Announcement

 

Hello!

This is a reminder for the Second Life meeting tomorrow.

Date: 30 October 2012
Time - 12:00nn to 1:00pm (Singapore Time)
         - 1:00pm to 2:00pm (Korea Time)

Venue - Let's all gather at the VLC House first.

See you all! :D

Tuesday Group 2 23/10

Group 2: NIE teacher/Amanda/ Jesslynlsf- Note taker/Elaine-moderator/ SooKyung0507/Young Seok/ Christine/ Unagem/ Florence

Today’s topic: What teachers and students do in a classroom?

The meeting started with both Korean and Singaporean Student teachers saying that the education scenes have changed much over the years. In Korea, both Elaine and Unagem mentioned that Teachers do most of the talking and students are generally quiet. In Singapore, students used to do rote learning and but it has changed over the years and teachers are encouraged to incorporate IT into their lessons. After which, Young Seok mentioned that if one-way education is more effective, it can be useful too. Christine also agreed that education is Korea is passive. In Singapore, students are encouraged to speak up and ask questions. Unagem mentioned that Korean teachers also uses IT and Elaine said that IT can motivate students at the initial stages.

Young Seok then went on to elaborate on why he thinks that one-way education is more effective. Young Seok mentioned that it is important for teachers to understand the exact level of education of students. Many of us agreed that teacher directed teaching can be beneficial to students. Christine also agreed but she felt that it’s too idealistic and students need to be more active. In Singapore, It is difficult to carry out one way teaching because students are brought up to be outspoken. In Korea, students are afraid of making mistakes and they would not raise their hands if they are not 100% certain that they have the correct answer. Jesslynlsf went on to mention that it is important on the teacher’s part to respond correctly to the students answer.

Elaine also mentioned that teachers are facilitators, but students have a fear of speaking up. Jesslynlsf then mentioned that it is important to create a safe environment for the students to speak up. Elaine said that we can give positive compliments to the students ( Good Job, Well Done) and at the same time reassure students that it is perfectly fine to make mistakes. Students need to be comfortable with making mistakes. All of us agreed that teachers play an important role in creating a safe environment and students need to cooperate with teachers. We also mentioned that there is a lack of respect for teachers nowadays as students scold vulgarities openly in class.

 I think we had a very in depth discussion this week. Good job everyone!=)

2012.10.23 Tue. Group 1

Today Youngcho came to GINUE, Korea.
We said hi to each other with Skype.

Group 1:
Liz / ebkim / yjaylol - moderator / adrianna (jaehoo) - note taker / Helen (hailunhong) /
 Shu Rong (wove) / Moonhee / KB (gblee0907)
Teleport link for Group 1: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/EduIsland%209/159/213/39

Today's topic was 'What are some of the important teaching issues in primary school classroom in Singapore and Korea?'
and we discussed classroom practices in Korea and Singapore.
*Classroom practice means how teachers teach and students learn in class
At the end of discussion, we identified important educational issues in two countries

First, we talked about students who sleep during the class.
yjaylol thinks that students all over the world sleep during the class.
moonhee said, usually but not  in upper grade.
But KB said he has never seen students fall asleep in their classes in primary school.

Second, we moved on to how teachers run classes.
Wove's opinion was, in the past Singapore is more teacher-centered so the teacher talk most of the time.
 But for now, It is moving towards student-centered.
*TLLM : Teach Less Learn More.
So is more student-centered forcusing more on group work and peer learning.
yjaylol said, students in Korea participate in class as groups.

Next, we discussed parents' reactions and complains over small matters.
yjaylol mentioned an example of small matter as a trouble between students.
on the other hand wove' idea was student losing their spelling list, Not scoring the desire grades that the parent wants etc.
moonhee said korean parents usually think that their child is always good. and everything is not their fault.
when small conflicts happen, they usually think that the other part is wrong.
And Liz agreed.
ebkim knows a teacher in primary school and she said that she got a long long letter from a mother in which her complaint was written

Lastly, we talked about how to punish students.
yjaylol said the standard of punishment is different from person to person
and  wove said, In Singapore, corporate punishment is not allowed
so they don't have physical punishment in Singapore.
KB, moonhee and me agreed that Korea has no more coporate punishment (officially)
Because there' no more physical punishment, some kind of problems come out
such as some rude students ignoring their teacher.
moonhee suggested talking and counselling as one of solutions.
we all think detention at recess and after school could be another good way.


We talked a lot today so it was a bit harder than the other days to take note :)
See you next week! ^.^

Announcement

Dear All

We will be resuming our regular Tuesday meeting from tomorrow, 23 October 2012.

Time - 12:00nn to 1:00pm (Singapore Time)
         - 1:00pm to 2:00pm (Korea Time)

Venue - Let's all gather at the VLC House first.

See you all there!!! :D

Announcement

Hello! :D

The meeting scheduled on 16 October 2012 (Tuesday) is cancelled, as Korean members are having their practicum.

Do note that meeting will resume on 23 October 2012 (Tuesday).
Time - 12:00nn to 1:00pm (Singapore Time)
         - 1:00pm to 2:00pm (Korea Time)
Venue - Let's all gather at the VLC House first.

Thank you!

If you did not manage to attend the session on 9 October 2012, you can refer to Youngseok's summary of the session on the blog post below. :)

9 Oct Meeting

Youngseok sent me the following summary!! Thank you.

We dicussed two questions.
1) Why do you want to be a teacher?
2) How can you become a teacher? Singapore and Korea have a different training system for student teachers.

1)
First, Elaine want to be a teacher because she want to have good influence to kids. For example, She want to be a facilitator and find their own potential. That is one of best thing to be teacher. and then Christine said herself love children and then living as teacher makes her life more worthwhile she think. and after that, Young seok said that he want to give young student the love and trust which he didn't get.

2)
In singapore, There is only one institute for teacher education. and so primary school teacher can move easily to secondary school to teach student. And not all teacher have a university degree. But in that case, They have to get at least a educational diploma from the university instead. on the other hand it has entirely different two course to teach in primary and secondary school in Korea. and the person who want to be a teacher in any school have to get a degree in certain university or major. and then They have to pass the teacher certification examination.

Announcement

Hello everyone!

Meeting today (9 October 2012)
Time – 12:00nn to 1:00pm (Singapore Time), 1:00pm to 2:00pm (Korea Time)
Venue – VLC House (click on the link for teleport address)

Discussion topic/question:

1) Why do you want to be a teacher?
2) How can you become a teacher? Singapore and Korea have a different training system for student teachers.

Hope you will enjoy today's session. ^^