~Week 14-Final Week~

This is the last week of our PMEY 3104 Integration of Technology in Primary Science Teaching. This week we submitted and presented our final assignment which is the instructional material.

Among the points presented by my group are:

a) LEARNING PROBLEM

b) THE ADDIE MODEL ANALYSIS(FLOW CHART)
c) WHY USE BLOG IN TEACHING?
d) STORYBOARD 1
e) STORYBOARD 2
f) REFERENCES

Why we choose Blog?

• Practicality: blogs can be developed easily by opening a blog account and start blogging with students. It can be updated and accessed easily by everyone.

• Students would be able to improve their writing skills and techniques of giving and receiving comments positively.

• Parents can also monitor on their children progress

• Can be an online class forum that enable students to discuss between themselves and the teacher.

• Blog encourages students to write and also to read on a topic they wish to comment on.

• Encourages continual search, filter and posting of ideas and information - higher order thinking skills.

• Using blog as one the educational sources, education can be done anywhere and at anytime.

• Makes education to become less formal. It is because it allows elements of fun to come together along the learning process.

Our blog

Video and podcast by our member, Chrispin !

This is our beautiful blog which highlights on the ways to prevent animals from the extinction. The green layout is prominent and significant whereby it symbolises the colour of nature too.

We were also required to reflect on the platform based on several questions:

1) Opinion about the use of the platform in science class

Personally, as a future teacher I think that integrating blog in the teaching of science is an effective way to convey and impart the science knowledge to the students easily. As a result, the students can assess easily to the blog yet they can update themselves with the knowledge and information that had been posted in the blog.In this project, I realised that when creating and developing a blog for Science teaching, we need to consider some aspects based on the Addie Model so that it will be an effective one. In other words, I found that blog can be very useful in the sense that it can support multi teaching platform such as chat room and video podcast. Moreover,a blog enables teachers to transmit and impart knowledge outside the traditional classroom.In this era of globalisation, it is vital to integrate technology in the classroom and blog is one good example.As a result, the blog serves as a ' Second Classroom' whereby the pupils can get many information and knowledge through the blog in and out of the school. For example, they can even assess the blog at the home. Consequently,this shows that there is no boundary at all in acquiring the knowledge because technology is everywhere and can helps the students' life easier too.

However, personally I am worried whether the blog can be used or not in rural areas. There are so many questions popped up in my mind:

a) How am I going to use a blog as a platform for the students to learn about Science subject?If I used, do the students know how to assess the blog?

b)Is there a rationale to use blog in rural area?

c)To what extent, the students can understand the input from the blog?

Therefore, it makes me to be very critical and analytical when thinking these kind of questions.However, I do think that we should come up with Plan B as well in our teaching strategies and in the lesson.For example, instead of using blog, we can asks the students to write a reflection based on what they have learnt throughout a Science lesson. As a result, I believe that it will helps them to think critical and analytical when writing the reflection.As a result, it will be a process of reinforcing their Science knowledge based on what they have learnt previously in the Science lesson.

Other than that, I hope the government will lend a hand and provide many technology facilities especially in the rural areas so that we can use the blog effectively in our Science lesson.Moreover, I also think that government should make an obligation whereby all the teachers must attend technology course so that they can integrate the knowledge of technology effectively in all lesson.

Therefore, I believe that by using a blog and using the plan B which is asking them to do reflections is like a sword with double-edged. Both steps will be very effective and beneficial for the students to acquire the Science knowledge easily.Therefore, as a future teacher I plan to use blog and reflections as a platform to be used in Science class.

2) Before and after the introduction to Addie model (does it help in developing the instructional material?)

Before the introduction of the Addie model, it is quite hard to develop our own blog which focuses on the topic of endanger animal. To be very honest, we were almost lost and initially we designed the blog based on our own opinions and choices. We really did not think to what extent it can bring an impactful learning process to the students.However, after knowing The Addie model, it really helps and serves as a guide for us to create the instructional materials effectively.Consequently,we are able to track our process and identify if we are on the right track. Other than that, we can also refer back to this model in case we need to redesign our blog. We also realised that we need to consider some aspects when designing the instructional material such as identifying the learning problems, learning objectives, design layout and the actual product. In brief, the Addie model is an eye opening for me and definitely it will help to come up with an excellent instructional material.

