Thursday, June 19, 2008

Day 4 - What a WIHIC day!

Today, the intensity level is increased. The WIHIC adventure is turning out to be quite a hiccup one. Amazingly I survived. Actually, in all honesty it is a rather difficult blog to write today. I thought that what I learnt today is really mathematical in nature and practice makes perfect. But what is also important is what the numbers infer and how we must respond.

I also picked up a few key words - Guiding Principles, Qualitative and Quantitative, Items and SPSS. From yesterday's traffic-lights colours analogy I realised that 'Items' is a subset Scales. I got curious to what SPSS stands for and a search in the WIKI reviewed it means Statical Package for the Social Science. I have created this link to the WIKI. 

Actually, the WIHIC instrument is very adaptable for us as trainers. It is a good measure to prompt us to improve the learning environment. One important thing that I learnt today is the ability to comprehend the various reports that others published. I am pleasantly surprised and will look forward to reading more of these literature.


Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Day 3 - Moos - what an amazing "cow"

Today, it is all about assessing! I am refering to the focus of assessing the L.E.
Assessing can come in many forms - survey questionaires, interviews, observations and even documents.

I actually picked up a few key words to help me remember the discussions today. They are : 3 Moos Scheme Dimensions, Scales and Instruments (They formed the acronym 'DIS' and I associate them to red, amber and green colours)

According to Moos' Scheme, to ensure a holistic coverage on what are the necessary scope to be covered in assessing a L.E., the scope are classified into 3 dimensions of:-
a) Relationship,
b) Personal Development, and;
c) System Maintenance & Change.
And in each dimension there are many underlying scales (areas) to cover.
Then there are many instruments that are readily available to assist us to cover the scales. And WIHIC is one of the many instruments.

We also broached on some survey questionaires based on the WIHIC instrument. We have yet to see how to use the information. I'm looking forward to the next adventure to turning the data into useful information. See you tomorrow.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Day 2 - Learning is getting exciting

Today, the L.E. class got more exciting. We ventured deeper into exploring the other capabilities of Blogging. We can link many of our friends' blogs to our blog. I now realised that there is actually many learning points just reading their blogs. Also, reluctantly, i opened a Gmail account cause i thought i have just one too many email accounts. But, to my surprise, it opened up a whole different learning experience. I never knew that it had so many tools and application programs incorporated within.
We also explored and researched on 5 learning gurus, Walberg, Moos, Murray, B.Fraser and Lewin. Also, I learnt about WIHIC, an instrument that as a trainer like me is really a good L.E. assessment tool to use.
Finally, i must make a positive comment about my very cool lecturer, Dr Quek. She is really making me learn the true meaning of Teach Less Learn More.

My Reflections - A Blogger is born

Day 1 - Assessing & Improving the Learning Environment (L.E.) course.A blogger is born today ! In a conducive learning environment in a NIE classroom, I am able to create this FIRST blog.Today, is the first day of Assessing & Improving Learning Environment module. It is a module part of the Specialist Diploma in Learning Science course conducted by NIE that I'm attending.I was introduced to Blogs which i must admit that it shifted my mental model regarding such internet tools like Blogs and Forums. I am now much clearer and informed of what are the benefits and uses of Blogs and Forums when used in the right context. That is, it can provide an learning environment in a virtual world.A simple profiling exercise also reviewed that I prefers or belongs to the authoritative management profile in my delivery methods. That is I prefers to be in control and uses my judgement to allow my students to do what they wishes. In doing so, the L.E. is somewhat rigid for my trainees. The L.E. created is procedural in nature, inflexible to changes with a fixated mindset.Now that I'm aware of my shortcomings, I must strategies to create a different L.E. for my learners as and when applicable. Today's lecture taught me that L.E. is a psycho-social field in education. 4 areas must be considered when we want to create a conducive L.E. They are, the nature of the Organisation, Tasks to be learnt, Performance standards and the profile of the People. Above all, L.E. will influence the People's behaviour towards learning, either support or hinders the realisation of the personal needs.