Summary

To be frank to all, there are a lot of things that i have learnt from this course. Seriously, my first perception of the course was different last semester when i viewed friends’ blogs and assignments they did for the course. I assume that it was not as tough as what I am undergoing now. During my first few weeks, I was still ‘unstable’. I have all sorts of feelings in minds. Among them are “Am I able to get along in the class?” , “What if mine dont fit Dr Tee’s expectation ?” and the most frequent question came across my mine was “ Why is the course so hard though it was an elective one?” . After the first half of the semester has passed, I slowly developed some confident and interest towards the subjects. I began to think that this is the place for us to share, explore and do mistakes together. And for all circumstances, I am much released that the lecturer is always there for us to ask questions or learn new knowledge. Being a loyal teacher, he has leaded us to correct path, trying to suit all his instructions and approaches with our levels. A good example is shown through our second activity which is wiki. Here, he tried to make analysis on the problems we faced with our first wiki, discusses and came out with the solutions by preparing one for us. He gave feedback most of the time.

• What are 2 or 3 most meaningful things you have learned in this class?

Now, we have mostly come to the end of the semester. Throughout this learning period, I have gained new knowledge on DE (my first definition on DE is wrong I think ‘PJJ” is one of them)
Besides, there are so many interesting things I have learnt from this course.
Let me list some here:

· Thinking outside of the box

All this while, I have always forced myself to think on things more creatively and critically. But, I realized that taking up this course really test my nerve and the challenge is there. To be able to put on active thinking in each class and activity is my main objective for the course besides getting the knowledge. Thinking outside the box requires willingness to take new perspectives and openness to do different things and to do things differently. Here, we have to focus on the value of finding new ideas and acting on them. I also try to see things diffrently and be in others’shoes to analyze on thier opinion more critically. I also learn through listening to other friends’ view and trying to contribute iedas and support them. Being an out-of-the- box thinker i have to also respect their views and new ideas. Anyhow I got to realize that this is the ground for us to learn and amke mistakes. I still can remember when Kak Hana and I was presenting the prototype for our final assignment, some of the group members we showering us with many feedback and qusetions. I was worries at first, thinking that we have to start all over again. Finally, I come to a conclusion that it was not as bad as I thought. Those positive comments give us ways and solution to see clearly and do amendments in assignment. Again, openess is very crucial in leraning. We have to be open in saying out our dissagreement on things and clarification on the argument made will somehow allows us to share our thought and work together to find solution.

· Bridging the culture gap

Culture gap is another factor that hinder the leraning process. From this course, I learn that bridging the gap is important. And here, the instructor should play the role of moderating the situation and change students norms that would finally damage the leraning process. I thank our lecturer for this. He had tried so much to guide us to break our norms and take the challenge. For example, as asians we were used to keep things to ourselves. We rather keep quiet if we disagree with others. Either we do not want to hurt others feelings or we do no want to see rude throwing comments on others. All this while, we expressed our dissatifaction in a more close environment like when giving a evaluation form to fill up. But in this class, I have learnt to ask questions if we have doubt and provide own views too.
Again, openess is very crucial in learning. We have to be open in saying out our dissagreement on things and clarification on the argument made will somehow allows us to share our thought and work together to find solution.
We are trained to aggree to agree and agree to disagree with others . Afterall, agreeing to disagree will not require nesty confrontations.

· Multitasking


Being a teacher and a student at the same time (ops! Not forgetting a preggy women, a wife , a homemaker , a mother ) require a lot of dererminationa nd motivation. Not only that, to make sure all run smoothly, I have to train myself; making sure my condition is not the reason for me not to perform well. Multitasking..Hmm..I would say that this course has forced me to be a good planner and multitasker so that I will be able to get things done. In an in depth discussion on how to work out thingd for wiki, the one killing factor for our less contribution in wiki is TIME CONSTRANT, which is an issue for most of us. But this course really help me to manage it wisely and most importantly, we make things happen and keep on going well till the end of week 12. I am truly amazed withy everyone courage and effort especially those who are not from IT background (like Kuldip and the gang). Congratulations all ! All in all, best practice makes perfect !!


