Learning Journey...: 2006

Saturday, December 30, 2006

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Some learning points...my reflection...

(a) ePortfolio
I first came across the term ePortfolio when we embarked on a collaborative project with NIE back in 2004, using the Knowledge Community... whereby pupils' discussion were captured in the online discussion forum and teachers serve as moderators to the discussions. It was a new way to be involved in pupils' learning, to participate in their learning, though it could be tedious and massive as we were to monitor our pupils' as well as the partnering school's pupils' posting (as it's a collaborative project).

The entire process provides another dimension to learning, ie. borderless - physical environment and time... anytime, anywhere... pupils were excited as they got the chance to interact to counterparts in the other part of the country... moreover, because they work with 'strangers'... that they had never meet before, it added some form of mystery (note at that time mms and 3G phones had not come into the picture yet).

In the presentation, Shuqun primary shared the use of moodle as a platform that 'holds' the pupils' artefacts and journey of learning... it seems quite different from my initial idea of ePortfolio. How they did it... pupils' task and work were uploaded, the various versions of draft. Pupils' reflection and teachers' feedback were captured in a spreadsheet... nevertheless, the impression was 'project'-based... it's like tracking the journey to the completion of a project. It did not use a very sophisticated ICT system. Well, I think, if the pupils were to track their journey over the years (with a compilation of projects in various stages of their primary education jourvey), yes... the ePortfolio 'project' is a successful one... so, with the beautiful processes shared... now it leaves very much to for us to see the technology that the school has adopted is able to manage the documentation of the journey.

(b) Podcasting

Henderson Secondary shared the use of podcasting in Humanities... It was impressive, especially when we heard from the horses' mouth - the 2 pupils who shared their experience. To many of us, I think it sounded more like a project than something that was integrated so seamlessly into the lesson proper. On the other hand, I applaud the teacher's creative means to engage pupils in a subject that is 'chim' to many... and congratulate his success! It would be very interesting to see how Maths taps on the use of podcasting to bring about a different learning experience... that the school is going to do next year...

On the other hand, Blangah Rise Primary experimented with one class on the use of mp3 player in the learning of language - where pupils learn the proper pronunciation of words, the intonation, etc... The 'experiment' dispelled the 'myth' that only pupils of an older age are able to handle equipment well. I think, nothing is impossible until one has tried... if the teacher has not chosen a P2 class to work on this 'experiment', many of us will still living with the belief that "P2 is too young to play with these equipment". While the pupils enjoyed the activity, some very real challenges or 'problems' were also highlighted (eg. the need of technical support like TA to download the files from the mp3 players, having to spend 2 double period to familiarise the P2 pupils on the operation of the equipment)... which I thought it was very good, rather than presenting a too-good-to-be-true kind of impression.

Indeed, this got me recall a similar kind of 'gungho' spirit of Serene Lee from Si Ling Pri, when P3 classes used 3G phones in the Maths Trail... ok, 世上无难事，只怕有心人。

Bravo!

(c) The Use of Open Source Software (OSS)

Chua Chu Kang Primary shared the use of edubuntu... first heard about this from Alvin, while we were preparing for the ICET this July. The teachers shared the use of some of the features that came with the learning environment - ultimately, it's just another "OS" in the sense that it provides an "one-stop" environment. As pointed out by the presenters, the biggest draw to use edubuntu is that it's free... and it's easy to access... can just boot up from the CD. That reminds me of the days of using MS DOS disk to boot up my 286 PC that did not come with any hard disk. The presenters also pointed out that this would have catered to instances when pupils do not have the office applications at home... ok, there's probably a growing number, but my personal guess is most home PCs are still equipped with the office applications.

The presentation has not really highlighted how the environment that is created with OSS has impacted on the learning experience of the pupils (apart from making it accessible to pupils). Some 'benefits' include pupils become more forthcoming in learning, being more motivated... on a second thought, these seem motherhood... it has yet brought out the value of using this OSS environment.

(d) Use of Games SEEDinIT - virtual learning environment supplementing experiential learning for P1 & P2 Pupils

While viewing the activity that was created to bring about the authentic learning environment, one thought... why schools are willing to spend some much time, effort and resources (including $) to create the resources while there isn't a lack of such professionals in the market who can do something similar...

it's just like asking... back at the beginning of mp1 or even earlier... will a school create a CD ROM kind of product while the market actually can produce it?

We know that being in the involvement comes with flexibility and customisation... on the other hand, I just wonder... where's the balance? It seems like there are lots of 'IT enterprises' that are growing in schools...

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Staff Retreat 2006 (8-9 Nov)

Day 1:

The grouping... how it's done:
All participants arrange themselves according to the date and birth (excluding the year)... OK, interesting discovery: am having the same birthday as Darren! Also, Sai Choo is last in the queue... just wondering... is her birthday on 31 December? Charles is right at the front... 1 January?

(a) Fearsome Factor
Description
An ice-breaker whereby each group is given a list of items to find. That includes some insects that are alive, a can of coke, a bag of sea water and a ball.

Some thoughts...
- There is no competition... indeed, it's sharing... sharing of resources and collaboration... there's no win or lose... each team tried to fulfill the items in a checklist... just like everybody's sitting for the same exam.

Oops!!! That reminded me that excessive sharing and collaboration is no good! Remember the days when working with the trainee teachers in Bhutan, to help their friends, they share with other classes what is going to be tested after they sat for a test... in ended up we had to set multiple sets of questions to address to that problem, and also have to rationalise with them the objective of assessments! OK, perhaps different culture, different mindsets?

(b) 3D Icon Challenge
Description
Each group to come up with an icon and draw it on a chart paper. We get to vote for our favourite icons... pretty interesting representations.

In our group, Tze Hwei came up with one made up of 2 letters - well, depending how we want to interpret... "W" or "M" or "E" and "C" or "U"... depending on our perspectives.

Some thoughts on this...
- it's important to be able to see things from different perspectives... though it may be presented as "C" and "E"... "U" and "W"... one even saw the chinese character "山" and interpret as "稳如泰山". See! How imaginative and creative one can be! and that probably reminds us that often we are so used to see from one perspective (ours??!!!) and forget to stand back and take a look from another angle!

(c) Wells of the Deep

Description

It's really about expect the unexpected... it tested our beliefs and assumptions! Through this simple 'jig-saw' puzzle - it brings out a few human behaviours. The mental model and behaviours are quite clearly displayed in this activity.

Are we bother to look what's out there, next to us? It's just like I spotted the next group actually holding on to the printouts... hey, do we have? If not, can they share? That's what happen when we do not know what to do or how to get started off with... then look around! We may get some clue to help us get started! Of course, the other group, though holding on to a whole stack of printouts did not bother to check around if others have it or not? They are not aware that they play the role of providing the start-up support to others!

Though the puzzles are divided among 16 groups, there were only 15 sets of puzzle! So, it's testing our 'by-default' assumption! We take for granted that certain parameters must be 'constant'...

At one point, the team decided that it's better to fulfill others' wishes... and we became generous to send all our pieces away! Well, sometimes it's good to help others to succeed, isn't it? On the other hand, we were 'conned' into giving up a diagram that we were amost half finished!!! One pair came to us and said they have already had most of the pieces, except those that were with us! So, we decided to collaborate and give them what we had... guess what happened? When we 'survey' their puzzle about 10 minutes later, it was only about 2/3 completed. In my heart, just wonder... Hey, honesty counts! where's your integrity? Though it's a game, certain undesireable characteristics were surfaced! It's dissappointing, especially when it comes from an education officer!

Learnt another thing, too... that is, do not see things by the surface and immediately jump into conclusion or action (without much thinking)! For example, we started off sieving out those pictures with straight edges - which is the normal practice when working on a jigsaw puzzle... however we forget that each group could have parts of the different puzzles! One assumption... however, that was very quickly resolved when someone said, look at the back of the puzzle! We can sieve/organise by the colour at the back of the puzzle! So, do not look at the surface of things only! We need to examine the 'background' and 'rationale' before jumping into conclusion if we owe the matter or not!

(d) Where are You? In search of your cloth peg

Description

Everybody wrote our name on a cloth peg. These were collected and scattered all over the field. The team was blind-folded and led by the leader, who's the only person who can see... Then each were to get back their own 'name' peg.

