P- PREVIEW the content of the chapter you are going to learn tomorrow
Q- QUESTION yourself about the content, close the book and ask yourself questions
to test whether you understand the content
( TEACHING & LEARNING IN CLASS)
R- REVIEW the content taught by the teacher
S- STATE the points learnt - it would be better if you can teach your friends about
what you have learnt
T- TEST yourself to see that you understand the new knowledge / concept learnt
Friday, May 14, 2010
THE PQRST METHOD OF STUDYING
The method that many students who like to add an overt structure to their learning to keep them on track is the PQRST method. It helps the student focus on studying and prioritizing the information in a way that relates directly to how they will be asked to use that information in an exam.
Step 1
Preview: Look at the topic you have to learn by glancing over the major headings or the points in the syllabus.
Step 2
Question: Formulate questions that you would like to be able to answer once you have finished the topic. It is important that you match as much as possible what you would like to know to your syllabus or course direction. This allows a certain flexibility to take in other topics that may aid your learning of the main point or if you are just interested. Make sure that your questions are neither more specific or more open-ended than they might be in an exam.
Step 3
Read: Read through your reference material that relates to the topic you want to learn for your exam being mindful to pick out the information that best relates to the questions you wish to answer.
Step 4
Summary: This is the most flexible part of the method and allows individual students to bring any ways that they used to summarize information into the process. This can include making written notes, spider diagrams, flow diagrams, labeled diagrams, mnemonics, making a voice recording of you summarizing the topic, or any method that feels most appropriate for what has to be learned. You can combine several methods as long as this doesn't extend the process too long as you may lose sight that you are merely seeking to use the information in the most appropriate way.
Step 5
Test: Use this step to assess whether you have focused on the important information and stayed on topic. Answer the questions that you set for yourself in the Question section as fully as you can as this using of the information is another way of using the information and remembering more of it. This section also reminds you to continually manipulate the information so that is focused on whatever form of assessment that it is needed for. It is sometimes easy to lose sight of the point of learning and see it as a task to be completed mundanely. Try to avoid adding questions that you didn't formulate in the Q section.
Reference : unknown
Step 1
Preview: Look at the topic you have to learn by glancing over the major headings or the points in the syllabus.
Step 2
Question: Formulate questions that you would like to be able to answer once you have finished the topic. It is important that you match as much as possible what you would like to know to your syllabus or course direction. This allows a certain flexibility to take in other topics that may aid your learning of the main point or if you are just interested. Make sure that your questions are neither more specific or more open-ended than they might be in an exam.
Step 3
Read: Read through your reference material that relates to the topic you want to learn for your exam being mindful to pick out the information that best relates to the questions you wish to answer.
Step 4
Summary: This is the most flexible part of the method and allows individual students to bring any ways that they used to summarize information into the process. This can include making written notes, spider diagrams, flow diagrams, labeled diagrams, mnemonics, making a voice recording of you summarizing the topic, or any method that feels most appropriate for what has to be learned. You can combine several methods as long as this doesn't extend the process too long as you may lose sight that you are merely seeking to use the information in the most appropriate way.
Step 5
Test: Use this step to assess whether you have focused on the important information and stayed on topic. Answer the questions that you set for yourself in the Question section as fully as you can as this using of the information is another way of using the information and remembering more of it. This section also reminds you to continually manipulate the information so that is focused on whatever form of assessment that it is needed for. It is sometimes easy to lose sight of the point of learning and see it as a task to be completed mundanely. Try to avoid adding questions that you didn't formulate in the Q section.
Reference : unknown
MAKANAN UNTUK PELAJAR CEMERLANG
Kerap makan makanan
1. 21 kismis sehari ( 7 biji 3x sehari ) – sekurang-kurangnya 9 biji
( 3 biji 3 x sehari ) / 3 biji sekali
2. Air kacang soya sekali sehari
3. 2 biji kurma
4. 3 biji kacang pistachios sehari
Elakkan makan makanan
1. Jajan
2. Air atau makanan ada semut padanya
3. Makanan fast food seperti nuggets, burger, sosej
4. Makanan yang masam seperti jeruk
5. Otak ikan
6. Makanan yang berajinomoto
7. Makanan yang berbau busuk seperti- petai, jering dan bawang mentah
8. Air yang terlalu manis seperti air berkaibonat –air coke , pepsi,f&n
1. 21 kismis sehari ( 7 biji 3x sehari ) – sekurang-kurangnya 9 biji
( 3 biji 3 x sehari ) / 3 biji sekali
2. Air kacang soya sekali sehari
3. 2 biji kurma
4. 3 biji kacang pistachios sehari
Elakkan makan makanan
1. Jajan
2. Air atau makanan ada semut padanya
3. Makanan fast food seperti nuggets, burger, sosej
4. Makanan yang masam seperti jeruk
5. Otak ikan
6. Makanan yang berajinomoto
7. Makanan yang berbau busuk seperti- petai, jering dan bawang mentah
8. Air yang terlalu manis seperti air berkaibonat –air coke , pepsi,f&n
Adab Belajar Mengikut Imam Al-Ghazali
1. Mendahulukan salam kepada guru dan bersalaman dengan bercium tangan sebagai tanda penghormatan- ikut jantina
2. Jangan banyak bercakap di hadapan guru
3. Jangan bercakap jikalau tidak ditanya
4. Jangan bertanya melainkan jikalau diarah oleh guru
5. Jangan menyangkal kata-kata guru
6. Jangan mengumpat pelajar lain
7. Jangan berbisik di hadapan guru
8. Jangan berpaling kiri dan kanan
9. Jangan menyoal semasa guru kepenatan
10. Berdiri apabila guru bangun
11 Dengar dengan khusyuk ilmu yang disampaikan walaupun diulang 1000 kali
12 Rujuk guru dalam memilih ilmu
13 Jangan duduk tempat guru
14. Jangan berjalan dihadapan guru kecuali darurat
15. Jangan ketuk pintu berulang kali hingga guru keluar menemuinya
16. Sentiasa mendapat keredhaannya dan jauhkan kemurkaannya
17. Muliakan anak-anak guru
18. Selalu berhubung dengan guru
19. Elakkan tidak menziarahi guru lebih 40 hari. Ini boleh mengurangkan keberkatan ilmu
20. Selalu mendoakan guru selepas setiap solat lima waktu.
2. Jangan banyak bercakap di hadapan guru
3. Jangan bercakap jikalau tidak ditanya
4. Jangan bertanya melainkan jikalau diarah oleh guru
5. Jangan menyangkal kata-kata guru
6. Jangan mengumpat pelajar lain
7. Jangan berbisik di hadapan guru
8. Jangan berpaling kiri dan kanan
9. Jangan menyoal semasa guru kepenatan
10. Berdiri apabila guru bangun
11 Dengar dengan khusyuk ilmu yang disampaikan walaupun diulang 1000 kali
12 Rujuk guru dalam memilih ilmu
13 Jangan duduk tempat guru
14. Jangan berjalan dihadapan guru kecuali darurat
15. Jangan ketuk pintu berulang kali hingga guru keluar menemuinya
16. Sentiasa mendapat keredhaannya dan jauhkan kemurkaannya
17. Muliakan anak-anak guru
18. Selalu berhubung dengan guru
19. Elakkan tidak menziarahi guru lebih 40 hari. Ini boleh mengurangkan keberkatan ilmu
20. Selalu mendoakan guru selepas setiap solat lima waktu.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Having trouble with thetheme for the magazine?
