Wednesday, September 2, 2009

The Beginning of New Life

Hi..i'm back on the net...i was quite busy lately since i have to start a new life..it's quite tiring to adapt myself to a new environment..since i'm not a student anymore, but i'm a teacher who waits for my first ever salary..(actually i don't really mind about the salary..haha). Regarding to my new life, it's quite lonely since i stay quite far from my school..and my housemate who works at DIALOG, oil n gas company only come home at 1830hrs. I reach my home at 1430 and sometimes 1400.

I always think that if i could turn back the time, i want to be a student again with friends and the most important thing is there is no work load. Now, i teach MUET for form 6 or known as PPU pre-university preparation..something like that..hahaha..i don't know what will happen to my students next year..will they able to achieve the target for MUET..even i myself only able to get band 4. Other than that i also has been chosen to lead the board of prefect..so i have to be early each Sunday..to monitor the preparation of assembly and it's flow. Regarding to the extra co-curricular activities i was incharge in Badminton and Red Cresent..

Well, regarding to my GSR wannabe 'kuali inside'..i can't proceed my plan to put a new heart for her since the price of 4G93T engine is skyrocket..it almost rm10k..so i have to forget all my dreams to make her 'bersin' kepish..kepish..However i manage to make some minor changes to my GSR wannabe..and now she can perform better with her old 4G15TT..i only put the super touring flywheel and 1.8 clutch set and it only cost me around rm700..not much rite..the rest of my 'saving money' i put in ASB. Now i become a friend of mozaiq and jelan who has a lot of money in their ASB..and maybe i'll save it for a downpayment for original LANEVO or TYPE R machine..not a wannabe anymore..pen off my friends. see you when i see you!!bubye.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

B.ED TESL C2 IN MEMORY

Hi..lately i feel that my life is incomplete..without my luv beside me and friends around..when i wake up there is no more mozaiq...edisi minda around me..there is no more nasi ikan keli..The last time when we spent our time together was at Johor during Murniza's weding. We travel together and have fun together especially at Danga Bay. Actually i felt very sad during the trip..but i pretend to be happy..i know that we will be parting away each other. We no longer sleep, eat, prek and minum2 at kedai xtutup together..especially to GBS.. and for those who already get married aji, my SB 1 muso and moon congratulation and may god bless u all. Hopefully we can meet during our KISSM..or else at any our friends' wedding..ready to travel with u all guys..and maybe this time my 4G15TT become 4G93T hehe..before i forget i would like to thanks to my other part, Hazrina for letting us to sleep at her house(also mine...insyallah nxtyear hehehe), Puad for coffee before we depart for Kluang, Paan G for letting us to take a break at her house wth a wonderful hill view and lastly Azzuwin for a delicious nasi ayam, thanks Uncle chox nad Aunt Rossie...i would like to dedicate this song to all of my friends C2 TESL IPGM KB/UITM ) 03'-09'

On that day will come
and we can begin
we had to end
you're my only true friend
I can't forget you
long talks and lazy days
I remember those times
I remember all our favourite songs
our fate can be so hard
there's an empty space
in this old heart of mine
if only we can go bach to then
yes, turn back the hands of time my friends
and count the stars in the sky again
if only we could go back again
do you know there's a place waiting for you
a special place in my heart and my life
yes a beautiful place waiting for you
when you come home
we'll turn back the time
I have all your letters
in a box full of memories my friend
but the only thing i need
is you with me together once again
i'm so sad
I could cry
though i know there is nothing i can do
you chose red
and i chose blue
did what we had to
but i'm still missing you
maybe we can go backto then
if only we could turn back again
cause, hey we are special best of friend
this song is for you till we meet again
please know there is a place waiting for you
a special place in my heart and my life

Edrong May 7 09 0150

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Teacher Education Division n C2

Hi..it's been a while that i could not share my mind to all. Today is quite a wonderful day since we had a chance to see our sponsor, (BPG) Teacher Education Division. they gave us a wonderful thought of being a teacher. The thought also is the last thought that they might give us before we go off to the real stage that we belong to..which is school..i was not so lucky today since i have chosen to sing a song in front of them..my friends that i couldn't see them anymore..since i have a bad voice, i cant really sing but more on to say the words..heehehe.. however, i manage to control my stage fright..i just try to sing several songs..it was really bad..i guess..but my two other friends can sing the song very well..he is from Edisi Minda. the other one use a dirty trick but quite a smart way of escaping from singing alone. She asks the audience to sing together with her..Twinkle2..little star...nana..nana..nana..i cant even remember the lyrics of any nursery rhyme..that's why i didnt sing those nursery rhymes...hahaha..how can i be an English Teacher..i think i should start to learn how to sing and remember the lyrics..

Well that was just the beginning of the session that we had today. other than that we try to raise up the problem that we faced in our lovely IPGM KB especially regarding to the KISSM Kursus Induksi Sistem Saraan Malaysia. I can say that this college is the worst college that I've been. They don't even deserved to be awarded with ISO...the planning of the calendar or any event is so bad. All things that they are going to organize is done in last minutes..They didn't even think about others. I was quite in doubt how can this kind of people be in this system that has been awarded with ISO. where are they? what are they doing? That's why people look down to the government servant..they are not efficient compare to the private sector staff. They are well trained and really do their work efficiently. Meanwhile, the government servant only know how to go for 'minum2' 9.00 am minum, 11.00am minum, 3.00pm minum, 4.00pm ready to go home...

