Hamda’s blog

Introduction:

During my 8 weeks in the work-place, I have great experience with my Action Research Project in Al-Nouf Secondary School. This school is one of the modern schools in Sharjah. I mean by that it is developed by technology in both learning and teaching. Moreover, it is one of Al Ghaad Schools and the Ministry of Education focus on the learning development progress in the School.

Advantages:

There are many advantages in the school I have notice it. When I did the Interview with the principal note that she is interested in technology and she wants form her school to develop by being up-to- date with the technology and involving with her teacher to attend Professional Development session. Additionally, she is encouraging and helps teachers to learn better through integrating technologies in students learning. Furthermore, she is trying to be connected with her students in the school and she tries to solve their problems in learning.  Furthermore, I knew the real life in the school environment. By using my prior knowledge to do professional development to the teachers, I gave them my experience in how to create power point games and put some examples of games on a CD.

Disadvantages: 

There are some Disadvantages in the school. One drawback is that I have noticed some teachers are using traditional way in teaching. Students were bored and talking to each other because the teacher only talking and deliver the information by talking. Moreover, some teachers are using technology and deliver the lesson by using PowerPoint all the time. Students were fall as sleep and were lose attention to the lesson and therefore they will lose the information. In addition, one of the teachers were complaining of the extra works that the school giving them other than teaching with the same salary comparative with the government schools.  Moreover, I faced other problems such as lack of time.

Conclusion:  

To conclude, it was my real experience in the work-place that I face some difficulties but I learn from it much. I was very happy because the administration and the faculty in the school were pleased from my works and my attitude in the school.  I showed them what is the role of Educational Technologist is in the education department which it is thing that I should be proud of it. I learned how to be more friendly and social with people and that helped me to be more confidence on myself and my work. In the future, I hope to be an assistant to the teacher or work in the administration of a school not as a teacher because I think that as I'm Educational Technologist I have to improve and develop the style of teaching and to share new ideas in the education.

12 - 15 April, 2009

This week was the last week in Al-Nouf Secondary School and we have to conclude almost everything in the school. While I was in the school I learned and gain experience and it is big opportunity for us to go for work-placement to Al-Nouf School. However, this week was full of activity and we have to finalize our project.

My MST refused to do the Evaluation sheet until we give them the school package which include our work such as: reflection, the product, the detailed weekly plan, the ARP in Moodle and our resources of the session and pictures too.

Additionally, I was busy in helping the Science and English teacher in creating games. Moreover, the English teacher asked me to create a game to test the students memorization of the vocabulary meaning of unit 8 in the English book. I added sound and animation to the games to make the students more interactive with the teacher. I believe the game is more challenging because the 25 students were divided into groups (purple & orange) and the two groups willing to win. The wining team deserved a rewards which it was a Stationery school. As Walker. S, (1975) states that: "Positive reinforcement is effective and largely used for two separate reasons. Firstly, it is one of the most powerful techniques available for the direction or motivation of the actions of other people. The second reason which is more philosophical is the versatility of the concept of reinforcement as an explanation of behavior ".

Also, Newman (2008) comments that: "Incorporating computer games within education provides a valuable link between activities within the classroom and life outside school. Such a connection will help to reinforce learning and may encourage pupils to continue to develop their ICT skills outside the classroom environment".

While the science teacher, preferred to do the games by her self because I retrained her and I was checking her work when she was creating the PowerPoint games. Also, she was rewarding the students by giving them a chocolate. Moreover, The English teacher took the game from me to use it for another class.

Before and after the lesson, I gave the students survey about the game to know if they were interest and motivate to the game. Furthermore, I would like to know if they wanted to other teachers to implement these PowerPoint games in their curriculum. They said that they enjoyed the game and it is good method to help them in revising and remembering the lesson. Also I gave the teacher a survey to give me a feedback about the game and to know if it was beneficial or not. According to Van Deventer and White (2002) use of computer games is linked to 'expert' behaviors such as, “problem solving, principled decision-making, and superior short-term and long-term memory.”

