The question had been discussed with humour among us during one of our chat-discussion before. Funny, but yet seriously considered among the students. Some insisted on the use of air-conditioner for students and teachers comfort... and a lot discussed about the logical of it, many humour-ly try to make it sound logical and many is against it. A lot other suggestions had been made by everyone and so had I. I will write fully in how I want my future classroom to be here.
My future classroom, in which I do not know in which state they will throw me to, or in which condition, urban or rural would be in store for me. Whether I am to be sent to a rural school or urban school, here is the criteria of my classroom:
1. I would have a small corner in the classroom called the “Techno” corner, installed with one computer (if the school would not get one, I will buy one myself!) in this corner, sessions of our language learning shall take place. Students can have the opportunity to learn using software that would make them interesting in the lesson. Movies and songs that can be used to teach English can be played for the students so they can learn through motivating activities.
2. I would have pictures of scenery or words of wisdoms on the classroom wall. Poetry and many students work pasted at the back of the classroom. This way, students can learn in a peripheral way. Students can look around the classroom and they can instantly learn from just doing that small act.
3. The lighting of the classroom MUST be good. I would like my future classroom to be bright, with many windows. I think students can learn better with good lighting. A bright and colourful classroom can motivate students to learn, keep them alert and bright. A damp, dark and closed classroom would make the students sleepy and lazy.
4. There should be an LCD projection in the classroom. Students can have various activities in the Techno Corner, but they can do even more if with the use of LCD.
5. The classroom should have lockers for the students. In other countries, students have lockers outside of the classroom, but that’s because they need to change their class for every subject. Students need lockers to keep their things that they would be required to use everyday. Not only would it be helping students to have lighter burden on their back, it helps teachers to not to have to deal with missing books from students.
So far, that is all the criteria that I would like to have. I think it would not be a problem even if I were to be sent to an urban area. Even if some will came out as impossible, I would like to find ways to get me that future classroom that I want because I believe these requirements are essential for learning to take place in a better and beneficial environment.
The Fish philosophy
FISH! 
FISH!
FISH! FISH??!
This is so funny, but the instant I heard of the name, I instantly thought of.. a fish. Literally. I imagine, if fish can talk, what philosophy would they share with human? What secret of the world they held close for those decades of silence. Er.
The class starts with a very cheerful and amusing scene where our lecturer throws a couple of plastic fish to us around the class. The fun start demand our full attention and the play began! Fish all around the classroom! Some hit the target, some bounce on the ceiling across the classroom to and fro! We had a blast and lots of laugh at the time!
At the same time, all of us had the same question playing in our head. “It was fun! But whats with the fish?”
But the truth is, the real FISH philosophy holds (though not as crucial as world changing) a vital and significant importance in building a great school culture concerned with the students’ social and emotional learning, character education, classroom management and human behavior.
In the FISH philosophy, they believe that classrooms can be cool and respectful, where students are fully present for learning and for each other, where everyone has fun in a way that adds to the excitement of learning rather than taking away from it. FISH! encourages teachers to build stronger relationships with students. Looking back at how our lecturer starts the class with such a fun intro, the whole thing make sense!
This is the definition that I get from the FISH! site.
“FISH! 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. FISH! creates a common language. A language that will help improve your culture by using four simple practices – Be There, Play, Make Their Day and Choose Your Attitude™. FISH! is a wisdom that everyone can embrace. It is an invitation that enables people to care about each other and their commitments. FISH! is an ongoing journey. It is not a fad. It is a practice and a skill that evolves over time creating a positive workplace and a vibrant culture each time it is embraced.”
*under construction*
The classroom
In this post, I would like to share my sentiments about our lecture lab, which I would like to call as our classroom. My reflection would be on the factors of the class, the members and of course; the attitude of the class.
I have to admit I am not one of the focused ones in the class, but I do have my own style of giving attention to the lecture. I listen to every words and I participate in our many group work. But let’s face it, not even 60% of the class is as attentive as the 40%.
The question we would need to ask is... why?
