The best teacher in town

Group assignment / project - What for?

2009-05-21T19:36:00.000-07:00

I am not sure whether any of my students has ever wondered why they are required to do so many types of "assignment", they have individual assignment, then group assignment, then don't know what project etc. Why bother calling them by different names, aren't they all the same in essence, i.e. WORK!

Well, at least i did, as a lecturer.

Why so many forms of assessment activities? Is there a reason behind them? Or is it just there for varieties sake, to render our course "exciting"??

My conclusion is, it all depends on how one approaches the task.

Do you approach it as a mere cut-and-paste work, where each member of a group will go their separate way, source for information that is required for their part of the question, write it up, to be "combined" with the work of the rest of the group members by the deadline? This, in essence, amount to mere "cut-and-paste of individual assignments, with a new name given to it (i.e. group assignment)".

Or do you approach it as an opportunity to learn how to work with people who are different from you, to prick each other's brain over the issue at hand, discuss it, challenge and pull each other's hair out over the issues, before a final conclusion and consensus is made?

Often times, based on the way groups were formed, the content, language and flow of the final written submission, as well as the ignorance exhibited by the students, during the "group presentation" session, of their fellow members' area of work, it does seem to suggest more of the former.

It is indeed a sad observation.

What about the lesson of working as a group? Working with people whom you don't like? WOrking with people who seem more or less "proficient" than you? Working with people who are faster / slower than you? Providing / seeking assistance to / from others? Looking out for one another not just for the sake of the assignment, but for the well being of each other?

Well, sad to say, that is not part of the final assessment / marking scheme.

I have seen how students frowned when they are asked to "take in" students who were, somehow, "left out" in the entire grouping process. I have seen how students were so proud of their group when they made statement such as: Ours is a "strong group" (yes, those are the exact words some used).

Don't get me wrong. I do understand how frustrating it is to have members who just don't do anything, while expecting to share the fruits of others' labour. I really do.

This is what i have to say to ALL:

Please be responsible and accountable to others. DO YOUR PART.
Please look out for one another. THe whole objective is not just to pass up a final written submission and score. It is about learning how to reach out to others, help each other out, provide platform for others to learn and improve.
Everyone is equal. WHether you think you are weak or strong, everyone has his / her own strengths and weaknesses, and hence, can and should learn from one another. To think that someone could not contribute, is an act of pride.

To be honest, i am quite confident that all my students will "score" in their group assignment. My desire is that such score will be a meaningful one, beyond marks and grades, impacting one's character and values. That is what i believe to be the main objective of group assignment.

We had a surgery 手术

2009-05-20T21:32:00.000-07:00

Being the "best teacher", teaching the "most exciting" subject in town, is not easy.... i got to think of the best and the most exciting ways in maintaining my self-professed position as the "best teacher", and my subject the "most exciting" subject.....you know what i mean????

Well, i did something "brilliant" this morning. I gave my students an impromptu quiz, focusing mainly on the application of the various accounting concepts which they have (i hope) learnt and professed to have understood.

As i was walking around the classroom feeling very pleased with myself, i saw a student scratching his head. "Why? Any problem?" i asked.

"No la. Just don't know how to explain for this question....i know the answer, but don't know how to explain only."

Hmmm....very interesting remark. That is a bit of a problem there, isn't it?

At the end of the quiz and after going through the answers with my students, i asked:" How many of you have the problem of knowing something, yet finding it difficult in saying it out / expressing it?"
Quite a number of hands were raised.
"How many of you, after i have gone through and explained the answers, have this in mind: Ya lor ya lor, that is exactly what i have in mind, miss Tham you said it all!?"
Quite a number of hands were raised, accompanied with agreeing nods.
"How many of you, after i have gone through and explained the answers, have this in mind: Huh? Oh, is that why? I actually thought it was something else....."
A few hands raised again.
"How many of you, who initially thought that you understood, discovered that you actually don't after i have explained and gone through the answers with you?"
A number of hands raised again.

It is indeed an intersting observation.

Why do i asked ?

I told my students, when they find themselves having difficulty in expressing what they know, or discover at one point or another that what they thought they know, turned out not to be the case......., that is a GOOD sign.

