Blogging is really interesting. I heart it to the max. I mean come on people. Blogging is so much better than writing a typical topic instructed essay. Of course when you are writing blog for this course, Teaching the Language of Drama, you obviously have got to write something which is related to the course, at least something relevant to the course and activities that we do throughout the course. It is not bad at all because for me, I prefer blogging than writing a very academic and educational essay. I have more freedom and power to write whatever opinions or ideas I have.
Frankly speaking, when I first received the course outline, I was so happy to come across this word ‘blog’ stated on the paper. Then, come to think of it, blogging for this course would not be as fun as blogging for my personal blog. There must definitely be some guidelines and topics given on how the blog should look like and contain. I am seriously not into writing some academic stuff because I am horribly terrible in it. But, I was just wrong. Blog is still blog. I was not restricted to specifically write a very academic blog though. It was more of a reflection of what we learn in class. For me, reflection means my opinion. So, I kind of knew at that point itself that this was going to be fun after all.
So, I wrote and wrote and blog every time I felt like to and whenever I had chance to. Then, a couple of weeks ago, Dr. Edwin decided to take a look at the progress on the blog. And to my surprise, all five blogs that I had written so far at that moment were all reflective. Reflective in the sense that they were good. I cannot describe how I felt at that time because being a regular blogger myself; I obviously should be able to produce good blogs. It just couldn’t get any better than that. Starting form that point of time, I was more than happy and motivated to write more blog for this course.
Last week, Dr Edwin had arranged some interview with this one fella on blogs and forums. Obviously, I would indecisively go for blogs because that’s what I like doing. As for forums, I think it’s just too restricted that it bores me to hell. It is not like I have issues with forums or whatsoever, but in my OPINION (solely my own opinion), I prefer blog over forum. Why? Simply. Hehehe.
I think blog is indeed about reflection in what you have learned and gone through. It is like a place where you can say and write things. You are given full freedom to write and blog on whatever things that you feel like to and as far as this course is concerned, there definitely should be relation and connection to what you learn in the course. For those who disagree, come on people. How many times are you given full freedom by Dr Edwin to write things you have in your mind? I mean although it is in a form of reflection, but you are free to write and pour out all the ideas, feelings, or what not in your blog. Do you ever think that it could get any better than that? No because instead of being given lots of written assignments, I would rather blog. Probably, some people may fond it very tedious and troublesome to get an internet connection, get connected to blogger and blog. Yes indeed there is no question about it especially when internet connection in UPM is just “TOO GOOD” to be true. But hey, if there is a will, there is a way, right.
As I write blogs and read my friends’ blogs, they actually help me to understand whatever topic I learned in class. As I was reflecting, I at the same time was reinforcing all the ideas and knowledge I had gained from the entire lesson in Dr Edwin class. I think it is definitely a good way to get me and my other friends to understand the lesson better.
In this very high tech era, blog has actually become very popular and Dr. Edwin has actually taken advantage of it and turned it into a very educational and informational thing. It is amazing right? Yes? No? A definite yes indeed it is. Come to think about it once again, Dr Edwin probably is not the first to feature this in his course, but it’s a good effort and idea from him. Not just because I like it, but everyone does too I think. What’s next? Will you guys keep blogging in the future? I don’t know about y’all but I definitely will. Feel free to visit my blog. I am more than happy to have y’all to read. Till then, keep blogging people!!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Pre Reading and While Reading
This would be another entry on my simulated teaching. Since we are doing pre reading and while reading stage together, I will then write about both the stages in this entry.
Today was my turn for pre reading and while reading stage. I don’t know how I fared and how my presentation was because Mr. Harold did not give comments right after the presentation like what he usually does. I was kind of disappointed because I was hoping that he would at least give a comment or two on my presentation today. However, he must have forgotten about it. So, it is alright.
Where should I start? Basically, I have been preparing for these two stages since last week. But, Mr. Harold could not make it for the three previous classes, so I had to wait until today where I finally got to present.
How should I say this? If you ever ask me how I fared today, I would say that I did excellent and great. I don’t know what comment Mr. Harold has on my presentation today but I strongly believe that I have done my best. At least, I think I was better than some of my friends. I prepared worksheets and extracts for my students which a few of my friend did not. I think extract and worksheets indeed are helpful and useful in helping the teacher to conduct the lesson smoothly and in my case, I think it is indeed true. Without the worksheets and extract, it would be very difficult for me to lead my students to the things I wanted to teach for the lesson.
My weakness and my strength? Emm,let me see. After I received the evaluation forms which my friends had filled in based on presentation, I was happy that all my friends had given me an A. Except for 1 of them who actually gave me an A-. Is she jealous or something? God knows better. As I said, I really think I had done my very best for the two stages. Most of them commented that I have a really good proficiency of the language and a very good voice projection. I also think that my strength is at my language. It is indeed important for an English teacher to have a very good English proficiency, so that the teacher will be able to deliver the lesson smoothly. Bad language proficiency will indicate that the teacher is not good enough to teach the subject and students will then lose their respect for the teacher. It will become even worst and a nightmare if the teacher has students who speak better English than he does. Wouldn’t that embarrassing and humiliating enough? Absolute yes.
