Closure of Resources

Today all of us were are required to sit for an examination. After several days for burning midnight oil, I have to try my very best in answering all the questions. I would say that this exam paper is basically application on what we have learnt in this semester. For example, there is a question about video editing and I have to create a lesson plan. It is really challenging instead.

Besides, the last question in the exam is preparing a lesson plan that uses a set of technological tools. This reminds me to use all the application and skills that I have learnt from module 1 to 5. I also bare in mind that it must be related to a language focus. An effective will not be perfect if there is no any language focus. This reminds me that a ship without a captain will never reach the destination.

All in all, this course has widen my knowledge in lots of software and taught me how to create teaching aids by using technological tools. Thanks to Pn. Foziah.

Questions (Whole Resources)

The End

1. What do you like about blogging?

Blogging is an activity that enables a person to share knowledge and communicate with others through online system. Through blogging, I can have my own virtual space to express and share my experiences with others. Besides that, blogging enables me to receive feedbacks and encouragement from other bloggers as well. Blogging gives me lots of efficient information too. For example, creating a blog in resources course has increased and widen my knowledge about a lesson especially when I read on my peers’ blog. It will also clarify my hesitation.

2. What you do not like about blogging?

The first thing that I do not like about blogging is it must be connected to internet in order to use it. For example, I will be unable to post my blog or even read others’ blogs if I am not connected to internet. Secondly, sometimes blogging may cause chaos especially if I mention something that is related to the politics, religion or racism. It will lead to consequences such as being sued by the authorities. Thus, blogging can also make me feel insecure and remove my thoughts on my blogs.

3. What have you gained from blogging e.g. Language skills, improved fluency, critical thinking, improved thought processes, technology skills etc. How?

Firstly, blogging has really brought drastic changes to my language proficiency. This is because through blogging, it gives me a chance to read from others’ bloggers too. Thus, I can refer to their flawless way of writing. I will also be inspired to some peers’ way of writing which are full of creativity.

Secondly, blogging makes me to think critically as well. This happens when I read my peers’ blogs and being attracted by any interesting issues. For example, by reading the blogs for every entry, it makes me to think about the advantages and disadvantages of using technology in classroom. This is vividly shown when I read one of the entries that application of video editing in a classroom. Therefore, it makes me to think thoroughly in order to apply it in future.

Thirdly, blogging improves my technological skills. This is because resources course has made me to create my very first blog even though I have been using laptop for 6 years. Blogging really makes me to explore the elements such as how to upload images to the post.

4. What do you like about this course?

Through this course, it exposes me to various softwares. Sony Vegas, Window Movie Maker, Moyea Youtube, Photoscape and Audacity are some of the examples of softwares. All these softwares have increased and widen my horizon on technology. For examples, in this course, I have learnt how to create my own video for a teaching and learning process, edit pictures and also produce my own ringtone. By learning all these, I can apply all these inputs in my life and also other subjects. It also motivates me to use more technological teachings aids. Unintentionally, it increases my confidence in exploring and using technology.

5. What you do not like about this course?

The only thing that makes me frustrated sometimes is the internet connection problem. This is because this course requires internet connection in order to make my work done. Without the internet, most of the work could not be done.

6. What have you learnt from this course?

In this course, I have learnt how to use technology to make technological teaching aids. Technology can create an interesting and fun class. It also helps teachers to save up time and budget. For example, teachers do not have to laminate the picture cards but just using the projector and show all the pictures to the class. In addition, it is also durable and flexible as teachers only have to save it in pen drive and bring it easily.

7. What have you learnt from this course that you did not expect to?

Cooperation among peers is one of the elements that I do not expect to learn in this course. This course has really strengthened my communication skills with my peers especially in doing the module task. For example, I have discussed with my peers about the task and clarify my hesitation. Each of us is always willing to help whenever we have any difficulties in completing the modules. For example, my peers will suggest me to use Photoscape and Photobucket rather than CS3 as they have a better function in editing.

Secondly, uploading my own video to Youtube and pictures to Photobucket has really opened my eyes especially in this course. This is because uploading any documents to internet has never been tried by me all this while. By having this course, I have become more resourceful and being inspired to explore the available softwares.

