The Age of Multidimensional World

Image Source: Google Image

The world is no longer limited to a single dimension, or perhaps the 2D. Coming across 3D for the first time in the cinemas was rather fascinating for me. As fascinated as I am, I purchased my first 3D glass to watch some videos on youtube after they launch their 3D mode.

My coursemate Joe recently wrote about 3D printing, a futuristic concept in that we never thought would exist 20 years ago. I wonder how many more years to go before we are able to get that in the Malaysian market but then again, another interesting thing would be the 3Doodler, drawing in air. That seems rather possible to get it out to the market soon. I would definitely buy them for the use of drawing in classroom.

How awesome is that? I wouldn't mind this in my classroom. I think that kids will actually enjoy the use of this device. However the combination between drawing on paper and using the 3Doodler has to be balanced. A typical art lesson would be presenting their concept or drawing on a paper (2D) then proceed on using the 3Doodler to make their 3D model drawing. What is your verdict on this? can or cannot? or both also can larr....

Professional Practice School

Proper Prior Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance

As we prepare for the assignment of the course of planning unit plan as well as preparing ourselves for professional practice. Many things come to mind. How do I teach? what do I teach?Why do I use ICT? How much of ICT to use? and so on. As I recall the video from module 5, it reminds me that I should be planning lesson that doesn't bore child, lessons that are useful for the and to prepare them for the future. As teachers of the 21st century, our task is no longer to construct their knowledge only, but to prepare them for the world and jobs that doesn't exist just yet. This thoughts were playing in my head over and over again as I tour around the school this morning.

Image source: TSC

The 10 of us from BECH had been called in for a briefing and to check on the ICT facilities that the school has. I think that was indeed a good move of the principal in getting us prepared earlier in order for us to prepare our lessons based on the facilities they have or perhaps what we can add on to that. Let's take a look at the equipment well prepared for our use in this coming practicum.

Image Source: Google Image

Smart-board is definitely used. It was my first personal encounter with it. Well being quite amazed by the works can be done with the smart-board, I am at the point of thinking how lessons can be carried out using this amazing tool. 

Image Source: Google Image

I am pretty amaze with their audio system. Pictures are not allowed of anything that is associated with the kindergarten due to copyright. However, with 10 output to one source, the children can share and listen to the same thing. Furthermore this could be used in class to encourage harmonious learning that the children will not feel biased out discriminate teachers for being not fair. 

Image Source: Google Image & Skype

Wifi is available for the teaching and learning use. Now now, I was thinking of organizing Skype call at the end of each week so that the students can discuss with the other school what they had learn. Since it's part of their language development too. 

Image Source: Google Image

Or perhaps when the internet line is down, the alternative for communication is there. Well it is one of the ICT device, did you not know?

LeapPad - IPad's Cousin

With all the buzz going on with learning through Ipads and all, I came across an interesting gadget as I was strolling along Toys R Us yesterday. This device by LeapFrog called LeapPad2 an improvised version of LeapPad is one of the hot selling gadget for children. Apparently this device is a very academic one as compared to Ipads. This is in contrast a response post to Vicki's post on How young is too young for an ipad.

This is how it looks like. pretty awesome device for young learners. Lets take a look at what the device special features are.

• Learning games - not just any angry bird games but lots of games for learning (numeracy, language etc)
• Download apps - the special part of this device is that you can download lots of other learning apps
• Digital reading and Ebooks - this device serves as an ebook reader too, promoting paperless
• Flash cards
• Videos - for watching vausla youtube videos online or learning videos
• Music players - relaxation is equally important too isn't it
• Front and back camera recorder - one feature for the child to make it feels like an ipad.
• Online play

Will you provide one of this for your child? I say yes to that. This device has 325 and more learning games and apps that provide an educational and interactive experience for each child. It has an automatically progress detector and changes accordingly making the level harder for the child. This device seem to be a working device to the child like an Ipad rather than a toy.

The device cost RM500-RM799, depending on their features and specification. What is your verdict on replacing the use of Ipads with this one? and only teachers to use Ipad. Sounds like a good idea isn't it? As compared to Ipad, this will suit the children more, probably as a start up device for the child to be responsible with before using the ipad. Nonetheless, it is still cost a bomb to some parents too. There you go, every technology seems to have a pro and con towards that.