Some thoughts...

The wrap-up session of this activity was good where key points were clearly highlighted by everybody...

As a leader: Give clear instructions and do not assume others share the same viewpoint (the members need guidance). It is necessary to care, motivate and give assurance to the members... that keeps the team moving.

As a follower: (I like this) Enjoy being led... yes, if we're not happy with the leader, there'll be filters that dilute the effort from both sides - and lead to low productivity. Of course, we have to know who the leader is... and when not clear, give feedback and clarify... of course, have to behave - contribute as a cooperative team leader... sometimes we do not see the overall picture and we jump into conclusion based on our limited knowledge.

(e) Over the Fire!

Description

In a circle formation: A huge blue bucket was placed in the centre, with about 15 smaller buckets placed around. Each of the smaller buckets contained 3 ping-pong balls. The objective is to transfer the ping-pong balls from the smaller buckets into the blue one. The challenge comes from the constraints... no one is allowed to step into the circle... once in, will become a 'human' barrier... the small buckets can only move towards the blue bucket... once any ping-pong ball is spilled out of the bucket, that bucketful of ping-pong balls have to re-start all over... once the 1st ball drops into the blue bucket, the rest must go in within 60 seconds!

The strategy was actually a simple one, having 2 ropes, one that comes with a moveable knot that can become tightened around the neck of the object... there it goes! yes, it requires way to 'secure' the target. Paul came up with an interesting way... ok, quite procedural, as Marako had pointed out, but it's a very good try! It may take time, but it works... yes, Marako also suggested getting masking tape to 'stick' the neck of the bucket so as to bring it over to the ones nearer, however, Timothy is quick to point out that it will require lots of resources - as each can only use once... and it effectively requires at least 15 sets of tapes and ropes! Moreover, we already ran out of the resource - masking tape! Nevertheless, it's a good try!

Some thoughts...

No harm trying attitude... that's why several strategies were tested and we eventually agreed on one way... We cheered on... though some of us are not working on the ropes... However, like what Ivan has pointed out... somethings we forgot being spectators or funs, we unknowningly become 'barriers'... good point, something to be mindful with.

A group went on to play soccer at the other side of the field... what's our interpretation? "Bo-chap" attitude? This is one way that we can perceive... another perspective (hm... perhaps some of us will think that this group is trying to defend their act)... as they explained... since they knew that things are in order and progressing, and they will not be able to contribute, so they look for other things to do! One of the guys actually realistically pointed out that in the real life situation, if they see that their job has been taken over by someone, they will start to look for other areas when they can be engaged in... hm... so that means including moving on to greener pastures? This brings to another point: Does the organisation value its people? Do the people feel it? If one does not feel not valued, I agree, one will start to look elsewhere to where people value and appreciate one's existence!

Day 2:

The day started off with a video clip... "Be my Guest". It's an interesting one! It generated lots of laughters! It pointed out the expectations of 'customers' apart from the actual business that one deals with, but the PR/HR that many a time, we take for granted! Especially internal customer! Things go strain when one does not take care of this... and that leads to unproductivity... Just wonder what goes in the minds of the audience as they watched the clip... did everyone of us started to reflect and realised that are lots more that we can do... Customer Service!

(f) Grooming

A few areas were touched on... Grooming, Etiquettes - Email & Phone...

Thought it was quite an exciting time when each pointed out what's expected of, especially in terms of social etiquette and grooming of the opposite sex. Oh yes, I was indeed caught in big surprises of some of the "don'ts"... you mean it happened in the ministry? Our colleagues do not know what's decent? Based on some descriptors, it shocked me when one asked the guys ensure there is enough cloth to cover their bodies? Similarly to the ladies!!! About leg hairs? About the hair? There are those who yet bother to dress themselves in a decent enough manner... One new thing I learnt: There's this IM for dress code! Great.. perhaps will find sometime to take a look...

(g) Building the Structure...

Building a structure so that the marble, after falling through at least a height of 1m will roll to for a distance of nearly but not yet 1m. It's a challenge, isn't it? Given a rope, 2 flip chart papers, some A4 papers, a tube of glue, and a roll of masking tape.

Some thoughts...

The one who's most 'hands-on' will take charge? Hm... that's basically what I observe... at least in my group... on the other hand, it's probably... 'by nature' of personality? and probably whose brain most active? and one who talks most? Ok, also a fact - ie. when the few people who know each other well, sometimes they'll forget who else around... and to take note of other voices...

(h) The castaway... The caterpillar game

Description

Everyone blew a balloon... and the balloon was sandwiched between the human bodies... forming a caterpillar that moved down to the badminton court to collect some stuff before coming back... and eventually all come together to use balloons to form the ETD logo...

Some thoughts...

Well, this activity once again emphasizes on teamwork... and having the consideration for all... in order to succeed. As we walked off as a catepillar, realised some 'interesting' characters that are quite distinctive of one of the sections - the very jovial group who we can find the child in them, that was basically exhibited through their behaviour... and forgetting about the rest... This crossed my mind - I have not crossed path with them in my work... If I would have... it's going to drive me to the wall!!! Trying 'childish' ways to 'win' the game! It happens here!!! I guess... maturity...

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Saturday, October 14, 2006

Innovationation 2006

13 October 2006 @ Singapore Expo

Welcome!
By tapping our personalised card* against the "swip spot", we are "recognised!"

*RFID (radio frequency identification) tag

What it suggests... if everyone of us is going to have such a all-purpose personalised card...
... in school
- when the pupil comes in the morning and flashes his card against the spot, his attendance is automatically marked and he is greeted with a welcome message by the school (that changes everyday...)
- with such an intelligent card that comes with all the bio-data and medical record, etc... linked between the organisations... the school captures all the necessary information that save the school cockpit team in the school to verify and ensuring all info is correct, an d the PE dept will know who are the pupils with medical condition and needs to be taken care of, etc... oh yes, our teachers no longer need to chase after the pupils for medical certificate if they were absent from class when unwell.
... at work
- when reporting to work, a cheery personalised message makes our day, won't it?

Hello, hello

The speakers dangles from the celling... you can listen to the brief on what's on the wall.

Does it resemble something that we once have fun?... replace the speakers with the cups and put it against your mouth... Remember those good old days?

Once upon a time...

Oops! This reminds me the days when we did our NIE projects to find out trace the development of technology...

Yes, it tells us how intelligent mankind has been...

the Y2K Bug?!
Still remember the "Ho-Ha" it made?!
Everybody and almost everything... waiting for the moment to come "0000h", 1 Jan 2000. Lots of quesitons in heads of many... will the day come? or will everything comes to a stand-still?

We have been using technology for so many years... our reliance on technology grows every day, every moment, we did not really question what happens if technology simply evaporates from our world one day? Indeed, I guess not many people at that point of time did not think of how our behaviour is going to change, our habits are going to be affected if what to do if technology is suddenly withdrawn from this world, but everybody's thinking of ways to overcome, to find a way to manage the problem, to minimise disruption... interesting, isn't it? We don't look back, but forward...

... It's still very clear in my mind... the whole team of key personnel, including the admin staff were called back to the school on 1 Jan 2000. We were all at the AV room... while the Principal went through some kind of operational procedures, and each of us were tasked to check on some aspects - that has something to do with the system... That was the year that I spent my New Year day in the school :D

Ball Game without ball

It's an old game played in a new way... clear and neat!
The "balls" are projected and moved according to the movements of the human hands detected by the sensors. Amazing...
* Free up game: that emphasize the themes of collaboration and convergence.
* The game took place on a round table and required 5 players to play by sweeping coloured balls into the right circles with their hands.
* Infra-red cameras above the table mapped out the position of the players' hands, allowing them to act as a cursor of sorts.

Swip, swip

Ah-ha... this is one of the many huge boards that we find everywhere in the exhibition.

Simply read the question/comment and tap our card against the option that we choose.

Indeed, this is one means to capture responses for a survey, too? Brilliant!

P-ism

A prototype... that tells us how small computers can be!