On the other hand, there are many things I wanted to do If have the time in the school such as teach other teacher to do the PowerPoint games or how to use Flash activities because they asked me to do it but the lack of the time is the issue. In addition, I have things to do for the school such as preparing the school package of my work, create the brochure for the principle and the evaluation sheet.

n  References:

*Newman (2008). Advantages of Computer Games (positive implications for learning). Retrieved April 14, 2009, from http://www.newman.ac.uk/Students_Websites/~d.b.hickmott/adv.htm

*Free online research papers (2009). Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Positive and Negative Reinforcement - Management Essay. Retrieved April 15, 2009, from http://www.freeonlineresearchpapers.com/advantages-disadvantages-using-positive-negative

5 - 8 April, 2009

This week, I was busy to create games for the teacher to use it in her class. The science teacher I was working with is very helpful and loved to learn how to do these PowerPoint games. She wanted to learn everything modern to improver her student works. However, the science teacher was sick and she rarely available in the school, so I had to find another teacher to work with and implement my games in her class. I chose to work with The English teacher. She was pleased to use games in her class and as I know her she is very talented teacher and use the technology in her class whenever she can. Moreover, she asked me to create a game to test the students memorization of the vocabulary meaning of unit 8 in the English book. I said to her don't worry I will make the lesson more engagement and I'm sure it will not be waste of time.  J

Gallagher and Bashir-Ali (2007) comments that: "Games are helpful because they can make students feel that certain words are important and necessary, because without these words, the object of the game cannot be achieved".

In addition, I was searching English music for the English teacher  to examine and develop their listening skills. I send her some English websites so she can download the music and use it in her class. One of my colleagues in the college suggested to use limewire software.

One of my jobs in the school is to observe the students of grade 10/4 for the CEBA exam and they call it (National Exam). It is the first I observe students for an exam and it is really great experiment. While I was observing, I notice 2 students were moving a lot and some times looking at each other so I kept my eyes on them but they didn't do any cheating (thank god).  Now I know the feeling of the teacher, it is really funny. Furthermore, I wanted to work on the leadership brochure for the principle but the Photoshop was damage and I have to take to the shop to fix it. L

On the other hand, some teacher that I gave them the survey to do it, they lost it and some didn't do it. So, I have to go back to them and ask them to do it. I think they are busy with the exams and correcting them, because this was the week of the National exam.

--References:

HCT Press (2007). New Classroom Voices: Action research and Initial teacher education in the UAE. Kay Gallagher & Khadar Bashir-Ali., Abu Dhabi-United Arab Emirates

29 March -1 April, 2009

In this week, was quiet inactive and we went also to the conference in Tuesday. I was doing data collection during this week. I was distributing the surveys to the teachers who to attend the "learning Through Games" session. Furthermore, when they finish from it I was going around the school to collect the surveys and some of them didn't do it so, I have to return back another day to take it. In addition, I was checking another survey online if the teacher did it or not. Moreover, I wrote their names down and went to their rooms to do and nicely ask them to do it J. I have to do the job by myself otherwise no body will do it for me or the work will finish by itself. We have to manage the time to get free moment. As Aqha Hasan Abdi (2006) comments that: "The conventional definition of management is getting work done through people, but real management is developing people through work". (ThinkExist, 2006)

Additionally, the science teacher asked me to teach her how to use hotmail and its features. I taught her how to add a contact name and add an invitation to her contact list. Moreover, I trained her how to upload a file and multiple photos in the attachment. She was very pleased and she told the principle school what she learned from me and she was very helpful. I was impressed and cheerful in the same time. I believe that being helpful, smiley and be initiative to do the work is good for our reputation in the workplace. As Maha said that we are now well-known in the school ;)

Furthermore, while we were Maha and me walking around the school we saw students from business from SWC. We had a short conversation with them and they said that they have training in the school for 2 weeks. They were nice and kind girls to chat with them.

