So far so good...

It's the second week of the e-learning period and I'm glad to say that my group has made substantial progress in our group assignment.

Here's what we did so far.

After forming our groups and getting to know who's who, we went back to do our own online search on the different initiatives that have been implemented with regards to the curriculum, particularly pertaining to Maths. After getting a clearer picture of what's out there, we planned on a face-to-face group discussion last week.

During our meeting, we discussed about the several initiatives that we have read up on. We made a list of all the initiatives that had been implemented and put a timeline to it. With that in hand, it really enabled us to see a clearer picture.

Due to time constraints, we could only manage a short discussion. But, we did decide to meet online via MSN to continue our group discussion. During our MSN conversation, my group then proceeded to delegating the work. Each of us took 2-3 initiatives to focus on. Our task was to read up as much as possible on a particular initiative and then, write a summary/overview based on several guiding questions.

The guiding questions were:

1. When was the initiative implemented?
2. What is the initiative about?
3. Purpose of the initiative
4. Impact on teaching & learning (Maths)

I found that the guiding questions really helped me sieve out the important pieces of information. So the learning has been really meaningful thus far.

Right after I've posted this entry, I am going to email my group members my summary. That's how we decided to share the pieces of information we have read up on.

On that note, I think my group members and I have to thank technology a great lot. :)

If not for the ease of technology, researching and reading up on the initiatives would have been difficult. If not for technology, we would not have found an easier and more convenient way of having a group discussion.

So thank you technology!

the first lesson

So here it is...
thoughts on the first lesson of the AKM101 module.

The essential takeaway was the 'lesson', where the class had to make squares using tangram pieces.

I've always known how effective questioning can help deliver a lesson better. How it helps the pupils to be engaged in the lesson. How certain questions asked by the teacher helps to deepen the depth of which the lesson is being taught.

But today, being at the receiving end of such questioning and scaffolding during the 'lesson on tangrams' really made me realise how my pupils may think when such questions are being posed to them.

It really isn't a matter of always getting the correct solution or answer but really the thought processes of getting that solution that's really important in an effective lesson.

Who knew that such simple questions like, "Is that the only solution?" and "How did you get that answer?" could determine how much a person learns?