It's just been three weeks since I started facilitating at the Republic Poly, and I must say, I really like the environment there. For one who's always embraced out of the box ideas, RP has certainly not disappointed me.
I facilitate two year one classes in Enterprise Skills, basically exposing students will work-related issues such as teamwork, performance, conflict and understanding how to be excellent employees, if not employers.
And I must say, there is something different about the pedagogy at RP that makes my year one students really endearing.
For one, they are self-motivated learners. I don't have to bug them to fill up their PDTs or do their RJs. I don't have to tell lecture nor teach. Instead, I facilitate a discussion that stimulates them to want to find out more. They google, they wikipedia, they encarta. They basically find everything they need to know on the web, resulting in learning, literally outside the classroom.
And, with a system that ensures they work in groups every day, and different groups for that matter, I find my students not working with their usual friends, but mixing and working well with everyone - across diplomas.
At the end of the day, I will say that these students will come out of school being more independent, resourceful, problem-solving individuals who can work well with others.
So what if RP had gotten rid of the books, the lectures, the tutorials, the exams and the internships? I think they've got a pretty darn neat system going with the students armed with laptops in hand and a critically thinking head.
19 July 2007
06 July 2007
This one's for my students!
When they said that teaching is a fulfilling job, they weren't lying. Indeed, I am touched that even after I've left the education ministry, my relationship with my students live on. Even after my students have graduated, I still keep in touch with them. Best of all, they treat me like a friend more than a teacher, but with respect and care.
And so, I thank especially my students...
From Alfred who calls me "Miss Chewie", or Justin who calls me "idiot", or Huishan who calls me "starfish", and Fionella, Debra and Abigail for tagging and leaving long comments on my blog (I love long comments!), I appreciate them all... Not to mention Anne, and Michelle, and Nicholas, and.... Thanks for tagging!
And for the girls in 2 Unity who asked my brother if I missed them (Yes, I do...) and Fidella who just wants to talk over msn to keep in touch, I appreciate it all.
And to my students who have since left school - Tok, Brandon, Zuliang...thanks for visiting before I left HIHS.. Jocelyn for shouting "yeh!! You're at RP with me! Let's have lunch!!" over msn.. and Xunfu and Michelle Lim too! Let's get together all at RP! :)
And to all the students I've taught before (and not mentioned here..)... Thank you for touching my heart. I hope I've touched yours too!
And so, I thank especially my students...
From Alfred who calls me "Miss Chewie", or Justin who calls me "idiot", or Huishan who calls me "starfish", and Fionella, Debra and Abigail for tagging and leaving long comments on my blog (I love long comments!), I appreciate them all... Not to mention Anne, and Michelle, and Nicholas, and.... Thanks for tagging!
And for the girls in 2 Unity who asked my brother if I missed them (Yes, I do...) and Fidella who just wants to talk over msn to keep in touch, I appreciate it all.
And to my students who have since left school - Tok, Brandon, Zuliang...thanks for visiting before I left HIHS.. Jocelyn for shouting "yeh!! You're at RP with me! Let's have lunch!!" over msn.. and Xunfu and Michelle Lim too! Let's get together all at RP! :)
And to all the students I've taught before (and not mentioned here..)... Thank you for touching my heart. I hope I've touched yours too!
04 July 2007
It's all OK after all...
The first day of my facilitation at RP went well after all... well, minus the little fight outside my class, the fact that I couldn't project my PowerPoint slides, and that my students didn't fair too well at the daily test...
But that aside, I am proud of my little achievement, for keeping the nerves so in check that one of my students asked me - are you like an "old bird" here?
I thank my best friend for reminding me to focus not on myself but on the students instead. That helped lift the pressure a lot.. I also thank my lots-of-potential ex-student, Alfred for sending me that encouraging sms last night... and also all my dear Sec 2 Unity and 2 Charity students for tagging the encouraging words.. Even my former students currently studying at RP msned me to check on me - thanks Slowpoke! And Michelle Lim for popping by to visit me. :)
It's been a fulfilling day as I get to know another 22 students today and facilitated their learning on conflict management.
As I wind down for the day, I'd like to sit back and relish my little achievement. I do think I deserve this little break for now!
But that aside, I am proud of my little achievement, for keeping the nerves so in check that one of my students asked me - are you like an "old bird" here?
I thank my best friend for reminding me to focus not on myself but on the students instead. That helped lift the pressure a lot.. I also thank my lots-of-potential ex-student, Alfred for sending me that encouraging sms last night... and also all my dear Sec 2 Unity and 2 Charity students for tagging the encouraging words.. Even my former students currently studying at RP msned me to check on me - thanks Slowpoke! And Michelle Lim for popping by to visit me. :)
It's been a fulfilling day as I get to know another 22 students today and facilitated their learning on conflict management.
As I wind down for the day, I'd like to sit back and relish my little achievement. I do think I deserve this little break for now!
03 July 2007
The New Teacher
Tomorrow, I take the place of "the-new-teacher" in the class I'd be facilitating at RP. The previous facilitator left on short notice, so I come in as easy replacement.
It's not easy taking over a class. For one, the class has already formed their culture and habits. With you as the newbie coming in, you're in a position where you have to work harder to fit in.
On top of that, the pressure hits you harder when the previous teacher happens to be one that the students totally like. And I happen to be in that position.
Looking through the previous journal entries, it became apparent that the students really loved their previous facilitator - "awww man! I'll miss you!","come visit us!", "you're the best facilitator!".
Less than 24 hours before my first facilitation class at RP, I feel the pressure building up. Not only will I have to grapple with the new technology - uploading worksheets, marking attendance, keying in remarks etc all in a wireless and paperless environment, I will also have to remember all that I've been taught at PBL Foundation - AND try to fill in the shoes of the previous facilitator.
A part of me wished I had one of my former students in the class. A familiar face always helps calm nerves. But no luck. I checked the list. All fresh faces.
I take a deep breath and gather all the courage I have. Tomorrow, I intend to make a "starfish" difference. And I hope my new students be nice to calm my the-new-teacher jitters.
It's not easy taking over a class. For one, the class has already formed their culture and habits. With you as the newbie coming in, you're in a position where you have to work harder to fit in.
On top of that, the pressure hits you harder when the previous teacher happens to be one that the students totally like. And I happen to be in that position.
Looking through the previous journal entries, it became apparent that the students really loved their previous facilitator - "awww man! I'll miss you!","come visit us!", "you're the best facilitator!".
Less than 24 hours before my first facilitation class at RP, I feel the pressure building up. Not only will I have to grapple with the new technology - uploading worksheets, marking attendance, keying in remarks etc all in a wireless and paperless environment, I will also have to remember all that I've been taught at PBL Foundation - AND try to fill in the shoes of the previous facilitator.
A part of me wished I had one of my former students in the class. A familiar face always helps calm nerves. But no luck. I checked the list. All fresh faces.
I take a deep breath and gather all the courage I have. Tomorrow, I intend to make a "starfish" difference. And I hope my new students be nice to calm my the-new-teacher jitters.