STUDENT-CENTRED LEARNING (Teachers To Take A Back Seat)

The writer believes that a beautiful camaraderie
makes life a wonderful journey.

           I refer to the article by columnist Abdul Karim Abdullah, “Reforming education with student-centred learning” (NST, June 5), and support his idea of prioritising the role of learners to ensure effectiveness in the teaching and learning process.

            Despite the advent of technology and recommendations made by educationists-cum-researchers who have carried out empirical studies on the importance of applying new techniques in educating the millennial generation of students, some teachers still believe in traditional teaching methods.   

            As a teacher who is passionate about making it right for the sake of producing balanced individuals, students are my top priority. From my observation, students love to talk, play and move around; this keeps them happy and energetic. While some teachers perceive students as lazy, rambunctious, useless and undisciplined, I realise that students need fun to keep them “alive”. This explains why teacher-centred lessons make students bored. I believe it is time for teachers to ditch old-fashioned ways of teaching and try implementing new methods, as we support the idea of 21^st century learning.

              The fact that some teachers compare between advanced, intermediate and weak learners, and worse, develop a negative perception towards slow learners, is frustrating, unprofessional and irrelevant. Many teachers agree that it is easier to teach and carry out activities with good students than those in weak classes, considering the uncontrollable behaviours of hyperactive students and those not interested in their studies but, from my experience, that is usually because teachers plan the wrong activities or lose their passion when teaching students with low proficiency.

            Teachers should stop doubting the ability of learners. Take group presentations, for example. Although many believe that this student-centred teaching method is only for good students, it is actually applicable to weak learners, too. They may mumble, lack confidence and be playful during their presentation, but with time, they will improve and find the activity intriguing as they are given the opportunity to share and shine. All they need is continued encouragement and motivation. Practice makes perfect.

            Teachers need to realise that by applying a student-centred approach, it will encourage independent learning, which gives learners room and freedom to understand topics, interpret issues, solve problems and suggest solutions, as they develop creative and higher-order thinking skills. In fact, when students actively participate in classroom activities, it benefits not only their intellectual wellness, but also their physical, emotional and mental well-being, as teachers get out of the box and carry out activities that activate students’ kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal and verbal intelligence. As long as students are given clear instructions about the task, teachers can take a role as helpful and friendly facilitators, while learners dominate the learning session.

            A student-centred approach should be the preference of teachers who wish to stop making students sleep with their eyes open, as they need to be awake to make them think and learn.  

Courtesy of New Straits Times,

9 June, 2015

GLOBAL CRAZE (Taking Selfies Not A Selfless Matter)

The writer believes that a beautiful camaraderie
 makes life a wonderful journey. 

            Taking selfies is the latest trend in photography. The craze is a global phenomenon but it has also caused controversy when they are not taken only for fun, but in ways that are ridiculous, dangerous and unnecessary.

            These daredevils risk their safety while attempting to get the best poses. They need to realise that it is not a do-or-die decision. Instead of trying to impress others with their selfies, they can try other challenges that are safer, simpler and more satisfying.

            Those taking selfies or wefies may affect those around them. A mother taking a selfie while shopping can put her unattended children at risk, or a man taking a wefie while driving can put his family in danger.

We should not wait until it is too late for apologies and regrets. For example, the controversy involving a graduate who took a selfie on stage during his convocation must face the music for his insensitivity, disrespect and ignorance of policy, procedure and protocol. This proves that taking a selfie will become a public issue when those taking this trend to a new level make wrong decisions that result in chaos, dissatisfaction and grouses.

            Taking selfies may have caused mishaps in the past, but as long as people know when and where to take them, problems will not arise. Unlike those who dare breaking rules to take selfies, smart people will not try to do it in an unthinkable way.

            Some are so ambitious that they land themselves in trouble. They try to be the best, to be able to do something others are not able to. But, are they doing it in the right way and for the right reason? Is the competition healthy and does it make them better people? Or are they driven by the desire to meet their unreasonable expectation to feel satisfied, accomplished and proud of themselves, which others may view as an obsession or narcissism?

            One thing for sure, this is not how we think outside the box or to make a difference. Even if somebody has turned taking a selfie into an interest, it should be a joyful hobby, not a harmful habit.     

Courtesy of New Sunday Times

7 June, 2015