~Reflection of Resources Class~

For the last week, there were some questions to be answered as a reflection for the whole 14 weeks.

1. What do you like about blogging?
--> It makes me think carefully and critically first before writing it. Also, it makes me think from different perspectives and helps increase my memory capacity since I need to recall the events of the day.

2. What you do not like about blogging?
--> At times it can be time consuming because it expects a lot of thinking to be done.

3. What have you gained from blogging e.g. Language skills, improved fluency, critical thinking, improved thought processes, technology skills etc. How?
--> I have improved my ability to think critically. Based on the many modules that I have done, I could see the reason why I had to do them. It is one way of self-learning. Also, definitely my technology skills have improved due to the modules.

4. What do you like about this course?
--> The fact that I am learning new things about technology and brushing up my skills in the technological world.

5. What you do not like about this course?
--> The workload that comes with it. It is seriously a lot and there's hardly much time given to complete them.

6. What have you learnt from this course?
--> I learnt how to download a variety of things like pictures, articles and gif files. I learnt how to convert certain files to another form. I also learnt how to edit photos, sounds and videos. Not to forget, I learnt how to create my own brochure and other related stuff using Publisher.

7. What have you learnt from this course that you did not expect to?
--> Actually, I didn't expect to learn how to edit pictures or anything related to the modules.

8. What have you expected but do not learn from this course?
--> This time, I didn't learn much on the theories part. I guess that is a good change compared to previous semesters.

9. Comments regarding modules:

1. Internet and computing skills

a. What do you like about this module? --> It teaches me to download almost everything.

b. What do you not like about this module? --> Due to my slow internet connection, completing this module which requires internet connection was a very slow process.

c. What do you like about the task given for this module? --> I am given the chance to apply what I have learnt from the modules.

d. What do you not like about the task given for this module? --> There is a lot to be done in a short period of time.

e. What are the specific skills that you learn in this module? --> I learnt how to convert files to another format and also encode music or video files to another format.

f. How the skills learnt in this module can help in the making and choosing of teaching aids for the ELT classroom?
--> When I need a picture that I don't have, I can download from the internet. When I need to show a video or sing a song, I can easily convert the files or get it online.

2. Photo Editing

a. What do you like about this module?
--> It guides me in editing photos.

b. What do you not like about this module?
--> Some steps are not shown properly because there are no print screens.

c. What do you like about the task given for this module?
--> It tests my ability in editing pictures to be used as teaching aids.

d. What do you not like about the task given for this module?
--> It requires a lot of time because editing photos is a very tedious task.

e. What are the specific skills that you learn in this module?
--> I learnt how to edit photos using a few softwares such as Photoshop CS3, PhotoBucket and PhotoScape.

f. How the skills learnt in this module can help in the making and choosing of teaching aids for the ELT classroom?
--> When I need to modify some pictures to suit the lesson, I can easily do so now.

3. Audio Editing Skills

a. What do you like about this module? --> I conquered my fear of editing audio and music files.

b. What do you not like about this module? --> Some of it are hard to understand because the steps were not clear.

c. What do you like about the task given for this module? --> It is not as difficult compared to the other module's tasks.

d. What do you not like about the task given for this module? --> We were only given half a day to finish three tasks.

e. What are the specific skills that you learn in this module? --> Basically, I learnt how to do the special effects like fade in, fade out and reduce noise.

f. How the skills learnt in this module can help in the making and choosing of teaching aids for the ELT classroom?
--> If I want to let the pupils listen to one part of the song, I can easily edit it by cutting the parts that I don't want.

4. Video Editing Skills

a. What do you like about this module?
--> I learnt how to produce a video.

b. What do you not like about this module?
--> It takes up A LOT OF time just to try things out one by one.

c. What do you like about the task given for this module?
--> It is relevant to the objective of this module, which is to see if I have acquired the video editing skills.

d. What do you not like about the task given for this module?
--> Again, it takes A LOT OF time and it requires patience to slowly try things.

e. What are the specific skills that you learn in this module?
--> I learnt how to add text, drag pictures into the timeline and add the transition effect.

f. How the skills learnt in this module can help in the making and choosing of teaching aids for the ELT classroom?
--> I can create my own video to suit my lesson.