No longer need to lug the heavy notebook or tablet with us... just bring the 5 pens! The keyboard will be 'projected' on the base where we can 'touchless'-type (hahaha)... then the 'monitor' will be 'projected' Hm... will that mean some plain backdrop like a white wall is needed for the" shell-less monitor"?

What's your mood today?

More amazing than a crystal ball, huh?
By say a word into the microphone, the software interprets your mood!

Hey, tested with a cheery voice... guess what's the interpretation? "SAD" Oops! I'm confused! ;P

Fuel-cell Mobile Phones

Mobile phones are to be powered by these fuel cells instead of the conventional batteries we use nowadays...

Wah! I can do away with those bulky charges when I go overseas... hooray...
Oops, I'm going to bring "fuel" with me when going out... if I were to travel for many many days... there goes my baggage weight limits! hahaha...

On the ball at all times!

The phone enables one to connect to a hub at the locaton where one situates.

In the example showcased, when we make our learning journey to Victoria Theatre, there, we can connect to the local hub and download information pertaining to Victoria Theatre onto the phone to learn more about the place. To make the journey a meaningful one, the teacher can also also the pupils to attempt a quiz that will give response to the inputs immediately. Amazing! We no longer need to print worksheets for pupils to read or do, of course, no need to mark their worksheets! We can also save our breath to side-line as a guide to give 'commentries' to our pupils...

Something to ponder...
"Leave... think and dream, and occasionally switch off the mobile phone."
Yes. Indeed, it set us thinking... since when we are so used to carrying a mobile phone with us, anytime, anywhere...

Still remember the giant handphone that the 'uncles' held and talked loudly? (as if scare nobody knew that they can afford wireless communication then.)

As the equipment gets cheaper, smaller, sleeker, it becomes a fashion to own one! OK, before that pager was very very popular. Remember the "peep" sound?

So, has mobile phone brought people closer to each other? Why own a mobile phone? or has it actually widen the distance between people?

4th Professional Sharing Session, organised by CPDD

12 October 2006 @ Edutorium

Gaming in Education (by Richard Sandford)
IDM (Interactive digital media) (by Yang Tien)
iN2015 (intelligent Nation 2015)

Gaming in Education

IDM

i-Create

iN2015

i-Access
i-Learn
i-Experience

Sunday, October 08, 2006

Talk: Achieving Cost Effective Service Excellence - Lessons from Singapore Airlines

6 October 2006 @ IPAM
Speaker: Dr Nitin Pangarkar

The Agenda was

Difficult Industry economics yet superior performance by SIA
Key drivers of SIA's performance
How SIA achieves operational excellence
How SIA achieves service excellence
Sustainable competitve advantage

Several interesting strategies employed by the airline were shared:
...frame the mental model ...what qualities to look out for as a Number 1 ...who to benchmark against ...how airline manages cost ...what's the philosophy

Some points shared:

There isn't many suppliers of aircrafts in the market, however, the airline sticks to mainly 2 key players in the market - Boeing and Airbus... why? Because of reputation and reliability of these companies? Well, the speaker did not elaborate on this aspect... however, he pointed out that, it eventually has something to do with deployability of pilots, too! Certainly, as he pointed out, the design and therefore the management of the cockpit does not differ much from one model of the plane to another... hence, that enables the airline to deploy its pilots easily.
Because it keeps to the 2 key choices, it also means that in terms of maintenance, the airline can easily house spare parts for the plane, hence making it easily available when in need. This is definitely much more cost efficient if one gets a 'range' of aircrafts and therefore having to deal with higher costs in terms of maintenance. Indeed, the speaker gave another illustration: When buying a car, it's much easier to get the spare part of a brand that is popular and common on the road and therefore get the problem more easily rectified as compared to having a car that not much of its spare parts are carried locally, having to fly it all the way into the country - the cost and delay... {the same logic applies to the air business, too...}
Indeed, because it carries a young fleet, it has kept its maintenance cost low. Being new, regular maintenance is already factored in, for the first few years of operation. Of course, new planes can save up to 20% of the fuel. Indeed, interestingly... the life-span of any aircraft is around 30! and planes move on to other owners before 'repair maintenance' creeps in, and therefore saves up lots of money on this. What does the 'unanticipated manintenace' cost emcompass? The cost when the air plane is on ground (that's definitely very expensive, not to talk about landing fees alone), and also the cost of flying in the technical personnel/experts and etc - avoiding these penalities can lead to hefty savings!
Certainly, having a notable and 'household' brand in the business brings in other advantages such as having better negotiating power in terms of getting and transferring ownership of the aircrafts. One point to note is fleet acquisitions are financed by cash rather than debt... and that certainly makes a huge difference. Of course, it also looks at the timing of acquisitions, that probably generates more returns!
Another interesting point of the air-business is: Cost of any unsold seats is unrecoverable - ie. the products are 'perishable' in that sense. For instance, if there are 5 seats unsold, then there's no way to recover the cost (ie. through the ticket price of these seats!), once the plane takes off, it's gone. How about reducing the cost of the tickets? This strategy does not work, especially in a long run! There are budget airlines to compete with. Hence, the best strategy is not to be engage in the competition of price. Hence, other strategies like the Frequent Flyer programme kicks in! Of coures, I guess that's also where the "Star alliance" programme where several airline join hand to provide the inter-connected flight servces. This definitely helps to fill up the remaining seats. Well, the mathematical concept of Operational Research comes in, the airline would have recover its operating costs when x% of the seats are filled, and the rest would be the profit. Isn't it amazing that the airline's breakeven load factor is 70% while its average load factor is 74%?
Another interesting point is the landing fees charged by the various airports. Only after talk then realised that Changi Airport charges a much lower rate as compared to Tokyo-Narita and Hongkong airports! So, what has it do with the whole business? Link it to the previous point :D
Training/Development is another strategy that they keep the cost of pilots low! Yes, training costs alot... and one thing is, the airline believes in sending the pilots for trained. Of course, the airline has a bigger say in the paycheque in the days the pilots are committed to company.
Surprisingly, the cabin crew salaries and allowances are also lower than developed carriers. Of course, the speaker cautioned us it's in comparison to the developed carriers such as BA and UA. He also brought our attention to the make-up of the cabin crew - it's multi-national! So, that's one big cost saver?!

Drivers of Productivity

Recruitment - "picky" top managers are involved... and the format is like a simulation - "party" where the various attributes that make a good cabin crew are assessed. But why the top managers? Reason being, to identify the suitably of candidates who may eventually have to serve the 'big shots' in the first and business classes in the flight!
Incentives - apart from the basic salary, its allowance is also tied to the company's performance, hence the better the company performs, the more and better incentive one can look forward to.
Organisation - teamwork is key, especially the inflight services.
Training - Everybody has to undergo training, ongoing.
Technology - Big spending on technology to improve overall service; and there is clear customer benefit kept in mind. Technology here goes beyond just ICT (that includes online booking and online check-in service), it includes other improvements such as cabin services (like TV in demand, bigger foot room). Of course, on-going feedback gathering.

Cost-conscious Culture

Profit orientation and cost conscious

Top management harps on the message "We don't want to be the largest company. We want to be the most profitable"
From day 1, employees are told that the airline has to swim on its own and it will shut down if it makes losses

Cost-consciousness message is reinforced through actions

The approach: It saves internally while it spares no effort in bringing up customer services

Service Excellence

Innovation - continuous, incremental discontinuous
Implementability of innovations
Recruitment, training and incentives
Empowerment for maintaining quality

Operational Excellence

Holistic perspective - SIA believes in being better in 1% in 100 things than 100% better in one thing - just a little bit better than competitors in everything
Continuous improvement - Benchmarking against other industries (eg. customer service) & closer monitoring of competitors
Strong customer orientation - technology for customer's benefit and not for technology's sake

Monday, September 04, 2006

Teachers' Day Mass Lecture

(i) Speech by Minister

http://www.moe.gov.sg/speeches/2006/sp20060904.htm

The Minister's speech has brought in some good news... the GROW package that everybody in the service has a bite share...

