Reflections on the videos and articles (session 2)

An engaged learning environment is clearly stated as one which require high levels of student-to-student and student-to-teacher communication. In the case of Ms. McLane's Bicycle Journey, the use of real time as well as real life experiences of Ms Mclane’s round the world journey created a platform for children to experience learning which is authentic and meaningful. Reading and writing activities are embedded in the emailing activities and even cultural differences of various countries are introduced. This form of learning environment is virtual yet realistic.
A critical aspect of engaging learning environments must be an awareness of the individual learning styles of students. By selecting appropriate technology that matches individual learning styles , opportunities can be created to engage those children who use to be left out of learning activities in traditional classrooms. This activity, thus, hooked the children to the learning of the language in a different way.
Integration of IT in teaching has always been viewed by many as “wayang” or deemed as something extra. This is exceptionally true for those who only make use of simple powerpoint slides, which in actual fact, is just another form of transparency. In the teaching of Chinese Language, in particular, due to the lack of resources (as compared to other subjects), teachers are often apprehensive in infusing IT in their teaching. In short, IT is troublesome and extra. However, with the introduction of blogging and podcasting, there seems to be some shift in paradigm. The idea of a virtual classroom, of one which can enhance the learning of the Language is now more feasible and viable. Instead of plain chalk and board type of information transfer, we can make use of these IT tools to enhance students’ learning, Teacher can group the students and give them some problem based task, for example to come up with a proposal on organizing a service learning trip to China. Teacher will act as a facilitator, and students will go ahead with their surveys and research. They will explore on the various options and do their own planning. These processes could be recorded in their blogs where classmates can give their comments or ride on their ideas. They can also create a podcast to sell their proposal to the rest of the class at the end of the session.
If there is an opportunity to carry out the proposal, they can adopt what Ms Mclane did, write their entire experience on their blogs for others back in Singapore to access and comment.
In this case, technology integration, then, will not be an outcome, but rather a part of the larger instructional design process.
Engaged learning will then be not confined to classroom.
The possibilities are boundless.