What do I consider a better life? (Pizza Hut & The Star joint competition)
Well, for me , having a better life means being able to be with my family on a trip to a holiday destination every holiday. Why? Well , I need the rest and quality time with my family.
so students, the topic would be tourism.. but is this topic included in the list.That means I have to check first..
Well, for me , having a better life means being able to be with my family on a trip to a holiday destination every holiday. Why? Well , I need the rest and quality time with my family.
so students, the topic would be tourism.. but is this topic included in the list.That means I have to check first..
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Toward a better life - related articles
Content of this article
Towards a better life
Article 1
Article 2
Article 3 : original article
=============================
Article 1
Tuesday March 9, 2010
Students share a ‘better life’
PETALING JAYA: An end to child abuse. Less time spent on social media. More time for personal interaction.
These were among the suggestions from students who were asked on what they thought would contribute to a better world.
Twelve students, who were given 10 minutes to depict their version of “A Better Life”, highlighted these elements in a mock magazine at The Star-NiE-Pizza Hut’s Mag Inc launch yesterday.
The contest this year invites students to share their views on how their lives would be better through a three-page mini magazine. A “better life” could be in areas such as relationships, environment, education, social work and health.
Holistic development: (From left) Ee, Jamaludin and Yeoh launching The Star-NiE -Pizza Hut contest at the Pizza Hut Kota Damansara outlet Monday.
Students have to work in teams of four or five under the supervision of an English teacher for the competition, comprising three categories – Primary Four to Six, lower secondary and upper secondary.
For their efforts, winners in the upper secondary category will walk away with pre-university scholarships worth a total of RM100,000 from Taylor’s University College. The winning teams in each category will also be feted to a four-day, three-night stay in Siem Reap, Cambodia, with flight tickets sponsored by AirAsia; while the runners-up will enjoy a trip to Resorts World Genting and receive Pizza Hut vouchers.
Students submitting entries under the video clip category will have the chance to walk away with gadgets like iPods in addition to Pizza Hut vouchers worth RM100.
Education Ministry sports division director Ee Hong said the Mag Inc contest could help spur students to think critically as they would need to learn how to put together a mini magazine.
“Sports and co-curricular activities are important to students’ holistic deve¬¬lopment,” she said when launching Mag Inc 2010 at the Pizza Hut Kota Damansara outlet here yesterday.
Star Publications (M) Bhd managing editor David Yeoh said the newspaper was pleased to find that its hard work over the past 12 years had made a lasting impression on the local school community.
“This would not have been possible without the support of Pizza Hut, our partner in NiE, as well as the Education Ministry,” he said.
Managing director Jamaludin Md Ali of QSR Brands Bhd, which operates Pizza Hut, said the contest was part of its ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility programme in the education sector.
“Pizza Hut is committed to spending more than RM1.4mil on newspaper pullouts, workshops, incentives and prizes on the contest this year.”
The first contest workshop will be held in Tafe College, Seremban, on Wednesday and subsequently in Stamford College, Malacca, the following day.
See StarEducation for the full report on Sunday.
Posted by N.A.B at 10:04 AM
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Article 2
Sunday May 9, 2010 THE STAR
Edited from Star Online.. A possible future.. COURTING CHANGES
By Dr THEVA NITHY
The technology and resources are already available for electronic readers to transform our education landscape.
Picture this — Malaysian students walking into school compounds with light bags that require just one finger to carry. As they walk in, the day’s and week’s lessons, complete with lesson plans, notes, web links, assignments and problems for collaborative actions, are instantly downloaded into a gadget that looks suspiciously like an old-fashioned slate, but with an LED screen.
Is this a plausible scene, or is it a ridiculous notion?
An electronic reader is a computer in the form of a book, and has the potential to be immensely beneficial in the classroom. — AP File photo
Let me pose the following questions:
• Why destroy the earth and the environment with the unsustainable action of destroying trees to print books, all to create books that will be outdated the day they are sent for printing and obsolete when published?
• Why pay more to have books that can only be used in one way, when ER (Electronic Readers) could cheaply replace books, provide means for innovative classroom pedagogies, and could be updated continuously for almost forever?
• Why have books when ERs could be the catalyst for the development of broadband access for every school — hence transforming Malaysian education?
• Why force our children to carry heavy bags that damage their bodies when all they need is a lightweight ER?
The ER, a simple technological innovation, has the potential to completely transform Malaysian education, and only requires professional and political will to happen – with perhaps a dash of forward thinking and real concern for learners and educators.
It requires the Education Ministry to completely change their approach, and for our printing and publishing companies to retool themselves to offer a new service.
It also requires perhaps the Engineering and Computer Science experts at our universities and industries to build Malaysian-made ERs that are cheap, adaptable and most of all, completely sustainable.
An ER is simply a computer in the form of a book, with minimal capabilities except to read and write on and with web browsing capabilities. It has a local area connection, has plug and play upgradable components and best of all, it could easily be manufactured locally.
So, why does this amazing device not exist in Malaysian schools?
Long-term gain
In terms of purely financial commitments, the ER is much cheaper than textbooks. We believe that local technology could, albeit with some difficulty, create an ER for RM500 or so.
Keep in mind that the device is usable for at least five to 10 years, and updates to content and syllabus could be done hourly if necessary.
For comparison’s sake, what is the financial cost of 15 years worth of obsolete, un-updatable textbooks, from primary school right up to university?
Sure, it will involve a huge expenditure of capital to start-up, but we have the talent and the resources.
With the billions we are spending on weapons, food subsidies and textbooks, this would be an easy buy if we were to just divert funds from “needless” programmes to this crucial one!
With the ER, even exercise books could be done away with, as assignments could be completed on the device and sent directly to the teacher when logged on to the school network.
Realise that the important event that we want to transpire is to get everyone to have access to learning.
Reading from a textbook is just a different experience than reading from an ER. The important thing is the text, not the medium.
The introduction of ERs into every school in Malaysia, rural schools included, will spur the growth of broadband and access to truly cater to all Malaysians, especially to those who need it the most in rural schools.
We know that there will be detractors who will say that staring at a computer screen for long periods will cause eye-strain and related problems — but that is expected with any new technology.
Before ERs, everyone said that the textbooks strained students’ eyes because the texts were too small and students were reading for too long with bad lighting.
ERs are backlit, have almost zero glare due to the latest LED technology, text size can be customised and can feature animated movies to demonstrate dangerous experiments and create new learning experiences.
We also must point out that the application of this technology is not completely new — we are all already using ERs in one form or another in the likes of PDAs, mobile phones, paging devices and so on.
Why not evolve to the next stage where it can be used to enhance not just our social lives and comfort levels, but our education systems as well?
In spite of the proven track record of the role of technology and its capability to greatly enhance teaching practices, many traditional educators are not convinced simply because it really is difficult to access technology in our schools – and this certainly is a case of seeing is believing.
With easy access, implementation and operationalising of ERs in classrooms, learners, teachers, parents and stakeholders will start thinking and incorporating technology into teaching and learning in a whole new way.
We are confident that authors, publishing companies and other parties with financial interests and political clout will raise a huge stink should this materialise.
As such, we need the support of someone with the highest levels of power and with focused attention to our nation and our national interests.
Conducted properly, this would aid tremendously in the development of the New Economic Model and achieve buy-in by Malaysians for the eight Strategic Reform Initiatives.
Stakeholders would clearly see that our future talent is being placed on the right track and that the powers that be are in touch with global educational developments, objectives and expected outcomes.