Don't get me wrong, that's not because i derive great pleasure in "exposing" other's ignorance.

I told my students, it is a good sign because you actually discover something important about yourself! Otherwise, you would be living under that deception forever....such discovery serves as a wake-up call, an area which you must do something about.

If your problem is the difficulty in expressing what you know (which, by the way, is a SERIOUS one. What is the point of understanding something when you can't tell people about it, right? Can you imagine going to your lecturer and say: Miss, you must give me a high distinction, because i actually know all the answers one, i just don't know how to say it on the answer script only?), you got to do something to overcome that. Is it a language problem? Or is it a problem of getting the right word, and saying it the right way?

Your choice of word and the manner in which you express yourself is extremely important, and at times, may have a life-and-death kind of implication on yourself/others (if you don't get what i mean, try imagine a situation where your boss makes a wrong decision based on what you have written in the report, costing the company it's entire wealth!).

If your problem is self-deception (i.e. thinking that you know when you actually don't), you got to find out on what basis did you get that impression or belief. Is it based on your ability in regurgitating the definition of the subject matter? Or your ability in answering the exam questions which are so similar to the revision questions that you have been diligently practising? Or because everybody says you are smart?..... You get what i mean?

Why do i give them the surprise quiz? Is it for the marks?

No....in fact, i have never intended to include their marks as part of their assessment. It is intended as a "surgery", to expose the true condition of one's state of being.

So, to all my dear students, let's remove all the deadly tumours which your surgery has exposed, and go on the path of recovery! It is a matter of life and death!

A matter of decision

2009-05-19T08:16:00.000-07:00

I spent the whole of last week discussing examination questions and answers with my students. After a whole tiring session of explaining and exploring the "whys" to the errors made by students, i threw a surprise question to my students:"What do you think of accounting? Is it interesting? Boring? Relevant or going to be relevant to the life out there? Is it merely a study of techniques and formats ?....."

I received different types of response, but there is this response that i particularly appreciate and find it meaningful: Miss, it is boring and tiring, and i have no interest or whatsoever!
"What do you mean?" was my immediate response.
"Don't know la, just that whenever i am in the class, i feel tired."

Hmm....this is the best response i have ever received....don't get me wrong, i am not saying that i derive great pleasure in seeing my students suffer in agony, not at all. It's just that, such is the "reality" that is prevalent among so many of us, whether it is our study, work, family or any other areas of our life.

Honestly, i am absolutely clueless as to what i can say in response to that student of mine. But surprisingly, something actually came out of my mouth, not in defense of myself, but in great sincerity and conviction. This was what i told that student of mine:

"I appreciate your comment. It is honest and truthful. But such is life. In life we will face all sorts of situations which we may not be particularly comfortable in, or made to do things which we are not particularly "passionate" in or good at. The issue not about how we can avoid or get out of that, but more of how we must learn to handle such situation. Often times, situations surrounding us would never change to the way we would like it to be, but we must learn to handle it positively, and not let our "emotion" or "feeling" dictate our reaction or response. It boils down to your DECISION. Yes, it is a matter of decision, a decision made to face the situations, and to benefit from it.

In this case, what should you do? Whine and cry over the fact that you are tired and bored and not interested in the subject? Instead of letting your "feeling" control you and your "perception" of what accounting is kill your every bit of interest, why don't you take a step back, and begin to consider the things that you can learn out of this entire experience? It's not just "accounting" that we are learning here, but your thinking, analytical, communication and social skills that you can get out of this. It's a matter of decision of wanting to see this work, not about your feeling or emotion, but a conscious decision on your part."

Decision, decision, decision. That is what living your life requires, isn't it? A decision to love someone (yes, love is a decision, not just a feeling) knowing very well that there could be time when your sweetheart may momentarily act like a beast, a decision to climb the highest mountain knowing very well that there could be moments when you would wish that you are in the comfort of your bed, a decision to quit smoking knowing very well that there would be days when you may cringe and roll on the floor in pain, decision to respect someone knowing very well that he / she may get on your nerve soon....it is your decision that will enable you to pull through hard times when every bit of your "feeling and emotion" is screaming out in protest and agony. It is your decision that will bring you to the light at the end of the tunnel, not your feeling or emotion or ego or dreams or the lack of it.