~Week 13- Final Project Part 2~

In this week,the final project are discussed continuously for the whole 3 hours this week which is creating our own instructional material for science classroom. My group leader have set a task for all of us. For example, I am in charge of the Extra Readings and Materials in the blog.

Moreover, this time I need to find all the articles that talk about the ways to prevent extinction of the animals in a more kids level which can suit the students level. Other than that,each of my group was assigned to finalize our product.

Here are some of the progress we made:

— How the topic emerged?

— We have analysis it based on the Addie Model and we have come up with the flow chart.(* The flow chart is done by me based on my group's discussion and Prof.Dr.Rohaida's help)

— Generally, it started from the big topic, which is Animal Extinction.

— Then, it had been narrowed down to the ways to prevent the extinction.

STORYBOARD 1

I would like to thank Prof Dr Rohaida for the support and advice given to my group. Hopefully we can come up with effective instructional material.

~Week 12-Final Project~

Generally,this week’s class we discuss about our final assignment.

Factors to consider for technology integration in Science education:

a) Suitability of the topics

-abstract

-comprehensiveness

-contextual

-virtual lab/experiment for dangerous experiment/too costly for young learners

b) Accessibility

c) Time

In my group discussion, we have decided to use blog as a platform for the students to acquire the knowledge skills.

Hence,we basically discuss about the development of our blog. For example, we have discussed about the layout, content and also the storyboard. Other than that, our goals and aims in the project is to come up with a blog which is suitable for pupils to access yet at the same time, providing pupils a meaningful learning experiences through the enriching activities. Hence, all of us plan to integrate application of video and podcast and chat room in our blog in order to use blog in a maximum way and effectively in order to create meaningful learning experiences.

Here are some of some of the product from our discussion:

~Week 11-ADDIE Model~

Finally, we are almost coming to the end. We are now in Week 11. We learnt about ADDIE model.There are five phase instructional design model such as:

-Analysis,
-Design,

-Development,
-Implementation,
-Evaluation

Here are some pictures that taken during the class:

Personally,I also realized that I need to identify the learning problems in order to develop my lesson. For example, I need to consider some aspects such as the goals and the objectives, the audience’s needs whom are my students, the existing knowledge in science which to be focused whether depends on the scientific knowledge, skills acquisition, or scientific attitudes. Other than that, I also need to add any other relevant characteristics such as ‘Which ID to use?’. Moreover,I also need to give importance to the Learning environment such as in Science lab or in computer lab and focuses on any constraints such as the availability of electricity and the delivery options whether online or offline and the timeline for the project.

In brief, today class make me aware to be responsible in knowing all the learning problem that my students might will face in my Science lesson.Until then, see you in 12th Week!

~Week 9-Assignment Presentation(*Blog)

This week's class is mainly about our presentation. After submitting the assignment, we need to present our project which is about the Web 2.0. As a team, we had chosen Blog as a platform that can be use in teaching Science subject.

This is the link for our blog which is http://6adilscienceclass.blogspot.com/

The topic for this blog is ‘Animals Extinction’

Here are some pictures of our group presenting our Blog:

The objectives of this blog are:

1)Students would be able to learn in a collaborative way through interaction and sharing

of knowledge between themselves and with teacher.
2) Blog is going to be used as a platform of discussion as sharing between the students

themselves and between students and teachers.
3) To implement blog as a vital part of the class teaching.

There are several pages in the blogs and each of them has their own purpose.

1)Lesson

In this part, there are lot of notes for all the lessons taught regarding the topic. Besides that, it is also arranged effectively in a weekly basis to ease students finding of notes.

2) Chatbox

This is a space where students can interact with teacher and among themselves on topic regarding to the lessons learnt in class. They can share websites or web-tools URL that serves as an additional knowledge to what they are learning.

3) Video (podcast)

Here teacher will attach a video of extra information that students might need in order to understand the topic better. As a result, the students can also give feedback by commenting.
4) More Readings and Materials

In this section, teacher will attach or embed the URL of all the materials that students might need to improve their learning such as the notes on responsibility of human beings on nature, video on protecting endangered species, facts and statistics of endangered species and tips for the upcoming quizzes or test.

5) Need Help

This is the part whereby there will be some tips or hint given to the students about the examination questions.