5. Software for ELT

a. What do you like about this module? --> I can design anything I want with the given template.

b. What do you not like about this module? --> It requires a lot of details to be filled in so that it looks comprehensive.

c. What do you like about the task given for this module? --> I will be able to see if my skills have improved.

d. What do you not like about the task given for this module? --> There is a lot of things to be done for the individual task.

e. What are the specific skills that you learn in this module? --> Basically, how to create all kinds of softwares.

f. How the skills learnt in this module can help in the making and choosing of teaching aids for the ELT classroom?
--> Instead of taking a ready-made brochure or catalog to show to the pupils, I can design my own.

10. If you can change anything about this course, state what is and elaborate?
--> Perhaps the modules should be given at the beginning of the sem so that it won't be so taxing on us. Then, we don't need to rush the work. Also, in the tasks, maybe the requirements should be lessened because for each module, three types of tasks are already a heavy load as we have to do tasks and assignments for other courses too.

On a scale of 1 – 10, please rate your computing and technological skills for both before and after undergoing the course.
--> Before, it would be 4. After undergoing the course, it is around 8.

Phew!! I'm done!! All the best to everyone as you study for the finals. Have a great time at home too ^_^

~Test and Module 5~

Hey people! ^^ How was the Resources test? Tough? Mind-cracking?? Or was it simply EASY???


For me, I found it mind-cracking because I needed to think of suitable teaching aids to use to teach children. In that short time of having to think quickly, sometimes ideas won't just come so easily. Added to the fact that there were disturbances from time to time. Honestly, in a real examination situation, it is already very tense so a REALLY QUIET environment is seriously appreciated so that the thinking process would be smoother.


Anyway, I managed to complete all the questions within the given time, but how correct and appropriate are my answers, it all depends on the lecturer. Hopefully, what I wrote is what you are looking for, Pn Foziah. ^^

Also, this week, we were given a list of to-do things during the study break. This is the first time I have to do my assignments during study break. (I guess it's not really a break after all...) What I have to do before 22nd November is:

- Finish Module 5 and print all the modules. Insert them in a BIG ring file.
- Finish tasks for Module 5 and print them.
- Finish this blog's entries and print them.


Wow... that's a lot of things to do just for one course. Seriously hoping that I will have enough time to complete my work, study yet be able to rest and relax.

All the best people! ^^

~Video Editing Part 2 and Preparation for Test~

14th Entry... means today is the 14th week!!! Yay~~~~ ^_^ Today marks the last week of the semester 1 of 2010/2011. Wow... looking back to the first day of this sem, I guess I have grown a lot, not sideways but in terms of head knowledge and skills in various fields. Through all the power point tutorials that I have to do, those are the "teachers" that taught me how to download various things, edit photos, songs and videos.

This week, we were given a few important points on how to edit videos for teaching purposes. Each pair had to create a video based on a theme. My partner and I decided to create a video based on a father and son relationship. The reason why we chose this theme is because we want to emphasise that a father is also an important figure in the family as he is the breadwinner. Most of the time, people take the father figure for granted. They are under the impression that when they have emotional problems or other similar kind of problems, only mothers can handle it. However, that is not a true fact. Fathers show their concern too, only in a different way.


We have decided to centre it around the Chinese culture in order to bring to the public's attention that father and son relationship is also emphasised in the Chinese culture. We have also added two songs; one by Keith Urban entitled "Song for Dad" and the other by Josh Groban entitled "You Raise Me Up". These two songs are very suitable when we insert it in the video.




Honestly, it was really tough and time-consuming trying to create a video because with every added picture into the timeline, it shifts. There is a lot of careful editing to be done and that takes a lot of time. However, I guess it is only through practice that we can master the skills in editing videos.

I won't say that I am a pro now, but I will say that I am better than when I first started doing it. ^_^ Probably in the future, I may want to create more videos to sharpen my skills.

I guess that is all this week. Just want to wish everyone ALL THE BEST in the upcoming test next Monday. Hopefully as we read the Halliwell book, we will be able to understand the concepts and know how to apply them in answering the test questions.

~Video Editing Part 1~

Welcome to Week 13! Whoa, just one more week and then it's over!!! Woohoo~~ I really can't wait for it to end.


For this week, we submitted Module 2 (the thickest one!) and 2 of our assignments (E-book and Lesson Plans). That is a very big relief because it is great to see the number of papers lessening on my table. ^__^ Not trying to say that all these things are not useful though. I really learnt a lot from the Modules and tasks given.