On the other hand, we went the Education Without Boarders Conference 2009 in Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai. The weather was lovely and the place was amazing walk around. Furthermore, Hind Al-Bulooshi participated by submitting a paper: "The Challenge of Teaching a Computer Literate Generation: Podcasting as a Tool in Educational Contexts". For her participation, Hind was awarded a glass trophy and a new Notebook computer. We enjoy time there and we are proud of you Hind ^_^

**References:

ThinkExist (2006). Agha Hasan Abedi quotes. Retrieved April 6, 2009, from http://thinkexist.com/quotation/the_conventional_definition_of_management_is/221306.html

22-25 March, 2009

Thank god, this week I feel success with my professional development session "Learning Through Games". First of all, I have delayed my session from Tuesday to Wednesday because my SST suggested that many teachers will be free on that day. After that, I booked the activities room for my session so; nobody can take it in the same day of my session. I already designed the poster and I put in the reception so all the teachers when they sign can see it. Moreover, Maha created for me a sign up paper teachers and the teachers who wants to attend my session write down there names ;)

 In the PD session, I have prepared everything and I went to my SST to take the key for the room that I'm going to do the session. She told me that I'm sorry but the room booked for a visitor outside the school. I was shocked and she suggested me the meeting room but there were no curtains in that room. Thank god I saw the English teacher and I told her what happened. She suggested me to see if there any IT teachers absent and take her class (I mean the computer lab). Finally, I found an IT lab empty and I started to put my stuff in the room and prepare my material. I faced tiny problem before the session. Miss Maryanne visited me and I waited for the teachers to came, unfortunately no one came L. I was depressed but after15 minutes some teachers came. Here my happiness started to grow J. About 15 teachers attend my session and they left happy. At the beginning, I gave them a quick survey about their previous knowledge and time to solve it. Moon (2005) state that: "Professional development; that having a plan enables them to monitor, asses, and improve their teaching".

During the session, the teachers were participating with me and they were engaged to the games that I have created. In addition, they were following with me and with the handout that I have created step-by-step. After that, I let the teachers to try and to test their understanding of how to do the steps. The teachers were cooperate and helping each other to do the steps correctly. They were interested and excited and they wanted another session. Here I felt my success J. As Arends said that: "computers can motivate students to stay engaged in learning tasks".  (Page 154, 2007)

At the end of the session, I asked them if they want any help I will be glad to answer them or they can email me their questions. Furthermore, I asked them to do the survey online and I have put the link in the handout for them.

I suggested to them that I will give them a brochure about the benefits of games and a CD include the examples of games. But some teachers complained that they don't have enough time to create games and they wanted the games ready only wants to change the design and the question. On the other hand, I will be focusing on one teacher and she will be my helper in the upcoming session.

**Here is Miss Maryann's Feedback about the session J

((You did a very good job with the teachers. You got them interested and excited. I could see they want to have time to learn more.

Give the survey to the participants as they are entering the room. Hand the survey and say “Thank you for coming today. Here is a short survey you can take while we are waiting for the others to come in. You can give it to me when you are finished” - *Welcoming them as they come in gives a personal touch to your session and makes them feel welcome.

At the beginning of your session you could show a short video of children playing games. Then ask the participants to tell you want they observed from the video…and let them brainstorm.

Make sure you give plenty of examples by showing screen shots on slides and have 1 slide with a bullet list of ideas of how teachers can integrate games into their curriculum, for example:

§         Using Games for Math Facts

§         Science Facts Review

§         Vocabulary Matching Words with Definitions

§         For Repetition

§         For Remediation

§         To Reinforce a new concept the students have just learned

You learned a valuable piece of information from this session for your data collection- do you know what it is? ;) Maryanne))

I'm curios to know ^^

References:

¨      Arends, R. I. (2007). Learning to teach. Boston: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

¨      Moon, J (2005). Children Learning English. Macmillan Books for Teachers.

