6th Week

This week's lecture is a bit different as we were asked to enter the laboratory insead of went into the actual class (MK2). Why? it is because we were exploring and trying the MBL (microcomputer based laboratory) by carried out an experiment that we've prepared before entering the class. Before we start the experiment, Prof. had briefed us on how to use the tools as it consists of a probe(sensor), interface and also a software used to analyse data installed in the computer.

My group had decided to conduct a simple experiment which is to measure temperature by using temperature probe. We had also recorded the steps in conducting this simple experiment:

1. The temperature probe was attached to the interface, while the USB cable from the interface was plugged-in to the computer.
   
2. Then, the software (DATAstudio) was opened and we have chosen to see the data in graph form.
3. The temperature probe was then placed under the conditioner for the tools to collect the temperature, and then button "START" on the computer was clicked.
4. The temperature over time being recorded by the software and it was automatically transferes into graph form.
5. Step 2 and 3 was repeated by using different medium such as body temperature, room temperature, and the CPU temperature.

>Snapshots during the "hands-on activity" ^_^<

From this hands-on activity, we had experienced the pros cons of using this strategy. Thus, after completing the simple experiment, we sat together in group and discuss the advantages and weaknessess of using the MBL especially for science primary school.

ADVANTAGES:

• It is easy to be used by students as they just have to plug in the USB cable to the computer to enable it to measure the temperature.
• the software helps to collect data, can be converted into graph, table, chart, histogram, etc.
• It is safer and easy to handle as compared to conventional thermometer which easily broke and contains mercury which may harmful to the students.

DISADVANTAGES:

• It takes longer time for teacher to give instructions, especially students who are not familiar with the technology.
• Children will be more interested in playing with the probe rather than use it to collect data.
• manipulative skills such as handling apparatus and collecting data cannot be enhanced.
• Costly probably be the main reason for it to be used widely in our school.
  

5th Week

This week's lecture is about the integration of technology in science education. There are 7 methods and strategies of technology integration introduced to us. Let's us look into all those methosd and strategies one by one.

1. MBL ( Microcomputer Based Laboratory):
A microcomputer based laboratory (MBL) is one in which a microcomputer is used to collect,
store, process, and analyze data. It is a system consists of a sensor or a probe connected to a microcomputer via an electronic device known as an interface. The educational advantage of a MBL-system is the possibility to collect physical data in real time and that the data is immediately available for analysis and presentation. Accroding to the lecturer, this strategy is more suitable for level 2 primary school as concrete learners need something that help them to visualise such as histogram and chart.

2. Drill and Practice:
This strategy is a structured, repetitive review of previously learned concepts to a predetermined level of mastery. Drill and Practice activities help learners master materials at their own pace. Drills are usually repetitive and are used as a reinforcement tool.example of activity using this strategy are multiplication in mathematics and question & answer session atthe end of the lesson. despite of the advantages of using this strategy as stated before, there are several disadvantages of using this strategy such as it is more teacher centred, and studetns just want to get write answers. Thus, teacher should not only use this strategy in classroom as it should depend on what the students should master.

3. Tutorial:
Tutorial means students are taught everything, from A to Z by the teacher or following instruction in specific websites. when integrated with technology, it uses computer to deliver an entire instructional sequence similar to a teacher’s classroom instruction . The advantages of this strategy are it enhances sel-based learning and more democracy and thus motivate students to learn. However it is based on the studetns' discipline in learning as they are responsible for their own learning and this strategy is a directed instruction ( behaviourist) in which they just follow everything prepared for them.

4. Simulation:
A simulation is a form of experiential learning. Simulations are instructional scenarios where the learner is placed in a "world" defined by the teacher. They represent a reality within which students interact. The teacher controls the parameters of this "world" and uses it to achieve the desired instructional results. It is a strategy that fits well with the principles of constructivism. examples of this strategy are using Virtual reality (VR) to operate, and vidoes that shows how particles moves. This strategy could benefit the students in which it 1) promotes the use of critical and evaluative thinking. 2) The ambiguous or open ended nature of a simulation encourages students to contemplate the implications of a scenario. 3) The situation feels real and thus leads to more engaging interaction by learners. Yet, there are several cons that need to be consider such as it is over simplified, it is a complicated way to teach a simple concept and also do the studetns really developing thinking skills or they just mastering the activities.

5. Problem Solving:
Problem solving focuses on knowing the issues, considering all possible factor and finding a solution. Because all ideas are accepted initially, problem solving allows for finding the best possible solution as opposed to the easiest solution or the first solution proposed. Same as the other strategies, this strategy also has it pros and cons. This stragey might help to enhance Creative and Critical Thinking Skills (CCTS) among the students, however it is not applicable to all grades due to the prior knowledge that students have.

