Meeting 5 (Week 9 & 10)

Meeting 5 : My breakfast, the Quiz

Assalamualaikum and a very good day everyone…..this is Kin, reporting from home. I nearly forgot to write this reflection, but since I somehow managed to remember what happened on the day, so…here I am. It was a very good morning indeed, with Dr. Teoh all smiles coming to the class. Some of the friends were a bit late, but I came to the class feeling happy, with no reason actually. Dr. Teoh said that she needed to attend something; a celebration f I am not mistaken. But before she left, she discussed about sample of research questions and the difference between the clear and unclear version of a research questions; in conjunctions to our Task 2; I assumed. I quite get it when she explained in the class, but somehow after going back home, I feel like going back to square one.

Moving on, we were left with a questionnaire and some papers as our ‘breakfast’ for the day, while waiting for her to come back from the events. We were given questions on Chapter 15 and 16, and I tried answering them. But of course, I am definitely not proud with my results. Obviously, I have not been reading the book. But at least, its not a chicken egg,

Another set of papers were about Quantitative Research (experimental, single-subject design, correlational and also causal-comparative), as well as reliability, and validity. Validity can be separated to face validity, content validity, criterion validity, concurrent validity and also construct validity.

          I am terribly worried about my research proposal actually. I have the general idea of course, but upon starting to write the research proposal, I find it hard to continue and to actually gain ideas and drive for it. I am actually thinking on how to motivate students to think critically, such as how to induce it. I was thinking on how they normally generate their ideas. I was also planning on getting insights from the mentors/ or language instructors in my working place. But somehow, upon starting reading a lot of journals, I got confused. Very very confused. I am still trying my best to write, again. Not much progress yet, but I am looking at the bright side.

P.S. I really need to start my engine and study. I am not fond of repeating any subject. And I have every intention to excel in all the subjects. Oh Allah, give me guidance to go on. I can do it!!

Figure 1 : My notes on Validity (very important!!)

 

Meeting 4 (Week 7 & 8)

Meeting 4: Comparing Qualitative and Quantitative Research (and I forgot about Theorotical Framework)

          I am not feeling well, but anyway, it was not an excuse not to write the reflections from the class, right. So, I remember that Dr. Teoh gave us a paper, of theoretical framework. I would prefer to be honest, as I only started to understand the importance of learning research method and the purpose and steps in doing research. And yes, I had decided that I am going to change my research proposal topic. Mainly because of the reason that, I was able to understand on how to conduct. Got confused a bit with Qualitative and Quantitative Research. Mine would be qualitative then, since I am going to investigate the effectiveness of implementing blended learning in ESL learning. I will take into account of the students’ and teacher’s perspective.

 

Table 1 : Comparing Qualitative and Quantitative Research (Extracted from http://shayaaresearch.blogspot.com/2011/04/qualitative-vs-quantitative-research-v.html at 28/05/2014, 11:38 a.m.)

 

 

          Since I decided to choose blended learning as my research proposal, I had very rough ideas on what directions I am going to take this research proposal to. Blended learning as we know, are about combining the traditional way of teaching (teacher centred) and the newly formed way of teaching, which focus mainly on the online activities (CD Rom, social networking, PC and etc.) Of course, using one method in conducting the teaching in class; can be a bit boring and unproductive. And we should as well cope up with the new generation that is highly dependent on technology and social networking. its like killing to birds with one stone. Further explanations on my research proposal will be explained in the later entry.

 

Figure 1: A very brief description of blended learning. (Extracted from http://www.gttconnect.com/advantage_gtt_unique_methodology_blended_learning.html on 28/05/14 at 11: 46)

 

         

Meeting 3 (Week 5 & 6)

Meeting 3: Practices on referencing and citation(very important!!!)

I don’t even know how I don’t know about this, but now I know that I don’t know. After being introduced to LiRAS, Dr.Toeh actually took some time to teach us on how to do citation and referencing. I hate it, honestly, as I had difficulties with referencing during my degree. I did my best though somehow, it was not the correct one even with me using the APA standard given. I am really thankful that now, I am not going to take as much time as before to do my reference. I tried it back at home, and it was fun. Am I weird for thinking it was fun? No right?