• What will you do with the knowledge that you have cultivated from this
class?

In each semester, they are many new knowledge and experience I have captivated. In this class I get a chance to learn to see teaching and learning in Distance Education context. Although I may not engage myself in any distance education environment in the future, I learn to adapt and adopt theories, instructional strategies, technologies and principles used in DE.

· Driscoll’s Principle – CARS

By learning about how people learn in wiki introduced me to these wonderful principles. I am more aware now that learning should engage learners with the context. For example, if I am teaching my students on “Earth Quake” I might show them clips on it and let them experience being there virtually. I remembered once, Prof Raja Maznah inform us that we use technology when I enhance learning and provide meaningful learning. Furthermore, a teacher should always engage students to the instructions and the activities he or she implement in classroom. Then, to ensure learning has taken place, students need to reflect their work and as their teacher, we need to evaluate them from time to time on how they reflect their learning. Learning is facilitated when learners are given chances to express and evaluate on their own thinking. And finally students will be more enjoyable if the learning is social. Learners benefit from working collaboratively in groups so that they can exchange opinions and views on topics and tasks can also be completed together with their peers.

· Blooms Taxonomy

In this course we were attached to this principle and I hope that this knowledge will be useful to guide me as a teacher as well as a student.
The six levels in very important as learning objectives. Instructions and learning contents should be designed according to these. Not only that, in building items for tests and exams, the levels can also be guidelines besides the JSU provided.

· Collaborative learning

What is collaborative learning?
“Collaborative learning” is an umbrella term for a variety of educational approaches involving joint intellectual effort by students, or students and teachers together. Usually,students are working in groups of two or more, mutually searching for understanding,solutions, or meanings, or creating a product. Collaborative learning activities vary widely, but most center on students’ exploration or application of the course material, notsimply the teacher’s presentation or explication of it.”

By applying this approach in the class, I become more confident that not only advance learners can we thought to learn collaboratively. Average students can also be given chance to follow this approach with scaffolding provided by teacher. By collaborating, students will be more active, individual and group problem-solving, questioning, and explanatory skills can be strengthened. Not only that it encourage different exchange of knowledge and increased understanding from multiple perspectives is gained.



Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Dr Tee for the guidance, motivation and encouragement and seeing every potential in us. You always have a positive thought on us and always accept our views and correct us. To all group members, all of you are wonderful companions through out the semester. We finally manage to navigate smoothly to our destination and hopefully all of us will learn a lot through our shared experienced in this course. Adios and Good luck in our Exam! :)

e poster, prototype and freewebs

On the 9th of April, some of us was assigned to present our e posters and prototype to our friends and lecturer.

Our group was the last group of the day. Kak Hana did the first part on e posters while I continues the one on our prototype.



This time the presentation was clearer and better as some changes are made as compared to the previous one


We have decided to choose freewebs as our instructional media.

As for my part I improvise the prototype by changing the arrangement of the layout and the content.

During the presentation, Dr Tee came out with a question on why are we applying all Driscoll's principles as we have chosen durect instruction as our Instructional framework? By then both of us try to think of what are we support to use as the framework. I read in the book that we can apply more that one model in our instruction, depending on our learning ourcomes and activities involve. Thus, for finally came to a decision to use mixed model for our instructional framework. Thanks Dr Tee for bringing up the question.