Some reflections:

Growth: Sabbatical Leave for Education officer - yes, now we can go for some 'enhancement programmes' without having to face 'monetary shortchange'. I think that's a welcome move... hm... something can be considered and tapped on in the near future :D TIll now, still have yet figure out if I've already tapped on the PDL while in the OutReach Programme... hm... one day will find out, if I were to tap on this scheme :D
Recognition: Extension of the promotion grade... this probably sends a message that to many who has already reached the 'terminal' grade. I think this is introduce to address the handful who are 'unmotivated' or 'disillusioned' who have reached the 'maximum'... there are always a couple of such cases raised during the annual staff ranking sessions. Will this bring in some new light that they can look forward to? On the other hand, that reminds me when the GEO1A1 and GEO1A2 grades were introduced many years back... many of us who were then GEO1A were automatically be promoted to GEO1A2... so, will this happen again? If yes, it will not leave much impact on the existing GEO1A2 officers, isn't it? Oops, on the other hand, does that mean that HODs who are currently GEO1A2 will have to cross one more grade before moving on to SEO1?
Opportunities: Did not quite catch this part of the presentation, probably tied to Recognition?
Well Being: More admin staff... yes, a welcome move, definitely... though there are some many newly created posts... do we have the right people to fill up the vacancies? It's just like when MOE decides to step-up its recruitment of teachers... in the school end, the quality of the teaching force (in particular the more recent batches) has changed... we have good gems amongst them, however, there are also more challenging ones that the school has to take in and manage... we don't manage just the 'changes' in the pupils' profile, but also that of the teachers! Oh yes, not forgetting the $400 fund that education officers can tap on for other forms of 'enrichments' including subscription to professionally-related magazines... hey, that reminds us of the "Computer-copayment" scheme that was introduced in mp1... hm... we can save that to get new gadgets???

(ii) Understanding Digital Kids - Teaching & Learning in a New Digital Landscape (by Ian Jukes)

Key Inputs from the lecture

Changes in an environment that faces digital bombardment
Digital Immigrants vs Digital Natives
Digital Natives use Digital as First Language while Digital Immigrants (like many of us) speak Digital as Second Language. This somehow creates a "Digital Divide" in terms of "Communication". Hence, it is important for us, especially educators to recognise the fact that pupils of today are different from pupils of the yester-years (ie. whom we were!). It is therefore also necessary for us to understand who are pupils are... in terms of the changing learing habits... so as to 'prescribe' the appropriate approach and 'employ' the right strategies.
Digital Learners prefer (i) Parallel processing and Multi-tasking (ii) processing pictures, sounds and video (ie. multimedia) (iii) random access to hyperlinked multimedia information (hence, the conventional sequential approach may not work well here) (iv) network simultaneously with many others (v) learn just-in-time (that opposes to what many teachers do - Teacher for "just-in-case") (vi) instant gratification and immediate rewards (vii) learning that's relevant, instantly useful and fun.

Other useful information

Blog: http://www.multiply.com
www.ianjukes.com

Some reflections:

Throughout the lecture, I was wondering... what's the speaker is trying to drive at... on one hand, he reminded us of the change that's happening... and we are to be mindful and sensitive who are 'clients' are (ie. the students) - in the chinese saying, 知己知彼，百战百胜。Only with this we are able to identify the most appropriate strategy to bring about the desired outcome. That's part of the 'life-long' learning process that all teachers will have to undergo... pupils of today is different from pupils of the yester-years. Indeed, this applies not just to pupils, but also our teachers, too... our teaching force is also having an increasing number of 'digital natives' too.... the younger lot of teachers... that reminds me what Mr Chua always tells the SCC... our teachers are different, the profile has changed... so are their values, their perspectives of things and how they do it... as the middle management, we sometimes simply could not understand why some teachers do not conform to the 'norm'... forgetting that... they are different... or should I say, we are different... and therefore they have difficulty in understanding where we are coming from and why things are to be done differently... indeed, I wonder, who carries the 'baggage'?
On the other hand, to hear this lecture, perhaps it's the way it's being delivered (???) Suddenly, I just felt... hey, are you pointing out to us what we lack of? Think deeper... hm... our competency level has ....??? Hey, a bit discouraging when it's supposed to be something inspiring and spirit-lifting kind-of-a talk!

Other observations...Several things struck me while waiting for the event to start...

As teachers, we are expected to be role model... we walk the talk, right?
Is exhibiting the basic social etiquette something expected of us? Let me lower this by one level... do all teachers know what's are some basic social etiquette? (To be fair) We are ignorant of what's expected if we don't even know or have it, right?
Punctuality: The event starts at 2.30 pm... teachers were still scrolling in... walking while talking on the handphone... While the ushers tried to direct them, many of them ignored... We expect our pupils to observe punctuality... so, do we walk the talk?
Being Considerate: This year, to save manpower, the organiser placed the goodie-bags on the seats... those who swapped the seat took the bags away... do they expect 'auto-refill' to happen here? OK, are they sending a message, "Latecomers? So, you deserve to go without the bag".
Politeness: Leaving the event half-way, rushing out immediately after the show... does leaving the seat slightly earlier, leaving the hall earlier helps a lot in reaching home earlier? I wonder...
These are ... TEACHERS!!!???
On the other hand, perhaps I belong to the 'older' or 'more conservative' generation, some of the presentation slides (that were suppose to be the time-filler) before the actual event was 'distasteful', perhaps a stronger word 'disgusting'! No doubt the organiser may want to portray a light-hearted atmosphere to the event, many of the images are not appropriate - perhaps reserve that for an aesthetic event?

Friday, September 01, 2006

Teachers' Day

Last night, I had the privilege to attend the Teachers' Day Rally @ Singapore Expo - words direct from the mouth of our Prime Minister.

... some thoughts...some reflections...

The many peaks of Excellence - that is already happening in schools, but a handful at this moment... yes... it's moving up to 30% in the near future. Yes, perhaps there's how our education system celebrates diversity. Saying is certainly much easier than putting it in action. On the other hand, it's like the Chinese saying, 百花齐放. It has slowly changed the mental model of what defines a 'good' school... it's no longer just being academically strong... though it is still one that draws the most attention - in this place where paper qualification is still the key, out of the entire education system, though in the recent years, other affective factors such as character development comes in. Now, it seems like everyone has a place, be it in the fields of character development, sports, arts, etc... yes, the first step was when the ministry introduces the School Excellence Award... it's not just academic excellence, but holistic development of children under our charge... as such, such recognitions/awards are just

Leveling up - every child will be taken care of... somehow, this is the perceived message... no one will be deprived from schooling because of financial disadvantage. Yes... I think that's the beauty of our system... Remember several years ago, there's this work on 10-year Compulsory Education...

Perhaps it's the environment that I came from shaped this mental model. I was lucky to be in a school that has strong financial support from the school management committee (SMC)... "Money is not a problem" - that's what the principal always said... and that certainly freed us up in planning and implementing our programmes, as long as it is purposeful, meaningful,... and yes, pupils who are in the financial scheme are taken care of, not only through the various provisions by the ministry, but also those by the SMC. Yes, children should not be deprived from any opportunities because of being financially disadvantaged.

Socio-Emotional Bonding... to Singapore - National Education... our pupils' sense of belonging to the country... this is an reiteration of one of the key messages in the National Day Rally. Coincidentally, this was briefly touched on when we had lunch... when we talked about the amount of effort that was put in to bring out the nationalism amongst the younger generation. All agree that the school has done alot in this aspect, in raising the awareness of national identity, and the importance of feel and love Singapore. Some find that we have done so much that this over-dose, to some extent, made it too 'artificial', to 'force it down the throat'... it's probably something should not be taught, but a natural grow - the love, the belonging - from the individual. What's happening at home has an impact too! The influence from parents, in particular, shapes the kids' mental model, too!

Well, perhaps one can tell how successful it has been only when this 'natural bonding' to the country is being tested, in some stage. Back at home, the older generation has somehow stronger emotional bond to where our ancestors come from, although they are born and locally breed. Why? Simply, the sense of belonging? or they see the land beyond reach a better one? (There's always this chinese saying, the foreign moon is always brighter.) Well, I guess I found myself more Singaporean than ever, after going through the emotional challenge when I was away... that one year has brought me closer to the land I belong... on the other hand, it's also dangerous, come a second thought... I appreciate my country more, many a times, based on comparison... yes, Singapore is a better place to live in, the system we have... though sometimes seem 'too rigid' but it's for the good of the country... but not to forget, I'm comparing what we have to a developing country. What if I've been immersed in one that offers more than what Singapore does? What will my thoughts be? I guess that will be the real testing - to test my sense of belonging - what guides my thoughts and actions! I can't tell... perhaps should look out for such an opportunity to test it out!

