9th and Final Reflection - Memories of my Pedagogy Journey! :)

12 weeks of Pedagogy has definitely been a challenging yet very meaningful one. I have discovered tons of lessons along the way :

Firstly, I discovered you will never love  or know what you are capable of doing until you actually put in effort to take the first step to try. Blogging wasn't my interest at the beginning and I got all worried when it became a part of my assignment. Trust me I did actually thought I would not be able to do a good job. Nevertheless, it didnt stop me from trying. My mum always say you will never love something until you actually take time to discover it. I took her advise and actually put in a lot of effort in each blog I did. I know I had my flaws here and there but it all paid off when I got good comments from my lecturer, Madam Ng :) It definitely means a lot to me and it sought of boosted up my confidence level to write better in each blog! :) P.s Thank you so much Madam Ng, I wouldn't be able to do a good job without your humanistic school of thought approach! :p Hehe Giving praises and rewards to students could actually boost confidence! :)

Secondly, I discovered that student centred approach in classroom could actually be a really good method of teaching and learning. Well, I did actually read in books and online journal on how good student centred approach could be but I never actually witnessed it. In Madam Ng's class, I witnessed it for the past 12 weeks. Madam Ng was a person of very less words. She gave her students to speak out more during class. From open discussions to padlets, and online forums. I love how Madam Ng doesn't direct us to only use specific method of learning and being autocratic like some lecturers. At first I wondered why Madam actually didn't speak much but eventually I discovered that we learn better in group discussions and when we go through each other's work in classroom for example the online forums, padlets and more. I learnt a lot of things for this past 12 weeks compared to any other subject I learnt in UNITAR ever since semester one. I am definitely going to adapt this method of teaching in classroom when I be an educator in the future.

Thirdly, I discovered the importance and value of friendship. Yes, I am a person who gets a little emotional when it comes to friendship. I get easily touched when I get good support and positive vibes. What touched me was during mock teaching, I witnessed how helpful, supportive and encouraging each and every one could be. Some of us even me was a little nervous during Mock Teaching but with the constant help and support from friends, I could overcome the fears. I am ever so thankful to this people for helping me along the way! Definitely one of the best bunch of friends I have ever had. I only knew some of them only during Pedagogy class, but I feel like I have known them for years by the way they treat me. So warm and caring!

This people have been a great support to me! Thank you Shevaanni, Retesh and Diyanah! Love you guys <3

Forthly, I learned classroom management & rules in classroom the key to a great teaching and learning environment. During he 7th or 8th week of class, when we had the discussion of classroom management and rules in the classroom, I was exposed to many different situations given by Dr Ng and as well as my classmates in the discussion on how to face certain situations. Though I had the experience of teaching 4 years old back in the year 2011 but I didn't know it would be totally different. I realized as students get older sometimes they tend to be even more rebellious. That discussions we had in classroom, gave me a lot of useful inputs of what I should prepare myself into when I enter the world of teaching. Honestly, when we were asked to find the different ways of classroom management and rules, I did a little research and found different methods and rules which caught my attention and I would definitely use it in the futures. This shows that this course has been a good platform for me to let myself sink in more into the world of teaching.

Fifth, learned that to be a teacher is not an easy responsibility. Yes, I was aware from the beginning to be a teacher is not an easy job, because parents and society have so much hopes on teachers to mould their children to be a morally and intellectually good. What I didn't know along the way was the preparation a teacher need to do before he/she gets into the class is crucial. From preparing the lesson plans, the methods, materials and rationale behind each notes, exercises and activities that will be conducted is important and needs to be up to date to the current syllabus. During this 12 weeks, I was given a good exposure by Madam Ng to get myself started with lesson plans and preparing notes and activities so that I would be emotionally prepared of what I would be facing in the future with the secondary students in school. Thank you so much Madam Ng for all the guidance in helping and encouraging me to get exposed to lesson plans though it was a little challenging but I managed to do it.
p.s A blog wouldn't be enough to share all that I have discovered throughout the 12 weeks! Too many meaningful lessons. :)

LOL :D

This is my final blog and I would like to thank Madam Ng for all the advises, support and patience in teaching me and guiding me for the past 12 weeks. Thank you so much for introducing me to so many new methods of teaching and learning. It was definitely a great pleasure to get you as my lecturer. I enjoyed your classes and I would definitely miss attending your classes and blogging as well. Words cant describe how thankful I am for all the knowledge you have shared and I see the rationale behind each and every task and method of teaching you have done with us. I learned a lot from your class and I definitely would use it when I get into the world of teaching. I really hope to make you proud someday Madam. Please do keep us all in your prayers and thoughts. Thank you so much again Madam for everything! <3 :)