8. What have u expected but do not learn from this course?
-

9. Comments regarding modules:

1. Internet and computing skills

a. What do you like about this module?

In this module 1, I have learnt how to download and upload songs, videos, lyrics and etc. Lots of softwares are introduced so that all of us are resourceful enough to adapt all these into teaching. Besides, with this module, I am able to create teaching aids such as integrating online games in a teaching and learning process. This will help to create a fun and interesting learning in class.

b. What do you not like about this module?

The thing that I do not like about this module is all the tasks must be integrated with internet connection. This module is also given at the early of the semester where my house still does not have any internet service. Thus, it makes me realizes the importance of having internet connection in a student’s life.

c. What do you like about the task given for this module?

The task given in this module helps me to explore on the various websites. For example, I have found out the way to keep my documents in Window Live. This helps me to save my capacity in my laptop.

d. What do you not like about the task given for this module?
-

e. What are the specific skills that you learn in this module?

The specific skill that I have learnt from this module is how to search and download songs. This is because I can download my favourite songs and also educational songs for my pupils.

f. How the skills learnt in this module can help in the making and choosing of teaching aids for the ELT classroom?

The skills such as how to send email can be taught to level 2 pupils. This guides them to be a technology savvy citizen. They can also send their enquiries to their teachers after school hours or even seek clarification. In addition, searching and downloading songs and videos by using Moyea Youtube downloader has increased my choices in teaching aids. All these elements will definitely arouse pupils’ interest due to the interesting and colorful visuals.


2. Photo Editing

a. What do you like about this module?

This module teaches me how to edit a picture by using different softwares such as CS3, Photoscape, Photobucket and etc. By editing pictures, it can portray the unique elements of the picture. All these softwares can be used even though I am not connected to the internet except Photobucket.

b. What do you not like about this module?

Sometimes photo editing can be deceptive and cause troubles to us. For example, a picture can be edited by deleting on certain items such as blemishes to hide our real age. Thus, it will be very difficult for all of us to know the truth for a picture.

c. What do you like about the task given for this module?

In this task, it enables me to edit all the unwanted elements in pictures. Then, I can use it in a teaching and learning process. Animations can also be included to make it more interesting. This can be explored in Photobucket software.

d. What do you not like about the task given for this module?
-

e. What are the specific skills that you learn in this module?

The specific skill that I have learnt in this module is how to edit the photo in order to use it as teaching aids in classroom. Cropping, changing the tone colour, adding animation and captions are some of the elements that can be included. All these elements help to emphasize the topic of the lesson more precise.

f. How the skills learnt in this module can help in the making and choosing of teaching aids for the ELT classroom?

By using all the functions in the software of editing pictures, I can create an interesting set induction. This is because pictures can be used to arouse pupils’ interests. For example, by showing a picture that consists different types of animals I can ask them to guess on the language focus of the lesson. It also gives them self preparation in the lesson.

3. Audio Editing Skills

a. What do you like about this module?

In this module, it teaches me how to use audacity software. By using audacity software, I can create my own educational songs, audio for listening skills and many more. Thus, I do not have to spend money to buy all the songs.

b. What do you not like about this module?

Some softwares have certain period of time to be used. For example, Ulead software can only be used for 1 month that is trial package. This will bring difficulties for teachers who would like to make change in the future.

c. What do you like about the task given for this module?

The task given increases my interest in creating own teaching aids. For example, I have learnt to apply by recording my own voice. Then, I use it for my listening skills.

d. What do you not like about the task given for this module?
-

e. What are the specific skills that you learn in this module?

By using audacity, I have learnt how to create ringtone, recording the sound, and also maximize the functions. For example, in order to produce a song, I have to fade in and out at the beginning and ending part so that it will be more dynamic to the listeners.

f. How the skills learnt in this module can help in the making and choosing of teaching aids for the ELT classroom?

Recording is a very simple yet crucial element in a classroom. it can be used to enhance pupils’ listening skill.

4. Video Editing Skills

a. What do you like about this module?

