LTP
Linking Theory to Practice. My last coursework submitted was for that module. Im not here to babble about that module. I am here to talk about linking theory to practice in the real world, in other words, reflecting the latest trend in education system and the recent changes made to our education system and its effectiveness.
It has been sometime ago since I last write about educational stuff. One reason this issue came up in my mind is im preparing for my examination. Thus I had to read awful loads of stuff. Anyway for this term, I had to take 4 modules. Out of 4 I have to sit for 2 exam papers which is quite a lot for the last 2 and half years. Yikes…for the whole 2 years I was in UK I only sit for 5 [read: F.I.V.E] exam papers and 2 of it was seen paper. Hehehe… easy peasy lemon squeezy…
[that was just to warm me up for the real issue here…=) ]
For this term, the 4 modules were Curriculum Studies, Assessment in School, Professional Development, and Linking Theory to Practice. The exam papers are for the first 2 modules. The other 2 modules are fully assessed by courseworkSSS. [Sorry..had to emphasize the amount of work they gave us..huhu]
In reflecting the content of each module, I can conclude:
Curriculum Studies: moving towards Learner centred curriculum [Smart Schools, Cluster Schools..etc] ..i heard they revamp the curriculum again…(*_*) I wonder what’s new..hmm
Assessment in School: Alternatives assessments i.e. moving away from examination oriented [Smart School, Cluster Schools…]
Professional Development: Reflective Practitioner i.e teachers being more reflective towards their teaching practice. [One of the criteria in smart schools…]
For the countless essaySSS we did..i had only touched part of alternative assessment and none on reflective practitioner and only ¾ of moving towards learner centred curriculum.. Unlike Julie who did 2 out of the 3 issues...huhu [pergghhh Julie…kalau ko tak dapat A for AS and PD..keji aa diaorg nih…]
Ohh wait…Linking theory to practice: …..mainly I learn how to write scheme of work, lesson plans, micro teach my lesson plan and reflect on the whole process. That’s the classroom works I have to do as a teacher.
All 3 issues are the current trend in education systems around the world and we are not really far behind in terms of putting it on to paper to be implemented into practice. *wooohooo…way to go Malaysia!!* However…the real concern here is the rate of these changes reflected in the classroom and to practice. It is no longer the government has to make the changes to the education system. It is now the amount of practice in our classroom in reflecting the changes made.
Since I left school, the amount of changes geared to modern education system is huge. However, I could see that Malaysian [inc its government] do not have the patience in making these changes. Everything must be bold and big. Massive. And not to forget it brings instant results like 2minute noodles. And in case you don’t realise, we are dealing with human beings, small children who practically hate changes and love routine, teachers who have been trained with long held believe, supported by 30 years experience of teaching and none of her student fail any exam, and parents who of course detest the idea of their children for being the guinea pigs of the system.
Yo people! How about small changes that brings results. No more mega projects that brings nothing but frustration, which gets us nowhere that is…not to mention costs like millions!
So *clap clap* for realising the importance of moving towards learner centred curriculum and alternative assessments...a little late though, but better late than never.
Tell those things to the public, educate them. Tell them its okay if ur child does not have any English homework for a day and it does not mean that the teacher is not teaching. Tell them getting all those belas2 A’s means nothing if the child learns nothing. Route learning is waaaayyy back dated. Meaningful learning is here to stay. Tell them to give more concern about the child education not just leaving it to the teachers. Teachers should do more parenting and parents should do more teaching [quoted, can’t remember where or when].
Tell the teachers the advantages of learner centred curriculum. Teach them how to practice it classroom. Don’t tell them to ditch what they have been doing. Tell them how they can do it differently. Show them the effect of learner centred curriculum. Train the teachers to be reliable assessor to conduct valid assessments. Value classroom assessments as well as national level examinations, not just give it pass/fail credit. Tell the teachers the effect of being a reflective practitioner and the effect it has on the students and themselves in being professional. Show them how they could do it.
And accept the fact that these changes take time. The changes you made now won’t show the results tomorrow, next month, or that same year. Haven’t we learned? We change the medium of instruction in 1970’s to BM and the results? Students are lack of English competency in 1990’s. Can’t we see that? Simple cause and effect relationships have tremendous effect to the community and nation. It took 20years to show the results of what we believe a good change. It is good that we are making changes to our education system. It shows that we are reflecting ourselves, and want to stay current. Don’t just ditch the ideas just because it doesn’t show any results instantly. And start a new one. And the cycle of failed plans will starts.
I’m sitting for my final exams on 8th n 10th of May. After the mid year school holiday, 122 of us will be going to schools for practical and test all that we had learnt for the past 5 years. June 2002- June 2007. I wonder if 120 fully trained teachers could give new impacts in implementing the changes in our education system. I would give it 5 years to start see the effect… and I hope our 4 cohorts of juniors are able to continue what we are about to start. And I hope it will be continued by those joining the 3rd cycle of twinning programme in training TESL teachers [they get to study abroad for 3 years and one of the uni is Portsmouth!!!! Aaaaa Not fair!!! Portsmouth is the shopping heaven! JELES!!!!!!!!]
Anyway, I haven’t really digested the fact that starting January 2008, I am going to be a fully licensed highly trained teacher.
From now, my mantra will be ‘I am a Teacher. As a teacher my job is to teach…’ for 5years!
…Sayang…you said ok already aaa…after 5 years, saya berenti keje..dok rumah ok?
…tapi dok rumah jek busan aaa…Huhu…….sambung blajar le eQin…amik young children psychology… hehehe…perhaps the practice instead of theory…*wink*