I have made a decision to explore ways in teaching accounting more effectively. May God give me the strength to stand by that decision no matter what the situation is.

Forgetfulness - is that the real problem?

2009-05-11T07:51:00.000-07:00

Last week was our mid-semester exam week. I was busy marking the answer scripts over the weekend, so that i can pass them back to my students this week, to be discussed and double checked during tutorial.
As i was heading to my first tutorial class this afternoon, with 20+ set of answer scripts with me, i bumped into two of my students who excitedly exclaimed: "Miss, no class today ah. You don't know meh? They all went to the parliament mah, so class cancelled lor. We are not Malaysian, so no need to go."

Hmm.....i vaguely remembered something about a parliament trip....i guess i must have been so overwhelmed by my "eagerness" in meeting my students this week concerning the exam answer scripts that it slipped my mind. Please note, i use the word "eagerness"....it spells "bad news"....

Anyway, i was grateful. Imagine walking into an empty class without a single clue of what is going on. That spells double portion of "bad news"......

"So miss, you must be very free lor, since got no class today."
Hmm....interesting remark.
"Well, since i am so free, would the two of you like to go through your answer scripts?" I offered.
"Ooh....yes, but so scary......"
So that was what we did.

I briefly went through their answers scripts, explaining where they have gone wrong, where they have lost their marks, and how they could have done much better....
Something intereseting came out of our discussion. One of the mistakes made one of the students was her failure in stating the date on which she "balanced-off the accounts".
I told them that such failure would render the entire entry wrong, and hence, zero mark.

"Wah...no mark....i forgot to put the date" was her remark.

Sensing that i would have done her injustice by just leaving the issue at that, i pursued further: "Do you know why i do not give you any mark although all the other workings are correct, and the only mistake you made is forgetting to put in the date?"

"Don't know." was the reply.

"That's because it's not your "forgetfulness" that i am looking at. It's beyond that. The question i have in mind is: Why do you forget? Your forgetfulness has nothing to do with the deficiencies in your brain cells nor your indiscipline in your studies. It reflects the extent of your appreciation and understanding, or the lack of it, of the importance of putting down the date. In another words, you basically do not understand and appreciate why you need to do so. To you, it is just one of the required steps in financial recording."

Hmmm.....such profound speech.....unfortunately, greeted by a confused and blank stare, as though telling me:"Huh? Understand? What is there to understand about putting down the date???"

Sensing such confusion, i added:" Do you know that when you understood something, you don't need to memorise it anymore? It will stick to you forever and it will become part of you. It's just like riding a bicycle. You must understand why you need to pedal, why you need to steer away, why you need to turn your body in certain way, and why you need to jam on the brake. Once you understood, you will be able to respond to all types of situations rightfully, without having to pull your hair out in trying to "remember" the right thing to do in a given situation. If you see a cow coming your way while riding a bicycle, i bet you will jam on your brake immedaitely, without having to "recall" what is the right thing to do in such situation, or whether your mother had actually taught you what you are supposed to do when a cow appears in front of you."

"Ha ha, i see what you mean miss.....i never look at my approach to studies that way....."

"Aren't you glad that you made such mistake in your exam? If not, we will never get to discuss about this issue isn't it? You may have obtained full marks because of your "good memory", but what is the use of that if you don't have understanding? Your academic achievement means nothing at all."

"Ummm..." agreed save for the part on being glad for making the mistakes.....

It was indeed a fruitful day. Who said there is no class today? I enjoyed mine with the two girls.

Such is the irony these days, the quest and pressure for high academic achievements (both by the students and the teachers) have often been so overwhelming that people tend to succumb or resort to all sorts of "funny" tactics and ways in obtaining it, at the expense of the pursuit of "understanding" which, to me, is one of the core fundamentals of what education is about.

All the best to my 2 girls.