From my own personal, might-be-a-little-one-dimensional view, I think it has many to do with the existence of technology in the class itself. An irony as that is exactly what we are trying to learn. Technology has a power over us. And in this aspect, I think it’s the power to distract that has been infected the students.
If you try to sneak behind the class, you will see on the glass of monitor in front of those 60% no.. 90% of the students is the face of – Friendster, Youtube, YM’s, Chats, Forums, Blogs and all those wonderfully entertaining amusement available so to us.
Now, I am not trying to blame the fact that the faculty had tried their best to give us all the best of facilities - all those computers to help with our studies and all. We needed them, especially for our subject as we need to use them all the time. I would like to blame our attitude instead.
We were pampered with scolding to focus our attentions, and so un-pampered with that much freedom and availability to technology as before. What I meant to say is that, we were never so used to having computers and internet in our lap when we are in classroom before. I would not call it as awe-struck or anything like that. We had had use that techno for as long as we had lived. But not in a classroom, where some (i beg your pardon) might find as a dreary place. We tend to succumb to the allure of technology, to make use of them to entertain us.
As a university undergraduates (the best in the country for that matter), we should have acted like one. Different from our college before, we can no longer depend on the lecturer to make us attentive. “Nobody cares for no one in universities” as what my sister always said. We need to look out for ourselves. If you don’t focus, you won’t be getting anything, and you are the one who loses. No one cares, but you should. What I’m trying to say is, we need to have the attitude where we should know to focus without being told to. To leave the distractions without being scold at. To participate without being forced to. I would like to blame it as this is our first time in university ground, and I hope that you might understand and would see us differently in coming semester. Time will teach us to be a better students. I cannot guarantee, but I can try.
I have to admit I am not one of the focused ones in the class, but I do have my own style of giving attention to the lecture. I listen to every words and I participate in our many group work. But let’s face it, not even 60% of the class is as attentive as the 40%.
The question we would need to ask is... why?
From my own personal, might-be-a-little-one-dimensional view, I think it has many to do with the existence of technology in the class itself. An irony as that is exactly what we are trying to learn. Technology has a power over us. And in this aspect, I think it’s the power to distract that has been infected the students.
If you try to sneak behind the class, you will see on the glass of monitor in front of those 60% no.. 90% of the students is the face of – Friendster, Youtube, YM’s, Chats, Forums, Blogs and all those wonderfully entertaining amusement available so to us.
Now, I am not trying to blame the fact that the faculty had tried their best to give us all the best of facilities - all those computers to help with our studies and all. We needed them, especially for our subject as we need to use them all the time. I would like to blame our attitude instead.
We were pampered with scolding to focus our attentions, and so un-pampered with that much freedom and availability to technology as before. What I meant to say is that, we were never so used to having computers and internet in our lap when we are in classroom before. I would not call it as awe-struck or anything like that. We had had use that techno for as long as we had lived. But not in a classroom, where some (i beg your pardon) might find as a dreary place. We tend to succumb to the allure of technology, to make use of them to entertain us.
As a university undergraduates (the best in the country for that matter), we should have acted like one. Different from our college before, we can no longer depend on the lecturer to make us attentive. “Nobody cares for no one in universities” as what my sister always said. We need to look out for ourselves. If you don’t focus, you won’t be getting anything, and you are the one who loses. No one cares, but you should. What I’m trying to say is, we need to have the attitude where we should know to focus without being told to. To leave the distractions without being scold at. To participate without being forced to. I would like to blame it as this is our first time in university ground, and I hope that you might understand and would see us differently in coming semester. Time will teach us to be a better students. I cannot guarantee, but I can try.
Technology as the MAIN? I say NO! ... How to say YES?
Looking at my computer after months of facing the piercing screen 24 hours a day, in and out of the lecture class, I've found myself being bugged down with the I-HATE-COMPUTERS fever where i'm into a rebellious mode to the many technological things around me. Says who that the students would not feel the same about technology?