This module gives me a chance to learn on how to create my own video. Lots of guidance such as softwares being introduced to create the video.

b. What do you not like about this module?
-

c. What do you like about the task given for this module?

The task given reminds me that the video editing must has a theme. This is to lead the audience to the topic of the lesson. Besides, the task reminds me all the pictures have to be linked so that it will not show any gap of communicating ideas.

d. What do you not like about the task given for this module?
-

e. What are the specific skills that you learn in this module?

The specific skills that I have learnt are including the pictures, songs, animations, effects and also captions or texts into the video. By having captions in the video, I am able to introduce my video briefly.

f. How the skills learnt in this module can help in the making and choosing of teaching aids for the ELT classroom?

By using video editing, I do not have to rely on the sources on the internet. This is because I can collect all the pictures and arranged them into a video. Besides, it can be created to emphasize on our own identity. For example, video editing is suitable to be used to create own video about Malaysia costumes. This is because most of the videos in internet are emphasized on western cultures.


5. Software for ELT


a. What do you like about this module?

This module gives me exposure about the software for ELT. It also emphasizes the use of each software.

b. What do you not like about this module?
-

c. What do you like about the task given for this module?

The task given helps me to understand the use of software in a teaching and learning process. For example, I can create my own brochure, name card, and others,

d. What do you not like about the task given for this module?
-

e. What are the specific skills that you learn in this module?

Creating brochure, pamphlets, name cards, greeting cards are some of the specific skills that I have learnt in this module.

f. How the skills learnt in this module can help in the making and choosing of teaching aids for the ELT classroom?

All these can be applied in a classroom such as teaching pupils steps by steps to create a greeting card. During a teaching process, teachers can include and emphasize the language focus of the lesson that is learning how to write greeting sentences or format of writing an informal letter.

10. If you can change anything about this course, state what is and elaborate?

The improvement that I would like to make in this course is to encourage pupils to post the
videos, e book and other tasks that they have done in the blog. For example, they can make
link to the Picasa web in order to save the capacity of the page in blog. Besides, everyone
of us can share their ideas virtually.


On a scale of 1 – 10, please rate your computing and technological skills for both before and after undergoing the course.
Before : 3.5
After : 7.5

Reflect on Videos

Believe it or not? This is the 14^th week of my resources class. The lesson for today is interesting and awesome. This is because all of us are given opportunity to watch our peers’ creation of video. Most of the video are produced with brilliant ideas. The video that leaves the deep impact towards me is Faiz and Atikah’s group. They have done a great job by relating the video with the cancer disease. It is so touching to see people who are suffering with cancer. It reminds me that I must lead a healthy life or else I will be in the same group as them. Besides, there is also a video that brings reminiscences to me during our trip to Langkawi. Although not all of us have joined the trip, it is still lively and enjoyable.

Then, our lecturer asks everyone of us to think critically and analytically about the video. For instance, we have to explain the utmost theme of the video, strengths and also weaknesses. Through this session, it gives me a chance to see vividly the characteristics of a good quality video. Our lecturer has also reminded us that a good video so be incorporated with a suitable songs as background audio. This will enhance the atmosphere and feeling while watching it.

Apart from that, all these videos are important for me. It does not merely as an entertainment, it can also be a teaching aid as well. Awesome isn’t? In this ICT world, teachers must a lifelong learner and always be ready to learn the latest pedagogy skills in teaching. Video can be used to arouse pupils’ interest as the beginning of a lesson. I can also extract pictures from the video as picture cards. It is just like killing two birds with one stone.

All in all, this week has really been an eye opener for me. I have learnt another way to create an interesting and exciting way of learning.

Creation of own video

This is week of 13th. It reminds me that this course is going to end soon. However, I still have abundance of workload to be done. In this week, our lecturer, Pn. Foziah wanted all of us to show our very own creation of video. Every video must have its own theme.


My partner and I had decided to do the video based on the theme of "determination". It was basically about a singer's bibliography. The singer is Jay Chou who is a very versatile and talented singer in Taiwan. He passes through many experiences and obstacles in life in order to be a King of Singer as today. He loves his mother to the fullest as she raises him up by herself. This is because Jay's father is a heavy drinker.