Blunder

2009-04-14T20:36:00.001-07:00

I am supposed to have my first class at 10a.m. today. I woke up at about 5++ a.m. this morning, thinking to myself that i will go to college earlier to do something before my class. Before that, i need to send my daughter to my mum's place at USJ 5.
While i was driving my daughter to my mum's place at about 8++ a.m., my phone rang. It's an unidentified number. Huh? Can't be credit card company calling me at this hour right?
It was my student. "Miss, we are supposed to have a class at 8am today. Are you coming?" Eight o'clock????? I thought my first class starts at 10am every wednesday!
"No miss, is 8am. Time-table has been changed."
"Yipe! Change in time-table?" I remembered vaguely then that, yes, there is supposed to be some sort of a change to our time-table due to certain reasons.......I must have missed out (i mean, not read) the email informing us of the change.
I told my students to wait for me.
Well, it really doesn't help that things have to happen early in the morning. What i mean is, there is really very little that one can do, when the traffic at such peak hour is near to a stand-still wherever you are....and in my case, it's USJ5!!!! A perfect showcase of what "traffic horror" is!
After about 6 minutes, my phone rang again. ANother unidentified number. "Miss, are you coming?" "Who is this please?" "It's C, from 1.3." "Oh, yes, i have already told your classmate just now. Can you please ask the rest to wait for me?"

After another 5 minutes, my phone rang again. "Miss, you want to cancel class is it?"
"Who is this please?" "It's D from 1.3" "I am coming. Please wait'"

Finally, i made it to my class, one hour late.

The door was locked.....something that i told my students i would do if they are late....hmmm.....well, at least they learnt something from me!

Despite the entire boo boo, what encourages me (other than their graciousness in unlocking the door and "forgiving" me for being late) is my students actually took the trouble of calling me, and waited until i turned up (1 hour later!). NOne of them "took advantage" of the situation and left / skipped the class!!!

Lesson learnt today: To read ALL my emails from now onwards!

To group 1.3, thank you!

Am i fierce?

2009-04-13T18:51:00.000-07:00

A student came to me last week to ask me questions concerning the assignment. This was what she said:"Miss, you don't scold me ah, can i ask you something on the assignment?"

I was taken aback at what she said, but kept my calm throughout the conversation. To be honest, i can't remember a thing on what we discussed, but what she said kept ringing in my ear and mind since then.

The next day, she came to me again. Before she could say anything, i confronted her with a whole list of questions. Am i really that fierce? Is that the kind of impression i gave them? Do i normally loose my cool when students ask me question? Does it deter them from approaching me?

She said:" The first impression we got from you is, you are fierce. But we know you are helpful and you don't get angry when we ask you questions. "

So, does it deter them from approaching me? "No la", was what she said.

I was still unsatisfied. Hence i decided to ask my other students the same questions. The answer i got was:"Something like that lah, you are fierce. But we know you are helpful and it is for our own good that you scold us sometimes."

Well, they must have, most probably, confused "fierceness" with "sterness".

Well, whatever it is, i must say that it was never my intention to "subdue" my students by being fierce. I must admit that i can be very "blunt" in my response to certain issues or observations, but it is done with a heart of wanting my students to realise and appreciate the need to change for the better. Often times, my "chastisement" is in fact directed to myself . While the subject matter at hand may not be the same, the real "issue" is the same.

There are many aspects in which i have to change (my character, my attitude, my way of doing things etc....endless), and adding to the list now, is my approach to my students!:)

Well, to all my students out there, my heart meant well. This is all i can assure you of.

Disappointment

2009-04-07T22:49:00.000-07:00

One of my colleague had organised a talk by a very distinguished speaker on the issue of current financial crisis. Students were "strongly encouraged" to attend. Classes have been rescheduled to accommodate the event.
The turn-up was good, easily more than 500 students, i think.
What makes me "sick" is ho students started to show their restlessness half way through the talk. I see students walking in and out (mainly walking out) of the hall while the speaker is still talking. I see students "chatting" with one another, and from their facial expression, their conversation doesn't appear to be related to what the speaker is saying. I see students playing games with their handphone, and some were listening to music from their MP3 player or handphone.
The situation has gotten so bad that our speaker has to make this remark:"It's either you all don't understand what i am saying, or you guys just find your own conversation more interesting than what i am saying." Such remark was made with much humour and grace.
I was SO ASHAMED !!!!! It definitely did not reflect well on us!

