Reflection for the last Session

I know this reflection comes in quite late. Had to rush to pack my bag right after the last session and now I'm back from my holiday. It was a good break, really had the time off from work with no internet access. But after a while, I felt handicapped and felt like something was missing from my life. I had the urge to check my emails, my facebook account and my junk mails. I realised how my generation of people can't live without the internet. I somehow missed working. I know it sounded crazy and I literally had to hit myself on the head then. Now, I'm back to reality and it also means that I had to get my assignment done. I am really thankful and appreciate the extension of the deadline for the assignment.

Though the last session we had was about 2 weeks ago, I can still remembered what was taught then. I have really gained a lot from this crash course of only a week. Just like any other modules, I am always like a lost sheep in the beginning. But eventually, things get clearer along the way. I absolutely like the way Dr Quek scaffold us during our learning journey, right up to our assignment, though I must say, the assignment doesn't seems so easy.

I am quite certain that I will tryout the use of a WIKI website with my new group of students next year. I have ever use blogging in my teaching career before but was not so fond of it back then. However, after going through this module, I am more confident using blogging as well as WIKI with my students and determined that this will enhance my teaching and my students' learning. Whatever that was taught in this module is very much applicable to my teaching and I will not let what I have learnt be wasted.

During my Session 4....

Today, during our fourth session, we were introduced to some of the classroom environment instruments by Dr Quek. I find this extremely useful as I have a clearer picture now and know briefly what these acronyms (LEI, CES, WIHIC, MCI, QTI, etc) stand for. It is also interesting to note that different instruments can only be used at different levels the students are in. The instruments, once seems alien to me, now are not as daunting as it may be. The overview table of scales contained in 9 classroom environment instruments given to us is indeed very useful. I will definitely refer to this table when doing my literature review in the future. I guess I will need to read some of the past literature papers once more, to understand better what, how and why that particular instrument is used in the study to assess the classroom learning environment. However, I still have problem interpreting the data.

I enjoyed getting my hands dirty with the SPSS program for today’s lesson. This is my first time using such program and I believe in the benefits this program can render when researchers need to analyze their massive collection of data. Again, once the report is generated, the results do not make much sense. As I do not have any statistical background, this task proves to be challenging for me. I am looking forward to the next session as Dr Quek mentioned that we will continue with this SPSS program.

Alright everybody, I’m back to my readings….

My 3rd Session Reflection...

Today is the second time we are meeting as a class after the pre-session. I would say that I have learnt a lot from today's session as James clarify our doubts and problems we are facing when using WIKI and blogspot. Knowing how to navigate is also very useful. I am now quite familiar using blogspot and wiki and is also confident if I were to use these website as a teaching method in my class.

After all the literature reading, I am very much clearer and able to see the bigger picture of classroom learning environment. There were so many instruments such as WIHIC, NLE, CLES, ESCIE, SECI etc mentioned in the research papers but none that I am familiar with. Will be good if one or two of the instruments can be taught briefly in the course...

I think I am beginning....

I think i am beginning to love blogging.. It seems fun especially if you know how to use the functions. I have just learnt how to add authors to my blog. Useful skill which i can apply in my teaching too. This is so cool....

I am overwhelmed...

While waiting for the rest of my classmates to arrive, I thought I will blog something here.

I am so overwhelmed by the many reading literature and postings via WIKI, blogspot etc that we have to do. Still getting myself familiarise with the course and what are required of us. I also shared the same sentiment as Desmond and Cecilia that this course is not as what we have expected. We have to be quite IT-savvy, but I guess this is good as I have the opportunity to brush up my IT-skills in this course too.

Alright, my class will be staring soon...

My First Lesson (Pre-Session Reflection)

Frankly, when I signed up for this elective module, besides the title of the module that caught my attention, the duration of the module made me want to sign up for the course straight away. In just one week, we will be learning about Classroom learning environment. I was mentally prepared for this crash course with lots of literature reading and information overload, but what I didn't expect from this course is the use of ITs such as blogging, face book and wiki. I must admit that even though I am a Y generation, I am not so much of an IT person. My facebook is pretty much quite dormant, logging in once in a blue moon when I do have the time.

I agree in the beauty of blogging and how it can be used in teaching, but as much as possible, I will try to 'avoid' the use of blogs in my classrooms, simply because I have no interest. Now, I have no choice. I just hope that at the end of this crash course, I will not have the fear to use blogs, etc with my students and be more receptive to new teaching methods that can enhance my teaching and also my students' learning.