Reflection Journal (Week 8)

Hi everyone. Today, I am back again to share my this week teaching and leaning process that takes place in my Technology and Maths Education class. Today, our lecturer began the class by teaching us Chapter 10 which is entitled 'Using the Web for Teaching and Learning'. 

Through this chapter, he explained to us about in detail about 'Educational Web Resources' and the advantages of using it for the teachers in more detail.

Furthermore, he also explained to us in detail on 'Online Publications' where he focuses on the types of resources that can be published online and how they can be published. The examples are as follows:

 Many magazines, newspapers, and journals (must pay) available.

 Articles can be saved or printed in HTML or PDF formats.

 HTML formats require a web browser to view or print them.

 PDF files need Acrobat Reader (free) to view or print them.

Besides that, he also explained to us in detail on the 'Classroom Management Tools' which is one of the subtopic of this topic. There are a few effective tools that can be used by teachers in order to manage their classrooms effectively in future and the effective tools are as follows:

1. Test Generators.

2. Diagnostic Tests (Learning Styles).

3. Electronic Grade Books (Forums and Pad-Let).

4. Puzzle Makers.

5. Class Rolls (Attendance Sheets with Seating Charts).

After that, our lecturer gave us a 10 minutes break in order for us to take some rest and brainstorm our mind on what we have learned earlier. After the 10 minutes rest, he continued his lesson by explaining to us in detail on 'Internet Issues'. He explained to us in detail on what are problems that occurs because of using Internet especially when using it for educational purpose. 

Next, our lecturer also explained to us on 'How to enhance classroom communication'. There are a few ways that teachers can use in order to enhance classroom communication and one of it is through 'A Class Website'. Examples of the Class Websites are as follows:

1. FAQs - Answers Common Questions.
2. Forums - Interact Asynchronously. 
3. Chats - Allows Synchronous .

Lastly, before he ended the class, he explained to us on 'Academic Website Evaluation' which was demonstrated in a table form. 

Website Feature	Excellent Criteria
Goal	Goal and purpose of website are clear with no distracting elements.
User Friendliness	Exiting, welcoming, and very user-friendly.
Design	Excellent organization; clear and free of errors; load quickly and clearly, all elements are easy to read.
Navigability	Navigation logical and; site map and search engine available.
Authority	Teacher provides all necessary information to student, parent, and community visitors.
Dates	Site contains creation, update, and all class activities.
Content	Content is on target and provides excellent coverage to meet student needs.
Links	Links offer connection to a wide variety of excellent sites.
Handicapped Access	Site includes handicapped options on all pages and links to support software.

In terms of my assignment progress, I am still in the process of doing my weekly reflection journals. I have done my week 6 and week 7 weekly reflection journals. Besides that, I am also updating my feedback on my peer's weekly reflection journals as well. As for now, I did no face any major problems in doing my assignment as I am able to know how to use my Blog Application already. The only thing is I am having difficulties in making my Blog Creative as I am naturally not a creative person. 

As a conclusion, my friends and I are able to understand and receive a lot of information on how teachers can use internet for teaching and learning process that takes place in a classroom environment and the advantages and disadvantages of using it. Moreover, we also learned about classroom management tools that will be very helpful for us as future educators in managing our classrooms effectively in future. If we fail to manage our class, than we cannot conduct our teaching and learning process effectively and as a result, the objective of our lesson on that day cannot be achieved. This is all from me for this week. Hoping to hear some feedback from all of you soon. Thank you and have a nice day. I would like to attach a video related on 'Teaching Students About Internet Usage' in order to provide additional information on this respective topic. 

Reflection Journal (Week 7)

Hi everyone. Good Day. Today, I am back to my blog to share my this week teaching and learning process that takes place in today's Technology and Maths Education class. I am in my week 7 class right now. 

In today;s class, our lecturer taught us the topic on ' The Internet and World Wide Web'.