This is what i told my students subsequently:"Who do you think you are? Why do you think our distinguished guest needs to put aside her work, take time amidst her busy schedule to come and give you a talk? Is it because you guys are such IMPORTANT people that she MUST meet? Is it because she has nothing better to do? Hey! She is no "small fly" ok! Who do you think you are? Your behaviour not only reflects bad on yourself, but on your parents! Do you understand the word "respect"? Being a business school students, you ought to be in the know of the issue that is being discussed during the talk. The fact that you don't understand, only reflects your ignorance and narrow-mindedness! "

Indeed, there is no "respect" at all. It's a scary sight to behold and a daunting observation to make. Students have become so obsessed with grades and academic achievements that things such as characters and values have been seriously neglected and undermined.

Well, i believe there is still hope, for those who have a mind to think, and a heart to understand and decide. Everyone CAN change, if they want to.

I hope to see a change in the students, in the next talk.

Change - part 2

2009-04-07T22:19:00.000-07:00

Yes, i am still on the issue of "change".....don't get me wrong, i am no Mr Obama.

Change no. 1

I was REALLY glad to see S in my lecture yesterday. I have been wondering where he is and was planning to approach the "relevant party" to check him out if i don't see him this week. There had been some confusions regarding his enrolment. I spoke to him about the issue, and there seems to be a misunderstanding on the enrolment arrangement. I told him to check it out with the "relevant party" immediately.
What encourages me is his response. This is what he said:"Yes, i will do that!" It was said with such enthusiasm and seriousness, elements that were lacking in him the last semester.

"Change" is what comes to my mind. I believe S is not the type who will "fake" his enthusiam or seriousness, for the sake of "apeasing" the lecturer. In fact, it was the reverse.

According to the current arrangement, S is supposed to join another group under a different lecturer. I was rather dissappointed, to be honest, not because the other lecturer is not good enough, it's just that, i have regarded him like my own "child", whom i delight in nurturing and seeing him change and grow. This applies to all my other students (e.g. A, B and C whom i mentioned in my earlier posting).

Well, i do not know what would happen and what the final arrangement would be. Whatever it is, as i always tell my students, even if i am not teaching you anymore, you are most welcome to come and see me should you need any help, or even just to chat.

I am confident that S WILL excel this sem, so long as he keeps up the good work.

Change no. 2

A, B and C spoke to me after lecture yesterday.
This is what they said:"Miss, we know this is not going to be an acceptable excuse, but the thing is, it is the truth. The reason why we didn't come for your class this morning was because the traffic was VERY jam along the federal highway. We left early, but was caught in the jam. It was so bad that we have to turn back to KL and come to Subang via another way."

It was heart-warming. MY students have indeed grown up!

Well, some of them may still be struggling to keep themselves awake during lecture, but the thing is, i can see such effort in them to change for the better.

Keep up the good work guys! You WILL go far!

To my DIB students

2009-04-06T22:20:00.000-07:00

i "bumped" into some of my students whom i taught the last semester. I'm not teaching them this semester.

"Hi miss! We miss you....i mean, your brownies" "Hi miss, want to go out for makan now?" "Hi miss, sorry for not buying the chilly padi for you, the seller didn't sell..".....

It was indeed very heart-warming, not because of anything but the relationship that we have built during the short semester last 2 months.

To me, this is what being their teacher is about, i.e. to "know" them. Not to know "about" them, but to "know" them personally. I hope this is mutual.

I must say that i did not get to know EVERYONE as i would like to, but a number of them, due to time constraint.

I love my students. I remembered telling them (during our last class together) not to succumb to what others say about them, and not to despise themselves as a result of that. People can say whatever they want, it's their "mouth" anyway. The thing is, whatever they say won't hurt you unless you allow it to. What you need to do, is to examine yourself with an open heart and with full humility, to see whether there is any element of truth in what they say. If so, change if need be. If not, just move on.