Dr Theva is a senior lecturer at The School of Educational Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Through this fortnightly column and through the ENGAGE Programme – Education for Sustainable Global Futures – USM has started, he and his colleagues hope to help transform the Malaysian schooling and higher education systems. He can be contacted through
theva@usm.my.
Article 3 : original article
What makes for a better life?
STUDENTS... TAKE NOTE OF THIS ... YOU COULD WIN RM100,000 worth of scholarships at Pizza Hut and The Star’s annual NiE contest
Sunday March 14, 2010 EDITED ARTICLE FROM THE STAR - Towards a better life
By SHARON OVINIS and ALYCIA LIM educate@thestar.com.my
At a time when the five C’s (Cars, Credit Cards, Condominium, Cash and Career) are priority to Generation Y, it’s refreshing to hear how four 14-year-olds concocted the five F’s for a better life.
A FEW STUDENTS FROM SMK Damansara Utama vouched that “Family, Food, Fun, Friends and Freedom” were sure tickets to quality living.
“What makes for a better life are face-to-face interactions. Social websites or gaming consoles are merely distractions,” said Syahana, while teammates Vanessa and Ainaa nodded in agreement — wise words indeed, from youngsters who have never known life without the Internet, mobile phones or social networking sites.
Vanessa added: “We should be grateful because we have everything that we need, and I feel it is time we do something to help those who do not even have basic necessities.”
A better life - Such enthusiasm to inspire change marked the start of The Star-Pizza Hut’s annual Newspaper-in-Education (NiE) contest which was launched last Tuesday in the Pizza Hut restaurant outlet in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya.
The contest concept, which requires students to produce a three-page mini magazine, is running for the second year. Last year’s theme “Teenage angst” saw 74,000 students submit entries to win Pizza Hut vouchers.
This year’s contest, jointly sponsored by The Star and Pizza Hut, in cooperation with the Education Ministry, centres on the theme “A better life”.
Students, in teams of four or five, design a three-page mini magazine on an issue that changes their lives for the better. Topics could centre on health, safety, racial integration and environment, among others. Each team will have to conduct research on a selected topic, interview peers and write a feature article.
Students are also encouraged to to be more creative in their presentation by using a myriad of writing forms such as poetry, anecdotes, statistics, or comic strips for a more exciting presentation.
This year’s theme allows plenty of room for creativity. As student N. Nagulan, 12, of SJKT Rri Sungai Buloh puts it: “A better life for me is having a car that can be transformed into a radio.
CONCEPT OF A BETTER LIFE
“Not only will I then have a radio to listen to, the car folds neatly into my pocket as well. Parking will no longer be a problem!”
Teams will shoot a three-minute clip based on their perception of what makes a better life for them. While the team with the best video presentation will receive iPods, participation in the category is optional. Qualification for the merit and the grand prize awards depends solely on the mini magazine category.
Great prizes
While the students came with noble ideas, it was undeniable that a major motivation factor for participating in the competition were the attractive prizes offered.
- trip to Cambodia made the competition all the more enticing.
-iPods offered for the video-clip category
- competition makes learning English a lot of fun because we get to carry out activities we don’t normally do in class.
QSR Brands Bhd managing director Jamaludin Md Ali said: ”I feel that the theme this year is a good platform for students to express their creativity, as it gives them a wider scope to delve into. “Students can produce their magazine about almost anything, from issues about economics to their personal life.” He added that competitions like Mag Inc also made learning English more interesting.
Online registration for schools will open on April 1, and contest templates will be available on April 7 (with reprints on April 28). The contest is limited to schools and is open to primary (Years Four to Six), Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary teams.
BELOW IS THE COMPLETE ARTICLE FROM THE STAR ONLINE DATED 14 MARCH 2010
Sunday March 14, 2010
Towards a better life
What makes for a better life? Your ideas could just win RM100,000 worth of scholarships at Pizza Hut and The Star’s annual NiE contest.
By SHARON OVINIS and ALYCIA LIM
educate@thestar.com.my
At a time when the five C’s (Cars, Credit Cards, Condominium, Cash and Career) are priority to Generation Y, it’s refreshing to hear how four 14-year-olds concocted the five F’s for a better life.
Syahana Azhari, Vanessa Chip Shiao Ven, Ainaa Aiman Mohd Mashrique, and Aaron Luke of SMK Damansara Utama vouched that “Family, Food, Fun, Friends and Freedom” were sure tickets to quality living.
Excited: Pupils celebrate with mock-ups of their magazines and pizzas.
“What makes for a better life are face-to-face interactions. Social websites or gaming consoles are merely distractions,” said Syahana, while teammates Vanessa and Ainaa nodded in agreement — wise words indeed, from youngsters who have never known life without the Internet, mobile phones or social networking sites.
Vanessa added: “We should be grateful because we have everything that we need, and I feel it is time we do something to help those who do not even have basic necessities.”
A better life
Such enthusiasm to inspire change marked the start of The Star-Pizza Hut’s annual Newspaper-in-Education (NiE) contest which was launched last Tuesday in the Pizza Hut restaurant outlet in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya.
The contest concept, which requires students to produce a three-page mini magazine, is running for the second year. Last year’s theme “Teenage angst” saw 74,000 students submit entries to win Pizza Hut vouchers.
This year’s contest, jointly sponsored by The Star and Pizza Hut, in cooperation with the Education Ministry, centres on the theme “A better life”.
Pizzalicious: Students of SMK Bandar Baru Petaling and SK Sri Hartamas enjoying their pizzas.
Students, in teams of four or five, design a three-page mini magazine on an issue that changes their lives for the better.
Topics could centre on health, safety, racial integration and environment, among others.
Each team will have to conduct research on a selected topic, interview peers and write a feature article.
Students are also encouraged to to be more creative in their presentation by using a myriad of writing forms such as poetry, anecdotes, statistics, or comic strips for a more exciting presentation.
This year’s theme allows plenty of room for creativity. As student N. Nagulan, 12, of SJKT Rri Sungai Buloh puts it: “A better life for me is having a car that can be transformed into a radio.
Yeoh (second from left), Jamaludin, Wong and Ee Hong listening to students of SMK Damansara Utama as they explain their concept of “A better life”.
“Not only will I then have a radio to listen to, the car folds neatly into my pocket as well. Parking will no longer be a problem!”
After an encouraging submission of 800 entries for the video clip category last year, this part of the contest has been retained for students who want to try their skills at this genre.
Teams will shoot a three-minute clip based on their perception of what makes a better life for them. While the team with the best video presentation will receive iPods, participation in the category is optional.
Qualification for the merit and the grand prize awards depends solely on the mini magazine category.
Great prizes
While the students came with noble ideas, it was undeniable that a major motivation factor for participating in the competition were the attractive prizes offered.
Sathappan Somasundaram, 12, from SK Sri Hartamas, said that a trip to Cambodia made the competition all the more enticing.
“I really hope to win a trip to Siem Reap so I can see the Angkor Wat, which is one of the wonders of the world,” he said, adding that he would like to learn about the history and culture of Cambodia.
His classmate, Puteri Alisa Alishsal said that the iPods offered for the video-clip category was a good incentive for students to participate in that additional category.
“I also think the competition makes learning English a lot of fun because we get to carry out activities we don’t normally do in class.
“Not only are we learning something new, but are in the running for exciting prizes too!”
New ideas, anyone?
For the second consecutive year, Taylor’s University College is sponsoring the awesome grand prize of pre-university scholarships totalling RM100,000.