Teachers - the assurance of support... and more teachers... yes, if we look at the recent changes in the system... into the professional wing... more funds have been channelled for schools to employ teaching aid, to purchase support, etc... On the other hand, sometimes, despite the fact that there is money, it's not easy to get the right candidate to fill the post...

PS: "Teach Less Learn More", "Prescribe Less, More Work"

Thursday, August 31, 2006

Learning Journey @ Comex

Task
What (marketing technique, gadget etc) did I notice at the exhibition that could be applied in (i) my work in ETD, (ii) teaching and learning?

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(i) Something 'caught' my eyes...
A gadget: The Multifunctional Camera System (5-in-1) ~ Casio YC-400 (cost at Comex was $2,288)

This gadget comes with a digital camera and a stand.
It has been in the market for 2 years.
Indeed, the 5-in-1 gadget can act as a visualiser, scanner, digital camera, voice recorder and whiteboard capture function.
The digital camera - detachable piece that takes picture (when used as 'just' a digital camera), records voice, and captures 'live' what's on the whiteboard, which can be captured in the PC/notebook computer the gadget is attached to... and of course, this already explains a 'sub-feature', ie. as a visualiser.
However, to link up to the computer, the camera has to be connected to a stand with a connector. This connector is specially customised for this model of digital camera. As a result, the gadget does not offer that much flexibility as we would expect it to be.

What do I learn from this...

For any design/plan: It is good to be comprehensive - it's just like when I was amazed by the many features that gadget comes with... the all-in-one concept... however, we need to offer flexibility, too... too rigid a structure may backfire, or overshadow the benefits the original intent (it's just like the gadget that works with only ONE type (one brand and one model only) of camera). This also explains why it has yet been popular in the market.

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(ii)... in Teaching and Learning...

Ironically, I was more attracted to the exhibition organised by the "Singapore Photographic Society" as compared to the many many gadgets around in Comex. However, there's certainly a reason why such an exhibition in an IT-related event... What's the thing that constantly we come across as we walked pass the booths? Digital Cameras!!! A very very wide range... saw an interesting one - ie. by Olympus - one that survives in water!!! OK, without any 'coat' to protect it! Digital cameras have become so cheap! With a couple of hundreds we can get one! Of course, there are very sophisticated and costly ones, too... OK, that's beside the point.

Indeed, it has become so affordable that schools can afford enough of such equipment for teaching and learning nowadays. Have been trying to promote the use of blogs in Maths learning... and images and blog can marry to work out interesting areas for pupils to explore indeed... This brings to one activity we did earlier this year - IBL in Maths teaching and learning - the activity provides pupils with opportunities to learn Maths beyond the classroom (at different phases of learning):

As a trigger, pupils can go round in groups to capture pictures of objects - as far as they present 4-sided figures. Pupils can post them in the blogs and ask questions or comment on the 'findings' of each other.
Alternatively, after exploring and having learnt the properties of specific 4-sided figures such as parallelogram and trapeziums, pupils capture pictures that illustrates these shapes and discuss how to check the properties of these shapes they took with the properties them listed out earlier. This activity not only consolidates the learning, it also helps to surface any misconception that needs to be addressed to, in a timely manner.

Saturday, August 12, 2006

UK Study Trip

Some reflections...

It happened more than a month ago... To be exact, I was home exactly one month...

The trigger of the trip is "Standards"... See what has happened out there, glean learning points from others so that we can "learn from others' experiences", I guess this is one way to do things more efficiently (by not reinventing the wheels, spending time to 're-construct' the 'test' and spend time to 're-test' to test the outcomes?). Oh yes, it comes with a 'cost' - as a package.

Of course, there are lots of new discoveries gathered through this trip... it has certainly broaden my horizon... what I know about education systems... yes, the contrasts, empowerment (and the price tag that goes with it), etc... an eye-opener (at least, to me...)... that we don't see in Singapore, perhaps, it's not "we" but "I" have not seen or noticed here... yes, must admit that I have not gotten enough exposure to what we have back at home... (oh yes, it's the same when I was at Bhutan, too... hm... I've not learnt my lesson? or it's an on-going lesson that there's always too much out there to learn about, so what determines is having the 'right opportunity' and the 'timing'?)

The "UK trip Report" thingy has been hanging back in the mind even before we set off on 2 July! Yes... all study trips come with a report... so, what's new? But, I guess, it's when I compared with those we did in when in school, and the implications, etc...

It's the preparation that came before the trip was materialised, and getting ready to go out to seek 'answers'(?), information - not just any, but useful ones!!! It's not just the two who went have to prepare... the amount of inputs that Sai Choo and Hwee Peng gave (yes, the to-do list, apart from the set of questions that Shoo Soon drafted for the UK partners) , what to look out for... and sitting down to discuss the focus and what-to-find-out for the trip... OK, all these preparation had successfully 'heightened' the level of anxiety and my level of 'alertness' when out there scanning... on the other hand, also learnt that an over-dose of information is no good too... we have to filter it... as the report eventually has to be focused back to its original intent.

I guess, it's the Singaporean style, trying to "squeeze" out as much as we want from our counterparts... to some extend, I guess Keith must have started to wonder... how minute the details we were trying to find out... The preparation of the report was tough... ok, for one who does not write much, whose 'analytical' skills is still at novice stage (?) hahaha... of course, I thought, writing the Annexes will be a much manageable task to me... Certainly, I marvel the way Sai Choo tightened up the report and re-geared the way it should go... She has asked several times, "Do you agree?", checking on whether the suggested way is better than it was previously put across. Yes! It has certainly helped to pull the 'split souls' together, and has given the entire report a body with the parts at its right places - Thanks for great help! On yes, large part of the credit goes to Shoo Soon, too... who's able to put all the inputs and thoughts together... despite of the working in the wee hours of the days/nights! hahaha...

Looking back, the entire "after-trip" report preparation process has help to consolidate and enriched the entire outcome of this trip. Now, I come to realise that the learning really takes place "after", when trying to piece the information together to analyse them, make sense out of them. Of course, all these also fall back to the comprehensive background information and data collected. Both are equally important.
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Some learning points... (based on some of the findings)

Resources: One common strategy that the various educational organisations adopted to provide support to schools is on resource development. Be it Becta, DfES, QCA or even the LEA at Birgimham... Indeed, to a large extent, I think they go for the abundance mentality... it's good to have the things there, "when you need it, you can find it"... comparing with the approach we undertake here... do we see some similiarity?
I believe we all share the same, fundamental intent, ie. to provide something to others to start off with, this is the most basic form of support that any implementation (of new idea, initiative) should come with...
On the other hand, riding on this, we also came to realise that these resources might not have serve its intent - not that they are no good or not enough, but it's the mental model, the habit or practice that most teachers have - they prefer to create their own resources, seek professional aid from nearby sources such as their peers or the likes in other schools. Why? why? why?
We don't really have a sense of the pattern in Singapore yet, as the stuff have not been formally rolled out yet. However, looking at the response to implementing the lesson resources in the pilot schools, can we pick up some signals, too?
Personally, as a teacher, I would like to tap on resources, however, don't have the time to check around... and often, creating it will probably be much faster and I can straightaway customised for the class!
Learning from the UK counterparts, and some of the happenings we encounter with the pilot schools now, perhaps, there's a need to look into the amount of effort to put into the resources - not in terms of just quantity (which seemingly the subject teams all currently are facing the pressure), and I think, more importantly, how to "sell" these resources, anchor it such that they are not just resources, but... to fit into a bigger picture to drive the implementation of the baseline standards of pupils - perhaps from the teachers' perspective as well, and not forgetting the middle management, especially, since the teachers take cues largely from the heads.
Perhaps the recent strategy of pushing it through the curriculum map is a good one, to leverage on existing structures. It also provides a more wholesome picture that all it's all about teaching and learning...
I guess, this is still single-loop learning

