A model of Simplification

TBC

Selecting and Developing Learning Materials

TBC

What is your take on Technology? are the principals listed still current and important?

I think that our generation has evolved so much over the 10 years since the article has been written. I feel it is no longer an issue of "infusing technology", but rather technology is already intricately woven into our lives. So much so that it is an integral part of our lifestyle today. Our students are already users of technology on their own and may even be more advanced than some adults.

However, students may not be aware of language acquisition while they are online, and among youths, the quality of language used online, more so on social networking websites, is dropping. Although students are communicating all the time using technological gadgets and programs, the language they used are limited to short forms, broken sentences, Singlish etc. Also, the economy for students to use proper, grammatically correct sentences is low. In order to communicate at a higher pace, students don't bother to check if they have used the correct tense or are even using any tenses in their sentences in the first place. Teachers need to cultivate a habit of using good language at appropriate instances. Help students become aware of different registers to use and choose the appropriate register.

It is not wrong that students communicate in utterances online. However, can they still write or read different text types, which is a lifeskill they will need as they proceed to higher education or when they enter the workforce.

Technology is like second nature to the younger generation, however, there still exist a group of students who are living under poor financial environment. They have less access to technological tools and gadgets and this is the group of students who will face difficulties in assimilating to a technological environment. Teachers must make the extra mile to provide equal learning opportunities for these students, perhaps using facilities in school.

I do agree with the article that the teacher must be a critical evaluator of technology to be used in class. The amount of content and choices have proliferated over the decade and it is still growing. Teachers must constantly keep up with content online, to make materials used authentic and relevant for the students. Technology has shortened our generation gap from a number of decades to a few years. What is current today may well become obsolete by tomorrow.

Comment on Lesson art and design by Scott Thornbury

Do you agree with the metaphor that he is using?
Lesson Art and Design

To begin simply, I am amazed how effortlessly the author has drawn similarities of a lesson to a performance. Being a music performer myself, I am able to relate to his comparisions of a lesson to symphony, but at the same time intrigued by how apparent some of those similarities were which I had not been aware of before.

He wrote that the blueprint of a lesson has plot, theme, rhythm, flow and a conclusion, and these elements gives an overall shape to which a beginning teacher is able to plan a lesson with. This blueprint gives a macro view to what shapes a good lesson that is engaging and meaningful to learners.

The learners of today becoming increasingly dillusioned by the world outside of the classroom. The Internet and media is fast influencing our children and the classroom is becoming less authentic to them. I recently chanced upon a video by cognitivemedia and the video sums this up pretty much. My point is that the PPP model might be fast becoming obselete in our classroom and we need to engage our learners at a higher level.For this, I thought shifting the lesson instruction away from the PPP model is essential, although there are still instances where this method of instruction can still be applicable.

It is sometimes puzzling to myself how to approach and deliver the content to students. It is also perhaps some what idealistic to think of each lesson as a performance. It will be difficult for the beginning teacher to be able to orchestrate the performance without experience and rapport with the class.

A plot creates the premise for subsequent segments of the lesson, that one activity has significance to the next and which learners could not do without any or do in a different order. Learners' participation is increased and the fruits of labour of learners can be realised in consecutive parts of the lesson, increasing motivation and interests. A complication can later be introduced to learners to increase their competency.

The theme engages the learners and sustains their attention. I agree that the common pitfall of beginning teachers is the over emphasis on grammatical objectives. That is comfortable for teachers to do because instruction is straightforward and the activities involves drilling of the correct information. Such is repetitive and the involvement of learners is low. Which reminds me of how grammar was taught to me during my primary school years. While it may be suitable for younger learners, older learners will find it meaningless as they hardly see the link between perhaps the grammar item learnt and actually applying it in a piece of writing.

TBC....

Lesson Art and Design

Do you agree with the metaphor that he is using?
Lesson Art and Design