Five lucky students can choose to enrol in any one of the following programmes — South Australian Matriculation (SAM), International Canadian Pre-University (ICPU) or Cambridge A-Levels (CAL) — offered by Taylor’s Pre-U studies.
Taylor’s Institutional Marketing vice-president Loy Teik Inn said that it had always been a practice for Taylor’s University College to give scholarships as a means of recognising achievements.
“A competition like this requires a different set of skills.
“Winning a contest like Mag Inc is an accomplishment of a different kind.”
He added that when a scholarship was offered as one of the prizes, it would usually heighten the level of competition among students.
Taylor’s School of Communications dean Josephine Tan is optimistic that the contest would receive an even better response this year.
“The contest theme is an avenue for students to showcase their creativity.
“Since it focuses on aspects that can improve their lives through even the simplest of changes, students would find ample room for expressing their ideas.
“These young minds have many interesting and innovative ideas which we may not have even thought about,” added Tan.
Gracious support
Present to officially launch Mag Inc 2010 was Education Ministry sports director Ee Hong.
In her speech, Ee thanked corporate companies like The Star and Pizza Hut who generously lent their expertise to nation-building efforts.
“Formulate your thoughts and express your observations in ways that can help make this country better as we work towards values and morals that are relevant to our social order and, ultimately, One Malaysia,” she advised students.
QSR Brands Bhd managing director Jamaludin Md Ali said: ”I feel that the theme this year is a good platform for students to express their creativity, as it gives them a wider scope to delve into.
“Students can produce their magazine about almost anything, from issues about economics to their personal life.”
He added that competitions like Mag Inc also made learning English more interesting.
“It is a good avenue for students to brush up on their English language skills.
“It makes the learning process a fun and interactive one.”
Jamaludin said that he was appreciative of the strong support shown by the Education Ministry over the past years.
“I am very grateful for the interest generated by the ministry.
“What we are doing I believe, is just a small contribution to the bigger picture.”
He added that he looked forward to the finals in September, where six shortlisted teams will present their mini magazines to a panel of judges.
Pizza Hut will be spending more than RM1.4mil on Star-NiE pullouts, workshops, incentives and prizes for the contest this year.
Also present at the contest launch was The Star’s managing editor David Yeoh and QSR Brands Bhd (KFC/Pizza Hut Division) director Wong Sooi Kheong.
The Mag Inc 2010 contest workshops are currently running throughout Peninsular Malaysia.
Online registration for schools will open on April 1, and contest templates will be available on April 7 (with reprints on April 28).
The contest is limited to schools and is open to primary (Years Four to Six), Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary teams.
Towards a better life
Article 1
Article 2
Article 3 : original article
=============================
Article 1
Tuesday March 9, 2010
Students share a ‘better life’
PETALING JAYA: An end to child abuse. Less time spent on social media. More time for personal interaction.
These were among the suggestions from students who were asked on what they thought would contribute to a better world.
Twelve students, who were given 10 minutes to depict their version of “A Better Life”, highlighted these elements in a mock magazine at The Star-NiE-Pizza Hut’s Mag Inc launch yesterday.
The contest this year invites students to share their views on how their lives would be better through a three-page mini magazine. A “better life” could be in areas such as relationships, environment, education, social work and health.
Holistic development: (From left) Ee, Jamaludin and Yeoh launching The Star-NiE -Pizza Hut contest at the Pizza Hut Kota Damansara outlet Monday.
Students have to work in teams of four or five under the supervision of an English teacher for the competition, comprising three categories – Primary Four to Six, lower secondary and upper secondary.
For their efforts, winners in the upper secondary category will walk away with pre-university scholarships worth a total of RM100,000 from Taylor’s University College. The winning teams in each category will also be feted to a four-day, three-night stay in Siem Reap, Cambodia, with flight tickets sponsored by AirAsia; while the runners-up will enjoy a trip to Resorts World Genting and receive Pizza Hut vouchers.
Students submitting entries under the video clip category will have the chance to walk away with gadgets like iPods in addition to Pizza Hut vouchers worth RM100.
Education Ministry sports division director Ee Hong said the Mag Inc contest could help spur students to think critically as they would need to learn how to put together a mini magazine.
“Sports and co-curricular activities are important to students’ holistic deve¬¬lopment,” she said when launching Mag Inc 2010 at the Pizza Hut Kota Damansara outlet here yesterday.
Star Publications (M) Bhd managing editor David Yeoh said the newspaper was pleased to find that its hard work over the past 12 years had made a lasting impression on the local school community.
“This would not have been possible without the support of Pizza Hut, our partner in NiE, as well as the Education Ministry,” he said.
Managing director Jamaludin Md Ali of QSR Brands Bhd, which operates Pizza Hut, said the contest was part of its ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility programme in the education sector.
“Pizza Hut is committed to spending more than RM1.4mil on newspaper pullouts, workshops, incentives and prizes on the contest this year.”
The first contest workshop will be held in Tafe College, Seremban, on Wednesday and subsequently in Stamford College, Malacca, the following day.
See StarEducation for the full report on Sunday.
Posted by N.A.B at 10:04 AM
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Article 2
Sunday May 9, 2010 THE STAR
Edited from Star Online.. A possible future.. COURTING CHANGES
By Dr THEVA NITHY
The technology and resources are already available for electronic readers to transform our education landscape.
Picture this — Malaysian students walking into school compounds with light bags that require just one finger to carry. As they walk in, the day’s and week’s lessons, complete with lesson plans, notes, web links, assignments and problems for collaborative actions, are instantly downloaded into a gadget that looks suspiciously like an old-fashioned slate, but with an LED screen.
Is this a plausible scene, or is it a ridiculous notion?
An electronic reader is a computer in the form of a book, and has the potential to be immensely beneficial in the classroom. — AP File photo
Let me pose the following questions:
• Why destroy the earth and the environment with the unsustainable action of destroying trees to print books, all to create books that will be outdated the day they are sent for printing and obsolete when published?
• Why pay more to have books that can only be used in one way, when ER (Electronic Readers) could cheaply replace books, provide means for innovative classroom pedagogies, and could be updated continuously for almost forever?
• Why have books when ERs could be the catalyst for the development of broadband access for every school — hence transforming Malaysian education?
• Why force our children to carry heavy bags that damage their bodies when all they need is a lightweight ER?
The ER, a simple technological innovation, has the potential to completely transform Malaysian education, and only requires professional and political will to happen – with perhaps a dash of forward thinking and real concern for learners and educators.
It requires the Education Ministry to completely change their approach, and for our printing and publishing companies to retool themselves to offer a new service.
It also requires perhaps the Engineering and Computer Science experts at our universities and industries to build Malaysian-made ERs that are cheap, adaptable and most of all, completely sustainable.
An ER is simply a computer in the form of a book, with minimal capabilities except to read and write on and with web browsing capabilities. It has a local area connection, has plug and play upgradable components and best of all, it could easily be manufactured locally.
So, why does this amazing device not exist in Malaysian schools?
Long-term gain
In terms of purely financial commitments, the ER is much cheaper than textbooks. We believe that local technology could, albeit with some difficulty, create an ER for RM500 or so.
Keep in mind that the device is usable for at least five to 10 years, and updates to content and syllabus could be done hourly if necessary.
For comparison’s sake, what is the financial cost of 15 years worth of obsolete, un-updatable textbooks, from primary school right up to university?
Sure, it will involve a huge expenditure of capital to start-up, but we have the talent and the resources.
With the billions we are spending on weapons, food subsidies and textbooks, this would be an easy buy if we were to just divert funds from “needless” programmes to this crucial one!