Reflection on Wiki

Working on “How people learn in a distance education context” in a wiki allowed me to participate and engage in collaborative ideas on the topic. Beginning from the first session task was given, there was a big question appeared on my mind on what am I supposed to do here. Lead by my colleague, Hana we began to see the framework formed and later distribution of works was done. By then, I was still not clear with the task. A wiki is supposed to be a collaborative tool but we were merely attending to the duty that was assigned to us. A month later, a depth discussion was done with initial efforts from the instructor on what factors that hinder it’s progress and what could be done to solve the problems. Generally, there were several problems such as unclear roles, time consuming, no constructive feedback and scaffolding, and several more. Solutions to them were discussed and to our consent, we were then appointed to the new wiki with clearer framework and roles to take. To elaborate further, I shall respond to the questions below:
i. What was the quality of my contribution to the wiki?
With the new wiki, more scaffolding was given. Thus, the framework was clearer than the one for the previous wiki. The approach instructor used enabled me to participate, collaborate in knowledge –building, engage in the discussion, and share opinions with others. It started with observing how people learn in the video clips on the basic processes involve in their learning and listing them. Learning about learning activities were designed for us to respond based on my observations of the clips. Techniques and learning strategies were used and based on my prior knowledge and experience, I continue listing the ways people learn in three main contexts ; primary, secondary and tertiary level. Making sure that there would not be any redundancy on the content, I tried to do some readings and relate the processes with own experiences. Moving on, in Activity A, we were asked to make comparisons between the three contexts on ways they learn and how do they differ to one another. Here, I began to process the knowledge available and synthesizing was about to take place. Obviously, by seeing the ways people learn in common, I would be able to design meaningful instructions and improve my teaching. Classifying was another task we had to attend to in Activity B. Based on Driscoll (2002, 1994) principles for how people learn, I classified the information required. This is done by recalling all the processes that were related to the principles. Article on How People Learn by Driscoll enhanced my knowledge on the principles. Later in Activity C and D, more complex tasks took place. At these stages, synthesizing and reflection took place. Not only that I recalled the information but I also combined all the knowledge and related information to form conclusion and looked at how the processes could be reliable for instructional strategies related. Discussion started to appear two week before the due date reached and in the discussion, I posted opinions and feedbacks the topic posted by other. Collaborative editing was seen done and inquires then shared and answered. Although I was bound by the limitations of time, I tried to show my contribution in the activity.
ii. How could I have improved the quality of the content?
Aharony (2008) stated that success of using wiki depends on certain variables like familiarity with the technology, careful planning for implementation and use, appropriate class size and motivation of students to engage in discovery learning. For the pass half way, this wiki was rather more task-based that collaborative. We responded to the task but fail to discuss in depth and take more complex actions like editing, making adjustments or synthesizing. Participation took place seriously when only for the past two weeks. This may due to the time constraint and being part timers, most of us would rather wait for what to be done next. If only I realized that earlier, the discussion could be more interesting and more knowledge could be gained and shared on how people learn. Furthermore, I only realized that the title is about “How people learn in a distance education context” but most of the content were discussed related to the video clips, own experiences and very little was done on distance learning context. Secondly, I have just noticed that if I could suggest to everyone to contribute the links of their reading materials or sources to the topic in the wiki, this activity benefits may benefit our teaching and learning process further. This could function as “one stop centre” that would provide sources on How People Learn.
iii. What did I learn from this activity?
From this activity, I gain more information on How people learn ways and instructional strategies used and I am sure by the end of the course all the levels in the Blooms Taxonomy would be at my finger tips. Those were well discussed in the activity. In addition, I also learnt to be more constructive, trying to balance deep and surface learning strategy as well as be more collaborative by doing this activity. More interestingly, I learnt to apply all Driscoll’s principles not only in my teaching and learning process but also in life.

