Session 3: Part 2

For the afternoon session, we learnt about whatn is LE, why do we study LE, how LE is studied, key components of LE, how does LE affect a person, his personality, human behaviour and also how can we access the environment by being a participant, a gp of people or by being a detached observer.

Next, we break up into gps and our group was supposed to identify what is a learner centered environment.Below is our gp's reflection:

Group 1 ( Normila, Nasyitah, Ching Boon and Ruziana )
Learner-Centered Environment
Characteristics of a learner-centered environment:
a) Student-focused
b) Activity based
c) Cooperative learning strategies
d) Teacher acts as a facilitator
Considerations in designing a learner-centered environment:
a) Sensitivity to cultural differences ( multi-racial country)
b) Individual learning differences ( multiple intelligences)
c) Relating to students’ experience – authentic learning experiences
d) Respect the language practices of the students
Does the assigned design of the LE exist in Singapore context? Why?
Yes, because we want to promote better understanding amongst students of different cultural backgrounds. We want students to be able to identify and solve problems and make contributions to society throughout their lifetime.
Questions on Singapore Flyer in the N-Levels ( 2009) – more familiar to the students compared to a question on bus timetable ( 2008).
E-learning for Maths – ACE Learning Portal. Examples shown are those that students can relate to. Eg. F1 race to explain gradient.
OPW- Online Project Work for students. Students are expected to work collaboratively to complete a multi-disciplinary project work.

Dr Quek showed us how James' school did their IPW online by using blogger as a platform. Very impressive. =)

This afternoon session makes me think about how VS is able to provide such a good learning environment for the students. We had OPW (Online project work) for around 4-5 years. That was why i had to ask Ruzi what is IPW when i saw the term today. I even went back to the school website and take a close look at the system which we had provided the Sec 2 boys to work on. Besides working on their project in school for 2 periods per week via online, （ meaning all documents are documented online), they have the freedom of time and space to communicate with their peers online. It definitely had a very good system put in place i must say, and definitely well planned.This certainly fits very well with the learner centered environment that we are trying to provide the children with.