It is a pandemic, for goodness sake!

Majority of us are struggling to learn a new thing.  It is a fact.  But, the question is “How willing are we to experience “disequilibrium”?”   Most of the time, we are not willing to learn new things, to do something new because it disrupts our mental equilibrium.

But, what a heck!  Just do it!  With Wifi connection like Chipsmore in my room, I lugged my laptop and stuff to search for other possible places with strong internet connection.  Yesterday, I found the perfect place which happened to be empty (no class at that time).  So, I knocked on the door of the technician in charge and asked his permission to use the room.  I had a blast!  The internet connection is so fast but my excitement did not last long.  Yeah.  Congestion = Traffic problem with the server when everybody wants to use BigBlueButton.  Panicky messages kept on coming in (I also sent a message to add to the panicky mode)

But the thing is, we are in this moment together.  We do our best and don’t give up.

When I heard that one of my colleagues who is under the category of PUI (Person Under Investigation) still conducted the class using face to face means, I feel shocked, angry, bewildered, confused, numb (the list can go on).

How can a person be so _______________ (fill in the blank)?  What was this person thinking?  Have you gone ______________ (fill in the blank)?

Astaghfirullah.  I rest my case.

My second attempt using BigBlueButton: SPPP1012/SHPP Educational Psychology

I really need to learn this new thing fast.  I really have to master it well.  These are my aims.  But when the reality starts to hit me hard, I know that there are some of things that are beyond my control: server congestion.

Kudos to CICT and UTMLead teams who work extra hard and go extra miles to make sure that we can use the available platform to conduct our class.  It is not easy to be done.  But everybody is doing their best job

I was starting to get panicky when thing happened like this. I got disconnected.  I had a crash course session with my colleague on using Google Meet.  We experienced some technical glitches.  But, never mind.  We will try again.

I just renewed my Prezi subscription.  I just learn that it has a new feature.  Video presentation with the usual Prezi notes.  Alhamdulillah.  A good news for me.  I have started to learn creating video-slides presentation using Prezi.  I know that it is a new challenge for me.  I know that I might need extra time to learn it well.  But I will not give up.   I am not in a race to get to any finishing line.  I will get it done somehow In sha Allah.   May Allah ease my journey to learn these new things.

First attempt of using BigBlueButton: My experience for MPPU1024 Research Methods in Education

Alhamdulillah.  I did my first online class with lots of technical glitches and whatsnot.  With no video sharing (I learn later on that it is due to restriction that the library imposes on its users) and just audio sharing mode, I just conducted my class.  Just do it!  The technical glitches are due to some unforeseen things.  Well, things happen when we are least expected it, right?

While I was struggling to overcome the technical glitches, some of my colleagues like Dr Narina and Dr Nor Azean tried to help me but there is nothing much can be done when things are just out of our hand.  Kudos to them for giving me support when I (badly) needed one.

I was feeling helpless and when things happened like that, my normal reaction is crying.  Alhamdulillah Dr Narina came with her husband just on time when I just about to shed my tears.  But I guess they can sense it looking at my pale panicky face.

Dr Narina captured some videos of me panicking.   Alhamdulillah, I can’t upload the video here because this webpage does not allow video sharing (tongue in cheek remark!).  But here are some pictures to see me while in action.

I created a feedback form on the elearning.  I told my students don’t hesitate to give their comments even though it is negative.  I know their comments is not attacking me personally but rather giving me valuable information to improve my teaching.

 

I bite my finger when I am in panicky mode. Caught red-handed of doing that
Still in panicky mode but I shifted it by typing some questions on the chat box
Taadaaa!!!!! Even though there were only about 20 students joined the session, but at least it is better than nothing. 20/25 students? Not bad, right?

 

New Academia Learning Innovation (NALI) Active learning: Carousel or Round Robin or Gallery Walk

Carousel or Round Robin or Gallery Walk?  Which is which?

Technique Task Movement from one place to another
Carousel Group Yes
Round Robin Group/pair No (student stays at their own place and takes turn to give ideas in a group)
Gallery Walk Individual Yes

For Carousel and Gallery Walk, it involves movement, discussion, and reflection. But in a Gallery Walk, students independently and move around the room to complete a series of tasks alone.  But in a Carousel, students have to discuss in their own group as they move around the room to complete a series of tasks together with team members.

For Round Robin, basically each member take turn to give ideas in a group.

