REFLECTION

Foremost in my appreciation is Professor Madya Dr Sopia Md Yassin, the lecturer for Information and Communication Technology in Biology whose support and advice greatly in the build of this educational portfolio. I also indeed grateful to my  tutor Encik Mohd Halim bin Marzuki for all his guidance.

Model of  engage, empower and enhance brings some implications in the classroom. It is important for the teachers to elicit student’s prior-knowledge about the topic which are termed as alternative conceptions. From these knowledge, teachers will be able to modify and bring about significant conceptual change in student’s knowledge. At the same time, teachers also need to prepare themselves so that their knowledge and ideas are based on the scientific conceptions.

From the students prior knowledge, teacher can use several strategies which will be  effective in achieving conceptual change and helping students to leave their misconceptions and learn the correct concept .

For me, implementing of the models brings values as the ability of teachers to recognize and work with student’s prior knowledge and conceptions is  a key component of an effective educational strategy. It may be difficult for students to accept new information that opposite what they think they already know because the new information may seems wrong to them. The student may accept the new information but at the same time they may revise their prior knowledge or they may accept the new information and memorize it only because to earn some reward.This can be conclude that alternative conceptions may be present before any teaching has taken place and the students may still holding the alternative conceptions after the instruction.

It is very suitable and useful to make the use of data logging, simulation, and modeling in addressing student’s  problems in learning.This opportunity provide students time to identify and articulate their misconceptions, investigate the goodness of their own ideas against those of others, and reflect on differences in those ideas. Therefore, this will stimulate students to be an active participant. Through the modeling and simulation, student will be able to visualize on process or mechanism about the topic. From the use of the data logger, students will be able to get accurate information on the experiment conducted as the sensor used are really sensitive.

Some of the problems in integrating the use of data logging , simulation, and modeling in the classroom are poor method of instruction, improper exposure to laboratory and other learning activities and  lack of organizational skills. Students may generated their conceptions as they grapple with information and models presented in school which they are unable to imagine or understand.

For me,the problems of alternative conceptions cannot be solved by providing students with the correct information. The students, themselves, must correct the problem. Hence,the practice to overcome their alternative conceptions offers a valuable tool which the teacher can use to help students recognize errors and develop better understanding of the subject.

From my point of views, ICT is very important nowadays, but had still not made ICT a part of everyday learning. Many schools were seeking to make ICT resources more readily available to pupils and students in classrooms. Unfortunately, some schools still did not apply best value to their purchasing and did not obtain good value for money from their investment. Using ICT was contributing positively to the personal development and future economic well-being of the  students. It developed their skills of working independently and cooperatively and was in most cases motivating and engaging.