  

He started the class by explaining to us in detail on what is Internet. Based on what he taught us, internet is defined as the global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite (often called TCP /IP, although not all protocols use TCP) to serve billions of users worldwide. It is a network of networks that consists of millions of private, public, academic, business, and government networks, of local to global scope, that are linked by a broad array of electronic, wireless and optical networking technologies. 

                                                                           Internet 

Besides that, he also explained to us about Computers Networks and Internet. For example, Computer networks enable people to communicate with each other through stand-alone computers, while Internet enables people to communicate across the globe. Network communication can be used in teaching and learning. Networking and Internet help users to search and communicate information, and to make it possible for teachers and learners to interact with each other globally to discover new ideas. 

Next, he also explained to us on detail on the primary objective of a computer network. The primary purpose of a computer network is to share resources where:

1.You can play a CD music from one computer while sitting on another computer.

2.You may have a computer that doesn’t have a DVD or BluRay (BD) player. In this case, you can place a movie disc (DVD or BD) on the computer that has the player, and then view the movie on a computer that lacks the player.

3.You may have a computer with a CD/DVD/BD writer or a backup system but the other computer doesn’t have it. In this case, you can burn discs or make backups on a computer that has one of these but using data from a computer that doesn’t have a disc writer or a backup system.

4.You can connect a printer (or a scanner, or a fax machine) to one computer and let other computers of the network print (or scan, or fax) to that printer (or scanner, or fax machine).

5.You can place a disc with pictures on one computer and let other computers access those picture.

6.You can create files and store them in one computer, then access those files from the other computer(s) connected to it. 

After teaching us about it, our lecturer gave a break about 15 minutes in order for us to relax our mind and brainstorm on what we have learned so far in the class just now. After 15 minutes, he continued his lesson by teaching us on the 'The uses of E-mail in Education'. The uses of E-mail in Education are as follows:

1. Assignment Transmission - Students can submit their assignments.

2. Class Discussions - Teachers can post question to the students in class.

3. Electronic Key Pals - Students can work together remotely for the same assignments.

4. Communications - Wide range possible relating to class, teacher and/or other students.

After that, he also explained to us on what is a Server, a Hub, a Protocol and a Bandwidth. A server is a more powerful computer that connects individual workstations to each other and also to the share-able peripherals such as printers. It contains the networking software that manages network-wide communication, and includes one or more large hard disk drives to store management software, common files, and programs that all workstations can share. The server, workstations, peripherals, and wiring that connect them, make up the network.

A hub is equipment that connects the workstations, and it is connected to the server. Most connections are done through physical wiring, while others are connected through wireless connections. Smaller networks that connect machines in local areas, such as classroom or school, are called local area networks (LANs). Larger networks that connect machine across a wide area, such as all schools in a district or all districts in a state are called wide area networks (WANs).

Next, a protocol is a common standardized communication format. Networks that use the same protocol, regardless of the type of machines or network software, enable workstations to communicate with one another within LAN, WAN or Internet networks. Another problem of using networks is the transformation of information of files of various sizes, i.e. from small files (email message, memo) to very large files (graphics, very complex documents, audio, video).    

Bandwidth network transmission media can be classified into Small Bandwidth that can transmit small files, Medium Bandwidth that can transmit medium files (documents, spreadsheets, simple graphics), Large Bandwidth that can transmit large files (graphics, documents), and Very Large Bandwidth that can transmit very large files. However, very large files can also be transmitted through Small Bandwidth by converting them to packets. 

   Furthermore, before he ended the class, he taught us on the uses of Internet which are as follows:

1. The knowledge of the world available in any classroom.

2. Global communication possible, including communicating for learning.

3. Participating in virtual learning (study own self at home) communities across nations.

Lastly, he also explained to us on the Advantages of using Internet in the Teaching and Learning

process which are as follows:

1. Learn at Your Own Pace.

2. Use a Variety of Teaching and Learning Styles.

3. Keep a Flexible Schedule.
      
      In terms of my assignment progress, I have started doing my week reflection journal and I have posted it on my blog. So far, I did not face any major difficulties in doing my assignment as my lecturer is very helpful and he explains to me when I do not understand certain things related to my assignment. The only thing I feel is that I need to spend a lot of my time to this assignment and I need to be creative enough to design my blog to attract my readers to read my blog. I also had posted my feedback on my peers' weekly reflection and on their blog related about themselves. Perhaps, I also had replied their feedback on my weekly reflection and also on my blog related to myself which is one of the requirement made by the respective course leader. 