With the ER, even exercise books could be done away with, as assignments could be completed on the device and sent directly to the teacher when logged on to the school network.
Realise that the important event that we want to transpire is to get everyone to have access to learning.
Reading from a textbook is just a different experience than reading from an ER. The important thing is the text, not the medium.
The introduction of ERs into every school in Malaysia, rural schools included, will spur the growth of broadband and access to truly cater to all Malaysians, especially to those who need it the most in rural schools.
We know that there will be detractors who will say that staring at a computer screen for long periods will cause eye-strain and related problems — but that is expected with any new technology.
Before ERs, everyone said that the textbooks strained students’ eyes because the texts were too small and students were reading for too long with bad lighting.
ERs are backlit, have almost zero glare due to the latest LED technology, text size can be customised and can feature animated movies to demonstrate dangerous experiments and create new learning experiences.
We also must point out that the application of this technology is not completely new — we are all already using ERs in one form or another in the likes of PDAs, mobile phones, paging devices and so on.
Why not evolve to the next stage where it can be used to enhance not just our social lives and comfort levels, but our education systems as well?
In spite of the proven track record of the role of technology and its capability to greatly enhance teaching practices, many traditional educators are not convinced simply because it really is difficult to access technology in our schools – and this certainly is a case of seeing is believing.
With easy access, implementation and operationalising of ERs in classrooms, learners, teachers, parents and stakeholders will start thinking and incorporating technology into teaching and learning in a whole new way.
We are confident that authors, publishing companies and other parties with financial interests and political clout will raise a huge stink should this materialise.
As such, we need the support of someone with the highest levels of power and with focused attention to our nation and our national interests.
Conducted properly, this would aid tremendously in the development of the New Economic Model and achieve buy-in by Malaysians for the eight Strategic Reform Initiatives.
Stakeholders would clearly see that our future talent is being placed on the right track and that the powers that be are in touch with global educational developments, objectives and expected outcomes.
Dr Theva is a senior lecturer at The School of Educational Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Through this fortnightly column and through the ENGAGE Programme – Education for Sustainable Global Futures – USM has started, he and his colleagues hope to help transform the Malaysian schooling and higher education systems. He can be contacted through
theva@usm.my.
Article 3 : original article
What makes for a better life?
STUDENTS... TAKE NOTE OF THIS ... YOU COULD WIN RM100,000 worth of scholarships at Pizza Hut and The Star’s annual NiE contest
Sunday March 14, 2010 EDITED ARTICLE FROM THE STAR - Towards a better life
By SHARON OVINIS and ALYCIA LIM educate@thestar.com.my
At a time when the five C’s (Cars, Credit Cards, Condominium, Cash and Career) are priority to Generation Y, it’s refreshing to hear how four 14-year-olds concocted the five F’s for a better life.
A FEW STUDENTS FROM SMK Damansara Utama vouched that “Family, Food, Fun, Friends and Freedom” were sure tickets to quality living.
“What makes for a better life are face-to-face interactions. Social websites or gaming consoles are merely distractions,” said Syahana, while teammates Vanessa and Ainaa nodded in agreement — wise words indeed, from youngsters who have never known life without the Internet, mobile phones or social networking sites.
Vanessa added: “We should be grateful because we have everything that we need, and I feel it is time we do something to help those who do not even have basic necessities.”
A better life - Such enthusiasm to inspire change marked the start of The Star-Pizza Hut’s annual Newspaper-in-Education (NiE) contest which was launched last Tuesday in the Pizza Hut restaurant outlet in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya.
The contest concept, which requires students to produce a three-page mini magazine, is running for the second year. Last year’s theme “Teenage angst” saw 74,000 students submit entries to win Pizza Hut vouchers.
This year’s contest, jointly sponsored by The Star and Pizza Hut, in cooperation with the Education Ministry, centres on the theme “A better life”.
Students, in teams of four or five, design a three-page mini magazine on an issue that changes their lives for the better. Topics could centre on health, safety, racial integration and environment, among others. Each team will have to conduct research on a selected topic, interview peers and write a feature article.
Students are also encouraged to to be more creative in their presentation by using a myriad of writing forms such as poetry, anecdotes, statistics, or comic strips for a more exciting presentation.
This year’s theme allows plenty of room for creativity. As student N. Nagulan, 12, of SJKT Rri Sungai Buloh puts it: “A better life for me is having a car that can be transformed into a radio.
CONCEPT OF A BETTER LIFE
“Not only will I then have a radio to listen to, the car folds neatly into my pocket as well. Parking will no longer be a problem!”
Teams will shoot a three-minute clip based on their perception of what makes a better life for them. While the team with the best video presentation will receive iPods, participation in the category is optional. Qualification for the merit and the grand prize awards depends solely on the mini magazine category.
Great prizes
While the students came with noble ideas, it was undeniable that a major motivation factor for participating in the competition were the attractive prizes offered.
- trip to Cambodia made the competition all the more enticing.
-iPods offered for the video-clip category
- competition makes learning English a lot of fun because we get to carry out activities we don’t normally do in class.
QSR Brands Bhd managing director Jamaludin Md Ali said: ”I feel that the theme this year is a good platform for students to express their creativity, as it gives them a wider scope to delve into. “Students can produce their magazine about almost anything, from issues about economics to their personal life.” He added that competitions like Mag Inc also made learning English more interesting.
Online registration for schools will open on April 1, and contest templates will be available on April 7 (with reprints on April 28). The contest is limited to schools and is open to primary (Years Four to Six), Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary teams.
BELOW IS THE COMPLETE ARTICLE FROM THE STAR ONLINE DATED 14 MARCH 2010
Sunday March 14, 2010
Towards a better life
What makes for a better life? Your ideas could just win RM100,000 worth of scholarships at Pizza Hut and The Star’s annual NiE contest.
By SHARON OVINIS and ALYCIA LIM
educate@thestar.com.my
At a time when the five C’s (Cars, Credit Cards, Condominium, Cash and Career) are priority to Generation Y, it’s refreshing to hear how four 14-year-olds concocted the five F’s for a better life.
Syahana Azhari, Vanessa Chip Shiao Ven, Ainaa Aiman Mohd Mashrique, and Aaron Luke of SMK Damansara Utama vouched that “Family, Food, Fun, Friends and Freedom” were sure tickets to quality living.
Excited: Pupils celebrate with mock-ups of their magazines and pizzas.
“What makes for a better life are face-to-face interactions. Social websites or gaming consoles are merely distractions,” said Syahana, while teammates Vanessa and Ainaa nodded in agreement — wise words indeed, from youngsters who have never known life without the Internet, mobile phones or social networking sites.
Vanessa added: “We should be grateful because we have everything that we need, and I feel it is time we do something to help those who do not even have basic necessities.”
A better life
Such enthusiasm to inspire change marked the start of The Star-Pizza Hut’s annual Newspaper-in-Education (NiE) contest which was launched last Tuesday in the Pizza Hut restaurant outlet in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya.
The contest concept, which requires students to produce a three-page mini magazine, is running for the second year. Last year’s theme “Teenage angst” saw 74,000 students submit entries to win Pizza Hut vouchers.
This year’s contest, jointly sponsored by The Star and Pizza Hut, in cooperation with the Education Ministry, centres on the theme “A better life”.
Pizzalicious: Students of SMK Bandar Baru Petaling and SK Sri Hartamas enjoying their pizzas.
Students, in teams of four or five, design a three-page mini magazine on an issue that changes their lives for the better.
