Week 7 : Time is RUNNING OUT...

This week was not too bad compared to last week BUT I fell sick and so my momentum, mood and enthusiasm has been on the 'low'.

I did not have the time to comment on the one-computer discussion though I did read two articles.  I preferred to try the autonomous learning as this discussion created the opportunity for me to 'crack' my head and do some soul-searching on HOW I SHOULD and COULD incorporate this into my lessons.  I realize that this requires a diligent and conscious effort on my part if I sincerely desire my students to be lifelong learners.  The ultimate goal of education should be to make students independent learners.  After going through this online Webskills course  I have had sufficient practice on the true meaning of being an autonomous learner.  Hence Webskills "practices what it preaches".

Now I need to sit on my project...March is a hectic month in school...with a Carnival to raise funds and a Concert to organize.  I always wonder why I get caught in these ad hoc committees.  Before this is over, I have received another email regarding another ad hoc committee I am on ~ Award Ceremony!  I wish I can ONLY teach.  IF ALL the spare time I have in-between teaching periods is used to prepare lessons, I would be a GREAT teacher...I wonder if teachers in other countries are "jack of all trades and master of none"?

So why have I made my blog this Week so COLOURFUL ~ simply because I really feel under the weather and needed some 'brightness' in my life...AND with the pray this 'brightness' will remain bright till 31/3/2013...

    Here's WISHING 

   ALL MY READERS 

    A CHEERFUL WEEK 8

WEEK 6 : And I am WHACKED OUT!!

WEEK 5...and still going 'strong'

Week 5 is done and as I write my blog now, Donna has already sent us information about Week 6.

I have not been successful with either Webquest or Zunal...still have not understood why I am unable to proceed into creating one.  Need to email the others to see where I am going wrong (sigh!).

To be truthful, all the influx of available resourse has in fact 'torn me apart' ~ after 25 years of teaching service, mentoring younger teachers, giving in-house and adjudicating numerous English Language competitions, I now feel 'small', inadequate and 'lost'...on the other hand, I am so one-tracked about wanting to start digital learning in my classes (my kids think I am going 'nuts' ~ so much of mixed emotions).  Not Blog, nor Twitter, or Email, or even PowerPoint Presentations as I have tried these and my teenagers are familiar with these; more familiar than I am!  These just seem to be the tip of the iceberg.

I want to be fully equipped to boldly use Digital Learning where students directly access the given URL and attempt online learning.  Through Webskills, I keep being exposed to all that the internet has in store.  Hence I feel that I am so backward here in Malaysia.  This is what I want to try in my project paper.

PBL is another area I want my students to be involved in.  With ePals, Global School Net and Think Quest, I truly want my 13-14 year olds who belong to the niche English Language group to start on PBL with a class in another country.  I know my girls will be so excited with this.

My head is so filled with ideas but my greatest fear is that I will not have time to implement what I want to try...school work is so entailed with documentation and paperwork that I always feel robbed of time to plan better, more advanced and more interesting lessons.

I am going to invite my Principal to observe the teaching of my lessons that I plan into my project.  I hope this does the trick...

My vision ~ to equip myself. Then to motivate two others, Diana ( a Science teacher) and Faridah (a Biology Teacher) to also bring Digital Learning into their classrooms...wouldn't this be wonderful???

      Pam

Phew...Am I glad Week 4 is OVER!

It has been an exhausting week especially on my eyes.  Sign of old-age, I suppose.  I have been online the longest this week and am still not totally satisfied with my lesson plan.  I feel that I still need to source and checkout more online resource.  I was quite excited when I came across Animoto (something like Dvolver Moviemaker).

The week started with extensive reading which I read intensely.  In fact I read them twice as during my first reading I was interrupted by some household matters I had to attend to.

I enjoyed exploring the websites and analyzing their suitability for my classes.  More and more I am convinced of the fact that the resource for us, teachers, is a goldmine waiting to be accessed.  How wonderful to be exposed to such a wealth of online teaching materials!

My hardest task was writing the technology-enhanced lesson plan ~ a daunting task.  I still have the 'fear' of whether what I wrote is right.  I feel inadequate as to whether I have the guts to use digital teaching aids in class.  I have always downloaded materials for my classes but have yet to try digital learning.  I do feel very strongly about the fact that a technology-enhanced lesson definitely addresses the learning styles in my students BUT I need to get over my own feelings of insecurity...

Well, that's all for now...take care and have a fantastic week 5

Pam