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.