Based on the presentation, we found that there are many pros using Blog as a platform in teaching Science subject.

The Pros of Using Blog

In the era of technology and Globalisation, it is applicable and practical to use the blog in the education field. Other than that, it makes learning independent of time and place, from teaching at a certain time and a certain place to teaching at anytime and anywhere. For instance, if the teacher cannot enter the class, he or she can always upload the notes and tasks for the students and the student can still learn without teacher teaching in front of the class. Thus, the learning process can happen without any obstacles. Other than that; it makes the education to become demand oriented and participant-centered. It changes the usual way of learning which is from one way teaching and supply orientation where teacher is the one who control the learning process to participation by everyone. Another point is that, using a blog can motivate the students to learn intrinsically and eventually they will be having fun and at the same time, they also will be learning. For example, the teacher can upload videos and songs to make the educational blog to be more interesting and attractive to the students.

There is some weakness that we need to improve based on our blog. For example, in extra reading materials, we really need to be very careful and alert when selecting the articles so that it suits the language proficiency of the students. For example, we cannot put some articles that have bombastic words which eventually will cause the students to misunderstanding and lead them to confusion.

In brief, we felt very happy because we think that we had done a good job with grace of God. Personally, I really want to use Blog in my Science class in future because it will really motivate them to learn Science better and I am sure they will love the class too.Until then, see you in next entry!

~Week 8-Software Evaluation Rubric~

This week we have been introduced to Software Evaluation Rubric, Researched and Developed by Kristin Miller and Jacqueline Bach, SAS inSchool Interns, Summer, 2001. First and foremost, the rubric covers several aspect which refers to the software or websites. These softwares and websites are evaluated based on the several aspects such as the instructional contents, curriculum connections, graphics and multimedia, lay-outs, technical aspects, adaptability and accessibility, learner engagement and interactivity, teache and learner support material, assessment, age/grade level, and lastly flexibility.

Personally, we as teachers need to be very alert and careful when choosing a source from internet so that it has a high validity and useful to us and the students. We need to make sure that the source we took from internet fulfills certain criteria or aspects such as the reliability, accuracy and the value itself. In addition, we need to bear in mind that the information exists in net can be facts, opinions, stories, interpretations, statistics and it can also be fake too. Therefore, we really need to investigate by surfing all the nets and choose the best one which suits our needs and the criteria such as the accuracy, reliability, and much more.

During the class, I also have found some website evaluation rubrics such as

http://www.vitalknowledge.com/reviews/AcadiaUniversityFall2002/software%20evaluation%20for%20educators_files/software%20evaluation%20for%20educators%20revised.htm

http://www.ncsu.edu/midlink/www.eval.html

In brief, as a teacher it is very crucial for us to select a high validity and correct source from the net,so that it can give benefits to us and our students.

~Week 7-World Wide Web~

In this week class, we learnt about World Wide Web such as Web 1.0 and Web 2.0.

What is Web1.0?

According to Berners-Lee, it could be considered the "read-only web." In other words, the early web allowed us to search for information and read it. There was very little in the way of user interaction or content contribution. However, this is exactly what most website owners wanted: Their goal for a website was to establish an online presence and make their information available to anyone at any time. It also occurs during 1991 to 2003 and a retronym that refers to the state of the World Wide Web, and any website design style used before the advent of the Web 2.0 phenomenon.

Link: http://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/464-Basic-Definitions-Web-1-0-Web-2-0-Web-3-0

What is Web2.0?

Web 2.0 gives its users the free choice to ‘interact or collaborate’ with each other in a social media dialogue as creators of user-generated content in a virtual community, in contrast to websites where users are limited to the passive viewing of content that was created for them. Web 2.0 gives the users opportunities to give feedback on the web.
The examples of Web 2.0 include social-networking sites, blogs, wikis, video-sharing sites, hosted services, web applications, mashups and folksonomies.

Blog

It refers to a type of website or part of a website. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order. Most blogs are interactive, allowing visitors to leave comments and even message each other via widgets on the blogs and it is this interactivity that distinguishes them from other static websites. Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, Web pages, and other media related to its topic. The ability of readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs. Most blogs are primarily textual, although some focus on art (Art blog), photographs (photoblog), videos (video blogging), music (MP3 blog), and audio (podcasting). Microblogging is another type of blogging, featuring very short posts.