6. Infomation Retrieval:
This is a technique and process of searching, recovering, and interpreting information from large amounts of stored data.

7. Educational Games:
This educational games can be in the form of courseware that includes elements of drill & practice, tutorials. It promotes learning through a fun way, and the types include: adventure games, arcade games, board games etc. The advantages of using this strategy are it is motivating & exciting to users, an interesting approach to learning, and also provides higher retention of concepts learnt. Nevertheless, some issues related to this strategy are users aim to winning and not to focus in achieving the focus of the game, and confusion might arise.

All in all, a teacher should select the most appropriate strategy to be used depending on the focus of the lesson. it is important to make sure that the strategy chosen coulde really help in enhancing studetns' learning.

4th Week

In this week's class, we have been introduced to two learning theories and their implication in Instructional Design (ID). The learning theories are not something very new for us where we have encountered those theories since the first year in college. There are two learning theories being focused here:
a) Behaviorism: Based on observable changes in behavior. Behaviorism focuses on a new behavioral pattern being repeated until it becomes automatic.

b) Constructivism: Based on the premise that we all construct our own perspective of the world, through individual experiences and schema. Constructivism focuses on preparing the learner to problem solve in ambiguous situation.

> a very simple example that the lecturer had been use to make us understand clearly how constructivism works in classroom is by asking us to think of foods that an astronomy should bring into the outerspace and explain why we choose those food. Then all of us give our own opinion on food that we think most suitable to be brought into the outerspace and give our own reason by considering about the nutrition, garavitational force in the outerspace, etc.<

~This example had made us understand better on how this constructivism theory works in science classroom.~

Next, we were introduced to Instructional Design (ID) based on the two learning theories by Instructional Designer.

> The first one is ID based on the behaviourist theory which known as Directed Instruction. When designing from a behaviorist stance, the designer analyzes the situation and sets a goal. Individual tasks are broken down and learning objectives are developed. Evaluation consists of determining whether the criteria for the objectives has been met. In this approach the designer decides what is important for the learner to know and attempts to transfer that knowledge to the learner. The learning package is somewhat of a closed system, since although it may allow for some branching and remediation, the learner is still confined to the designer's "world".

> The second ID is designed from a constructivist approach which known as Constructive Instruction. It requires that the designer produces a product that is much more facilitative in nature than prescriptive. The content is not prespecified, direction is determined by the learner and assessment is much more subjective because it does not depend on specific quantitative criteria, but rather the process and self-evaluation of the learner. The standard pencil-and-paper tests of mastery learning are not used in constructive design; instead, evaluation is based on notes, early drafts, final products and journals.
However there is a need to consider problems that might be faced in applying this approach as we have to consider on how much prior knowledge that the students have and bring into the classroom. Besides, we should take into consideration the question " do learners knows what is the best for them?", as in Malaysian context, we still believe that adults know better.

3rd Week

29 JULAI 2010

> It's the 3rd week of this course. The class started with Prof confirmed the due date of all the four assignments.

> The lecture started with a brief history of the use of technology. starting from 1468 where Gutenberg invented printing press till this late 20th where we have all those computers, radio, videos, etc. then, we were introduced to common terminologies associated with the computer. there were some terminology that I've heard before but I never know the meaning, such as CPU, Memory, CD-ROM, FTP, Browser cookies, RSS and etc. Thanks a lot to Prof who define the meaning of those terminology.

> After the lecture, we were asked to find out on what is Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality, and also its application in Science education.

2nd Week >>>>>> Technology???

What, Why and How were the questions to ponder in the first lecture of this course;
> INTEGRATION of TECHNOLOGY IN TEACHING PRIMARY SCIENCE<> when we talk about technology, there are lots of machine, electronic tools, and ICT that comes into our mind. All these technology is actually invented to makes our life easier in which most of the technology could replace some of human’s work. The simplest example, e-mail for instance, it is used widely in this world to replace the used of letter while the “engine/web” that we use to send the email such as Yahoo Mail and Gmail had replace the postman. In education, technology is being integrated as a tool in ensuring the effectiveness of a learning process due to its capability in providing interesting and authentic teaching materials, extra information and also fun and joyful learning environment, etc.

SALAM and hello everyone!!!

It’s the first entry of mine in this blog, and I know it is quite late to only updating this blog now. ^_^... Honestly, I never experience of having a blog before, and t is really shocking me when our lecturer told us that we have to create a blog for this PMEY3104 course so that we can post our weekly reflection in the blog... whoa!!! another blog to create and update.. Thus, this make me a real blogger as in this semester, I have to take care of 2 blogs, plus one googlesite. Even it is a bit late, I know that I still can catch up everything very soon if I try my very best. *(Buddies, your help and guidance would be most appreciated) >_<