9-11 March, 2009

This week was short and rarely active because as you know that on Sunday was a vacation due to the Prophet Mohammed and I didn't yet start my resources. The school has many upcoming events and finally I have arranged the suitable time for my PD session. I will be working with the skilled teacher (Fatima Nassir) and she will help me in the resources for that day. I will teach teachers how to create creative and simple games in PowerPoint so, they not complain about the lack of the time to create these games. Furthermore, I'm thinking of using the Study Mate software and I think it will be a great idea to use in the classroom to create flashes and integrate it in learning. As Newman University College (2006) states that: "Computer games provide a safe artificial environment within which learners with low self esteem may feel more inclined to explore investigate and express themselves".

In addition, Maha and I Talked to the principal Kawlah about her trip to Jordan and she said that it was quit busy there but at least I saw the snow. Then, she asked us about our project and we said that Maha will do a PD session about the Blog for the students in the computer lab and you're welcome to attend. She said that that it will be her pleasure to be there but In the session time she didn't available because she had a conference outside the school but she said take picture and videos to see it. The principal was interested on our projects and her luck wasn't in her side that day to attend the session. Additionally, Miss Nabeelah asked me a weekly plan for the session's day so; she can attend it and evaluate me on my product. She is very quite and kind but active, I know that from her reputation in the school.

Computer lab

However, Maha did the session on Wednesday in the last period and imagine the students! I was expect that the students will be sleepy but they were active and motivated to know us. I was helping my colleague Maha by taking photos, videos and manage the students' behavior. I believe that the students were motivated to learn the blog and to join the Vox. As Frank Calberg (2009) comments that one advantage is that: "Using a blog helps learners improve their writing competencies". (Slide share)

After the session, I learned many things, one that arrange my time very well and organize and prepare my resources earlier. I mean that I before the session every thing should be ready and make sure that the teachers will attend and If there any technical problems in the computers.

One day, the principal called me in her office, and she asked me if I know how to create a brochure. I said yes and then she asked me to create one for leadership and she printed some papers to put it in the brochure. That was my pleasure to help her but next time I will apologize and I will help the school staff only if I have the time. That will be my rule.

--References:

·         Calberg, F (2009). 11 advantages of using a blog for teaching. Retrieved March 15, 2009, from http://www.slideshare.net/frankcalberg/11-advantages-of-using-a-blog-for-teaching

·         Newman University College (2006). Advantages of Computer Games in Education. Retrieved March 3, 2009, from http://www.newman.ac.uk/Students_Websites/~d.b.hickmott/adv.htm

1-4 March, 2009

Hello my little butterflies :P

This week was not really busy and I didn't have too much work to do so I went to the vice principle to ask her if she need any help in her work. She told if you can go and help the secretary in her work because she had a problem in Microsoft word and I solve it. She was very delighted for the help. In addition, when I was walking around the school, I saw the IT teacher. She talked about her training session and it was about strategy on teaching the child, the environment of the child in the house with his parents and family. She commented that it is a good thing to apply it in the private school not in the governments schools because in the private school have different rules than the government school. Moreover, she added that if you worked in the private schools better than the government schools because you will have more skills and practice your English language more fluently.

School_mission_letter

Additionally, I went to the vice principal to show her the design for the school letter (3 designs: Maha 2 and me 1) she like it but she said that the principal like simple designs and maybe you can add the school loge as a washout. From the vice principal we knew that the principal travelled to the Jordan, because she has a training session there for a week.

However, I talked to the Biology teacher to delay the Professional Development sessions after two weeks and she said ok but I will be away and you can prepare your materials and other teachers will help you. I took her number so, we can keep in touch. I delayed the sessions because I have submissions for the college to due. I was really exhausted and if I have to delay the session or not, but I decided to delay it and it will be better for me. Furthermore, she asked us to give her ideas about the school to make it better and ideas for the reception posters.