Shoutout to all ESEB 2064 OCTOBER 2015 thank you so much for all the support, friendship and fun times you guys have given me. I definitely enjoyed being in the accompany of you all. It has definitely been a pleasure and I am really blessed to know all of you. Hope we would be able to work together again as a class though some of us are from different semesters. Thank you so much for the memories ESEB 2064 OCTOBER 2015 <3 <3 Love you guys tons! All the best for finals! Break a leg and see you guys soon! :) 

8th Reflection : Mock Teaching :)

          Mock teaching has been going on 2 weeks now and this time around in my blog I would be talking about the mock teaching process and my preference. Honestly, I can say each and every one who presented in these two weeks had done their level best and they look like they are naturally born to be teachers. Though there are flaws here and there, but almost everyone managed to nail it! Kuddos guys! I believe this is a great stepping stone for each and every one of us to manage our fear to stand in front and to teach within 30 minutes. It takes a lot of effort, hard work and bravery to do it. Honestly when my friends were in front teaching, I could actually imagine what each teachers in secondary schools are actually going through to prepare lesson plans, to teach students with so many levels of understanding and also behaviour, prepare exercises, mark them and more. Wow being a teacher is definitely something to be proud off! I am definitely a proud educator to be. J On the first day of mock teaching, the bar has been set up really high by most of my friends. Good is such an understatement to describe some of them. 

          Especially Ashkamir, he taught Economics in class and honestly I don’t really like Economics. I dropped it back when I was in form 6 because I didn’t really like the way Economics was taught and I had no background in Economics back in form 4 and 5 because I was in Science stream. So yeah I did struggle a bit causing me to take History instead. When I heard Askhamir was going to teach Economics, I really thought I won’t be focusing in class at all. But yeah,  I was wrong, he caught my attention to get me to study Economics. What I liked was the method he used in his teaching where he created a Poem out of the few elements of Economics he taught. That was a brilliant and creative idea and I never taught it could be done. His body language and voice intonation was really good and it made most of us (especially those who hate economics) to love it at least for a day when he taught us. Haha :p His enthusiasm really got into us. He used the teacher centred approach where he kept reminding us to not be “ego” where we should listen to him first before anything. I find it interesting and I respect him for the method he use. Where though, it is teacher centred but he still managed to get all of us to like what he taught. Honestly, if I had such a teacher back in form 6, I wouldn’t have dropped Economics at all. Hahaha (I am serious) J He didn’t have such fancy notes, rewards or anything but he has the charisma which every teacher should have.

                                  

  Next, Denslee amazed me with the booklet he made for mock teaching. Honestly, it is not easy producing a booklet because I myself did a booklet for my mock teaching. I salute Denslee for his effort to come out with a booklet for Economics. I find the booklet idea was an interesting idea to get students away from the orthodox method of using their notes books for learning process. It was a great method to get students attention to learn better. The booklet was compact with notes and exercises after each topics and it was indeed a good method to have student who is sitting for major exams. Moreover, Denslee also made extra effort to prepare a very creative notes on mah-jong paper. It was colourful, in big fonts and everyone could actually see it clearly. As someone who doesn’t have any knowledge in Economics, I could actually understand better when Denslee actually taught. I liked how he used the Authentic learning in classroom, he related his lesson to the examples he could find at large. It was indeed another brilliant idea because students tend to learn better when you relate it to things around them. 

       

Next, I loved Nanthinni’s method of teaching Mathematics as well where she used the student centred approach. She involved students in the classroom activity where she prepared exercises and sticked it on board for students to do it in front. It is a very good reciprocal method to get students to engage in the teaching and learning process. There are also others who did the method for example Pritha, Abirami and many others. I loved this method because it get the students attention for example those who slacks away half way of the teaching process where some get tired and lose focus. In addition, I love the reward system done by most of them who did the mock teaching where some brought in grapes, chocolates and sweets to reward the team that managed to complete the quizzes and the ones who pays attention well in classroom. The way those who did mock teaching by blending in the reward system as per the Behaviorist School of Thought really worked where students who did well got their praises and rewards, this did only get the attention of the students but also enhances students understanding. For example, Denslee, Syahira, Nanthinni, Faridah, Kirthiga and few other used this brilliant reward system. P.s : If only I had you all as my teacher, I would have diabetic if I get those kind of sweets and chocolates every class! :p In addition, I loved how some of my friends used video to get the attention of students for example, Jasmine and Abirami. It was fun and interesting and I am amazed at their creativity to relate movie into teaching specific subjects. 

