Creativity

5th Lecture
Date: 8th August 2007
Time: 1200-1530
Venue: Computer Laboratory

Creativity

The lesson began with the introductory of the initiatives implemented in the education field. We were initially exposed to Pembestarian Sekolah & TV Pendidikan by Miss Chin. The session was carried out at a very fast pace due to time constraint as there would be another long "technology" session on poster designing waiting to be introduced to us. As a matter of fact, we were not able to have time to understand them in depth but successfully grasp the general idea of that 2 initiatives. We were asked to read up for the whole concept of :

• Pembestarian sekolah at www.pspnperak.edu.my/flies/pembestarian_sekolah_btp.ppt



• TV Pendidikan at http://www.moe.edu.my/tvp

Since we are cognitively matured learners, we need not be spoon fed by our educators. Doing further reading on our own is never a diffiicult task in order to enhance our knowledge into greater depths.

Basically, there were 5 initiatives disclosed to us by Prof Dr Maznah Hussain & Miss Chin. They were:

1. Smart school
2. PPSMI
3. Schoolnet
4. Makmal computer
5. TV Radio Pendidikan

Smart School

• 88 schools chosen nationally are made to be smart schools


• There is a vision (pembestarian sekolah) that all schools become smart schools in the coming year.


• The government has spent millions and millions of ringgit to make this dream a reality by providing and upgrading the facilities (especially the technology ones) in school and training teachers to be better prepared and equipped with sufficient knowledge, skills and willingness to guide our younger generations to walk towards advancement and success.

Can we make this dream happen? It all depends on us- teachers. Effort, sacrifices, knowledge and a positive attitude are the essentials required to make this dream come true. Schools cannot be smart without the teachers. Without intellectually and mentally qualified teachers, a dream will always remain as a dream as a dream needs logic and realistic dreamers to make it a reality. Many people dream and plan, but not many could implement it realistically. As a result, these people will constantly remain in the dreaming process but not stepping forward to turn the dream into a total different definition called "reality". In short, all dreams need actions. I always believe in "What we sow is what we reap."

PPSMI/ ITEMS

• It is the programme of teaching Science and Mathematics in English.


• It has been carried out for 5 years.

Many people think that it is always difficult to change a practice, implementing PPSMI has actually made the teachers, parents and society worried about to which direction our education is developing. There were many debates on this programme when it first implemented till the present. However, in my opinion, through the observation done on my younger brother who is currently in Form 3, I discover that he is much more professional in discussing Science and Maths compared to me. I, a product of the chinese and malay medium in Science underwent a lot of difficulties in my tertiary education where all reading materials, lectures, references and assignments are in English. No doubt that we- humans have the ability to adapt but it really takes time and we learners suffer much in the process of adapting and picking up the new language. Likewise, my brother who are exposed to Science and Maths in English finds it easy to read and understand English books and online materials available outside the school, for example, the newspapers, encyclopedias, online books and websites. I believe he is better equipped than I am when he reaches his tertiary level of education. Undeniably, I think this programme is considered a success regardless of the complaints of teachers' English proficiency in conducting the lesson.

School.net

• It is a broadband service.


• To function, a satellite disc for the internet signal is required.


• Schools are allowed to access internet via school.net.

Makmal Computer

• At present, not all schools have a computer laboratory but they are provided with computers according to the ratio of pupils and computers 5:1 or 10:1.


• In large schools more than 1000 students, there might be up to 4 laboratory provided.


• In medium sized schools, at least 20 computers are provided in 1 computer laboratory given.

Regarding to this initiative applied in schools, the maintenence of the computers should given attention. There are many dysfuctioned computers "displaying" in the laboratory but no repair services are given. A laboratory with low performance computers will only hinder the teachers from carrying out their lesson. What is the point of having an air conditioned computer laboratory with "useless" computers?

TV Radio Pendidikan

• It is used to teach the bahasa ibunda in Sabah and Sarawak schools.


• It is shown in Channel 9 as well.


• This programme failed to implement smoothly due to the problem of the TV @ radio schedule.


• There is WebTV for teachers to upload teaching materials.

There are two important sources that we-teachers are supposed to know:

1. BTPN (Bahagian Teknologi Pendidikan Negeri) - to get technology information in education


2. PKG (Pusat Kegiatan Guru) - to get teaching ideas and up-to-date teachers' affairs

By allowing us to be aware of all the above is to give us a concept of the significance of technology in education. Now, we are very clear about the initiatives as well as the sources to seek assistance in terms of technology. This course is attempting to mould us from an ignorant user of technology to a catalyst of transformation in technology.

Here comes the main dish of the day- poster designing.

This session was conducted by a graduated student of Prof Dr Maznah who is studying now in the University of Multimedia. She is Pn Nazirah. A pleasant and enthusiastic lady. She is conducting a research on DISC (Designing for interaction and students’ collaboration) which is mainly about poster designing for the coming 50th Merdeka Celebration for the Malaysian Primary pupils. We were there to try out the lesson and give her relevant feedbacks.