 

Table 1: Term paper (Education and Human Development) assignment and the references that I did using Microsoft Word.

I think that I need; scratch that.  Need to seriously re-define my research proposal. I have the basic idea on what I needed to do and write; but I am in love with ‘procrastination’. It is literally my best friend. A success is hard to achieve, and a long way to go, but it is sweet at the end of the story. I learned something today and I am very thankful. Hopefully, I’ll learn more in the class as well as out of the class.

Meeting 2 (Week 3 & 4)

Meeting 2: Steps in Research Methods

     This class started with everyone getting ready with their own laptops. I am unsure of what I need to do today, but I’m keeping an open mind as to what I’m learning today. Supposedly, we’re going to learn about literature review and the steps in doing the literature review. So, Dr. Teoh passed around her thumb drive containing an application of LiRAS (Literature Review Analysis System) and also the definition of Research Problem and Research Questions.

    Since some of the laptops are not functioning properly and cannot operate like how it should be, it took some time before some of us managed to use the application in the class. After we are given the data (folder to support in order for the application to be run). Dr. Teoh showed some examples on how to operate LiRAS and asked everyone to try it out with at least 3 articles. I tried with only 1 successful article, and the other one, I got blurred out. But just for a reminder, I might need to practise more at home.

Topic Area	Students interest in learning English
Research problems	An attempt to motivate students to maintain/ sustain interest in learning English
Purpose Statement/Objective	1)       To maintain students interest in learning English 2)       To learn on different types of motivation to keep them interested in class 3)       To find the effect of motivations towards the students
Research Questions	1)       Why is it important to sustain interest in the class? 2)       What are the factors effecting the kids’ motivation in ESL classroom? 3)       What are the theories of Motivation? 4)       How do the rewards/ punishments give effects to the kid’s motivation? 5)       How does the motivation correlated towards the kid’s achievement in the ESL classroom? 6)       What are the ways in order to increase interest in learning English in ESL classroom?

Table 1: My assigned Task 1

     I am very interested on how to actually sustain kid’s attention in the classroom, since I do have this kind of problems at work. Young learners might be fine for me (between age 5-10 years old) but upon reaching secondary school kids, I find it hard to actually motivate them and sustain their interest. So, by choosing this kind of topic, hopefully, it will help me in learning how to handle them, and optimize their time in learning rather than just coming for the sake of attending.

Meeting 1 (Week 1 & 2)

Meeting 1 : Research Topic (EDU702)

 

Assalamualaikum wbt,

     A very good day to everyone (hopefully). I'm not a good blogger obviously that it took me this long to actually update and start my blog. But nevertheless, I started the engine and here I am....trying my best.

     I actually decided on a lot of things; I am extremely excited on doing Reading Logs to my kids, but after some discussion of pros and cons with a friend of mine, I decided to drop it down. finding ideas from the ICELTS conferences last year, I found a lot of interesting topic to choose......but, I finally settled down on hot to maintain (or sustain) and even motivate kids in the ESL classrooms.

     This is purely based on my own experience. It might be because I lacked experience with kids and not to mention that their attentions span is considerably shorter than others, I'm trying my best to find out ways to optimize the time I have with them in the class.

      I think this is pretty true, as I myself had a hard time, convincing myself to try my best. Let it be in terms of writing, work, interest nor passion and goals in life, I think everyone should try their best (and effort) to produce something. Thus, I believed that maybe if the kids don't have any motivation whatsoever entering my class, I would be the one to provide that.

     There are different kinds of motivation; whether it is intrinsic or extrinsic. I have yet to find out which one I would be able to try and experiment with my own kids, but judging from their age (around 5-10 years old), I believed this age are more towards extrinsic. Something easy, I believed. But my concerns focus more on the older ones (secondary school). I need help in this, and I'm going to find out how.

A motivation for myself (I severely need one!!!)