       As a conclusion, my friends and I managed to learn a lot of useful information related to Internet and its uses. Moreover, we also managed to learn about the benefits or advantages of using Internet in the teaching and learning process of all the subjects especially Maths that takes place in a classroom. I would to share a video on Internet and I hope that that specific video will be helpful enough for us to gain knowledge about today's topic which is Internet. This all from me for this week. I hope to receive feedback from all of you in order to improve my blog and it's content. Thank you and see you all soon with a new topic next week.

Reflection Journal (Week 6)

       Hi everyone. Good Day. Today, I am here to share about my this week teaching and learning process for Technology and Maths Education class. My friends and I managed to learn a lot of things in this week lesson or class. 

       Our lecturer, Mr. Tan started the class by greeting us good morning. After that, he begin the lesson for today's class. Today, he taught us Lecture 5 which was was about 'Academic Software for Mathematics Learning'. For introduction part, he explained to us on the purpose or objective of learning this chapter or topic which is to educate the students whom are the future educators about the application of academic software in teaching and learning process. After that, he also explained to us about academic software or educational software in detail. For example, what is academic software or educational software in detail. Educational software is computer software, the primary purpose of which is teaching or self-learning.

       Next, he also explained to us in detail on the examples of educational software which are Courseware and Edutainment. Courseware is a term that combines the words 'course' with 'software'. Its meaning originally was used to describe additional educational material intended as kits for teachers or trainers or as tutorials for students, usually packaged for use with a computer. Meanwhile, edutainment in a broader sense, the term edutainment describes an intentional merger of computer games and educational software into a single product (and could therefore also comprise more serious titles described above under children’s learning software).

         Besides that, our lecturer also taught us on the importance of educational software in teaching and learning process that takes place in a classroom. The importance are as follows:

1. Enable students to become more effective independent learners.

2. Enable students to collect information that otherwise would have been impossible, time-consuming, or costly. 

3. Enable students to experience with the changing aspects of a model like increasing or or lowering interest rates. 

4. Enable disabled learners (slow learners) succeed herein. 

       After that, he gave us a break for 15 minute to relax our mind and at the same time, to brainstorm or recall back on what he have taught so far. After the 15 minutes of break,  he continued his lesson by explaining to us on some of the main advantages of using educational software in teaching and learning process that takes place in a classroom. The advantages are are as follows:

1. Children control their own learning experience, the pace at which they learn and how challenged they are.

2. Computers help children to use all of their senses to extract information.

3. Children learn through creating and utilizing hands-on knowledge.
4. Computers help children develop a positive attitude towards technology.

5. Computers are beneficial in developing children’s fundamental skills (i.e. letters, numbers, colors, shapes, rhythm, cause and effect, problem solving, procedural thinking, creativity). 

6. Computers are really beneficial to children who have speech, audio or motor limitations because they act as a patient tutor allowing the child to learn at his own pace.

7. Computers can teach self-confidence and self-esteem.

8. Computers can teach social skills. 

       After that, he continued explaining to us in detail on ' Academic Software' by using the notes provided by the course leader in the PDF form. He explained to us in detail on the types of 'Academic Software'  which are:

1. Authoring Systems.

2. Desktop Publishing.

3. Graphics Software.

4. Paint Programs.

5. Draw Programs.

6. Imaging Software.

7. Editing Software.

8. Problem- Solving Software.

Paint Program

       Furthermore, he also taught us about the  periodic table of educational technology tools where all the educational tools are organized in a simple graphic.

       Lastly, before he ends the class of the day, he explained to us on the disadvantages of educational software which are:

1.  Software needs to be carefully chosen in order to ensure that what is holding your child’s attention is also educating them at the same time.

