No Comments// Posted in course, ICT, intel, learning, teaching by Nor Fadzleen Sa don on 04.01.10.
I am attempting to stay sane despite the heavy workload. I would definitely love to take one day at a time but it seems that a few days are attacking me at the same time! I’ve managed to establish my school’s Johor Student Council (a novel concept but I honestly think we need more time to screen the candidates) and at the moment, I’m supervising my students in setting up and maintaining the English version of the school website. This is part of the Johor Education State Department programmes to boost the international relations of premier schools. Thank god that both of the webmasters, Syed Jaafar & Syed Zuqni are very keen in learning and that just lift the burden off my shoulder a wee bit.
Next week, I’ll be attending the Intel course organised by the English Language Teaching Center (ELTC) for 5 consecutive days. This Sunday, I’ll be car-pooling with Kak Jem, Kak Salbiah and Benjamin from JB to Kuala Lumpur. Thanks Kak Jem for the wonderful offer! I’m looking forward to learn more on the impact of information technology on the teaching of the English Language. Oh yeah, I plan to network with other teachers and hopefully, we could gain better insight on the best way to utilise technology in boosting our students’ motivation in learning. Take care and have a great weekend!
No Comments// Posted in comic, learning, reflection, teaching by Nor Fadzleen Sa don on 03.28.10.
I read this
article this morning and it compelled me to jot down my thoughts on the matter. It’s definitely an eye opener, envisioning that there are a lot of Malaysian teachers who are in the same boat. Some of the issues I’ve mentioned in my previous
post were echoed in this article. It made me wonder whether our plight would be answered with a victorious outcome. Only time would tell.
On an optimistic note, I’d like to share some comic strips that are very heart warming indeed. They are drawn by David Finkle, a talented high school teacher from New York. I am his ardent fan and I have also used some of his works for my lessons. Do check out his website!
” There’s a time for daring and there’s a time for caution, and a wise man understands which is called for.”
~John Keating (Robin Williams)
2 Comments// Posted in reflection, student, teaching by Nor Fadzleen Sa don on 03.22.10.
By now, I am sure you’ve heard of this
news. As much as I applaud the Education Minister’s interests towards upholding the excellence of English Language proficiency in our Malaysian classrooms, I sincerely believe that we should rationalised the issue thoroughly from myriad perspectives. Would increasing hours of English lessons per week overcome the declining state of English Language among our students?
Frankly speaking, it’s the quality that counts, not the quantity. Let’s face it, teachers nowadays are too bogged down with documentation and clerical work that at times, we are gulping and gasping for breath in preparing the best lessons for our beloved students. Teaching is challenging, no joke. We would deliver the best if we are allowed to do what we know best, being a teacher. No teacher in the right mind would settle for mediocre approach towards teaching (the late Tan Sri P.Ramlee’s depiction of ‘hari hari cikgu main bola’ might be one-in-a-million scenario)
God saves our children. *shudders*
I strongly hope that our government won’t scrimp on the needs of professional development for the sake of our future generation. If we want top notch teachers, we must be willing to allow the teachers to develop their niche. I have full optimism that all the English teachers in Malaysia are willing to go the extra mile for their students. If we were to teach extra hours for our students, I am sure we are able to do so willingly if we are allowed to focus sans the interference of extra clerical works. With the right mindset, we are able to achieve anything. As uttered by the late Martin Luther King, I have a dream and right now my dream is to be the best teacher that I could ever be. Let us teach.
No Comments// Posted in e-classroom, module, talk by Nor Fadzleen Sa don on 03.15.10.
Things I did for the past one week:
*Documentation & execution of MY LIT PROJECT, my latest action research project (pheww!)
*Gave a talk to the Form 5 students at SM Teknik Johor Bahru, Johor (I had a great time, such an attentive crowd )
*Formed the committee members for the School Website Contest – english version (dateline: 31st March *cringes*)
*Built website for the School Resource Centre (in progress)
*Marked test papers (sigh..5 failures for 5KN, need to do analysis item & module to overcome this problem)
Things I am planning to do this week:
*Take my sons out ( park, zoo, library,beach or some nice holiday spots)
*Catch up on my reading (check out the MPH Sale, great books up for grab!)
*Watch Alice In Wonderland!
*Set items for the upcoming JB’s SPM midyear examination
*Construct writing module, targeting on 5KN weak students (a simple academic writing template that would guide them to write better)
Have a nice holiday!
5 Comments// Posted in action research, literature, MY-LIT by Nor Fadzleen Sa don on 03.05.10.
MY-LIT Project, my school-based action research is up and running. Phew! It’s been a painstaking process but I do hope my students would immensely benefit from my innovation. For the moment, I’ve updated the site with some digital notes, courtesy of the Curriculum Development Centre, Ministry of Education Malaysia. The materials are currently limited to Latif Mohidin’s In the midst of hardship and Alcock’s QWERTYUIOP as the focus was on my Form 4 students. Nonetheless, I’m hoping to develop more materials on other genres from time to time.
Do check it out!
