Introductions

1.Please introduce yourself


Assalamualaikum. My name is Shariffa Nurul Syamimi bt. Mohamed Nazir, but I'm known as Mimi to most people. I am 23 years old this year and I live in Kota Damansara, Selangor. I am currently in my 8th semester in the B.Ed. TESL programme of UiTM Shah Alam.


2.How would you rate yourself in terms of your computer skills & why? (e.g. expert, novice, savvy, geek, illiterate?)

I probably might rate myself as 'barely literate' when I think of my computer skills. I know how to navigate my way around the Internet, but only know how to truly use a few Microsoft programs.


3.What computer software & hardware knowledge do you have?

I know how to utilize several basic Microsoft softwares, such as Powerpoint, Word, and Excel, which are mostly used in my assignments. Things that require CD/DVD-Rom installations are quite simple to do, so I can do that rather well.

In terms of hardware, I am a bit of a novice. I know of the hardware components in a computer, but I have yet to master more complicated items such as Ethernet and such. Nevertheless, I tend to practice a 'trial and error' habit when dealing with it. As long as the hardware items, such as the printer or the RAM space, do not require me to need the assistance of a trained professional, I can manipulate and use most hardware.


4.Have you experienced learning via the computer (online, using courseware, etc.)?

Looking back on my childhood days, I actually have. Back in primary school, my classmates and
I were instructed to use a special courseware designed for our computer classes. The courseware included several of our core subjects, such as mathematics and English, and we had to answer the questions provided. The answers to each question will immediately pop right up after we have clicked the 'Jawab/Answer' button, and towards the end, a score sheet would appear once we have completed the test.


5.Did you try to incorporate technology in some of your lessons during your practicum? Was it a success or a failure?

I did try to incorporate technology into my classes during my practicum sessions, but I faced several challenges whenever I did so. I actually used technology twice in my lessons, before I resorted back to the traditional paper and whiteboard marker method. The school was not equipped with computers or projectors, so if the teacher wants to use any technology, they would have to book the Computer Lab or Media Room. As it was a hassle and it was difficult for a trainee teacher to gain access to such coveted rooms, I resorted to bringing and using my own laptop to show videos or music files during my set inductions.

In terms of its success with the students, it was well-received, as my Form 4 students were technologically-savvy and seemed to be extra excited about the lesson when a computer/the Internet was involved. However, in terms of convenience, it was difficult to use, as the students had to huddle around my small laptop to see and hear the videos/music files (I had roughly 30 students in each class), and there were not enough working power points to plug in my technological gadgets when using it in the classroom.


6.What is your opinion on the use of computer/technology in language teaching?

I think that computer/technology usage in language teaching can provide a refreshing take on traditional lessons. I noticed that students tend to perk up and take more interest in the lesson whenever the teacher even mentions words related to computers/the Internet, such as 'Youtube' or 'Facebook'. They tend to focus more on the lesson whenever I include media into the classroom such as videos, music files or interactive computer language games.


7.What are your expectations from this course?

I hope that this course will provide me with more in-depth knowledge about using computers to assist the learning and teaching process in a language classroom. I also hope that I would learn valuable computing skills so that I can utilize technology at its fullest in my classroom.


8.What is the topic chosen for your Academic Exercise? Why have you chosen the topic? Who is your supervisor? How do you plan to complete your AE so that it follows the designated processes (chapter by chapter) and can be submitted on time?

The topic that I have chosen is "Students' Perceptions of the Implementation of the PEERS Curriculum in Section 9 Shah Alam". I have chosen this topic because there are many people who are not satisfied with the current sexuality education syllabus used even until now, (excluding the new KSSR curriculum introduced in 2011), mainly the students who undergo the syllabus in school. I intend to find out the things they are not satisfied with when their teachers teach them the mentioned curriculum content and the possible problems that teachers face when teaching the PEERS syllabus.

My supervisor is Datin Siti Hawa and I plan to complete my AE, starting with chapters 1,2 and 3 as well as my questionnaire, by the end of the month. Once I have sent my research proposal to the EPRD and JPN, I will start collecting my data and analyzing it before proceeding to chapters 4 and 5. I estimate that I will be able to complete and submit my AE by Mid-June, Insyaallah. So far, I have completed my chapters 1 and 3, am halfway editing my chapter 2 and refining my questionnaire.