Wiki

A website that allows the easy creation and editing of any number of interlinked web pages via a web browser using a simplified markup language or a WYSIWYG text editor. Wikis are typically powered by wiki software and are often used to create collaborative wiki websites, to power community websites, for personal note taking, in corporate intranets, and in knowledge management systems. Wikis may exist to serve a specific purpose, and in such cases, users use their editorial rights to remove material that is considered "off topic." Such is the case of the collaborative encyclopedia Wikipedia. In contrast, open purpose wikis accept content without firm rules as to how the content should be organized.

Social Networking

A social structure made up of individuals (or organizations) called "nodes," which are tied (connected) by one or more specific types of interdependency, such as friendship, kinship, common interest, financial exchange, dislike, relationships, or relationships of beliefs, knowledge or prestige.
Media Sharing

It occurs through online social networks and digital communities with a comprehensive platform and diversified interfaces to aggregate, upload, compress, host and distribute images, text, applications, videos, audio, games and new media. It is the interactive process of sending via email, instant message, text message, posting or linking to media on a website or blog and other methods of sharing media to a targeted audience. As media is shared it takes on a variety of different contexts and meanings.

Personally, I realized that Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 are crucial for the both parties whom are the teachers and the students. The teachers can use Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 to get extra information regarding their teaching strategies, approaches, information about the subjects meanwhile the students can use it as a platform to widen their knowledge and eventually they can enhance their learning process.

In brief, I have learnt that we should use technological knowledge such as Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 as much as possible because we are living in the era of Globalisation yet it can create an active learning process to the students in the education context..

~Week 6-Micro Computer Based Laboratory(MBL)

This week, we were taken to a High-tech lab known as Micro -Computer Based Laboratory (MBL). What is MBL? MBL is one of the strategies in the Designing Application Tools. I was almost lost in the lesson because I have never experience it before in my entire life. My group members and I have chosen to do an activity from the topic Electricity. We use the Voltage Current Sensor in order to conduct the experiment.

First of all, as a team we discussed about the steps. I realized that it is good to plan before engaging in the experiments. There are a few steps that we followed while we conducting the experiment. The details are in below:

Voltage Current Sensor
1. The sensor is being plugged in to the computer.
2. EZscreen or DataStudio is selected from the window or programme files.
3. The voltage leads is being connected to one battery. The red lead is connected to the

positive of the battery while the black lead to the negative.
4. Choose “Table” from the list of items in Datastudio.
5. Click “Start”
6. The voltage and ampere of the battery is displayed on the screen.
7. The data is being recorded on a piece of paper.
8. Step 3 to 7 is being repeated with 2 and then 3 batteries.

I realized that it was very user friendly, practical and it gives us a meaningful experience engaging myself with the tools.

‘Is this MBL is suitable to be used in Primary Science classroom’, I thought in my mind. Personally, I think that it is suitable to be used only for Level 2 students and more appropriate to be used in secondary schools due to some pros and cons.There are some pros and cons using this MBL.

Firstly, it is user-friendly and safe to use especially when an experiment requires dangerous substance like acids and bases. The data collected is very fast and accurate. In addition, the data can also be converted into graph and table by clicking. As a result, I believed that this is very convenient for students to see the whole picture and concept of an experiment fast.

However, the teacher needs to be well-trained so that each function of DataStudio can be used to the fullest. Besides that, this strategy also cannot be used for all experiments. Moreover, basic process skills cannot be integrated or acquired as students will not get the chance to learn how to use certain basic apparatus like thermometer and ammeter. As a result, they will be failed to acquire science process skills.

There are a few advantages and disadvantages that my group and I have discovered.

ADVANTAGES

User friendly
Uses computer solely.
Manipulative skills can be acquired.
Data achieve is very precise.
Saves time in collecting and tabulating the data.

DISADVANTAGES

If there is no electricity it cannot be used anymore

Students cannot acquire science process skills. This is because all the data are ready and students do not need to measure.

It can only engage with some lab apparatus such as battery, bulb and beakers.

The cost is also very high. Not all the students can have their own unit of Voltage Current Sensor and use it simultaneously.

In brief, this was a totally new experience for us to use this MBL and we really wish to use in school once a week and not all the time so that it will be a exposure and bring a new experience for the students to learn and they still can acquire science process skills too.