Topics could centre on health, safety, racial integration and environment, among others.
Each team will have to conduct research on a selected topic, interview peers and write a feature article.
Students are also encouraged to to be more creative in their presentation by using a myriad of writing forms such as poetry, anecdotes, statistics, or comic strips for a more exciting presentation.
This year’s theme allows plenty of room for creativity. As student N. Nagulan, 12, of SJKT Rri Sungai Buloh puts it: “A better life for me is having a car that can be transformed into a radio.
Yeoh (second from left), Jamaludin, Wong and Ee Hong listening to students of SMK Damansara Utama as they explain their concept of “A better life”.
“Not only will I then have a radio to listen to, the car folds neatly into my pocket as well. Parking will no longer be a problem!”
After an encouraging submission of 800 entries for the video clip category last year, this part of the contest has been retained for students who want to try their skills at this genre.
Teams will shoot a three-minute clip based on their perception of what makes a better life for them. While the team with the best video presentation will receive iPods, participation in the category is optional.
Qualification for the merit and the grand prize awards depends solely on the mini magazine category.
Great prizes
While the students came with noble ideas, it was undeniable that a major motivation factor for participating in the competition were the attractive prizes offered.
Sathappan Somasundaram, 12, from SK Sri Hartamas, said that a trip to Cambodia made the competition all the more enticing.
“I really hope to win a trip to Siem Reap so I can see the Angkor Wat, which is one of the wonders of the world,” he said, adding that he would like to learn about the history and culture of Cambodia.
His classmate, Puteri Alisa Alishsal said that the iPods offered for the video-clip category was a good incentive for students to participate in that additional category.
“I also think the competition makes learning English a lot of fun because we get to carry out activities we don’t normally do in class.
“Not only are we learning something new, but are in the running for exciting prizes too!”
New ideas, anyone?
For the second consecutive year, Taylor’s University College is sponsoring the awesome grand prize of pre-university scholarships totalling RM100,000.
Five lucky students can choose to enrol in any one of the following programmes — South Australian Matriculation (SAM), International Canadian Pre-University (ICPU) or Cambridge A-Levels (CAL) — offered by Taylor’s Pre-U studies.
Taylor’s Institutional Marketing vice-president Loy Teik Inn said that it had always been a practice for Taylor’s University College to give scholarships as a means of recognising achievements.
“A competition like this requires a different set of skills.
“Winning a contest like Mag Inc is an accomplishment of a different kind.”
He added that when a scholarship was offered as one of the prizes, it would usually heighten the level of competition among students.
Taylor’s School of Communications dean Josephine Tan is optimistic that the contest would receive an even better response this year.
“The contest theme is an avenue for students to showcase their creativity.
“Since it focuses on aspects that can improve their lives through even the simplest of changes, students would find ample room for expressing their ideas.
“These young minds have many interesting and innovative ideas which we may not have even thought about,” added Tan.
Gracious support
Present to officially launch Mag Inc 2010 was Education Ministry sports director Ee Hong.
In her speech, Ee thanked corporate companies like The Star and Pizza Hut who generously lent their expertise to nation-building efforts.
“Formulate your thoughts and express your observations in ways that can help make this country better as we work towards values and morals that are relevant to our social order and, ultimately, One Malaysia,” she advised students.
QSR Brands Bhd managing director Jamaludin Md Ali said: ”I feel that the theme this year is a good platform for students to express their creativity, as it gives them a wider scope to delve into.
“Students can produce their magazine about almost anything, from issues about economics to their personal life.”
He added that competitions like Mag Inc also made learning English more interesting.
“It is a good avenue for students to brush up on their English language skills.
“It makes the learning process a fun and interactive one.”
Jamaludin said that he was appreciative of the strong support shown by the Education Ministry over the past years.
“I am very grateful for the interest generated by the ministry.
“What we are doing I believe, is just a small contribution to the bigger picture.”
He added that he looked forward to the finals in September, where six shortlisted teams will present their mini magazines to a panel of judges.
Pizza Hut will be spending more than RM1.4mil on Star-NiE pullouts, workshops, incentives and prizes for the contest this year.
Also present at the contest launch was The Star’s managing editor David Yeoh and QSR Brands Bhd (KFC/Pizza Hut Division) director Wong Sooi Kheong.
The Mag Inc 2010 contest workshops are currently running throughout Peninsular Malaysia.
Online registration for schools will open on April 1, and contest templates will be available on April 7 (with reprints on April 28).
The contest is limited to schools and is open to primary (Years Four to Six), Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary teams.
Students share a ‘better life’ from Star Online march 9 2010
Tuesday March 9, 2010
Students share a ‘better life’
PETALING JAYA: An end to child abuse. Less time spent on social media. More time for personal interaction.
These were among the suggestions from students who were asked on what they thought would contribute to a better world.
Twelve students, who were given 10 minutes to depict their version of “A Better Life”, highlighted these elements in a mock magazine at The Star-NiE-Pizza Hut’s Mag Inc launch yesterday.
The contest this year invites students to share their views on how their lives would be better through a three-page mini magazine. A “better life” could be in areas such as relationships, environment, education, social work and health.
Holistic development: (From left) Ee, Jamaludin and Yeoh launching The Star-NiE -Pizza Hut contest at the Pizza Hut Kota Damansara outlet Monday.
Students have to work in teams of four or five under the supervision of an English teacher for the competition, comprising three categories – Primary Four to Six, lower secondary and upper secondary.
For their efforts, winners in the upper secondary category will walk away with pre-university scholarships worth a total of RM100,000 from Taylor’s University College. The winning teams in each category will also be feted to a four-day, three-night stay in Siem Reap, Cambodia, with flight tickets sponsored by AirAsia; while the runners-up will enjoy a trip to Resorts World Genting and receive Pizza Hut vouchers.
Students submitting entries under the video clip category will have the chance to walk away with gadgets like iPods in addition to Pizza Hut vouchers worth RM100.
Education Ministry sports division director Ee Hong said the Mag Inc contest could help spur students to think critically as they would need to learn how to put together a mini magazine.
“Sports and co-curricular activities are important to students’ holistic development,” she said when launching Mag Inc 2010 at the Pizza Hut Kota Damansara outlet here yesterday.
Star Publications (M) Bhd managing editor David Yeoh said the newspaper was pleased to find that its hard work over the past 12 years had made a lasting impression on the local school community.
“This would not have been possible without the support of Pizza Hut, our partner in NiE, as well as the Education Ministry,” he said.
Managing director Jamaludin Md Ali of QSR Brands Bhd, which operates Pizza Hut, said the contest was part of its ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility programme in the education sector.
“Pizza Hut is committed to spending more than RM1.4mil on newspaper pullouts, workshops, incentives and prizes on the contest this year.”
The first contest workshop will be held in Tafe College, Seremban, on Wednesday and subsequently in Stamford College, Malacca, the following day.
See StarEducation for the full report on Sunday.
Students share a ‘better life’
PETALING JAYA: An end to child abuse. Less time spent on social media. More time for personal interaction.
These were among the suggestions from students who were asked on what they thought would contribute to a better world.
Twelve students, who were given 10 minutes to depict their version of “A Better Life”, highlighted these elements in a mock magazine at The Star-NiE-Pizza Hut’s Mag Inc launch yesterday.
The contest this year invites students to share their views on how their lives would be better through a three-page mini magazine. A “better life” could be in areas such as relationships, environment, education, social work and health.
