG 4 (week 4)
ICT and learning.

Today Prof. Raja Maznah had explained well about ICT and learning in classroom. There are many interesting things about the latest educational field in Malaysia.
There are many things I learnt from this course that conducted by Prof. Raja Maznah which are:

Teacher training:
The Teacher Education Division formulated an intensive in service training named English for the Teaching of Mathematics and Science (ETeMS). Courses are conducted to train teachers to be proficient in using English as the second language to teach Science and Mathematics teacher who is proficient in English. The modes of training include Full Immersion Course, On-site Training, Usage of Self-instructional Package, On-line Web-based Learning and collaborative Learning through Buddy System. Each school will select a buddy who is an English teacher or a Science and Mathematics teacher who is proficient in English.

Textbooks
The textbook Division provide a special five-item package of textbook, activity book, teacher’s manuals, student’s CD-ROM and teacher’s CD-ROM.

Multimedia software
The Curriculum Development Center (CDC) has commission the development of CD-ROMs for selected topics which are delivered free to schools. Science Courseware developed under the Smart School Project is translated into English for schools.


Teacher should make use all the ICT to the fullest in order to create wonderful classroom learning. Furthermore, one of the aspects of an individual’s potential to be developed under the Philosophy of National Education is the intellect. Students who memorize information alone are not intellectual enough if they do not understand, analyse, evaluate, and apply such information in various situations.

Workshop: How to make good power point prsesentation

Workshop: How to Make Effective Power Point Presentation.

Today we do not have to present anything but… we have to listen to a workshop by Miss Ng. On that day, she has explained thoroughly on how to make a good power point presentation. I felt impressed on the way she presented her power point slides although the slides are quite simple and not too colourful. Besides, she also gave us several useful tips on how to create a wonderful and ‘tempting’ slide show. Furthermore, she also does mention that we do not have to be too creative in order to compose a good power point presentation. However, we should think on how to create an informative power point to others. In short, a good power point conveys meaning and communicates ideas to the people that view that power point. In addition,she also taught us on how to manage the power point and what is the relevant of putting pictures or clip arts in the power point slides. I realized that sometimes people just simply incorporated pictures which are not really suitable to the context which is the power point pesentation itself.
I agree that it is very important when it comes to Powerpoint presentation, as to how much it will capture the audience's attention. Giving statistics such as above is pretty simple, but when it comes to giving contextual presentations, wordy presentation are almost unavoidable. Miss Ng also showed some good power point presentation by LIVING ZEN to us as reference.

What I have got from this meaningful workshop are as follows:

How to make good power point presentation.
1. Hold up your end with compelling material.
Simple and engaging it can be to build eye catching slides and graphics.The audience has come to hear you, not merely to stare at images tossed onto a screen. Build a strong PowerPoint program, but make sure that your spoken remarks are no less compelling.

2. Keep it simple.
The most effective PowerPoint presentations are simple — charts that are easy to understand, and graphics that reflect what the speaker is saying. Some authorities suggest no more than five words per line and no more than five lines per individual slide.

3. Minimize numbers in slides.
PowerPoint's lure is the capacity to convey ideas and support a speaker's remarks in a concise manner. That's hard to do through a haze of numbers and statistics. For the most part, most effective PowerPoint displays don't overwhelm viewers with too many figures and numbers. Instead, leave those for a later, more thorough digestion in handouts distributed at presentation's end. If you want to emphasize a statistic in PowerPoint, consider using a graphic or image to convey the point.

4. Time your remarks.
A well-orchestrated PowerPoint program brings up a new slide, gives the audience a chance to read and digest it, then follows up with remarks that broaden and amplify what's on the screen.

5. Use vibrant colors.
A striking contrast between words, graphics and the background can be very effective in conveying both a message and emotion.

6. Import other images and graphics.
Don't limit your presentation to what PowerPoint offers. Use outside images and graphics for variety and visual appeal, including video.
(Adapted from: Jeff Wuorio)

SO… let’s apply such tips suggested by PRO in order to compose for a good piece of work.

Week 2

Power Point presentation group (Hi-Tech)

Before power point presentation

In group of 5, we have decided our group name as Hi-Tech. However, I said to myself that I am not too high-tech.(he...he...) but I will do my best for the sake of Hi-Tech team. Ms Chin had asked us to make power point presentation on Yahoo(e-mail) for primary education. We have been allocated about 2 hours to discuss and create power point presentation. Honestly, the time is so limited and we do not have much time to decorate the power point, but we managed to make it adorable : ) The first thing that we do is surfing the net on the definition of electronic mail and its advantages and limitations. Furthermore, we had brainstorming on how to integrate the Yahoo (mail) in primary education. Undeniably, this tasks had test our soft skills such as teamwork,language proficiency and communication skills.

SOFT-SKILLS

Teamwork

The ability to share responsibilities, confer with others, honor commitments, help others do their jobs, and seek help when needed.

Language proficiency

The ability to speak, read, and writes Standard English in an appropriate and convincing way.