2.   Some software doesn’t make it obvious that it has no educational value.

3.  It is rare to find a school that has enough computers for every student, thus scheduling can become problematic.

4.  It is difficult to get a student’s attention whenever they are on the computer.

5. Muscular-skeletal injuries and vision problems can arise whenever students spend too much time using the computer. 

       In terms of my assignment progress, I have started doing my assignment once my lecturer has explained about it to me in detail in the previous class. I have created my blog which is the first requirement for this assignment and I have posted about myself, my goals and philosophy in life that defines the standard of me being myself being an individual in my profession in future. So far, I have no problem in doing my assignment as my lecturer have explained well about it to me in the classroom. However, I had a slight problem in learning how to use the blog because I have no experience of creating a blog and use it before.

       As a conclusion, I and my friends learned a lot of important information regarding ' Educational Software' which is important for every future educators like us to know. Therefore, today's lesson was very beneficial to us and at the same time, it was interesting as well. Before I end, I would like to share a few videos on 'Educational Software'. Please do watch the videos in order to get a better understanding about ' Educational Software'.This is all from me. Thank you.

                                         

       

      

About Oneself, Philosophies and Goals in Life. (About Me)

My Picture

       Hi everyone. My name is Abhirammi a/p V. Kaneshwaran. I am 23 years old and I am an Indian girl. I was born on 09.01.1994 at Hospital Lam Wah Ee, Penang, Malaysia. I lives in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, Malaysia with my family. I am currently doing my degree in Bachelor In Education (HONS.) which is one of the UNITAR Program or Course at Sentral College, Penang. My family is a small family that consists of myself, my parents, V. Kaneshwaran (Father) and K. Yogeswari (Mother) and my younger brother, Linggeesh a/l V. Kaneshwaran. We live in a terrace-house.

My Family Picture

       I started my degree course in June 2015 and I am in my 6th semester right now. Throughout my degree life until today's date, I have managed to learn a lot of things that will be very useful for me to persuade my career life. For example, I have learned in detail on the correct methods of teaching and the Pedagogy Skills that are involved in a professional teaching and learning process that takes place in a classroom environment. Besides that, I have also learned and understood in more detail regarding what are characteristics that a teacher should adapt into themselves in order to become a professional educator in future. For example, patience and dedication to work are the most important characteristics that an educator should adapt into themselves as they need to be patience enough when handling students of different behavior, family background and financial status at school and at the same time, they should be dedicated to their teaching profession or career in order to develop their skills and professionalism in their career in future. In addition to this topic, I also managed to learn how to prepare a good quality of lesson plans which is a must for every teacher to know because lesson plans are the heartbeat of teaching.

  

       There are a few solid reasons why I choose to enroll myself in this specific degree program. The main reason is because I am interested to become an educator in future and this interest was in me since my childhood days. Besides that, my parents also encouraged me to become a teacher as they notice that I love to teach my friends when I was young at school and that act of mine made them to believe and have confidence that I had the passion in teaching in myself at young age itself. As time goes on, my interest in teaching started to increase and I have decided to move on with it. Therefore, me and my parents believe that if I become a teacher in future, my life will be successful.

       Besides that, another main reason why I wanted to become a teacher because I love to share my knowledge to others and I personally believe that teaching profession will definitely be the right platform for me to share my knowledge to others specifically to the students in schools or other higher educational institutes like colleges and universities whom are the future leaders of our country. I always believe that 'Sharing is Caring'. 

       Furthermore, I will also be able to gain new knowledge or ideas during the teaching and learning process that takes place in schools because as an educator, I need to deal with new syllabus that have new content when teaching the students in the classroom as the syllabus will be upgraded from time to time by the Malaysian Education Ministry.. According to the Great Mahatma Gandhi,'Live as if you were to die tomorrow, Learn as if you were to live forever.

       Next, I also wanted to become a teacher because I believe that teachers are the ones that will be creating many good human capitals for the country through their teaching process. Therefore, as a teacher, I am able to produce good human beings that will be able to contribute to the development of our country and at the same, my life will be more meaningful because I am able to produce good human beings that are talented and skilled in all aspects in future. A teacher has the magic to change any student's behavior through his or her skill.