New Academia Learning Innovation (NALI) Active learning: Using Tarsia

We discussed about teaching and learning approach (pendekatan pengajaran dan pembelajaran).  So, I demonstrated that in one session of teaching and learning, we can combine the elements of teacher-centered approach with student-centered approach and material/activity-centered approach.

In the first hour, I gave a lecture on the types of teaching and learning approach (this an example of teacher centered approach) and later on I did an activity using Tarsia puzzle (this is an example of material/activity-centered approach). Then, in a small group of five students, I gave them a set of Tarsia puzzle and they need to solve the puzzle together.

The concept is similar like peer instruction, but in this case it involves more than two students in which they have to work in group to solve the puzzle (this is an example of student centered approach).   In my class, there are six groups (since I have 31 students in my class).  So, there are six sets of Tarsia puzzle that I have prepared earlier.  Well, I only have to prepare one, make a copy of that and cut the pieces before I give the students to solve the puzzle as an activity in class.

The students were in group to solve the puzzle i.e. Tarsia
Tarsia in the making
A template which I made few copies later on
It works!!!!
My Tarsia pouch

Work balance?

After Latihan Ikhtisas, I aim to have a more manageable work-life balance life style.  Indeed.  In an article that I found, the author describes how as academicians we might fall into the trap of having ideal work-life balance life style, without actually having one when all what we have is in a form of IDEA.  This is not good.  So, I decide to stay firm when I receive ad hoc things that can jeopardise my work-life balance stance.

I got an email to inform that I was selected to be one of the facilitators for this modular course.  The thing is, I have classes every single day.  So, being me who never recycle old notes without making any tweaking or change of the old notes on every single semester, I need time to prepare for my classes.

A senior colleague lamented that she needs me to be one of the facilitators because I am one of the best.  Back in my mind “Whatever” because I know that in our school. we have never lack of any expert in anything.  You name it.  We’ve got it all, y’all.  Some even jack of all trades, but _____________ (fill in the blank).

The thing is, when I used to get a session for this modular course (long time ago), I normally will prepare my own notes.  But at that time, at least I have one day without any class so I can prepare notes for any modular course.  Now, things are different.  But somehow this senior does not get it.   Since I came back from my Latihan Ikhtisas, I have tuition classes almost every weekend.  How about those weekends without tuition class?  I will revise notes/worksheet that I want to use for my tuition class.  So weekends basically is a me time for the things not related to my official work.  Gone are the days when I would prepare modular courses notes on weekend.   It was something that I used to do.  Now, it is different.

Well, it is kind of weird because when I was not around, she could find others to replace me for the sessions.  I just don’t understand why out of nowhere I have become someone “indispensable”.  I must be stupid to be so gullible to believe what she said, right?

I took an action right away.  I never regret with what I did.  Attaboy!

 

BigBlueButton…. oh… BigBlueButton

I attended a workshop on using BigBlueButton last week.  It is very interesting until it dawns to me that I have a large group of students for my UG courses.   But the facilitators assured me that since all of the students will log in at different places, unlike the computer lab, there won’t be any internet glitch.

Suddenly, I remember the student that I had last semester who didn’t own a smartphone.  It makes me to start thinking further “Does this student has a laptop that can be connected to internet/wifi?”  or “What if there is a student like that this semester?”

So I decided to conduct a simple survey to explore this issue especially with regards to the ownership of a smartphone and a laptop/computer which is crucial if I want to use BigBlueButton later on.  It is like I am asking students to write using a pen whereas the students do not have any pen.  We cannot simply assume that students can afford to have smartphone or computer.

On top of that, since BigBlueButton is like Skype, you need a headphone (at least with or without the microphone).  You cannot get a headphone for RM5 to RM10.  Based on my observation on the Free Meal/Market, there was time when 50 pens were taken by students.  It means that 50 students need a pen that to us might cost pittance.   If they cannot afford to buy a pen, what more something like a headphone, smartphone or computer, right?

I met Hadi on my way back to my room.  He also just finished his class.  We talked about this possibility.  He said that he is aware about this too because back in the days when he was the student leader, he knows some students who would give all of their PTPTN loan to the family.  They would do odd jobs to survive at UTM.  Similar scenario is still happening now.

As an instructor, is it fair to conduct an online class where your students do not have the tool to get connected to you?  Anyway, I am still waiting for the students to respond to the survey.  So, until then, I will keep waiting before deciding on the next course of action.

UTM Open Day