Procrastination

Since the IWB assignment has been uploaded, I could have a little time to respond to my visitor's comments on my blog. I'm so happy to know that Miss Ng has spent her time noticing the existance of my insignificant blog and "granted" me with such an intellectually challenging question. It was regarding my 7th blog bringing up the fact that we- learners / teachers need to be "pushed" in order to complete our work. Here, I'm not saying ALL learners (of course there are some of us who are willing work 24/7 to produce their best quality assignment) need to be "pushed" but I guess the majority does.

There is an urge for me to write up a blog here regarding to Miss Ng's question.
Her question is:
It is very common to see that a push is needed to make things going.
Is it because of the mentality?
Is it because of difference in aim?
Is it because of the students do not have a stake in it?
Can u answer these questions?
Try.

Well, I would love to sum this idea up as "PROCRASTINATION"
Procrastination – the avoidance of doing a task which needs to be accomplished.
According to a research done, it is estimated that 90% of college students procrastinate!

I think procrastination has become an "innate" habit / behaviour in us.
But why?
Here may be the few reasons. I shall discuss them relating to our recent IWB assignment.

Poor Time Management
There are a lot other assignments to be done in other courses till we do not have enough time to concentrate only on IWB.

Poor Distinction between Urgency and Priority
Too many assignments in hand, do not know which is supposed to be done first.

Lack of Relevance
IWB seem so unfamiliar to us, indirectly we do not feel the relevance of IWB in the teaching profession becuase practically we have not used it in the real classroom.

Difficulty Concentrating
There are many distractions outside. Eg. Sales everywhere. Yearn to go shopping. Great movies released. Indulge in dating. Homesick. Yearn to "balik kampung". etc.

Fear and Anxiety
Many of us do not know how to manipulate the smartboard. We feel scared and nervous. Having 0% idea to produce interactive and effective activities via IWB

Negative Beliefs
We think that we are not competent enough to be at the same level as the other coursemates who are ICT savvy. This makes us non-stop worrying and in the depressed condition rather than start exploring the IWB and cracking our heads to design activities. We are too preoccupied in worrying how difficult the assignment is rather than thinking what should be done to ease the pain.

Personal Problems
Health problems. Family problems. Relationship problems. Concentration cannot be focussed.

See Themselves as the Frustrated Victim
I guess I am one of the victim too. I was worrying all this while that I couldn't produce anything out of IWB. Fortunately, I was able to complete my work even though it might not be as "high tech" as my techno savvy coursemates'. No doubt, I'd spent too much time worrying and indulging in self pity rather than putting myself into action.

Well, I hope I could force myself to be focused and take immediate action once I received any assignments before it is too late. Wallowing in self pity doesn't help.

Honestly, I think students still need a "push" from the educators so as to make them feel stressed and start working. I believe a strict and firm educator can help to decrease the degree of procrastination among students.

Why are we being "pushed"? Because we "procrastinate".

Do I really answer the question?
I hope I do.