First, we were exposed to what poster designing is all about. There were 5 main features to be taken into account in poster designing. There are:

1. title


2. picture


3. caption


4. logo


5. designers

We were asked to design a poster on Merdeka Day by the given templates, pictures and logo in groups of 5. Generally, it was a fun and exciting 45 minutes session as we could 'exhibit' our talents, creativity, cooperation and our love towards our country in the posters designed. "Killing many birds with 1 stone." We were rather satistified with our production but somehow there were still flaws and improvements can be done. Well, we believe in learning from mistakes and constantly yearn to strive for the best.

This is our "humble" production, not a very impressive but satisfactory product I should say.

The feedbacks on this poster designing lesson.

1.Did you face any probelm during the session? Why?

Basically, we did not face any serious problem during the session as the instruction and guidance given are sufficient and detail. However, there is a minor problem that I would like to point out here. I did understand that we had to do it in a group of 5 due to time constraint of presenting our products in the later session.Since there were 75 of us, if there were too many small groups formed, there would be more products to be presented. As we need to design this poster within the 5 of us, it was hard for us to come to a consensus regarding to the title, the font, the colour, the picture and the caption used. It took us a lot of time to evaluate each other's opinions and finally agreed to one. I think it would be better to do it in pairs rather than in such a big group. There would be members who were no so satisfied with the end product since there were elements not designed to their likings. Catering to all individual differences is somehow imposible. If it is carried out in such a way in the primary schools, I am afraid that the young learners might end up having a row or become a passenger in the designing process since young learners constantly want attention. When their ideas were not accepted in the group, they might create havoc or give up participating in the lesson.

2. What do you think of the instruction?

The instruction given was clear and detail. From the beginning, we were guided step by step to the process of designing. We were clear what were expected from us. Pn Nazirah displayed her instruction clearly via powerpoint presentation and further explain to us when there were doubts among us. Moreover, she showed us a few sample posters as a guideline. I think this is the most effective way of allowing your learners what they are supposed to do in the poster designing session. By giving concrete visual samples allow them to work in a clear direction where they can picture "how a poster should look like"in their mind.

3. What improvements can you suggest?

• Learners should be given the "general rules" of poster designing regarding the font (which font is suitable to bring out the formality of Merdeka Day, which font is suitable to show the mood of celebration), the colour ( which colour is expected to be used in the poster signifiying the meaning of national day), the caption ( what is the meaning of national day to them). This should be done before the designing session begins so that the learners have the brief idea of what are the "dos" and "don'ts".
• Learners should be given more freedom in designing their posters. Perhaps a plain template can be provided for those who are more creative to explore and go beyond the restricted templates.
• More pictures in different sizes should be provided. The more choices given, the more creative the learners can explore. They would have more freedom to place the pictures appropriately at different corners and places on the template.

4. How would you carry out this design session with the primary level students?

Initially, I would elicit responses from them about their perception on National Day. I would share to them the meaning of thre celebration of Merdeka Day and the difficulties that we have been through and reaches the development we possess today. This is to allow them to know what to write in their captions later in the designing session. Caption is the content of the poster. Without the general idea of the background and objective of the poster designed, it is difficult for the young learners to show their understanding and appreciation in their poster. All this can be expressed via the caption. Then, I would show them a few samples of posters to them via powerpoint presentation. There will be the effective ones and the less effective ones. Learners are required to identify the good and the bad ones as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the posters and simultaneously I would expose to them the gereral rules of designing posters which I mentioned in question 3. Before this designing lesson, I would also ask my students to search for images and photos (people, places, food, culture and etc.) online regarding our country- Malaysia. In this lesson, they are allowed to use thier own photos and image found to design their posters. This is to allow them to gain the overall satisfaction of their own effort. On the other hand, I would still provide them my pictures to give them more options to explore. This task should be done in pairs to promote cooperative learning yet prevent them to engage in any conflicts if it is done in a bigger group where they find it hard to come to a consensus in designing. Before they start designing, I would like to introduce them different ways to create their captions. It can be done by writing a few words, phrases, sentences or a poem. This is to cater to the different level of language proficiency of all students. Finally, they are asked to present thier poster by explaining the message conveyed in the poster. Feedbacks and comments are given by the teacher and peers. The best pieces can be printed out and distribute to all students in the school in conjunction with the National Day. This can definitely enhance the self esteem of the "little designers" as they are able to obtain a sense of acheivement.

Our lesson ended with the powerpoint presentation created by primary school kids shown by Miss Ng. I was amazed not only by their designs as well as the content of their topic about drugs.
It was attractive and informative. I began to feel challenged yet looking forward to my days of teaching in the primary school; teaching and learning together with my "future kids".