Curriculum integration, we see a rather different approach that our UK counterpart undertakes. I guess, that's an example of seamless integration of technology into teaching and learning... ICT is built into the national curriculum. Though specific skill sets are not spelt out, the 'type' of skills are outlined within the curriculum delivery.
It suggests points at which ICT can be used in mathematics. Eg. Generate functions from plots of data, for example, from science experiement, using simple curve fitting techniques on graphing calculators, or graphics software to explore the transformation of graphs (National curriculum 1999). It lists the main uses of ICT in mathematics in keystage 3.
Probably, based on observation in the classes visited, it seems like teachers see the teaching of skills is kind-of-a "by the way"...
From my experience and observation (while in school) - for the first IT Masterplan, and mp2, driving IT by a 'second' party is a challenging task. It guess, it boils down to ownership. Who owns the IT component in the subject integration process.
From the HOD/IT's perspective, we are here to support the instructional programmes, to bring in the technology aspect, to enhance the teaching and learning, to bring the quality of learning to greater heights, to enrich the learning experience of the pupils by opening up more avenues to learn.
However, from the HODs/IP perspective, very often - coverage of syllabus comes first! (I though it was only common in secondary schools... however, after working with a couple of primary schools, I realise that this mentality is common regardless of primary or secondary schools HODs/IP! Of course, to be fair, we also come across those who manage this ICT 'intrusion' differently and positively!)
Drawing points from the UK model, perhaps re-visiting the approach we undertake will shade some light on how this baseline can be perceived as part and parcel of teaching and learning. Probably, it is best for the teams (baseline & curriculum) to come together to see how we can leverage on each other role(?) and synergise - to see, package and sell all as one teaching-and-learning package.
This is probably a double loop.

ICT implementation in curriculum - what's observed in the Robin Hood Primary strikes most is the integrated approach. It sounds more like project work - where inter-disciplinary approach is adopted. It allows the subjects to come together in a thematic way, it blurs the line... the subjects are no longer so compartmentalised. Isn't this one way to link to bring about authencity in learning? And it is obvious that technology has a role to play, to support such approach.
Well, I think we also have to recognise the fact that as we move up to secondary levels, it calls for certain level of subject content specialisation. Hence, though we work togwards providing opportunities to allow fabrication (eg. IPW lessons in schools, co-curricular programmes), subjects are still very much on their own - to maintain the rigor of what needs to know. I guess it's something non-negotiable... and definitely, it's beyond us...

Saturday, June 17, 2006

Workshop: Collaboration & Security in MS Applications

on 16 June 2006 @ Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School

What's covered in the workshop (some notes)
1. Sharing Comments/Merging Documents in Word

Using the comment feature, there are 2 ways to collect inputs from various people

a document can be circulated to various people in a sequential manner, and each will each their comments to the same document. By default, the 'reviewer' will be reflected (based on the user name they log on to)
the same document can be duplicated and send to all reviewers simultaneously. After which, use the merge feature to merge the comments. The disadvantages are: The reviewers have no idea what others have commented; when there is a repeated action, the input of the earlier merged document maybe overwritten by the latest copy that merges with the document.

2. Tracking Revisions in Word

revisions can be displayed in 2 different ways - via the normal view and the print view.
it enables one to keep track of changes made to a document.
feature that's new and useful (to me): Saving the work under different versions - though saved in the same document, different versions can be saved such that it reduces trouble in the way we used to work on documents (when we save with different filenames). Now, all can be saved under the same filename.

3. Managing Files Security in word

setting passwords at different stages - to open the document, to make changes to the document.
it's a disappointment that digital signature cannot be demonstrated in the workshop.

4. Working with Comments in Excel

feature that is new (to me): Comments in different Excel worksheets/workbooks can be merged

5. Sharing Workbooks in Excel

feature that is useful (to me): Normally, the workbook is placed in the server so that it is accessible to many at one time; however, once it's opened, subsequent users can only view the spreadsheet as a read-only file. Now it can be 'shared out' such that multiple users can input data into the same spreadsheet - however, take note of the 'winner' overwriting the previous entry.

6. Using Worksheet Protection in Excel

Protecting the worksheet as a whole or releasing some cells such that users can make changes to selected cells.
feature that is new and useful (to me): Protecting different sets of cells such that these are accessible by selected groups of people.

7. Collaborating on a Presentation in PowerPoint

A new feature that I came to know, however, it's only possible if using Outlook as the emailing application. On the other hand, have yet find a place where this feature comes in useful or helpful to what we're doing now.

8. Security and Packaging in PowerPoint

the feature is similar to 'Pack-and-go' or the saving the file as an executeable file.
feature that is new and useful (to me): saving the fonts embedded into the presentation. This is certainly very very helpful and releases the constraint to confine to the common fonts.

This workshop is definitely helpful to those of us who conduct workshops, and when designing baseline lessons.

Monday, May 29, 2006

Learning Journey to GIC

It was a loud, cheery and smiling voice that greeted me when I stepped into the reception area of the 37th floor... Oops! Is this Singapore? For a moment... hm... there leaves the very very first impression... :D

The Government of Singapore Investment Corporation Pte Ltd. Its name is so confusing... is it owned by the Government? or it's a Private Company? There it came clear at the end of the trip - it's initiated by the Government of Singapore, and it's engaged by the government to manage the country's reserves! It has a strong board include big names like MM Lee, PM Lee, and some cabinet ministers. And... it has one and only one client, that is, the Singapore government!

Some pointers from the various presenters
Qualities:
Analytical & Quantitative Skills
People Skills
Sound Judgement &
Decision making - making decision based on INcomplete set of info; to be
comfortable with uncertainty
Initiative
Responsibility &
Accountability
Integrity - stick to the decision, even if it goes wrong
Communication skills - Precision &Clarity

Leardership: Collaboration + Consensus + Cooperation

Components to Global standards:
Policies & Practices - the need to contextualise
Processes
People
Performance
Characteristics (the Singaporean experience):
Insular
Self-Confident
Permissive or Authoritative
Communication
Think Agility (learn & Relearn)
Enterprising

Implications:
Look outwards
Recalibrate all the benchmarks - Performance, Benefits, Pay, etc...
Innovate as one goes along
Adapt, adapt, adapt

Paradigm Shift:
Autonomy vs Governance
Deision Making vs Accountability
Adaptive vs Assertive Leadership
Facilitative vs Authoritative Leadership

Facility Management: Guiding Principles - 3Cs
Cost - cost effective yet meets business needs
Comfortable & Convenience - user experience
Continuity - robust

Importance of Training
Competitive Industry - needs skills to compete against the best
Constant changes - new markets, asset classes, instruments
Organisational coherence & sustainability - corporate values

Focus of Training
Organisational values
Professional skills
Technical & Soft skills
Managerial & leadership development

Training Map:
>> Staff Performance Appraisal
>> Target Setting
>> Staff's Training Roadmap - taking into account: Background (staff training history), Dept's training roadmap, Organisation's Training Roadmap
>> Plan implemented with Training unit
>> Training history updated

Training of the Associates Programme
>> Training on Technical & Soft skills
>> Staff Interaction & Bonding
>> Organisation culture & values
through...
>>>>> classroom lectures & exams
>>>>> Bourse Game (investment games)
>>>>> Rotations to Depts
>>>>> Social events (lunches, BBQ, bowling)

Leadership position...
Personal Effectiveness, Interpersonal Skills and Management Skills
>> Understanding one-self & others
>> Managing your EQ
>> Working in Team & Group Decision making
>> Communication & Conflict Management
>> Gaining Self & Interpersonal Awareness

>>>>> Seeking the GIC Leadership DNA <<<<<

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

IAEA 2006 Conference (22-26 May)

22, 23, 25, 26 May 2006 @ Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, Singapore
IAEA: International Association for Educational Assessment
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Refer to: http://lohky.blogspot.com/2006/05/iaea-2006-conference.html

Sunday, May 21, 2006

Workshop: Writing Papers (17 & 19 May 2006)

4 Key Things:

Content - selection, stress
Organisation & Structure
Language - style, standard English
Format & Presentation

The SYSTEMS APPROACH:

Readers
Purpose
Use
Deadline

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Day 1 Discussion Points

p7: Why do we have to write so much, and so well ?