How about my weakness? None of them has written any on the evaluation form except for a better length of the extract. However, I myself know what my weakness is. I think I have this feeling of nervousness whenever I am in front of a huge crowd. I mean people may not notice it but deep inside my heart, I feel like dying. My heart pumps real hard whenever I stand in front of the class. Is it just because the simulated teaching is evaluated or is it just my nature to be nervous and apprehensive? It is undeniably nerve breaking to the extent that I would stumble over some of the words. Perhaps, that is something for me to look into and figure out on how to overcome.
Overall, I think I have done well. I have received good comments and feedback for my other micro teachings and there was actually this one lecturer who actually said that I would be a very good teacher in the future. Isn’t that sweet and encouraging enough? No? Hahahaha. Simulated teaching or micro teaching is indeed a good practice for future teachers. I frankly really like it become it trains me to polish up and improve myself. It is the opportunity for us to practice our skills in teaching. As for the simulated teaching for this course, I feel the same way too. But Dr Edwin, I have a question to ask. What is it with the evaluation that we have to fill in for our friends? I think it is so not practical due to certain reasons. I think that is something for everyone to ponder over. I have my very own reasons to say so. What about you? Feel free to drop a comment or two on this entry.
Today was my turn for pre reading and while reading stage. I don’t know how I fared and how my presentation was because Mr. Harold did not give comments right after the presentation like what he usually does. I was kind of disappointed because I was hoping that he would at least give a comment or two on my presentation today. However, he must have forgotten about it. So, it is alright.
Where should I start? Basically, I have been preparing for these two stages since last week. But, Mr. Harold could not make it for the three previous classes, so I had to wait until today where I finally got to present.
How should I say this? If you ever ask me how I fared today, I would say that I did excellent and great. I don’t know what comment Mr. Harold has on my presentation today but I strongly believe that I have done my best. At least, I think I was better than some of my friends. I prepared worksheets and extracts for my students which a few of my friend did not. I think extract and worksheets indeed are helpful and useful in helping the teacher to conduct the lesson smoothly and in my case, I think it is indeed true. Without the worksheets and extract, it would be very difficult for me to lead my students to the things I wanted to teach for the lesson.
My weakness and my strength? Emm,let me see. After I received the evaluation forms which my friends had filled in based on presentation, I was happy that all my friends had given me an A. Except for 1 of them who actually gave me an A-. Is she jealous or something? God knows better. As I said, I really think I had done my very best for the two stages. Most of them commented that I have a really good proficiency of the language and a very good voice projection. I also think that my strength is at my language. It is indeed important for an English teacher to have a very good English proficiency, so that the teacher will be able to deliver the lesson smoothly. Bad language proficiency will indicate that the teacher is not good enough to teach the subject and students will then lose their respect for the teacher. It will become even worst and a nightmare if the teacher has students who speak better English than he does. Wouldn’t that embarrassing and humiliating enough? Absolute yes.
How about my weakness? None of them has written any on the evaluation form except for a better length of the extract. However, I myself know what my weakness is. I think I have this feeling of nervousness whenever I am in front of a huge crowd. I mean people may not notice it but deep inside my heart, I feel like dying. My heart pumps real hard whenever I stand in front of the class. Is it just because the simulated teaching is evaluated or is it just my nature to be nervous and apprehensive? It is undeniably nerve breaking to the extent that I would stumble over some of the words. Perhaps, that is something for me to look into and figure out on how to overcome.
Overall, I think I have done well. I have received good comments and feedback for my other micro teachings and there was actually this one lecturer who actually said that I would be a very good teacher in the future. Isn’t that sweet and encouraging enough? No? Hahahaha. Simulated teaching or micro teaching is indeed a good practice for future teachers. I frankly really like it become it trains me to polish up and improve myself. It is the opportunity for us to practice our skills in teaching. As for the simulated teaching for this course, I feel the same way too. But Dr Edwin, I have a question to ask. What is it with the evaluation that we have to fill in for our friends? I think it is so not practical due to certain reasons. I think that is something for everyone to ponder over. I have my very own reasons to say so. What about you? Feel free to drop a comment or two on this entry.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Black and White? Some Colors please!!
As I mentioned in my previous, we are so lucky that Dr. Edwin has arranged some movie-watching session for this course. It is so great that we have the opportunity to watch movies which were adapted and related to the plays we are studying. Previously, I have posted a blog on the first movie I watched which was Elizabeth, The Golden Age. So, for this entry, I am going to write about the other movie I have watched which were Macbeth, Oedipus Rex, King Lear and just today Streetcar Named Desire.