As for Module 4, we were given that module last week. I have started on it and frankly speaking, editing videos can only go one of these 2 ways: successful and not successful. If it is successful, all the way it will be a smooth and fun process. If the program used is kicking up a lot of problems, then I'll end up in smoke over it!!


Anyway, among all the tools to edit video, I think Windows Movie Maker is the most friendly. It looks cool too, the way we can add slide transition and special effects. I've yet to learn to add the special sound or stars flying to the end of the screen kind of effect.

I guess I will learn more as I edit more. All this comes with practice and of course, lots of PATIENCE. ^^ Take care everyone and see ya!

~My Production of e-Book~

Today is the start of Week 12 and it is now countdown 2 more weeks to go before the end of this semester. Woohoo!! Finally!!! This sem has definitely been a stretch. So many things to do within such a short time. Nevertheless, I can't say I didn't learn anything at all.

For this week, I learnt how to make an e-Book. I learnt that a good e-Book is one that has a plot, a setting, characters and COLOURFUL pictures!! My partner, Woo and I decided to make an e-Book based on one of my many writings entitled "A Beautiful Swan". As you can guess, it is something similar to the Ugly Duckling, but the main message that I want my readers to know is that true beauty is in the character of a person. It is not based on the person's outward appearance.

Here are some screen shots of our e-Book!




Frankly, I had a lot of fun creating each slide and the animation. I learnt something new too. I learnt that for gif files, I can make them fly or move from one part of the slide to the other by adding the motion path. It's really cool to see the birds and butterflies fly! ^^




Not to forget, we have to complete the remaining 35 slides for Module 2. Some of the contents and instructions are unclear because there is no printscreen to help me. I guess this is where my patience kick in and is brushed up even further... However, the effects of trying out those workable tutorials are fun and satisfied to see!

I guess that's it for this week. See you in Week 13!

~The Effect of Photo Editing using PhotoBucket~

This week, all of us were given the chance to view some examples of exclusive photo editing skills done by "experts". When I saw the photos, I was seriously amazed, not at the picture of the people in the photo but at the before-and-after effect of editing it. It was TOTALLY different!! I was thinking to myself, how did these people do it??? The way the photo was edited looked so real!


After that, we were asked to explore some photo editing softwares such as Photoshop and Photobucket and try to edit the picture to make it more meaningful. At first, I was wondering what photo I should use to edit. As I was scanning through my albums, I came across a photo of me when I was about 4 months old. I don't know why, but suddenly I caught myself staring at the photo for a while. How I wish I could go back to that time when I was so innocent and carefree...


Nevertheless, that photo of me gave me the inspiration to edit it in such a way that I will remember the moment when I thought about my own childhood. Truthfully, I had fun editing it in Photobucket. It was interesting to see the effects on the photo when I clicked on certain tools. After trying out most of it, I now proudly present to you - the edited photo!


What do you think? I still need to touch up on my skills but for now, I think it is passable. ^^ After that, we were to upload the before and after editing photos to Pn Foziah's account in Photobucket. Then, we started discussing the two tasks for Module 2. There is going to be a lot of work to be done, but it would be a fruitful experience of editing photos I'm sure!

All the best everyone! ^^ See ya!

~Recap of Module 2~

Hey everyone! Today is the start of Week 10. Wow, how fast time flies!!


Fortunately for this week, we are not given any modules to do, but we are to continue with Module 2. Since I have finished it, I would say today is a REST day for me! Phew... thank God!!


Not to say that all the modules so far are a bore or uninteresting though. I really have learnt a lot from the previous modules. I have learnt how to download a lot of softwares and applications. I have learnt how to edit audio files and this time, I have learnt how to edit photos.


I would say that editing photos was the most enjoyable because it was a pleasure to see the effects of the editing. I like to change the colour cast, crop and drag it to another background. It was so interesting and fun! Not only can I create many teaching aids using this skill, I can also create other things for many other purposes. Now, creating a birthday card, poster or wallpaper is EASY with Photoshop CS3 and PhotoScape. These two are my favourites! ^^

I wonder what Module 4 and 5 have in store for me. Probably video editing?? Well, I'm yet to find out, but I'll definitely let you know!