Communication skills

The ability to speak confidently and able communicate ideas to other one.

In my opinion, 2 hours is not ample for us to complete the power point. Instead of using plain slide, we decided to choose design slide for our first-time presentation in University of Malaya. I still remember that, during our time at IPIK we have been exposed with several presentation, simulated teaching and microteaching which is indirectly trained us to become as confident presenter.Due to the time constrains, we have to divide our tasks .Some of us have to surf the internet while the others have to do power point slide. As a result, we can complete our job faster and easier although we do not have much time to reherase the presentation.

While presentation

After the first group which is ‘Power Geeks’ presented their slide show presentation on MSN, now it is ‘Hi-Tech’ time to present our job to the class. Since this is my first presentation in UM (as I have mentioned earlier) , I felt quite nervous and it’s somehow effects my confidence to speak and communicate with the audience. However, I realized that I had use appropriate body language and eye-contact to my audience. Deep in my heart, I hope that they will understand my words. I suppose to be calm and aware of my language proficiency during presenting in front of the class.

Basically, my group presentation is about Yahoo electronic mail and how it can be integrate into primary education.

Now I would like to share with all you the advantages of Yahoo mail to young learners.
User-friendly

- send homework/school project after class/office hour.

Interactive learning

- online forum/discussion/QA session

Peer learning
- share info, peer feedback/evaluation/comments
Accommodate introvert learners

- they don't have to be shy about using email to communicate with anyone.

*And as conclusion, the key to using any teaching technology is learning how to control it as

much as possible and finding ways to use it that support your teaching goals. Email offers unique challenges in this regard, but ones that are worth engaging because of the many benefits that e-mail can bring to teaching.

Technology in the primary education

ICT Scenario (virtual classroom)
‘If we do not want to be left out and become victims of Information Technology, we must seriously strive to acquire this new knowledge.’
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad (2001)

As the time being, ICT (information communication technology), has persistently become the buzzword and key concept in the enhancement of educational field. It is well acknowledged that technological advances in cyberspace, in the computer and technological fields have vastly speeded up our ability to communicate with one another. With millions of computers that are now networked into the Internet, the cyber technologies have extended the communications range to the smallest corners of human populations. There is no doubt that in fulfilling the ideal goal of connecting citizens anywhere and everywhere in the vast reach of cyberspace, countries are coming closer to being truly a global village, as John Naistbitts suggested in his book ‘Megatrends".
In line with vision 2020, Malaysia hopes to become a fully industrialized country by the year of 2020. One of the strategic challenges of Vision 2020 is establishing a scientific and progressive society that is innovative and forward looking, whose people are nor merely users of technology but also contributors to scientific discovery and technological development.
While adhering to National Education Philosophy, the Smart School is a learning institution that has been reinvented in terms of teaching and learning methods to prepare students for the Information-based society. Creativity and better management of information are facilitated through the use of technology where students, teachers, administrators and parents are better prepared for the challenges of the Information Age. I support the establishment of Smart School which underpins on student-centered, thinking enabled learning, using technology and multimedia wisely and applying teaching-learning strategies appropriately in order to create technology-based pupils and effective schooling environment.
In education, technology is a compelling force that needs to be coupled with the curriculum to create an engaged learning atmosphere that allows learners to become skillful learner with an endless passion for learning. With the help of the technology, students will become engaged learners who are responsible for their own learning. They engage in the learning process by problem solving, reflecting, synthesizing, evaluating and continuously applying the new skills. Teachers are facilitators who guide the process of their learning. Thus, the contents of learning should be pertinent and curriculum-based. The teacher should play important role to construct meaningful, interactive lessons that engage the students in the curriculum. Learning should be authentic and set up to be challenging, real world based. Teachers need to be fully aware of the technology as stepping stone to build upon in the classroom. Based on research, the use of technology especially internet begins earlier. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation survey, many US children as early as 11 years old use blogs and social networking sites at least 2 or 3 times a week.
What is BLOG? There are many things crossed my mind when Prof. Maznah wrote that particular word on the SMARTBOARD. For the first time being as a ‘blogger’, I have an opportunity to experience the benefits of internet. If previously I surfed the websites for the entertainment purpose (music and wallpaper downloads, chatting etc.) but now I am able to integrate such websites and technology academically which is into teaching primary education. Prof Raja Maznah had did mentioned that technology is one of the useful medium to engage young learners into meaningful learning experiences. However it depends on how the teacher operates and manipulated the technological resources to accommodate pupils’ learning preferences. In addition, Prof Raja Maznah also explained to the class about ‘PLEaSE’ which is ‘Transforming to Personalized Learning Environment and Students Engagement’. Briefly, it refers to the virtual learning which is the pupils engaged the learning process beyond the classroom. It underpins pupils-centered learning besides engage with fun and interesting lesson which suits their needs and level. Furthermore, I also had been introduced to ‘PoEIT’ which is kind of latest pedagogical techniques that integrate technology into lesson.