How are schools using technology in teaching and learning Science and Mathematics?

On Saturday, 15^th August 2009, I went to Sekolah Rendah Layong, Tutong II.

My aims are:

- to observe Science and Mathematics teachers teaching using technologies.

- to find out how technologies are used in teaching and learning Science and Mathematics there.

Below is my report.
Observation Report

How should technology be used in Mathematics and Science teaching and learning?

In SPN 21, technology is important to use in teaching and learning so that it is in line with the rapid technological advancements and globalisation. It helps to enrich the educational experience.

There are many approaches teachers can apply technology in teaching Science and Maths. Few examples include:

• Interactive White Board (IWB) is usually used for demonstration and interactive exercises.
• Software program, like Microsoft Word, is also available that helps pupils to create graphs easily and faster. Microsoft Excel can also be used to do basic mathematical operations activities such as Addition and Subtraction. Another software is Kidpix. There are varieties of activities can be done using this software such as insert shapes and colours.
  
• To make the lesson more lively, online games are readily accessible from websites. Examples of online games for primary pupils can be viewed here.
• The use of World-wide web (www.) also helps in giving additional information and animated images so that pupils are able to understand better and visualize mathematical and Science concepts. In Science textbooks, website addresses are provided for further references of the topics. Therefore, teachers should encourage pupils to access the website during the lesson and on their own time.
  
• In addition, some topics are provided with teaching tools, such as CD-Rom, where the Powerpoint presentations are ready to be used by teachers.
  

The use of technology, however, depends on teachers to choose the most appropriate way in delivering each lesson. Of course, there are few factors that need to be considered such as:

• time - whether the lesson can be completed within the time allocated with the chosen technology,
  
• teachers' confidence in using the chosen technology - ensure they are mastered in it,
  
• prior preparation - whether the teacher can equip the pupils with needed technology and whether the chosen technology can meet the lesson objectives.

Teaching Science in Primary School

During my teaching period, I have no chance in teaching Science. However, I had taught Pelajaran Am for 2 years. Therefore, I consider myself having some teaching knowledge on Science. Similar to teaching Maths, I used various strategies to build up pupils' interests on the subject.

Most of the time, I exposed the pupils to the real life experiences to promote discovery learning. This includes:

• Outside classroom activities. For example, topic "Tumbuh-tumbuhan" (in English, Plants), I asked the pupils to collect different types of flowers in the school compound.
• Self activities: grow seed to see the characteristics of living things.
• Group activities: pet fish to see the characteristics of living things.
  
• Experience various taste of fruits. The pupils and I contributed some fruits and tasted them.
• Invite specialist such as dental nurses to give talk and demonstration on how to brush teeth in proper way.

My Experience Teaching Mathematics in Primary School

Before I enrolled for my present study, I had taught in Sekolah Rendah Layong, Tutong II for 5 years. During this period, I'd taught Primary Mathematics for 3 years, all in lower primary. I used various strategies for teaching this subject to fulfill my pupils' abilities. Most of them focused on hands-on learning.

It was my norm to start off my lesson with recalling previous lesson. This was done by verbal quizzes that encourage pupils to participate in the session. For equal chance, I picked pupils randomly to answer the quizzes.

For stage development, I delivered the contents by giving examples, illustrating diagrams and sometimes, using objects. For pupils' activities, I grouped them into smaller groups of 3-4. Before they did their activity, I explained the instructions and provided them with the materials needed. They did the activity by discussing within the group and completed it within the time given.

At the end of the lesson, each group presented their work to the whole class. Question and answer session was also opened up after their presentation.

1st time blogging

This blog is for my PS 2206 project. Now, I'm still learning how to blog.. Hope I can give useful and creative ideas or information to all.. Insyallah..