See ya!

~The End of Module 3; The Start of Module 2~

Hey everyone! This is Week 9 now, the first week right after the Raya break. How is everyone?? Hope you've all had a great 2 weeks at home!


For me, my break was so-so because for the first week, I fell sick and couldn't do much work. I had to put off doing my work and assignments for the first week and could only start doing my work during the 2nd week.


Okay, time to get to work. During the hols, we were given Tutorial Module 3 to be done. It was all about editing audios using programmes such as Audacity, Wave Pad Editor and others. At first, I thought it was going to be super hard and complicated to understand because I've never done anything as big as editing audio files before, but after completing the module, I realised that it wasn't so hard after all. It is actually quite easy to change the pitch of the song and even to combine two songs together! It only takes a lot of continuous practice because once I stop doing it, I'll tend to forget.


Also, right after the break we have been given Module 2 to be completed. For Module 2, we have to learn to do photo editing. I haven't started on it yet, but I'm sure I'm going to learn on how to edit photos and other things. It's going to be very exciting!!

I guess that's it for this week. Time to get to work now! See ya!

~Continuation of Module 1~

Well, there is nothing much to say for this week since we basically continued with Module 1. After nearly completing it, I realised that I learnt a lot of new skills such as burning Cds, converting files from various formats and encoding music. All these sounded really alien to me at first because I've never done it before, but after this, I would say I am more knowledgeable in this area. I am still not perfect because there is still a lot of new things out there which probably will leave a "?" in my mind, but as of now, I can say it is no longer there!


Though it was hard work trying to complete Module 1 (there's still 4 more to go...), I wouldn't want to say "No" to it if I was given a chance. I just wish that there was more time for us to complete it because I had to rush to complete it. At one point, it gave me a lot of stress because my internet connection was very slow and unstable, thus my working speed was reduced.


Then again, I thank God that somehow I managed to scrap through it and hopefully in the upcoming modules, I wouldn't have to undergo the same condition again. That's all for this week.

~Module 1 is here!~

Hey everyone! We've now entered the 6th week of the course. So far, it has been "honeymoon" time for us since we don't have much workload compared to the other courses.


However, from this week onwards, everything's going to change because the 1st MODULE is here!!!


I was very SHOCKED and SURPRISED because it is so THICK!! The first thing that ran in my mind was "I have to do ALL this?? This is just the beginning??" *takes a deep breath*


Anyway, because it was due in 2 weeks' time, I had no time to lose. I quickly set to work and as of today, I can say that I've completed at least 20 powerpoint slides! Not sure if that is a figure I should be proud of now though.. still, thumbs up to me! ^^


Though there is a LOT of things to be done, somehow I kind of enjoy doing them. Not only because there are guides to help me when I'm lost, but also it teaches me how to download a LOT of new things, things I've not even heard of before!

Also, there were a few steps missing in the guide given by Pn. Foziah. This teaches me to be brave to find my own solutions. It is always challenging to find your own way to achieve what you want, but I think that is the most rewarding experience of all. I always believe that it is the PROCESS that counts, not so much the end result.


I guess that's all for this week. Time to get back to Module 1! All the best to everyone! See ya! ^^

~Using Moyea and Finding Teaching Aids~

At the beginning of the class, Pn. Foziah showed us once more on how to use Moyea to download videos. Personally, after I have been introduced to Moyea, I cannot help but start downloading lots of educational videos! (This also includes short video clips on cartoons since children are very much attracted to that!) I have always wanted to have a collection of it because it is going to be very useful as my teaching aids in the future. I am aware that this is considered a plagiarism, but as long as I don't take it as my own video, I think I should be excused from the "cyber law"!

After that, we were given the chance to do our assignment in class so that if we need any help from our lecturer, we could do so at that moment! I feel that this is a good way to get us started on the assignment and to know what to expect from it. At least, after the "preview" of this round, I would know how to manage the REAL work better! So I'd like to thank you Pn Foziah for giving us the chance to do it in the classroom!


Anyway, we were asked to sit in pairs as we would need to discuss suitable teachings aids that can be used to teach the three topics given.


My partner (Woo) and I were given these topics:

Year 1: How Do I Get There?
Year 2: Follow Me
Year 3: Working People




Basically, for each year we have to specify what teaching aids we can use for each of the stages in a lesson.