In the last day of the week, we meet with our supervisor (Maryann Macampo) and we sat with the two vice principle and the English teacher. Miss Maryann explained for them our mission in the school and in what they are evaluating us. The school stuff were very helpful and understand what we are going to do in the school. I was very cheerful and relaxed with them. After that, we have a long chat with Maryann individually and we asked her about the Literature Review. She was very helpful and helped us to understand what we have to do exactly. J

22-25 February, 2009

Good Morning my friends ^^

In my first day in Al-Nouf Secondary School, I talked and explained to my SST about my ARP and what I'm going to do with the teacher before and after the sessions. Furthermore, we were walking around the school to find a place to sit and to put our stuff. Finally we found a place in the principal assistant room with glass walls so everyone can see us. The school had a workshop for Gaza children and it was decorated by posters on the walls. Moreover, Maha and me sat together to plan for the rest of the week. We decided to help each other, work together and co-operate with each other. This will help both of us in finishing the ARP easily and perfectly. :)

After that, I went to the English teacher to show her examples of the games and what I'm going to teach the teachers in the sessions. She was enthusiastic to be a member of this. After the chat with the English teacher, I decided to teach the teachers how to use the blog (vox.com) and I created a group for this called: "Learning through games", you are welcome to it. The blog will helpful because the members will post comments about the session and they can share ideas, thoughts and other things such as pictures and videos.

When I proposed the idea to the principal on the next day, she delighted and motivated to apply it in the school and specially tech the teachers how to use the blog. She suggested me to work with the skilled teacher in the school for the session. Additionally, I showed her our Moodle and Vox site and examples of games that I created. She was amazed from what we can do in PowerPoint. The principal suggested teaching the teacher how to use blog and by this way we can give you a certificate from the school prove that you a Pd session in Al Nouf School. I said that what I'm going to do and I was very happy and relaxed because she liked the idea of teaching her teachers. After that, I sat with the one of the skilled teachers and chat about what I'm going to do and to prepare for the session. She will help me with the preparation such as printing the brochure, copying the CD and writing the lesson plan because the principal asked her for that. I was delighted to hear that.

School Activity

In addition, the principal talked about Renzulli Learning style and he puts students in touch with engaging. I like her way of talking because she showed that she is interested in learning technology and concern about the students. Moreover, the Biology teacher asked me to find software which can separate the tune from the lyrics. I tried my best to help her by searching for a good software such as Gold Wave and Vocal Remover software but I couldn't. Additionally, the principal assistant (Nabila) required me to redesign the school mission letter in Photoshop in both Arabic and English. It was my pleasure to do that work for them. J

Joseph S. Renzulli

Furthermore, The English teacher asked for Synonyms games online. When I was seeking in the search engine, I found some good games and some are not. In the next day I sent her a list of very good games by email and she sent me reply thanking me to save her time. In addition, she used these games on her lesson and she said that were excellent games and the students were motivated to answer and they pay more attention to the teacher. I was really happy to hear that from here and I realized that the importance of games.

Observation English lesson:

On Tuesday - 24 of February, 09

Duration: 60 min

Teacher: Hanan

The lesson was about Natural disaster and the teacher grouped the students to 6 groups depends in the natural disaster names. At the begging of the lesson the teacher gave the students worksheets as a game to guess the answer or the name of the disaster. When the students were solving the worksheet, the teacher were walking around to check the students' answers and comparing the answers. Moreover, the students were co-operating together and respect the teacher and work quietly. This helps the teacher to move in with the lesson.  After that, she asked them to solve the exercise in the book individually which was matching exercise. She tried to grasp the answers form the students to let them think. At the end of the lesson, the teacher gave the students homework in the book and tiny piece of worksheet. I notice that, during the lesson the students were motivated and interactive with teacher and this lead to respect the teacher and not making noise or talking while the teacher is explaining the lesson.

17. Who posted the article: sparklinks

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References:

TwitterGadget. (2008). TwitterGadget :Auto- refreshing Twitter client. Retrieved December 8, 2008, from http://www.twittergadget.com/