Firstly, let’s look at the movie Macbeth. Macbeth is not among the plays we are studying this semester. However, the thing that Dr Edwin wanted us to focus on was the breaking of the natural order. This is reflected in the play King Lear and Oedipus Rex as well. What is up with natural order of the world? Basically, it is about the different view of the world in which everything in this world is meant to be in its place. Every celestial beings (for example: stars, sun and etc.) should be in its place. The Supreme Being would definitely be the God and the social structure would be lead by the God who is in control of everything, followed by the King who will be the representative of God on the Earth.
But, what is the connection with all the three plays? As we can see from the plays and the movies, the natural order has been broken. In King Lear, Lear gave out his throne and power to his daughters and that would already be a breaking of the natural order because Lear was supposed to rule the country and not others. As for Oedipus Rex, Oedipus had broken the natural order in which he had killed the real Kind, who was his father and married his mother and became the King. The natural order was totally screwed up, don’t you think? Lastly in Macbeth, Macbeth killed the king, King Duncan to enable him to take over the throne and become the next king. He broke the natural order as well because he was not meant to be the King.
Coming back to the movies, I found none of the movies interesting. Okay, alright. Frankly speaking, reading the plays is already boring for me. I never expected that movies would also be boring. Macbeth, for example was darn boring. However, the other version I watched back at IPTI was more interesting compared to this one. As for the other two, they were boring as well. I am really sorry Dr. Edwin but I really have to be frank and honest this time. Nevertheless, I did watch them after all. For Oedipus Rex, one obvious thing I realized was that Oedipus was not limping in the movie. By right, he should have because he was known to have a clubfoot? I assume that the director or producer might have forgotten or missed about that. Hahahahaha. For King Lear, we didn’t get to watch till the end of the movie because the vcd got stuck in the middle of the movie. Some technical problem there was, I assume.
How about Streetcar Named Desire? At first, we were all very excited looking at the front cover of the VCD case. HOWEVER, as the movie started, I was struck by huge surprise. The cover showed some colors at least. But the movie? The movie was all in black and white, for God’s sake!!! I couldn’t help but to find it boring as well. Hahaha.
Pardon me for being too harsh but I have no penchant for this kind of movie. Elizabeth was fine indeed. But the rest? Totally a major no no. I watched Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’s old movie and it was boring. But the latest version of the movie produced last year was better off. Maybe all I need is some connection to the movie in the sense that I need some colors and actors that I know to act in the movies. Brad Pitt for Lear maybe? Angeline Jolie for Jocaste? Sean Penn for Macbeth? Yes? No?
Firstly, let’s look at the movie Macbeth. Macbeth is not among the plays we are studying this semester. However, the thing that Dr Edwin wanted us to focus on was the breaking of the natural order. This is reflected in the play King Lear and Oedipus Rex as well. What is up with natural order of the world? Basically, it is about the different view of the world in which everything in this world is meant to be in its place. Every celestial beings (for example: stars, sun and etc.) should be in its place. The Supreme Being would definitely be the God and the social structure would be lead by the God who is in control of everything, followed by the King who will be the representative of God on the Earth.
But, what is the connection with all the three plays? As we can see from the plays and the movies, the natural order has been broken. In King Lear, Lear gave out his throne and power to his daughters and that would already be a breaking of the natural order because Lear was supposed to rule the country and not others. As for Oedipus Rex, Oedipus had broken the natural order in which he had killed the real Kind, who was his father and married his mother and became the King. The natural order was totally screwed up, don’t you think? Lastly in Macbeth, Macbeth killed the king, King Duncan to enable him to take over the throne and become the next king. He broke the natural order as well because he was not meant to be the King.
Coming back to the movies, I found none of the movies interesting. Okay, alright. Frankly speaking, reading the plays is already boring for me. I never expected that movies would also be boring. Macbeth, for example was darn boring. However, the other version I watched back at IPTI was more interesting compared to this one. As for the other two, they were boring as well. I am really sorry Dr. Edwin but I really have to be frank and honest this time. Nevertheless, I did watch them after all. For Oedipus Rex, one obvious thing I realized was that Oedipus was not limping in the movie. By right, he should have because he was known to have a clubfoot? I assume that the director or producer might have forgotten or missed about that. Hahahahaha. For King Lear, we didn’t get to watch till the end of the movie because the vcd got stuck in the middle of the movie. Some technical problem there was, I assume.
How about Streetcar Named Desire? At first, we were all very excited looking at the front cover of the VCD case. HOWEVER, as the movie started, I was struck by huge surprise. The cover showed some colors at least. But the movie? The movie was all in black and white, for God’s sake!!! I couldn’t help but to find it boring as well. Hahaha.
Pardon me for being too harsh but I have no penchant for this kind of movie. Elizabeth was fine indeed. But the rest? Totally a major no no. I watched Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’s old movie and it was boring. But the latest version of the movie produced last year was better off. Maybe all I need is some connection to the movie in the sense that I need some colors and actors that I know to act in the movies. Brad Pitt for Lear maybe? Angeline Jolie for Jocaste? Sean Penn for Macbeth? Yes? No?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