Holistic development: (From left) Ee, Jamaludin and Yeoh launching The Star-NiE -Pizza Hut contest at the Pizza Hut Kota Damansara outlet Monday.
Students have to work in teams of four or five under the supervision of an English teacher for the competition, comprising three categories – Primary Four to Six, lower secondary and upper secondary.
For their efforts, winners in the upper secondary category will walk away with pre-university scholarships worth a total of RM100,000 from Taylor’s University College. The winning teams in each category will also be feted to a four-day, three-night stay in Siem Reap, Cambodia, with flight tickets sponsored by AirAsia; while the runners-up will enjoy a trip to Resorts World Genting and receive Pizza Hut vouchers.
Students submitting entries under the video clip category will have the chance to walk away with gadgets like iPods in addition to Pizza Hut vouchers worth RM100.
Education Ministry sports division director Ee Hong said the Mag Inc contest could help spur students to think critically as they would need to learn how to put together a mini magazine.
“Sports and co-curricular activities are important to students’ holistic development,” she said when launching Mag Inc 2010 at the Pizza Hut Kota Damansara outlet here yesterday.
Star Publications (M) Bhd managing editor David Yeoh said the newspaper was pleased to find that its hard work over the past 12 years had made a lasting impression on the local school community.
“This would not have been possible without the support of Pizza Hut, our partner in NiE, as well as the Education Ministry,” he said.
Managing director Jamaludin Md Ali of QSR Brands Bhd, which operates Pizza Hut, said the contest was part of its ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility programme in the education sector.
“Pizza Hut is committed to spending more than RM1.4mil on newspaper pullouts, workshops, incentives and prizes on the contest this year.”
The first contest workshop will be held in Tafe College, Seremban, on Wednesday and subsequently in Stamford College, Malacca, the following day.
See StarEducation for the full report on Sunday.
Being preseverance... dont give up..
Sunday May 9, 2010
Don’t give up
PERSEVERANCE can be defined as the art of trying again until you get what you are aiming for, despite a series of failures — a common attribute in successful people.
As such, WynKids Research and Development dean Yvonne Lim thinks that good parenting involves preparing children to face obstacles by helping them develop perseverance skills.
“Whether a situation requires physical endurance or emotional maturity, the ability to ‘go on’ ensures success,” she says.
“This why perseverance is one important value we focus on in our six-month programmes, where we motivate children through activities and games.”
WynKids is a learning institute which provides holistic programmes for children between the ages of seven and 17, with the aim of encouraging each participant’s full potential.
According to Lim, one way parents can help model and encourage perseverance in their children is by providing encouragement.
“Positive and honest feedback goes a long way in helping your child see situations realistically.
“By doing so, your child can have the confidence to continue moving forward,” she says.
For instance, if a task appears overwhelming to a child, parents can help show support by giving reassurance that he or she is going in the right direction.
Additionally, by teaching children how to break large tasks into small and achievable goals, children will find it easier to stick to finishing the said task.
“For example, if your child is learning swimming, celebrate each step; from learning to float to doing proper leg movements,” says Lim.
“That way, your child won’t be overwhelmed with the pressure of having to achieve something large all at once, but feels that things can be done step by step.”
Lim also advises parents to stress the importance of completing a task, even if the results are less than stellar.
“Instead of looking at something as a failure, credit your child for his resilience in pulling through rather than giving up,” she says.
There are two intakes per year for WynKids programmes, and registration for the June session is currently open.
A promotional fee and a free one- or three-day camp will be offered for a limited period, depending on the participant’s age.
For further information, log on to
www.wynkids.com or call 03-6142 8133 or 016-368 8861.
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Don’t give up
PERSEVERANCE can be defined as the art of trying again until you get what you are aiming for, despite a series of failures — a common attribute in successful people.
As such, WynKids Research and Development dean Yvonne Lim thinks that good parenting involves preparing children to face obstacles by helping them develop perseverance skills.
“Whether a situation requires physical endurance or emotional maturity, the ability to ‘go on’ ensures success,” she says.
“This why perseverance is one important value we focus on in our six-month programmes, where we motivate children through activities and games.”
WynKids is a learning institute which provides holistic programmes for children between the ages of seven and 17, with the aim of encouraging each participant’s full potential.
According to Lim, one way parents can help model and encourage perseverance in their children is by providing encouragement.
“Positive and honest feedback goes a long way in helping your child see situations realistically.
“By doing so, your child can have the confidence to continue moving forward,” she says.
For instance, if a task appears overwhelming to a child, parents can help show support by giving reassurance that he or she is going in the right direction.
Additionally, by teaching children how to break large tasks into small and achievable goals, children will find it easier to stick to finishing the said task.
“For example, if your child is learning swimming, celebrate each step; from learning to float to doing proper leg movements,” says Lim.
“That way, your child won’t be overwhelmed with the pressure of having to achieve something large all at once, but feels that things can be done step by step.”
Lim also advises parents to stress the importance of completing a task, even if the results are less than stellar.
“Instead of looking at something as a failure, credit your child for his resilience in pulling through rather than giving up,” she says.
There are two intakes per year for WynKids programmes, and registration for the June session is currently open.
A promotional fee and a free one- or three-day camp will be offered for a limited period, depending on the participant’s age.
For further information, log on to
www.wynkids.com or call 03-6142 8133 or 016-368 8861.
Ads by Google
Be a Good ParentProtection for every stage in your child's life. Find out morewww.prudential.com.my
Learn to SwimFind Swimming Lessons in Your Area Connecting You To Swimming -www.Swim.com/Swimming-Lessons
Music Helps Reading, How?Kindermusik Can Help Your Baby Signup for a Trial Class Today!www.kindermusikatsim.com.my
Surely a better life for students....
Sunday May 9, 2010 THE STAR
Edited from Star Online.. A possible future.. COURTING CHANGES
By Dr THEVA NITHY
The technology and resources are already available for electronic readers to transform our education landscape.
Picture this — Malaysian students walking into school compounds with light bags that require just one finger to carry. As they walk in, the day’s and week’s lessons, complete with lesson plans, notes, web links, assignments and problems for collaborative actions, are instantly downloaded into a gadget that looks suspiciously like an old-fashioned slate, but with an LED screen.
Is this a plausible scene, or is it a ridiculous notion?
An electronic reader is a computer in the form of a book, and has the potential to be immensely beneficial in the classroom. — AP File photo
Let me pose the following questions:
· Why destroy the earth and the environment with the unsustainable action of destroying trees to print books, all to create books that will be outdated the day they are sent for printing and obsolete when published?
· Why pay more to have books that can only be used in one way, when ER (Electronic Readers) could cheaply replace books, provide means for innovative classroom pedagogies, and could be updated continuously for almost forever?
· Why have books when ERs could be the catalyst for the development of broadband access for every school — hence transforming Malaysian education?
· Why force our children to carry heavy bags that damage their bodies when all they need is a lightweight ER?
The ER, a simple technological innovation, has the potential to completely transform Malaysian education, and only requires professional and political will to happen – with perhaps a dash of forward thinking and real concern for learners and educators.
It requires the Education Ministry to completely change their approach, and for our printing and publishing companies to retool themselves to offer a new service.
It also requires perhaps the Engineering and Computer Science experts at our universities and industries to build Malaysian-made ERs that are cheap, adaptable and most of all, completely sustainable.
An ER is simply a computer in the form of a book, with minimal capabilities except to read and write on and with web browsing capabilities. It has a local area connection, has plug and play upgradable components and best of all, it could easily be manufactured locally.