Vision of the Future

To be a 21st Century teacher one has to be flexible, collaborative, knows the learning styles of the students, teachers to different learning styles and ability levels. He or she has to be able to use and take advantage of available sources to make sure that instructions are delivered smoothly and meaningfully. When a teacher uses all the tools offered by technology such as Web 2.0, for example, she or he will try to maximise his or her teaching to make sure students learn actively in context.
When I first became a teacher internet helped me to type all the notes beforehand so that I would be able to project them in the class and safe my time for explanation. Later, when I was more comfortable with this technology I made my lesson more interactive by preparing power point slides and find online lessons to be used in my class. I noticed that the students got carried away when I brought them to the computer lab. Engaging them with interactive lessons and the gadgets available at the lab arouse their interest to learn the subject more.
Nowadays, not many of the teachers in our country know what Web 2.O is. They may know technology and internet but not this term. Last 2 years, in my ID class Prof Raja Maznah introduced us to this and I went home asked my brother who is good at technology but he did not have any idea about it. Web 2.0 is rather hard to explain for those who do not know, but basically it implies easy to use, highly interactive, user-content driven services. In schools teachers may only connect technology with email and PowerPoint and nothing else. The tools in the computer that they explore are those they need for administrative purposes such as excel, words and as I mentioned earlier PowerPoint. Last year, I happened to conduct a simple course on “Interactive Classroom Using the Internet” for my colleagues and in this class I introduced them to tools available in Web 2.0 like Blogs, online websites and forum. But later I found out that only a few of them have their own blogs now, but not for lesson sake. They rather have this for their personal reflection. Unavailability of internet connection in my school is the major hindrance that restricts them to explore and apply what they have learned. Even though most of the classes are equipped with LCD projector and screen, and some of the teachers were given laptops to use in classroom, not many of them would like to use technology in classroom. As for me, the best solution is to purchase the wireless connection but to others they rather stick to their conventional teaching which they claim to be more flexible and effective.

On the other hand, if they would be able to see more on the technology such as Wiki, Moodle and other collaborative tools available they might change their thought on it. Moodle, for example, will benefit teachers as it can be used by teachers to post own tasks online, linked directly to relevant websites, provide lesson information, resources, syllabus for long term absentees. Adobe Pro Connect ( introduced by Wan n Zamiah) is another great tool for online lecturing.

I played my role once when I met my principal to discuss the matter on the connection more seriously but no actions were taken on improving it. In addition, being restricted to complete the syllabus at a stipulated duration and having workload which is more on administrative and documenting, I doubt they would spend some on IT training or matters related to it. On top of that, I really hope one day they will really see technology as an essential aid for teaching.

Thinking on Thinking Hats

I am currently thinking on how to come out with a better website for the project afer last nignt's presentation. Im glad that we presented.. Now I realize that we need to make changes and think deeper on what others mentioned and questioned. I somehow agreed to what they said.

For the past weeks, we set up a wiki as a platform to discuss. To see how far we progress we use ADDIE Model as our guideline. We have done the Analysis stage by stating the objectives, doing need analysis for our target audience. For the past three week, we have started to think of it more seriously as the due date is approaching soon. As for my part, I began to find more articles, videos , images or even any materials on the topic and posted them to the wiki . With a brief discussion with my partner Kak Hana after class and some through Yahoo Messanger and wiki , I tried to sketch the interface of the website on paper. But Kak Hana was advance , i shall say that as she informed me a week later that she had digitized all contents to her own moodle. Personally I think she was so proactive (infact, she is!) to put that on earlier while some of the group members were still struggling to get the topic or doing the prototype. But later, I found that it was a little bit early to have those ready online and having it be implemented to our target learners. I rectified my thought and after being explained again by Dr Tee on Designing Stage ; the progress we should embark in this stage. We were informed that designing and rationalizing should be paralel. After listening to that, I expressed my feeling on having the planning on paper and coming out with a prototype first. The moodle can still stick there and changes still can be made. It reminds me to Dr favourite phrase "we are not married to it" .

the Moodle for STH

So during the last school break, I prepared a prototype. not a complete version but with the ideas we have in the moodle and in our wiki. But still, thinking is still needed on contents as to make sure the website will be flexible in many aspects.