       Everyone has a ultimate goal that they would like to achieve in their life. My ultimate goal in my life is to become a professional teacher. Besides that, my another ultimate goal is to integrate technology in the teaching and learning process that takes place in a classroom environment especially in teaching mathematics so that students' will have the interest in leaning mathematics and at the same time, I am able to develop Malaysian Education System to a higher level in future. In order to become a professional teacher or educator, I need to follow few steps in order to fulfill my goal and dream in life and make my life more meaningful as well in future. 

       Firstly, I must be able to produce students whom are skilled in all aspects or in short, holistic students through my teaching process. This is because I personally believe that students that are multi-talented or skilled in all aspects are the ones that will be able to do and participate in all type of tasks that are challenging to them. This kind of students are the ones that will be helpful in developing our country to a better phrase in future. When I am able to produce students that are holistic, I believe that I am professional in my career because I am able to accomplish one of the goals emphasized by the National Educational of Philosophy (NEP).

       Next, in order to become a professional teacher, I need to use or apply different types of teaching methods or techniques (Pedagogy Skills) when teaching the students in the classroom and do not apply one specific teaching method only when conducting teaching and learning process in the classroom. As a result, the students will start to feel interesting with my lessons and they will automatically have the interest to learn effectively the subject that I am teaching them and score excellent results in their examination in future. As an educator, pedagogy skills are very important for us because it help us to teach the students professionally and make them to have the interest to learn during our lesson in the classroom as well in future.

       In addition to this topic, in order to become a professional teacher, I should not only support students in terms of their curriculum aspects but at the same time, I should support them in terms of their co-curriculum aspects as well. This is because students in school might not only be good in curriculum aspects, but also might be good in terms of co-curriculum aspects (sports). So, as a teacher, I should also support them in co-curriculum aspects in order to help the students to improve their talents and brush up respective skills in sports and help them to become a successful athlete in future. For example, I can help to coach them in sports activities like running and hurdles through or during the co-curriculum period which is usually held at school once a week.

       There are a few effective teaching philosophies in education. However, the teaching philosophy that I will be emphasizing in my teaching process is the philosophy of existentialism. This philosophy was founded and inspired 19th Century Danish Philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard. The philosophy of existentialism is a philosophy that emphasizes individual existence, freedom and choice and it is the view that humans define their own meaning in life, and try to make rational decisions despite existing in an irrational universe. 

       There are a few solid reasons that made me to choose this specific philosophy in my teaching career. One of the reasons is because this respective philosophy allows or emphasizes the involvement and participation of students in the classroom and does not only encourages the participation of teachers (teachers-cantered) in the learning and teaching process that occurs in a classroom environment. As a result, the teacher-students’ relationship will be stronger in future because they will have the opportunity to work in group together and communicate in the classroom more frequently. Moreover, teachers are able to guide (scaffolding) the students when they need help from time to time by using this philosophy in their teaching process.

       Besides that, the application of this particular teaching philosophy in my teaching process allows me to teach students using different effective ways or methods like presentation and group works and not only to teach them based on text-books (text-book orientated). The participation of students and teachers are important in order to create an effective teaching and learning environment in the classroom. In addition to this topic, this could help me to have an effective teaching and learning classroom environment and the same time, allows me to create a professional teaching lifestyle in future.

       As a conclusion, by using this particular philosophy, I will be able to interact with the students more frequently in the classroom especially during the teaching and learning process. At the same time, I am able to see and monitor their education performance through their participation in the classroom from time to time. Moreover, I also will be able to recognize their weaknesses and try to find effective ways that can help to convert their weaknesses into their strengths. As a result, me and my students are able to develop ourselves in all aspects in future and I believe that this particular teaching philosophy will help me to define the standard of myself being an individual in my teaching profession in future. This is all from me. Please watch this inspiring video about teaching at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik4eGAxOdHg. Thank you.