After the consultation with Pn Foziah, we managed to revise our video due to some brilliant ideas from our lecturer. She reminds us to add in more photos and also the experiences of Jay Chou such as how he overcomes his obstacles. This will eventually portray more determination in the video. A good quality of video is an audience can easy get the main idea of it when he or she views it for the first time.


Before, we end the lesson of today, all of us have to submit the module 2, ebook, and not to be forgotten the task 3 lesson plan. We are also reminded with the upcoming examination on 2 of November 2010. Study!!!!

Ebook

This is the 12th week of attending resources class. The moment I enter the class, our lecturer has shown us the sample of ebook. This is the first time I see how a e book looks like. Pn. Foziah explains to us that e book is important to use in class. This is because e book consists of:
i) Theme
ii) setting
iii) storyline (Plot)
iv) Characterization



We have a chance to several ebooks such as including with sound effects and also voice recording. These ebooks really become an eye opening for me. Fantastic isn't?



Then, our lecturer facilitates each group from time to time. She gives me and partner some comments on how to improve our ebook to a better one. For example, I should add on another slide to show the expression of my character. Thus, I have taken her advice into consideration. Besides, she also asks my group to add in our voice as the narration of the story. This will give more impact to pupils and also to arouse their interests too.


Apart from that, all of us were given another 2 sets of module. These 2 modules were part of the continuous of the module 2. Although most of us sigh the moment we receive the module, we do also appreciate with what we have. This is because we are able to gain something new or knowledge from it.



Lastly, Pn. Foziah shows all of us a video that is created by her blog friend. She mentions that her friend has chosen "Onetruemedia" website as it can be decorated according to our own preferences. She also mentions that the video must consist of setting, theme, characterization and etc.

All in all, the lesson has brought lots of benefits to us. See you all in next entry.

Editing Photo

This week was the 11th week. Photo editing was still discussing by our lecturer, Pn. Foziah. She gave some feedback regarding to our assigned task that was to upload our edited photos by using Photobucket. Each of us had to post our original and edited photo on the photobucket website. I was so amazed to see my friends' edited pictures. Pn. Foziah reminded us that all the pictures must be colourful and meaningful.



Firstly, she reminded everyone that it was a must to include our own name or even a nickname in our photo. This was to avoid any plagarism and remain our copyright. This eventually reminded me that a person's hardwork should be recognised so that others would appreciate it. Thus, I had made the changes in my photo.



Secondly, cropping was the second element being discussed in class. I was so admired with the invention of technology that cropping could cause gossip especially in circle of entertainment. Pictures of artists were shown by Pn. Foziah such as Ella and Wu Chun, chinese artists. This meant that pictures could speak thousands of words such as being a couple, single and etc.



Thirdly, she mentioned the purposes of editing pictures.
i) Able to create our own pictures according to teaching topic.
ii) Able to create a story by using few pictures.
iii) Arouse pupils' interest in learning.


Apart from that, we were assigned to work in group of 4 for task 3. It was about editing 8 pictures which emphasized on speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills. In addition, all these oictures must according to a chosen topic in syllabus. Every of in groups brainstorm to generate new ideas.

All in all, this lesson reminded me the importance of cropping and also including the nickname in photos.

Photoshop (CS3) Part 2

Aw... It is week 10 th. Today lesson was not as hectic as other lessons. All of us were allowed to complete our module 2 which was Photoshop. I saw some of my peers were discussing about iPhoto as it did not function on what was expected. Thus, most of them had to struggle and think critically. OOps... me too. I realized that this course had eventually made us to tickle our little mind sometimes.

Furthermore, for those who had completed their assignments were allowed to do their own work. Fun and lots of freedom for all of us. Hurray!!! But all of us had to bare in mind that there is still another module that was module 4. Although all these modules were killing us softly, we did benefit from them. For instance, we gained and explored website that we had never been there before.

Before, Pn. Foziah ended the class, all of us had to edit a picture that was able to portray its own meaning and upload it on the photobucket. All in all, this week lesson had expanded my horizon in ICT tools especially on photoshop.