For Year 1 and 2, we have decided to show them a video on how to give directions. To view the video, please click here.

We have also managed to find a task sheet where children can try to answer to see if they can remember what they have learnt. This task sheet centres on prepositions because when it comes to giving directions, prepositions are the key element needed to locate a place.

To locate the task sheet, click here.

For Year 3, basically we have decided to use a song from the fairy tale "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves", a video from youtube about different kinds of occupation, online role cards for children to play with and flash cards to teach the children about working people.


The video from youtube can be viewed here.

We also planned to introduce the "Cold Seat" game using the role cards whereby each child will sit on the cold seat and describe to the rest about his occupation. The other pupils will have to guess the name of the occupation.


We have also decided to play musical box whereby when the music stops, the child with the box needs to take out a flash card, mime the work of the occupation and let the rest guess the name of the occupation.

All right everyone. That is the end of this week's class. See you in the following week!

~Group Presentation Part 2 and WakaWaka Song~

Hello again friends! This is the fourth week now. How time flies and it's now AUGUST!


Anyway, in class today, we continued our group presentations of the first topic. My group was first and we explained about the role of a teacher in helping children understand the meaning of words. Basically, children are not born "stupid". They already possess the innate knowledge, but it is now the teacher's job in bringing them out. What I realised from the feedback session by Pn. Foziah was the importance of the teacher's role. A teacher is the key element because they are the ones giving the children cues to help them understand the meaning of words. I only thought that with the combination of teaching aids and teaching techniques, it will be sufficient to teach children, but now I know that the teacher himself plays the biggest role. If the teaching aids and techniques used were flawless but the teacher himself does not put in effort to teach, there will be no difference made in the children.



From Asraf's group presentation, I learnt that life is all about play and play and MORE play for children. They need fun in order to learn, but compared to the traditional classroom condition where chalk-and-talk method was used, there was hardly any fun in that (it wasn't for me, now that I think about it). Therefore, it is very necessary for a teacher to insert elements of fun whenever possible in the midst of a teaching and learning process. Now you may ask, if children play games all the time, when will they learn anything? The beauty about children is that indirect learning occurs. This means that by playing games (especially language games), they will learn the language indirectly. For instance, when children play the spelling bee game, they also learn how to spell words while having fun at the same time. I think it's a great gift that God has given the children because they are able to learn and also have fun. In fact, they learn better when they have something exciting accompanying that learning experience!




In Woo's presentation, it was interesting to know that even though children's knowledge of language may be limited, they can still be very creative with the language. I find it very amusing when a child says "Switch off the dark." They sound so adorable because they always have the "I-am-right" innocent look. Then again, it is our responsibility to teach them the correct language. As a teacher, it is important for me to give the children many opportunities to construct the language. For example, through the use of songs, children can learn to refine the language in a fun yet memorable way. An example of song could be "This is the Way". Since some of the lines are repeated, the children would be able to say the lines correctly. To me, there is no such thing as being too young and immature to learn anything because younger children are already able to say a sentence even if they don't understand what they are saying. Here, I learn that as a teacher, I cannot underestimate any child's ability because everyone has different capacity of learning.



Lastly, Nizam's group presentation was on the power of imagination. I am sure that even now, we can still remember some of the impossible things we thought we could do when we were younger! To us then, everything seemed to be so possible and easily achieved, but reality crashed hard on us as we grew up. A question was asked after the presentation: what is imagination in educational context? I would say the power of creative thinking put to good use in academic. Frankly, in a child's mind, there is no limitation on their creative thinking. They are free to explore anything and to them, everything is possible no matter how impossible the idea sounds. This is one aspect that I as a teacher need to develop and put to good use. For instance, if they are able to channel their creative thoughts in their writing, the essays would definitely come out spectacular!!

After the presentation, we were asked to do a tutorial on how to find the waka waka song, lyrics and video. A few websites were introduced such as www.4shared.com and www.metacafe.com.


Pn Foziah also taught us how to use the Moyea Flv downloader to download video clips. Wow! So many things came at once! At first, I couldn't catch up to what she was saying because it took me a while to find the song, but when I do, I realised that it wasn't so hard after all. To me, if this is a learning process that I need to go through in order to be an all-rounder 21st century educator, then I am all for that!


That's it for this week. See you!