Keypoint at the section: Information + Implication >>> Impression + Influence

(a) why is writing well important to your unit/organisation?

Writing is one of main channel of communication of ideas and proposals, etc to the others. Writing well is a means to communicate the intended message in the way it is intended to be perceived. Hence, being able to put in the necessary information and position it the way it will first bring in the audience's attention and to sustain their interest, and eventually to buy-in, etc... to achieve the objective.

Several considerations:

When dealing with complex issues, it is necessary to present clearly because of the implications
Write it such that people can understand and get a clear picture
Know the intend audience - eg. public - what's close to their heart

(b) Why is writing well so important to you?

To get the right message across - in the way it is intended to be.
To position the message in a way that the idea, proposal, etc... sells!
To express our thoughts, opinions, perceptions, stand, etc... so that (possibly) people know where we are coming from.
To be able to influence one's thoughts.
>>> It's an exercise - to plan and organise/structure the thoughts

Audience - who's reading? It determines the tone, style, language
Key Message - what's exactly the paper about? Its intent
Background - related matters; implications
Rationale
Format
Other stakeholders - the likely affected parties

(d) What are the different steps you go through when you have to write a paper?

Intent
Audience
Research
Format & approach
Draft/Feedback {recursive}

Planning ~ 25% of time
Drafting ~ 20% of time
Vetting ~ 40 - 70% of time
Submitting
Following through - presentation, lobby for support?

p14: How do you assess what your readers' concerns, preferences, needs and attitudes are?

Ask them - what they want to know? (info? concept?) do not tell them what they know
Ask them who works closely with them
Read what they consider "good" and "bad" writing - reader specific, styles, what moves them?
Read what they say and write
Read biographical sketches and profiles

Always bear in mind...

Be selective, be concise
Don't tell someone what you know
Tell them what they need to know, what it means and why it matters

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Day 2 Useful words

(a) Use short words

approximately: about
ambiguous: not clear, vague
ascertain: confirm, find out
currently: now
deliberate upon: discuss
endeavour: try, do
expedite: speed up, hasten
fallacious: false, wrong
comprehensive: thorough
incorporate: include
incremental: slow/small increase
demonstrate: show
utilise: use
originate: begin
terminate: end, conclude

(b) Use just one word (or two)...

by means of: through, by
as a consequence of: as a result, therefore
for the purpose of: to
in accordance with: according, under this section
in favour of: for
in order to: to
in the event that: if
on the basis of: base on
with a view to: to
with respect to: about
at a later date: later, by DDMMYYYY
during the time that: that

during the period of May-July: from May to July
in the Singapore context: in Singapore
red in colour: red

(d) Use verbs, adverbs and adjectives instead of nouns

of a permanent nature: permanently, fixed
come to a decision: decide
at a fast pace: quickly
had a discussion: discuss
the plan's implementation is on: it's implemented on
of a vast quantity: many, significant

(e) Other menas for writing simple and short English:

do not use too mnay conjunctions
use list
use annexes
use appropriate subheadings
use common acryonms
use active voice

Friday, May 05, 2006

IAEA 2006 Conference

22, 23, 25, 26 May 2006 @ Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, Singapore
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Paper presentation: Assessment using Mobile Phone - An Exploratory Study
by Cheow Cher Wong & Rajenthiran Sellan, SEAB; Lup Yuen Lee, NCS
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In this presentation, the presenters shared their attempt to use the mobile phone to conduct testing. The subjects were from a primary school class, who the answered several questions (EL, Grammar) via the phone.

Basically, I think, from this 'experiment', 2 key things were surfaced - logistics and the value-add of technology (in the way it was used) - and these are very real issues that we will face and have to deal with.

The logistics caution us on the possible problems - such as software/application download, compatibility, etc. These are normally issues that are underplayed - though we agree that pedagogy matters most when T&L concerns. On the other hand, it is necessary to channel a reasonable amount of attention to this for the project to succeed or to make it possible to happen. It is not jus the job of TAs. No point invest huge amounts of effort and time, yet yield insignificant benefits (Well, don't get me wrong, I'm not dampering the spirit of experimentation).

Next, from the illustration, I feel that it might not have done justice to the mobile phone technology in assessment. The illustration was not strong enough to show how technology was employed to value-add the learning process. I belief the traditional pen-and-paper technology would have fared far better.

However, one point to note when I saw the similar technology being used in a different way/ context; and I was pretty convinced with its usefulness in the way it was employed. That was during the "Innovationation" exhibition in October this year. It envisioned that, mobile phone technology can be employed to give just-in-time and just-enough information, as well as a short quiz. This was contextualised with the environment.

For instance, there exists a wireless transmission of information (eg. background/history) of the Victoria Theatre. As far as one is nearby, the handphone can be connected to its hub to download and read information about the venue. It also came with a quiz. Hey, the first thing came to my mind was "Learning Journey". That will be interesting, isn't it?

Learning and Community of Practice

by Dr David Hung @ Vista Lab on 4 May 2006
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The article:
Learning within the Context of Communities of Practices: A Re-Conceptualization of Tools, Rules and Roles of the Activity System (Hung W. L. David, Singapore and Chen D.-T. Victor, New Zealand)

2 things that I remember...

Learning to be: Its final outcome: the acquisition of identity. It's a process when one undergoes the change in behaviour, mindset. A transformation takes place.

Learning about: It's about content! It's what that draws people of common interest to come together. It's what the arouses the curiosity in one and lead one to come in, peep, peep, look, look. If "Learning about" does not exist, what will the COP anchor on?

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Some Thoughts after the session @ VISTA Lab...

Productive failure - it's a dip - a common phenomenon in the course of experimenting, incuburating innovative ideas, ... , leading towards to bigger goal, a long-term goal. Just wonder... how often we recognise them (when we face with) as productive failures? Very often, it'll be stamped or labelled "FAILED" and seal the case? Do we consciously look out for productive failure? Consciously be less judgemental? Can we accept the 'productive failure' and move on from there? Do we give the 'failure' a chance to prove itself? Hm... like what David Hung said, "phenomenon takes time to self-organise".

Unproductive success - associated to short-term success, however, may not lead to achieving the long-term goal. As such, it will generate more unnecessary/duplicated effort in order to move on to reach the end-point. Yes, I think has something got to do with the 'big picture' thing. If we are able to connect what we're doing to the bigger environment, then perhaps we'll realise that more effort is needed or we'll have to go by a different path to achieve the results of task we're managing, however, giving room for expansion or being prepared to connect to the bigger environment, rather than as a CLOSED task.

Agree fully with David Hung that "Efficiency" has a very influential role in both - productive failure and unproductive success. Often, we know that productive failure is part and particle of progression and innovation; however, very often, we want control over the course - introduce structures, set deadlines, KPIs, etc... to 'ensure' it 'happens' - and we wanted to do it quickly and systematically, to see the results quickly... yes, "patience" often overlooked or a neglected factor that fails to catch our attention. We forget that time is needed for self-organisation to take place. Agree that time is needed for things to take shape.

It's been an interesting comparison of learning and acquisition of knowledge between the past and present - the paradigm shift.

In the past, learning is a very individual matter. One possesses the wealth of knowledge in the HEAD. One brings it with him. One owns it.
With heightened awareness and the rapid growth of knowledge all over the place... how can one withholds everything in the head? There's where the different individuals come together, to interact, to share. To 'depend' on each other. To tap on each other.
Everyone have their own expertise, their own set of knowledge... and one can never hold everything in the world in his head alone... so, why not recognise the fact that the human world is actually a huge human library... and knowledge is indexed within different books (ie. each individual)... when need to, come together to share?
Then what's more important now is, knowing where the information or knowledge is, and knowing how to 'retrieve' it - through interaction, through network. Yes, as David Hung has pointed out - Learning is distributed in a community. Yes, there's no end to learning, but it's taking place everywhere, by every individual, focusing on different aspects of learning...

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Social Constructivism:

Good thinking is when Interpretation is close to the reality.

Seeing the "world" from the "LENS of the Participants"

Which PERSPECTIVE tells more TRUTH?