It was only until last night kak Hana mentioned that she would like it to be put on Moodle. Frankly speaking, i dont mind having either Moodle or Freewebs but in my opinion, freewebs will look more appealing to the target learners the activities. Only later after the presentation, we showed the prototype to our friends as to ask their view on its interface. Most of them seems to choose freewebs than moodle. Zamiah told me that it is probably the topic that may sound difficult to the students and the layout of moodle that will be more suitable to adult leraner as it looks plain.

one of the slides of the prototype I did for freewebs

On top of that, my main concern is how are we going to come out with comprehensive approach which will be within our capabily as moderators. I am so much concern on the designing and developing part rather than implimenting it and through out this sessions i hope to gain more knowledge to be able to design good n meaniningful instructions later .

With comments received last night, I realized that direct intstruction method only may not be interesting to the students. Dr reminded us to give more time planning on each approach or activity we put and rationalized them carefully.

To think about putting different approaaches ; constructive, behaviorist andcognitive in the website is another issue to ponder. As mentioned by Dr, we cannot just take one approach without putting much consideration on others in designing the website.

Questions raised by Chun, Lim ,Fazu and Dr alarmed us that we need to sit and discuss further. I agree that planning need more thinking and from time to time changes are to be made. Coming out with improvised versions according to the needs allow us to have better product. Maybe we need to go back to the ADDIE Model ; being still be at Designing and Developing Stage, right Kak Hana ? What do you think? Lets put on our hats now!!!

Learning Heaven

I was a bit late to comments on our new wiki. This new one was a replacement of the one we had previously. After sitting together and discussion on matters that prevent this assignment to delay its progress. We finally discovers some problems faced by the group members. Here are some hindrances we face :

• time consuming




• not understanding the task




• topic is not interesting




• no feedback from instructor




• no scaffolding




• language is high level

Thus, after listening to some of the students' comments and problems Dr Tee listed down all the possible solutions and finally came out with the new wiki; Learning Heaven for us to work on... Thanks Dr! The initial task is to respond to few clips on How People Learn. Though the clips are rendering slow and taking some time to be viewed, they give different levels of activities carried out by primary, secondary and tertiary learners. Then, we come to be more critical to look at the activities , strategies and method both teacher and students use in the learning process.

At the end of the course, we are asked to submit a reflection on it and how we manage it as a collaborative platform.

From my point of view, I still think that collaborative learning is beginning to be seen in the wiki now. I know that everyone is collaborating ideas on the same topic, but for me, it is more on task based activity in the beginning. But now we begin to comment and ask questions to others on their ideas or opinions.More discussions are post to the discussion threads. im glad that it happens though we only have a week away from the submission date of our refelction. I will try to contribute my thoughts more oftenly though not so much time left! ;)

Benchmarks and best practices in distance education

Last week's presentation helps me to understand better on Benchmarking and Best Practices. As being mentioned by Wan, Benchmarking is our objectives and Best Practices are those steps we take to achieve our objectives. The induction set on the lady and her neighbour's story potrayed a deep message to us as it left us with a great reminder that we must judge ourselves rather than being judgmental to others. This reflects our daily lives and to relate with the topic, I believe that the judgement made by the lady is the benchmark she made to form the basis for comparison. Then, she explained more on what the neighbour should do to make sure that the clothes were clean.And here, she was stating the best practices that the neighbour could do. But the benchmarks we have may not be applicable to others or they may be altered from time to time to suit certain conditions. Thus, here, when the husband clarified that he actually cleaned the window made the wife realized that all this while she had made wrong statements about her neighbour.

Apart from the clip, I like the activity whereby all of us were asked to relate our daily activities with the tasks. Working collaboratively in the two other tasks (comparing F2FE and DE ) are also useful as we manage to exchange ideas and opinions on both context using Think Group Share approach.

Overall, the presentation allows better view of the topic such as on the principles of best practice and provides more understanding on the concepts; benchmark and best practice.