So, why does this amazing device not exist in Malaysian schools?
Long-term gain
In terms of purely financial commitments, the ER is much cheaper than textbooks. We believe that local technology could, albeit with some difficulty, create an ER for RM500 or so.
Keep in mind that the device is usable for at least five to 10 years, and updates to content and syllabus could be done hourly if necessary.
For comparison’s sake, what is the financial cost of 15 years worth of obsolete, un-updatable textbooks, from primary school right up to university?
Sure, it will involve a huge expenditure of capital to start-up, but we have the talent and the resources.
With the billions we are spending on weapons, food subsidies and textbooks, this would be an easy buy if we were to just divert funds from “needless” programmes to this crucial one!
With the ER, even exercise books could be done away with, as assignments could be completed on the device and sent directly to the teacher when logged on to the school network.
Realise that the important event that we want to transpire is to get everyone to have access to learning.
Reading from a textbook is just a different experience than reading from an ER. The important thing is the text, not the medium.
The introduction of ERs into every school in Malaysia, rural schools included, will spur the growth of broadband and access to truly cater to all Malaysians, especially to those who need it the most in rural schools.
We know that there will be detractors who will say that staring at a computer screen for long periods will cause eye-strain and related problems — but that is expected with any new technology.
Before ERs, everyone said that the textbooks strained students’ eyes because the texts were too small and students were reading for too long with bad lighting.
ERs are backlit, have almost zero glare due to the latest LED technology, text size can be customised and can feature animated movies to demonstrate dangerous experiments and create new learning experiences.
We also must point out that the application of this technology is not completely new — we are all already using ERs in one form or another in the likes of PDAs, mobile phones, paging devices and so on.
Why not evolve to the next stage where it can be used to enhance not just our social lives and comfort levels, but our education systems as well?
In spite of the proven track record of the role of technology and its capability to greatly enhance teaching practices, many traditional educators are not convinced simply because it really is difficult to access technology in our schools – and this certainly is a case of seeing is believing.
With easy access, implementation and operationalising of ERs in classrooms, learners, teachers, parents and stakeholders will start thinking and incorporating technology into teaching and learning in a whole new way.
We are confident that authors, publishing companies and other parties with financial interests and political clout will raise a huge stink should this materialise.
As such, we need the support of someone with the highest levels of power and with focused attention to our nation and our national interests.
Conducted properly, this would aid tremendously in the development of the New Economic Model and achieve buy-in by Malaysians for the eight Strategic Reform Initiatives.
Stakeholders would clearly see that our future talent is being placed on the right track and that the powers that be are in touch with global educational developments, objectives and expected outcomes.
Dr Theva is a senior lecturer at The School of Educational Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Through this fortnightly column and through the ENGAGE Programme – Education for Sustainable Global Futures – USM has started, he and his colleagues hope to help transform the Malaysian schooling and higher education systems. He can be contacted through
theva@usm.my.
Edited from Star Online.. A possible future.. COURTING CHANGES
By Dr THEVA NITHY
The technology and resources are already available for electronic readers to transform our education landscape.
Picture this — Malaysian students walking into school compounds with light bags that require just one finger to carry. As they walk in, the day’s and week’s lessons, complete with lesson plans, notes, web links, assignments and problems for collaborative actions, are instantly downloaded into a gadget that looks suspiciously like an old-fashioned slate, but with an LED screen.
Is this a plausible scene, or is it a ridiculous notion?
An electronic reader is a computer in the form of a book, and has the potential to be immensely beneficial in the classroom. — AP File photo
Let me pose the following questions:
· Why destroy the earth and the environment with the unsustainable action of destroying trees to print books, all to create books that will be outdated the day they are sent for printing and obsolete when published?
· Why pay more to have books that can only be used in one way, when ER (Electronic Readers) could cheaply replace books, provide means for innovative classroom pedagogies, and could be updated continuously for almost forever?
· Why have books when ERs could be the catalyst for the development of broadband access for every school — hence transforming Malaysian education?
· Why force our children to carry heavy bags that damage their bodies when all they need is a lightweight ER?
The ER, a simple technological innovation, has the potential to completely transform Malaysian education, and only requires professional and political will to happen – with perhaps a dash of forward thinking and real concern for learners and educators.
It requires the Education Ministry to completely change their approach, and for our printing and publishing companies to retool themselves to offer a new service.
It also requires perhaps the Engineering and Computer Science experts at our universities and industries to build Malaysian-made ERs that are cheap, adaptable and most of all, completely sustainable.
An ER is simply a computer in the form of a book, with minimal capabilities except to read and write on and with web browsing capabilities. It has a local area connection, has plug and play upgradable components and best of all, it could easily be manufactured locally.
So, why does this amazing device not exist in Malaysian schools?
Long-term gain
In terms of purely financial commitments, the ER is much cheaper than textbooks. We believe that local technology could, albeit with some difficulty, create an ER for RM500 or so.
Keep in mind that the device is usable for at least five to 10 years, and updates to content and syllabus could be done hourly if necessary.
For comparison’s sake, what is the financial cost of 15 years worth of obsolete, un-updatable textbooks, from primary school right up to university?
Sure, it will involve a huge expenditure of capital to start-up, but we have the talent and the resources.
With the billions we are spending on weapons, food subsidies and textbooks, this would be an easy buy if we were to just divert funds from “needless” programmes to this crucial one!
With the ER, even exercise books could be done away with, as assignments could be completed on the device and sent directly to the teacher when logged on to the school network.
Realise that the important event that we want to transpire is to get everyone to have access to learning.
Reading from a textbook is just a different experience than reading from an ER. The important thing is the text, not the medium.
The introduction of ERs into every school in Malaysia, rural schools included, will spur the growth of broadband and access to truly cater to all Malaysians, especially to those who need it the most in rural schools.
We know that there will be detractors who will say that staring at a computer screen for long periods will cause eye-strain and related problems — but that is expected with any new technology.
Before ERs, everyone said that the textbooks strained students’ eyes because the texts were too small and students were reading for too long with bad lighting.
ERs are backlit, have almost zero glare due to the latest LED technology, text size can be customised and can feature animated movies to demonstrate dangerous experiments and create new learning experiences.
We also must point out that the application of this technology is not completely new — we are all already using ERs in one form or another in the likes of PDAs, mobile phones, paging devices and so on.
Why not evolve to the next stage where it can be used to enhance not just our social lives and comfort levels, but our education systems as well?
In spite of the proven track record of the role of technology and its capability to greatly enhance teaching practices, many traditional educators are not convinced simply because it really is difficult to access technology in our schools – and this certainly is a case of seeing is believing.
With easy access, implementation and operationalising of ERs in classrooms, learners, teachers, parents and stakeholders will start thinking and incorporating technology into teaching and learning in a whole new way.
We are confident that authors, publishing companies and other parties with financial interests and political clout will raise a huge stink should this materialise.
As such, we need the support of someone with the highest levels of power and with focused attention to our nation and our national interests.
Conducted properly, this would aid tremendously in the development of the New Economic Model and achieve buy-in by Malaysians for the eight Strategic Reform Initiatives.
Stakeholders would clearly see that our future talent is being placed on the right track and that the powers that be are in touch with global educational developments, objectives and expected outcomes.
Dr Theva is a senior lecturer at The School of Educational Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Through this fortnightly column and through the ENGAGE Programme – Education for Sustainable Global Futures – USM has started, he and his colleagues hope to help transform the Malaysian schooling and higher education systems. He can be contacted through
theva@usm.my.
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