          In my person opinion, based on observing my friends Mock teaching presentation there are few things that should be avoided. Firstly, when preparing for classroom materials for example slides or hand written materials like in mah-jong paper, it is important that the font or the writing should be  big and clear enough to be seen by everyone in the classroom especially the ones seated at the back. Secondly, voice projection in classroom is an important element. Slow and soft voices cause students to not focus in the classroom and causing them to slack off real bad. A very good example of good voice projection would be Darseni and also Atilia. Kuddos girls! J I loved how the project their voice. I really hope I can do the same! Hahaha :p Thirdly, using mother tongue in classroom while teaching students should be avoided especially when you are in a language classroom where it acquires you to only use English. I am not saying one should not use at all because some students could understand better when you explain in their own mother tongue, but it is best if could be avoided. 

          I am really proud of all my October 2015 ESEB 2064 who presented their mock teaching so well though there is still one last batch presenting next Monday. I believe those who haven’t presented will do as well as those who have already presented their Mock Teaching. For a first timer, this is definitely something each and every one should be proud off. Those sleepless nights preparing lesson plans, cracking head to find ideas for notes, exercises and how to make it as presentable and creative as possible is definitely a hard work that should be praised off for. Thank you so much for everyone who presented for all the useful inputs, teaching methods and also the rewards of chocolates and sweets that I really loved! ;) Hehehe I would like to wish all the best for those presenting on the 28th December 2015 including myself. I am really hoping the best for all of us! :)

7th Reflection - Preparation to "THE DAY" - Mock Teaching! ;)

          This time around in my blog I would be talking about my most feared assignment in the whole year of studying in UNITAR - MOCK TEACHING! That two words freak me out almost every time when I hear my friend discussing about it - Lesson plan, mock teaching, lesson plan, mock teaching! Gosh it freaks me out like mad hahaha Like I said in my earlier blog, although I have the experience teaching and preparing lesson plan, but I feel really nervous about the whole Mock Teaching and lesson plan which will be taking place in few weeks time because teaching kids of less than 6 years of age is totally different from the ones in secondary school. So apparently, I am in the last batch of mock teaching which is on the 28th of December.  Relieve knowing I still have time for it but well ITS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY - CHRISTMASSSS! This time around Christmas is gonna be not so jolly but its gonna be all about lesson plan and mock teaching! hehe But its okay I shall look on the positive side of it I will still get to enjoy once its done. That's when the REAL CHRISTMAS BEGINS! ;) 

Countdown for Christmas : 15 days. Countdown for the REAL CHRISTMAS(MOCK TEACHING) 18 DAYSSS!! :D *Christmas tree at home(2013) yet to fix this year*

          Okay, lets get back to business on my preparation to Mock teaching. Let me begin by saying again that this is my most feared assignment and I am getting a little demotivated if I can do it wel or not but luckily I have an aunty who is a teacher and every time she whatsapps me I get reminded of preparing my lesson plan and as well as my mock teaching. Here's my preparation to mock teaching firstly,everyday I would think of various ways I can actually teach. I try to relate back to my old experience teaching in the kindergarten. I constantly think of creative ways I can use to approach the students in class on mock teaching day which will be my fellow classmates. Whenever I am on the way to campus, waiting for bus and more I always think off methods and approaches. It sought off helps me in a way because I waste time and rush in the last minute.

MAJOR CONCERNS TO ME AS A "TEACHER TO BE" :)

       
          Secondly, I also use Youtube as my learning medium, I watch on how various teachers use their skills and methods to approach students in a very interesting way. About lesson plan, I have yet to start writing on it, but I do have ideas on what are the topics that I would be teaching on and I have thought off the methods I would be using and as well as the ideas on the worksheets that I would be preparing on. I have yet to start up writing on it because I have few assignments due right before Mock Teaching.#storyofaunistudent #notprocrastinating #workoverloaded #Iwillsurvive Hahahaha 

I find Youtube a very useful medium for me as when I watch other teachers teach their students with all soughts of behaviour it gives me an idea on classroom management and it makes me aware that we need to cater to different needs of students to make the teaching and learning process a real meaningful one.

I came across this youtube video while finding for some "inspiration for mock teaching* :p Enjoyy it! hehe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmbcXQsCk34 #Stressreliever P.s  I hope I dont get students like this in the future! LOL :p


          Thirdly, I would also look into various lesson plans online just to get a better understanding of the things I could actually put in my lesson plan and as well as more creative activities I can actually conduct in class for Mock teaching day! I believe we cant just confine and follow whatever the lecturer has given because we when we explore that's when we tend to learn more. I am trying my best to actually find various ways and methods I can use to get a different and fruitful outcome and hopefully I would be able to actually do my best.

