Farah's Entry on Reflection for Sept 13, 2010

Above is an image of 3 ICT tools included in my list of tools to use during my future teachings.

• Solicit examples of how Singapore teachers have been using ICT for teaching and learning.

I have the experience to watch and observe Singapore educators in my 3 years of studying in Temasek Polytechnic and my 10 weeks of participation in Student Internship Program at Hai Sing Catholic School. Nearly all of the educators especially tertiary level used Information and Communications Technology to teach.I will also take on their steps in applying ICT tools while lecturing.

One of the lecturers in Temasek Polytechnic have commented that ICT provides vast benefits:
1. It refines his professional outlook. For example, He is able to use of blackboard to interact and teach students anytime and any where.
2. Meanwhile the use of Microsoft Power Points provide efficient and meaningful learning for the students because the removal of unnecessary activities that consume time. For example:
- to wipe out the white board or blackboard
- the educator to write down the notes for students' view and reference

Thus, surplus time can be attained and used for Question and Answering session. Also, draggy lessons can be avoided and the students' attention span can be captured.

The notes are in fact provided earlier so that the students are able to read before class starts and create a brief view about the upcoming lesson. Furthermore, they could generate some questions to ask during the lesson.

During my 10 weeks of attachment in Hai Sing Catholic School, I have observed moderate usage of Information and Communications Technology. The teachers would sometimes use the whiteboard to teach and Microsoft Power Points at the other times. The usage of Blackboard was not heard about yet.

As for studying in National Institute of Education, Microsoft Power Points are widely used to conduct a lesson. It is only here that I get to use more of BlackBoard services, mindmeister and PbWiki. I have found PbWiki is a more efficient ICT tools to use, inform and teach students. Compare to BlackBoard, there are notifications send to my emails everytime it is updated. Meanwhile, my experience of using Mindmeister in my first ICT for Meaninful Learning lesson, provide a different view of mindmapping. It is easy to use and fun in terms of creating class activities through mindmapping.

• Reflect on the class session and readings using the KWLQ framework

• K: What I already KNOW

ICT tools can enhance my teaching performance and make advancement learning. Students, nowadays, are more technology-savvy compare to my bunch.I feel the urge to get in tune to their tempo. So, before I win their attention, I need to get their trust by understanding their lifestyle- their needs and wants.

• W: What I WANT TO LEARN

I want to be better in using the ICT tools so I am more ahead of the students in terms of knowledge in the tools or just get in line to their needs and wants.
I want to have confidence in using the tools efficiently to conduct a lesson or manage a class.

• L: What I LEARNED this week

What Master Plan 1, 2 and 3 is about: All plans tried to make full potential of ICT for the benefits of a high quality, world-class education system.On the other hand, as a teacher, we need to knowledgable in various aspects besides the subject we teach. The user-friendly of PbWiki and the usage of mindmeister to host activities for the students to have fun and still provide conducive learning.

• Q: What QUESTIONS I still have.

No Questions yet.