I think that's why they can't even decide a very simple thing and regularly done every year...just like our senior, KDPM students they will seat for KISSM straight away after their final exam..it is simple and easy. They better go back and take another course for administrative works..is this the effect upgrading the level of College to Institute..they still dont deserved the title of institute if the way they work still unorganized and not systematic at all.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Assignment 2- Website Evaluation

The chosen ESL website is http://a4esl.org

1. What does the application attempt to “teach”?

The application “teaches” English as a second language using flash supported quizzes and crosswords. It provides exercise for grammar and vocabulary. It also contains the general knowledge, science and trivia quizzes which is a very good approach as the users do not only learn the language, they also are learning about general or common knowledge. The topics provided in the website are also varied such as Physics, and Everyday Words. It also promotes the user to self directed learners as the application can be used independently.

2. What sorts of things is the application user expected to do with regards to learning the content?

First of all, users need to know their proficiency level in order to choose the right exercises for them. Then, users also have to determine their main weaknesses, so users could choose the topics that they need to improve. Reading skill is needed for user to read the questions and instruction. However, the website is very user-friendly as it guides users step by step, so users only need to read it carefully. Answers for every exercises also provided, therefore users could check and revise the question.

3. What sorts of computer skills is the application users expected to have in order to operate/access/use the application?

In order to use and operate the application, users expected to have basic computer skills such as typing and clicking the buttons. Then, users need to know how to browse the website by using web-browser such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Opera. The web-browser also need to have Flash Player plugins in order to access the exercises. Other than that, the website is very simple and easy to use.

4. While you are “playing” / “accessing” / “assessing” the application, does it remind you of anything you do in a classroom, or with a teacher, or with a fellow classmate, or in self-study?

Yes, whenever a teacher finished teaching a component of grammar, she will give us a task sheet. The exercises more or less in the same way with the website exercises. The effects and method are the same but the website seems to be more convenient and easy to use. In fact, it would be more interesting even though it was the same with the task sheet.

5. Can you pinpoint some theories of language learning and/or teaching underlying the application?

Based on the exercises provided, I feel that the website use the theories of the Direct Method. I said it because in the vocabulary section, it uses pictures to help users identified the answer. It was stated by Brown (2001) that Direct Method associate objects or pictures in teaching vocabulary. There are also translation method applied in the website in the bilingual quizzes. Users have to find the right translations for every words according to the topics.

6. How well is the constructivist theory of learning applied to the chosen website(s)?

The website applied Vygotsky Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). In my point of view, the website try to scaffold users in learning second language. It facilitate users while answering the exercises. So, it parallel with the ZPD as stated by Atherton (2005), learners can do with help, not as a permanent state but as a stage towards being able to something on our own. This is what the website tend to do, its help users to be able to do something on their own.


7. In 1980s and early 1990s, there was a major debate on ‘whether the computer was “master” of or “slave” to the learning process (Higgins and Johns, 1984). In relation to your evaluation – was the computer a replacement for teachers, or merely an obedient servant to students?

The word “replacement” for teachers absolutely wrong. There are nothing could replace teacher. Its not just about learning a language only, even in Islam, it told us to find a teacher to learn. Computer is a device that could enhances teacher's methodology and instructions in order to make it more interesting. Computer also not an obedient servant to students, as it help to facilitate the students to learn. Computer is just like others teaching aids, it is used to help teacher delivers their teaching, and help students to have more understanding. Teacher is a must for every learners.

8. Would you like to use the application yourself in your future work?
Yes? Give reasons:
No? Give reasons:

Yes. I may use it in teaching as an additional activities for my students. The application is very simple but organised. It needs only a short of time to load and easy to operate, so I do not need much time to explain to the students on how to operate it. Besides, the variation of topics and level might be very useful for me in teaching a mix ability class. In conclusion, it is very practical.

9. Suggestions/Recommendations:

There are pros and cons of every aspects, So we have to choose the best that suited with our needs. In terms of practicality, the website definitely met the requirements. But in terms of attractiveness it definitely lack. If the website use some colours, pictures or animation it definitely very nice and could attract the users. But it might affect the practicality as it might consume a lot of time to load and also hard to operate. So, which is our needs? For me I choose the practicality in order to achieve my objective to teach the students. Additional exercises in other topics might made the website more valuable. Recently, the exercises is not too much.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Cikgu dulu, kini dan selamanya

My name is Badrul Hisyam Zakaria. I'm still stdying in Institut Perguruan Malaysia Kota Bharu. just completing my practicum last semester, still have several months to complete this six years course..quite tiring huh..Well, after five and half years being in this field, i think that teaching profession is not the easiest profession like people always think of...working hours only 0745 - 1400, plenty of free time during school holidays..right? but those people who are thinking like this and never be in this education industry never know what is the real situation that teachers always face..we are dealing with human being and not machine.. we are dealing with different and thousands kind of human. They are all the future generation..we really need to prepare ourselves in order to "design and manufacture" the next generation..teachers' responsibility is really huge..so instead of working from 0745-1400hrs, we have to work beyond our working hours too..the hours that people never think of..to prepare our lesson, planning the activities, evaluating and testing our "future product" so for those who think that teaching profession is the easiest job to do,please think wisely and one more thing is if you think that you are about to join in our education industry get ready to be underestimate especially by our "so called high class society"..i think you always heard this cliche sentence.."keje cikgu jer"..our pay is not as much as others so you won't get rich if you become one of us..however, i don't give a damn about all this thing..after being designed and engineered in this IPGM KB, i almost ready to be in service to serve our next generation and i'm proud to be a Teacher and even to the level of real Educator just like Allahyarham Dato Hj Razali Ismail. He was the star that we have lost in our industry. Al-Fatihah.