A fair bit of time concentrated on "Perspectives" and "Truth". What is truth? Something that is true can be protruded and lose its original meaning, intent.

Am still hazy over this... though the arguments sounded very logical when David Hung conveyed... Yes, it's a blur line between reality and illusion. Indeed, Reality can be distorted or misinterpreted whereas with proper 'shaping', illusions can be perceived true! Scary, isn't it?

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Complexity Theory

At one point, the structure of the Education Ministry overseas and Singapore was briefly compared: Some of the Education Ministry overseas are just a body that comprises of several people (a 'thin layer') and therefore it leaves to largely to the district or school to 'self-govern' and therefore given the flexibility of the design of its curriculum, the way it runs the school, etc... whereas Singapore Education Ministry is a huge body where the thining and planning, etc... take place... and eventually most of the time, leaving the schools to come in at the implementation stage - so much so that, the school will wait for the 'big nanny' to say what's next... and even the 'how to do...' - Yes, both have pros and cons.

One interesting scenario: What happens if the Singapore Education Ministry turns into a 'thin layer' one day... whereby the full autonomy is given the schools. It's just a body that dishes out guidelines... how will the school react to that?

Schools immediately move in to the inequilibrium state? How the school re-organise itself? etc.... but after a while, it will reach a steady state, into the cruising state again... so the key factor to the whole situation - from chaos to settlement - TIME.
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COP Conclusion:

Learning as becoming
Emphasis as process
Interaction are relational
Designing for Social-material infrastructure
Facilitating - enculturation
Allowing - Emergence

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Click HERE and HERE see some interesting illusions.

Sunday, April 16, 2006

"Espoused Theory" vs "Theory-in-Use"

from The LOOPs... @ Branch Meeting April 3, 2006

It's the first time I come across these 2 terms, "Espoused Theory" and "Theory-in-Use", though from the meaning is rather explicit, literally.

The simplest explanation I get for "espouse" is "commit", and of course, "Theory-in-Use" is actually what's in action. And therefore, by putting "Espoused Theory" and "Theory-in-Use" together, I see that it's close to "Are we walking our Talk?".

DD started off by contextualising it to what we do, as an ETO, and what we want to accomplished, being an agent out in the school. Yes, we believe we are the catalyst and we want to build capacities, and we are supposedly to be the information broker (to the schools!!!). These are our beliefs, our wants, our wishes... then look at what's translated into action, look at the reaction & responses from the schools, do they see our beliefs? what we want to happen?

If they do, probably, we are close to reconcilling the two... isn't it? The thinkings and 'want-to-be's have been translated into actions... or have we isolated the two in the course of performing our role?

Back to the personal level, it goes back to our very own self, I believe... we have our dreams, we have things we want to see... but do our actions bring us close what the dreams? Realised that since coming to the ETD, there are lots of good-to-haves, good-to-do, etc... that will bring about good changes to the classrooms... there we started 'preaching' the new approaches, etc... through our workshops, through the baseline lessons we work out, through our interaction with the teachers, etc... we have been selling them, because yes, at least I myself am bought in to the goods it brings... on the other hand, I wonder, is it because now I'm slightly more distant from the exam system, I don't have to be accountable to the results of the 40 students in the class... I'm 'freed-up' from this 'burden'... If I'm back to the school, how will I see the whole thing again? I wonder...

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from the website:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organizational_learning

Argyris and Schon (1978) distinguish between single-loop and double-loop learning, related to Gregory Bateson's concepts of first and second order learning.

In single-loop learning, individuals, groups or organizations modify their actions according to the difference between expected and obtained outcomes.

In double-loop learning, the entities (individuals, groups or organization) question the values, assumptions and policies that led to the actions in the first place; if they are able to view and modify those, then second-order or double-loop learning has taken place. Double loop learning is the learning about single-loop learning.
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chris argyris: theories of action, double-loop learning and organizational learning
http://www.infed.org/thinkers/argyris.htm
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A revisit: Theories of Action (13 August 2006)

Read the above article... and I think this time, have a clearer idea what the theory-in-use and espoused theory encompass...

The words we use to convey what we, do or what we would like others thinks we do, can then be called espoused theory. Example:
In explaining our actions to a colleague, we may call upon some convenient piece of theory. We might explain our sudden rush out of the office to others, or even ourselevs at some level, by saying that a 'crisis' had arisen with one of 'our' clients.
The theory-in-use might be quite different. We may have become bored and tired by the paper work or meeting and felt that a quick trip out of an apparently difficult situation would bring welcome relief.

Governing variables: dimensions that people are trying to keep within acceptable limits. Any action is likely to impact upon a number of such variables - thus any situation can trigger a trade-off among governing variables.
Action strategies: the moves and plans used by people to keep their governing values witin the acceptable range.
Consequences: what happens as a result of an action.

A revisit: The Single-loop and double-loop learning

Learning involves the detection and correction of errors.
When something goes wrong, it is suggested, an initial port of call for many people is to look at another strategy that will address and work within the governing variables.
In other words, given or chosen, goals, values, plans and rules are operationalised rather than questioned. 换汤不换药。
This is single-loop learning.

An alternative response is to question to governing variables themselves, to subject them to scrutiny.
This they describe as double loop learning.
Such learning may lead to an alteration in the governing variables and thus, a shift in teh way in which strategies and consequences are framed.

Single-loop learning seems to be present when goals, values, frameworks and, to a significant extent, strategies are taken for granted.
The emphasis is on techniques and makeing techniques more efficient.
Any reflection is directed toward making the strategy more effective.

Double-loop learning involves questioning the role of the framing and learning systems which underlie actual goals and strategies.
Double-loop learning is necessary if practitioners and organisations are to make informed decisions in rapidly changing and often uncertain contexts.

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Reflecting... Relating to work... relating to baseline...

Dipsticking exercise is a strategy that we used to measure the current status of the pupils' standards pilot in schools.
Review carried out at the operational level includes how it is being carried out (Set A/B for different groups of pupils), logistics improvement, design of the tasks, etc... all these remain within the single loop.
We have not really question the fundamentals, at this level... as far as those of us who are working on the operational aspect of the dipsticking exercise.

Next, we started to question... "Does dipstick work here? By conducting the dipsticking exercise, have we really met our fundamental objectives? Have our objectives changed over time, etc... " Are we doing it for the sake of doing - completing the whole cycle?
And now, Sai Choo wants to have data to decide on whether to go ahead or not.
Are we revisiting our fundamentals? Now we question, is dipstick THE way...
I guess this level of review has moved up to double loop.

Other single loops @ baseline... (hm...)

Lesson visits @ pilot schools - started off at the beginning of the year, getting schedule from schools, going down to schools to observe lessons, refinement of feedback forms, etc...

Creation of lesson resources - is that the way? Did we review how useful, helpful, 'relevant' in the context of 'integration' by the practitioners in schoos? The way the lessons are designed has been the key focus... have we really met the needs of the implementers at the ground? or we have made assumptions that that's THE way, and when things don't work out well, the problem comes from the way materials are designed??? Have we stepped back to look at other influencing factors?

Learning Journey...

Saturday, December 30, 2006

Recollections: 2006

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

TecXperience 2006 (22 Nov)

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Staff Retreat 2006 (8-9 Nov)

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Innovationation 2006

4th Professional Sharing Session, organised by CPDD

Sunday, October 08, 2006

Talk: Achieving Cost Effective Service Excellence - Lessons from Singapore Airlines

Monday, September 04, 2006

Teachers' Day Mass Lecture

Friday, September 01, 2006

Teachers' Day

Thursday, August 31, 2006

Learning Journey @ Comex

Saturday, August 12, 2006

UK Study Trip

Saturday, June 17, 2006

Workshop: Collaboration & Security in MS Applications

Monday, May 29, 2006

Learning Journey to GIC

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

IAEA 2006 Conference (22-26 May)

Sunday, May 21, 2006

Workshop: Writing Papers (17 & 19 May 2006)

Friday, May 05, 2006

IAEA 2006 Conference

Learning and Community of Practice

Sunday, April 16, 2006

"Espoused Theory" vs "Theory-in-Use"

Resources: Flipped Classrooms

Resources: Video

Resources: Sites