Sure, they'd go "Ahhhh!!!" "Woooww!!!" and "OHHHHH!!!" the very first months they are being introduced to the use of technology in their learning, especially for those who never saw one. Technology after all is an animated, interesting and full of everything thats fun and enjoyable.. not to mention beneficial and important (yes, i'm not denying it). But what about years after that? They would not be easily allured by the word - technology as they've once been as a child. There'd be time when people would like to run away from technology. WHY? Maybe its the effect that looking at the screen for such a long time is doing to our eyes. Maybe its the need of just something different. Maybe its the other factors... its not the technology itself... but how we use it?
How to make it as a YES?
Its my own theory... but still rational and logical in my opinion.
1. Take turns between the usage of technological-based materials and the traditional one. Made the students feel as if each lesson is a refreshing one.
2. Do not use only one type of software. Do more research for different and better softwares. Made the students aware that the technology made everything limitless and interesting to discover.
3. When using technological materials, manipulate the technology so that students will be able to participate fully. Not only to sit on their chairs, but to be able to move around, to do group discussions, to experiments with hands-on activities.
4. Don't let the computer teach. Made them as your assistance. Be the teacher that students are close with, animated with and able to laugh with. The computer is (though animated) too static in emotion, and dont have any sense of humour.
Interesting materials + boring teachers + repetitious lesson + continuous use = NO
Interesting materials + good teacher + varied lessons + continuous use, but with an equal use of traditional ways = YES
Sure, they'd go "Ahhhh!!!" "Woooww!!!" and "OHHHHH!!!" the very first months they are being introduced to the use of technology in their learning, especially for those who never saw one. Technology after all is an animated, interesting and full of everything thats fun and enjoyable.. not to mention beneficial and important (yes, i'm not denying it). But what about years after that? They would not be easily allured by the word - technology as they've once been as a child. There'd be time when people would like to run away from technology. WHY? Maybe its the effect that looking at the screen for such a long time is doing to our eyes. Maybe its the need of just something different. Maybe its the other factors... its not the technology itself... but how we use it?
How to make it as a YES?
Its my own theory... but still rational and logical in my opinion.
1. Take turns between the usage of technological-based materials and the traditional one. Made the students feel as if each lesson is a refreshing one.
2. Do not use only one type of software. Do more research for different and better softwares. Made the students aware that the technology made everything limitless and interesting to discover.
3. When using technological materials, manipulate the technology so that students will be able to participate fully. Not only to sit on their chairs, but to be able to move around, to do group discussions, to experiments with hands-on activities.
4. Don't let the computer teach. Made them as your assistance. Be the teacher that students are close with, animated with and able to laugh with. The computer is (though animated) too static in emotion, and dont have any sense of humour.
Interesting materials + boring teachers + repetitious lesson + continuous use = NO
Interesting materials + good teacher + varied lessons + continuous use, but with an equal use of traditional ways = YES
Smartboart ^^
Well, since we are going to learn and use more on smartboard, i think its the most suitable for me to start discussing on the smartboart - what it is and its uses ^^
When talk about smartboard, I already feel very much excited. WHY? Well, because we have already been introduced to smartboard, and i found the interactive tool to be very very interesting!
It is interesting for me in the sense that there are a lot of things that we can do that we cant in others. For example, smartboard can meke lessons and excercises even more fun just by using the animations and magic pen that the tool provided!
I found a site that shows just about how we can maximise our use of the smartboard:
http://library.uchc.edu/departm/cec/flash/sb_tutorial.swf
Wikipedia
The SMART Board interactive whiteboard is a product of SMART Technologies. It is a large, touch-controlled screen that works with a projector and a computer. The projector throws the computer’s desktop image onto the interactive whiteboard, which acts as both a monitor and an input device. Users can write on the interactive whiteboard in digital ink or use a finger to control computer applications by pointing, clicking and dragging, just as with a desktop mouse. Buttons launch a popup keyboard and a right-mouse-click menu for more input options. The interactive whiteboard is usually mounted on a wall or a floor stand and is used in face-to-face or virtual settings in education, business and government.
History
SMART introduced the first SMART Board interactive whiteboard in 1991.It was the first interactive whiteboard to provide touch control of computer applications and annotation over standard Microsoft Windows applications.