          This is my final assignment for Pedagogy in Education and it is also my last assignment for my semester four. I really hope I would be able to perform well in my mock teaching and I also hope I would be able to prepare a really good lesson plan. Wishing all my friends all the very best in all the preparations to THE DAY - MOCK TEACHING! All is well people. You guys will do fine! May the force be with us all ;) #Wecandothis #Dontgiveup #Itwillbeoversoonerthanyouthink

Keep Calm and All The best "Future Educators" ;)

6th Reflection - My Students, My Classroom Rules :)

This time around in my blog I would be talking on : 

Rules I would imply as a class teacher in my classroom :) 

          Rules in a classroom are an important element in ensuring the flow of teaching and learning in the classroom becomes conducive. As a teacher, may it class teacher or subject teacher I feel it is important that teachers become the rule maker in order for the students to abide to it in creating a wholesome future. I would touch on 4 main rules that I trust would be useful. :)


          The rule I would apply in my classroom as a class teacher is firstly it is  important that students have a study area by their own behind the classroom where they can have their time alone or with a few friends of them(3 – 4) can actually sit together and have a discussion by their own. Previously, when I was teaching in a kindergarten, I created a space at the back of the classroom where my students could actually go to the area and have their time out reading and if they don’t understand certain thing I would bring them to that area and teach them. That space also became a reading space where I brought in story books and as well as their compulsory “Peter and Jane” book which they have to read in class every day without fail. I feel it is important that this area is there for students because it could enhance students interest to study and as well as it acts as a medium where students can take their time out from the stressful teaching and learning time in their own spaces in classroom. 

Example of relaxing space behind the classroom from Google that could created by teacher and students. :)

          Next, the rule I would apply in my classroom as a class teacher would be students should constantly update their notice board. The rationale behind this is it makes the classroom more conducive for teaching and learning process. Relating this to my teaching experience in the kindergarten, I would make it a point to actually do art works with the students firstly to bring their talent out and as well as to use the art works to stick it on the notice board to appreciate their effort and when they feel they are all so not motivated and when they are in their own world of not listening to what I say, I would actually use the notice board as a boost for them. I would praise them for the effort and trust me it actually works. Kids are engrossed to praises so yeah that’s the trick here! ;) hehe We can even use this in the context of high school, teachers should encourage their students to stick whatever they want related to studies may it be art, poetry or even testimonials. It doesn’t even only brings out the talent of the student but also beautifies the classroom. 

One of my student, Hadif admiring the notice board we did together :) 

         
          Furthermore, the next rule I would imply in classroom is spread love and not hatred. It is important students love their classmates as we love ourselves because students are the ones who is almost always together and love should be grown in between them in order to prevent any sought of circumstances in the classroom. I would find ways for example placing and encouraging students to sit with friends from different races. This would not only ensure unity but also enable students to learn more from each one's differences. When students tend to love and care for the classmates then no rules is ever needed in classroom because love prevails all evil! ;) During my teaching experience, I had students from different backgrounds of culture and my major concern was will the students be able to get along with one another since they are still too small to understand and embrace the differences between them. I always tried to ensure them to actually say nice things in classroom for example praising one another and encouraging them to help others and rewarding them for their good deeds. It did work but it took some time for the students to digest it all. :) 

My previous kindergarten students are a living testimony that it is possible to create love and unity among classmates :) P.S : Excuse Hadif's strict face, he purposely did it haha He was the "big brother" in the class that always took care of the rest! :)  

Spread love people, not hatred! :) P.S : Pic of one of my student, Zara ;) 

          In addition, the next rule I would imply in classroom is I would stress on the importance of classroom duty roster. It is only fair if each and every one takes turn to do their task cleaning the classroom. It doesn't only engage students to work together but also enables them to actually study in a clean and conducive classroom. As a class teacher, I myself would prepare the classroom duties because if its given to one person to do it, they would choose the easiest task for them and as well as their friends too, so I myself would allocate their task and encourage them by rewarding the day that is cleanest compared to other days. When students actually know the hardship of cleaning a place, then it would promote good deeds in them for example they won't loiter in public places and more. This could cultivate good deeds and produce a good set of generation that gives good importance to cleanliness.


That's all from me for now, I hope this four rules I shared would be useful for future teachers out there. Have a good day beautiful people :)