An SISC+ since April 2013, dedicated and committed to coaching and mentoring English Language teachers.
Friday, December 12, 2014
REFLECTIONS ON MULTIMODALITY
Being
literate in this age requires an educator to being adept in using technological
devices and digital communication practices. However, does this mean teachers
can now abandon traditional forms and modes of instruction? I doubt that as our
schools are pretty much non-compatible to such advanced facilities. In my
read-ups, I came across Jewitt (2008) who talks about ‘modal affordance’ which
he says is queries on how a mode is used, what it has been used to do, and the
conventions that inform its use. More often than not, teachers use such a mode
to diversify instruction without real thought on its effectiveness as a
learning tool. After
doing some extended reading and online browsing, I see that multimodality comes
with the 21st century learning, bringing with it variety in
pedagogical approaches, techniques, strategies, and pedagogical tools; concepts
such as multiliteracies,
diversification, authenticity, and connection-making.
However, I do need to caution myself and the
teachers I coach that however advanced the modal they use in classrooms, children are still in need of the teacher. Making sense and meaning of learning has to be supported, facilitated and extended with the human touch that only the teacher and parent can provide. On the other hand, there are still a few teachers who are digital-phobic and refuse to part with the chalk and talk method. I believe these teachers are quickly losing relevance (some may have lost that already) in the system and with their students. A teacher has to compete with social networking sites, blogs, and whatever else is accessible online and on mobile phones to stay relevant. Teachers, no matter what age, must strive to stay ahead of their students and if technology is moving ahead too fast to catch up with, become humble enough to learn from the young ones.
Monday, December 1, 2014
Poetry in the classroom
Why bother using poetry?
- For sheer enjoyment
- It is after all, a intergral aspect of almost every culture i know of...it is in the songs!
- It evokes feelings ... The imagery appeals to all our senses
- It encourages imagination, allowing us to draw and paint images, even those we have not experienced.
- It is prove that language is thought...thought expressed in beautiful and meaningful choice of words
- It is about life...its joys, sorrows, love, hate, war, peace, beauty, ugliness, etc
- it teaches values and develops and promotes expression of thought
Activities...activities...activities
1. Illustrate a poem...get students drawing, painting.
2. Move to the poem...get students stamping, jumping, dancing, tapping, struting....
3. Predict missing words with a cloze poem
4. Do jazz chants
5. Substituting words in the poem with words of opposite meaning and discuss the change in meaning
6. Do creative recitals...strategies like ' I read to you, You read to me', paired and reciprocal reading.
Use the poems in the literature component in creative ways....your students will adore you for it and most importantly...they will be actively using the language.
Monday, November 24, 2014
ELT METHODS AND APPROACHES - A WORKSHOP
Trainers and module writers:
SHARMINI SIVAVIKARAMAN
VILOSHINI BASKARAN
(ELTC)
Venue: Bilik Merpati, Cinta Sayang Resort, Sungai Petani
Date: 23 - 25 November 2014
Content:
Introduction and Principles to ELT Methodology
Skills-based Projects
Speaking Skills
Multiliteracies
Listening Skills
Writing Skills
Developing Integrated Skills through Projects
Developing Reading Skills
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Friday, November 7, 2014
SISC+ & SIP+ CONVENTION (SABAH, SARAWAK & LABUAN)
DATE: 28 - 30 OCTOBER 2014
VENUE: MEGA HOTEL, MIRI, SARAWAK
Presentation COACHING - BEST PRACTICES
With Dr Zaini Ahmad (EPRD)
BOOKworms PENANG: Seniors and their stimulating pastime - READING!
"R. Malar said: “Reading feeds my soul. It nourishes and sustains it. Reading is a gift I share with my three children. It equips me with knowledge and has made me a far better human being.”
She shared from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird – a book she treasures because her faather had read it out to her.:
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Education/2014/10/12/Sharing-their-interest/
MAJLIS PENGURUSAN PPD KEBANGSAAN CONVENTION
DATE: 22- 25 SEPTEMBER 2014
VENUE: KSL HOTEL & RESORT, JOHOR BAHRU
With Mr. Mubarak (DTP Officer Kedah)
With Hjh Serina, Pengarah JPN Sarawak
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