Technology
The SMART Board interactive whiteboard operates as part of a system that comprises the interactive whiteboard, a computer and a projector. The components are connected wirelessly, or via USB or serial cables. A projector connected to the computer projects the computer desktop image onto the interactive whiteboard. The interactive whiteboard accepts touch input from a finger or a pen tool, and the SMART Board driver converts contact with the interactive whiteboard into mouse clicks or digital ink. SMART Board interactive whiteboards are available as front-projection, rear-projection and flat-panel display (interactive whiteboards that fit over plasma or LCD display panels) models.
When talk about smartboard, I already feel very much excited. WHY? Well, because we have already been introduced to smartboard, and i found the interactive tool to be very very interesting!
It is interesting for me in the sense that there are a lot of things that we can do that we cant in others. For example, smartboard can meke lessons and excercises even more fun just by using the animations and magic pen that the tool provided!
I found a site that shows just about how we can maximise our use of the smartboard:
http://library.uchc.edu/departm/cec/flash/sb_tutorial.swf
Wikipedia
The SMART Board interactive whiteboard is a product of SMART Technologies. It is a large, touch-controlled screen that works with a projector and a computer. The projector throws the computer’s desktop image onto the interactive whiteboard, which acts as both a monitor and an input device. Users can write on the interactive whiteboard in digital ink or use a finger to control computer applications by pointing, clicking and dragging, just as with a desktop mouse. Buttons launch a popup keyboard and a right-mouse-click menu for more input options. The interactive whiteboard is usually mounted on a wall or a floor stand and is used in face-to-face or virtual settings in education, business and government.
History
SMART introduced the first SMART Board interactive whiteboard in 1991.It was the first interactive whiteboard to provide touch control of computer applications and annotation over standard Microsoft Windows applications.
Technology
The SMART Board interactive whiteboard operates as part of a system that comprises the interactive whiteboard, a computer and a projector. The components are connected wirelessly, or via USB or serial cables. A projector connected to the computer projects the computer desktop image onto the interactive whiteboard. The interactive whiteboard accepts touch input from a finger or a pen tool, and the SMART Board driver converts contact with the interactive whiteboard into mouse clicks or digital ink. SMART Board interactive whiteboards are available as front-projection, rear-projection and flat-panel display (interactive whiteboards that fit over plasma or LCD display panels) models.
Video making- the frustations, the discovery and the progress..
When finishing the video, some of the things that kept bothering my mind, is how to make the video not only fits with the students and their lesson, but also interesting enough for them to be able to stay focused in the video for the full 4 minutes. When I created the video, I learn how to manipulate the software that I use to create transitions and effects that could 'wow' the students ^^. I learn how to mix audios with video clips and how to insert my own voice over the video.
It had been a frustating experience when I had to do and redo many of my plans when I outlined my video. The main problem had been in how to make a video that suits the curriculum specifications and at the same time, has enough resources on that theme for me to manipulate into a video.
The problem is not that there is limited materials on the net. NO. To be exact, it is the total opposite. There are soo many materialss, too much, that THAT actually became the problem.
The problem is, how do I choose the best materials? How do I know where to edit and where to use? Interesting questions that I had discussed in my previous entry. So, in the process of planning and choosing, the time consumed had been more than the time I had spend in making it. I believe in PLANNING. To me, everything starts with a plan. You cannot just go with an idea and create something. The plan must be clear and precise for me to be able to move on to the other progress. And when the plan is set, my work will shot forward in a proud speed and quality that I consider good enough to be levelled as a-good-job-well-done.
After the planning and collecting process was over, I move on to creating the video. I had, as I said earlier, learn to use so many types of softwares that had helped me to finish my final work. I had learn along the way to experience a lot of trial-and-error with many different programs. The end product is that I know what to look for whenever I saw a new tool and I learn what the advantages and disadvantages that I need to know in choosing my tool.
The progress so far had been good.
It had been a frustating experience when I had to do and redo many of my plans when I outlined my video. The main problem had been in how to make a video that suits the curriculum specifications and at the same time, has enough resources on that theme for me to manipulate into a video.
