Pre session 16/11

I was quite taken aback with the first session with Dr Quek because i had to sign up for so many accounts: Gmail, WIKI, docs.google ,blogger and facebook. And i realised that i already had a gmail account which is linked to my blog which i seldom update. The only new thing which was introduced was WIKI and i took interest in the platform where all of us had to do our reflections on our readings on this IT platform. I was wondering will it be able to support so many students who would be logging in at the same time.I even told my colleagues about WIKI the next few days when i went to school. And we come to a conclusion that WIKI is more wordy and we have to explore other IT platforms such as facebook if we are to ask the students to post any pictures or videos online.

The very next day where i had to attend a International Conference at NUS, where again IT was the main emphasis when teaching chinese.Mr Lee Kuan Yew made a speech at the opening ceremony of SCCL where he mentioned that the teaching of Chinese had to be changed. He meant the learning environment for the students had to be changed. He mentioned that Spelling and dictation is out. Chinese teachers need to use whatever method, be it drama or even IT to engage the students.Above are some pictures which i took at the conference. The first pic: can u recognise what is it? It is actually Welcome to Chinese, in English but trying to write in the form of Chinese. This is how students are introduced to Chinese in South Africa, according to a professor who introduced us how they engage the students.

To a certain extent i agree with what he said. The learning environment is very important and we definitely need to interest and engage the students so as to make learning interesting and less stressful for them. However, IT has to be used correctly and efficiently. We must not use them for the sake of keeping up with times. It is more of the content and how you wish to

My conclusion after the first session: IT is definitely very important and i hope to learn more from this module so as to be able to incorporate them in my daily teaching.

P/s: Pls pardon my english as my teaching medium is not in english. :P