Day 5 Reflection

Normally, on the last day of the course, you will summarise your reflection. I am happy that i have learn quite a lot on this module. Personally i have learn to blog (in the past, i think it is a waste of time or maybe use "no time" as an excuse to learn). And how easy to use WIHIC but tough to use SPSS. But the more important question is how can i apply this to my workplace? And the bigger question is how to string up the previous two modules (ID and EP) with this one to add meaning to my own learning process.

In fact, i am already looking forward to the next course in Jul: Planning and Designing Flexible Learning. Well in fact, i am ambitious enough to want to complete the entire package by this Dec. Thanks to all (my motivated friends and enthusiastic teacher Dr. Quek) for giving me a positive learning experience. Take care.

Day 4 Reflection

How to administer questionnaire? The before, the during and the after. Every process is important. E.g. to administer the survey yourself instead of getting someone to do it for you is very important. My take away for today is more on the design of the questionnaire. I was taught during the Principles of Questionnaire Design during the ID package that normally the format has a scale of 1 to 5. Scale 1 being the most negative and 5 being the most positive. Even WIHIC’s samples have shown that the left hand scale is the most disagree one.

But when an example was flashed to illustrate how a school teacher uses WIHIC to administer the learning environment, it was done the other way round. She labeled the left hand scale as the most agreed (I assumed and hoped that it has a 5 point scale rather than a 1 point scale).

As a child, we are structured to see numbers from the left to the right and from smaller to bigger order. If indeed the teaching point here is about applying the norm, then indeed the norm for us is to see 1,2,3….and not 3,2,1….

Day 3 Reflection

Today we touch on Why modify and how to modify LE. Also we discussed the instruments used. Most commonly used is still WIHIC. Importantly, i found out about why questionaires are designed to be structured or unstructured. Because unstructured questionaire is to prevent biased, stereo-typed response and to avoid consistencies.

Next we were exposed to School Level Environment Questionaire (SLEQ) Table 3.1 and how this can be link to Moo's scheme about Relationship, Personal Development and System Maintenance & System Change.

My take away is the SLEQ and how it can be link to the case studies of School A, B and C. Because the survey is targeted towards the teachers, therefore naturally there are no problems for them. The commonality between the 3 schools are mainly on the principals and the N level students. Although i must say that our education system has indeed improve over the years (e.g. no more labelling of VI: Vocational Institute but ITE: Institute of Technical Education), it is still the mental model of the students and the one who perceive them that counts. Why has the case studies shown that the N level students are less or not motivated at all? To me, it is how they perceived themselves. In this case, they perceived to be second class citizens which leads to them being lazy and so on.

On the contrary, if their perception is otherwise, these students will achieve differently and will be whoever they may wish to be.

Day 2 Reflection

I looked forward coming to class this morning as i was expecting durians (yesterday was grapes). Well, not too bad, Dr Quek bought green oranges (very sweet) instead. My 1st take away is about the different theories taught. Kurt Levin's Field Theory, Henry Murray's Needs & Press Theory, Rudolf Moo's 3 dimensions of human environment and Walberg's Harvard Project Physics. Secondly is of course to further enhance our understanding of blogging.

After lunch, we went for a long walk for our coffee break. Thanks to Dr. Quek for the treat. It was a different learning environment altogether. On our way back, we saw lots of durians hanging up on our heads. I wanted to propose to Dr. Quek that maybe we should be doing our reflection under the durain tree instead. A different experience and learning environment.........

Learning Environment - Day 1 Reflection

We touch on the What? My take for today is that for successful learning to take place, the Learner, the Instructor and the Environment must be in place. Two assumptions here. Firstly, the Learner has the correct attitude and motivation to learn. Secondly, the Instructor has all it takes to teach i.e. professional, knowledgeble, confident etc. So it only left with the environment. As effective and efficient instructor, we strive to provide the most conducive environment. How to? We will probably do the Why, When and How part tomorrow.

I have also found out from the mini ex about my management profile. I am the Authoritative type. Some problems that may emerge are; 1) The students may not dare to ask questions. 2) Thereby doing the work for the sake of doing and ending up not learning anything. 3) It takes time to build that Instructor-Trainee rapport.