The problem is not that there is limited materials on the net. NO. To be exact, it is the total opposite. There are soo many materialss, too much, that THAT actually became the problem.
The problem is, how do I choose the best materials? How do I know where to edit and where to use? Interesting questions that I had discussed in my previous entry. So, in the process of planning and choosing, the time consumed had been more than the time I had spend in making it. I believe in PLANNING. To me, everything starts with a plan. You cannot just go with an idea and create something. The plan must be clear and precise for me to be able to move on to the other progress. And when the plan is set, my work will shot forward in a proud speed and quality that I consider good enough to be levelled as a-good-job-well-done.
After the planning and collecting process was over, I move on to creating the video. I had, as I said earlier, learn to use so many types of softwares that had helped me to finish my final work. I had learn along the way to experience a lot of trial-and-error with many different programs. The end product is that I know what to look for whenever I saw a new tool and I learn what the advantages and disadvantages that I need to know in choosing my tool.
The progress so far had been good.
Softwares for videos!
MY question!
What softwares do you use for your videos?
As i said before, I had had a basic knowledge in video making, but just some basic knowledge, but when finishing this assignment, I found even more softwares that i can use to create an even better video!
Some of the softwares are:
Audio editing software: Audacity, Sound Forge, Soundbooth, magixmusicmaker <3
Video editing software: mediamovie maker, power director, etc.
In our process of finishing the task, I learn to discover for myself the many available softwares and applications with limitless abilities that I can use. I learn to go through trial and error to try out different kinds of application. Now I know what to look for, and how to choose the best among all of the available software on the net. Reflecting back on the process in which I had go through to familiarise myself and in order to choose the best material, I found that there had been some certain stages that I had had gone through:
1. Survey
I went through the process of surveying where I look at the description and functions of the application first, and based on my need at the time, I list out the suitable applications that I can use. I also look at the requirements of the application to see whether they were compatible with my notebook.
2. Collect
I then collect all of the applications that I had considered to be suitable to my task. I basically use the Orbit downloader to download everything, so the process is pretty much an easy stage.
3. Trial and Error
In this stage, I try out all of the application. This stage is the most interesting and fun stage where I can play around all of the application and see the maximum of their ability.
4. Compare and Contrast
I didnt plan this stage at first, but now I realise, that I had, and looking back at that, I realise that this is an important stage! I evaluate and compare between all of the applications and choose the best from them. I choose the one with the best functions, user friendly and most interesting ones!
5. Use
And finally, I start using the application and so the assignment began!!
What softwares do you use for your videos?
As i said before, I had had a basic knowledge in video making, but just some basic knowledge, but when finishing this assignment, I found even more softwares that i can use to create an even better video!
Some of the softwares are:
Audio editing software: Audacity, Sound Forge, Soundbooth, magixmusicmaker <3
Video editing software: mediamovie maker, power director, etc.
In our process of finishing the task, I learn to discover for myself the many available softwares and applications with limitless abilities that I can use. I learn to go through trial and error to try out different kinds of application. Now I know what to look for, and how to choose the best among all of the available software on the net. Reflecting back on the process in which I had go through to familiarise myself and in order to choose the best material, I found that there had been some certain stages that I had had gone through:
1. Survey
I went through the process of surveying where I look at the description and functions of the application first, and based on my need at the time, I list out the suitable applications that I can use. I also look at the requirements of the application to see whether they were compatible with my notebook.
2. Collect
I then collect all of the applications that I had considered to be suitable to my task. I basically use the Orbit downloader to download everything, so the process is pretty much an easy stage.
3. Trial and Error
In this stage, I try out all of the application. This stage is the most interesting and fun stage where I can play around all of the application and see the maximum of their ability.
4. Compare and Contrast
I didnt plan this stage at first, but now I realise, that I had, and looking back at that, I realise that this is an important stage! I evaluate and compare between all of the applications and choose the best from them. I choose the one with the best functions, user friendly and most interesting ones!
5. Use
And finally, I start using the application and so the assignment began!!
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