To my DIB students, all of you CAN excel and have indeed excelled. The onus is on you. No one can stop you except yourself. Remember, it's not just about your grades, but your character.

All the best, and do keep in touch!

Change

2009-04-06T20:37:00.000-07:00

Time flies. It has been more than a month since i last updated my blog. It has been a very busy but eventful (both good and bad) month.

A new semester has just started. To my delight, A, B and C, who were previously in my tutorial group the last semester, have been assigned to my class once again this semester. Last Friday was my first time meeting them.

It was indeed a good meeting....at least to me....not because of my superb teaching that day (although it was quite "superb", ha ha ha, just joking), nor my infamous "grandmother stories", nor the good weather etc...It's because of A, B and C.

I saw a change, a great change, in them. Positive change, i mean.

Their attentiveness, their participation in the discussion, their politeness in seeking approval before leaving the class. In short, manifestation of a positive change in their attitude.

It brought great joy to my heart. As a teacher, that is what really matters to me at the end of the day, i.e. a positive change in my students, regardless of the grade (although i believe the latter is often the result of the former). So what if my students manage to obtain all the As and "high distincitions" when their attitude really sucks? I have failed as their teacher!

I am confident that A, B and C WILL excel and do well this semester. Keep up the good work and attend lecture!

Sincerity

2009-02-18T23:56:00.000-08:00

I had an afternoon class today. It is scheduled at the most "unfavourable" time, i.e. 12pm to 2pm...you know, it's right after lunch, sleepy, tired, full from lunch, indigestion.......

While i was trying very hard in making my lesson interesting to keep my students awake, all of a sudden those 20+ pairs of eyes were staring at the door (which has a small glass panel where you can see who is outside the room).

"Miss, got people look for you!", one of them exclaimed.

"Huh? Who?" So i opened the door.

Two lovely ladies from another group quickly shy away from the door, one of them with a piece of cake on her palm.

"Miss, today is my birthday. Just want to give you a piece of my birthday cake." Said WT, with a smile on her face (as always).

"Miss, we have been going around looking for you. We went to your room but you were not there." Said S.

They must have located me from my timetable which is pinned on my little notice board outside my staff room.

Wow! "Sincerity" is the word that instantly comes to my mind.

Interestingly enough, it has been an "issue" that i was mulling over lately.

"Sincerity" is the key that gives one a "die-die" attitude, i.e. no matter what the obstacles are, one would "die-die" make sure that the desired objective is being achieved.

Sincerity is also the key that bring forth change. E.g. when one is sincerely "sorry" for his / her wrong, and hence the determination to change.

It is not something that one can "profess" to be upholding. You can profess / say as much as you want, you can cry as much as you want, you can beat your chess as much as you want, you can "swear" as much as you want......at the end of the day, it is your attitude, your action, your response to "trying" situation, and the "fruits" that you yield, that will speak the loudest.

This reminds me of this particular student of mine, JT. When confronted of certain attitude of his, he was "sincere" and "honest" enough in admitting that he was not so sure whether he wanted to change, probably, i suspect, due to his realisation of what it takes to change. Yet, throughout the entire semester (which will be ending soon), i see the progress in him. Action speaks louder than words. "Sincerity" of his true desire, i believe, is the key.

Many thanks to WT, S and JT, in teaching me the lesson of "sincerity".

You are exposed!

2009-02-15T18:20:00.000-08:00

Wonder how / when one would be exposed of his / her true self / intention / motivation?

Well, based on my very recent interesting encounter, it's when:
you are in a fury
you are frustrated
you are defensive
your ego is affected
your self-interest that is carefully and secretly hidden somewhere in you, is threatened!!!!!

Often times, it is exposed through words that are lashed out (often uncontrollably) at that material moment when all /any of the above "emotions" gushes through one's entire being.

What comes out from the mouth, reflects what is in the heart.
What comes out from the mouth, can either build or kill the hearer.

Being one of the "hearers" and "recipients" of those words, i understand how that feels. Indeed the "revelation" of the true state of being of certain person, can be rather unpleasant, disturbing and disappointing at times.

So...how? It kept me thinking.....

I don't think it lies in how "more careful" you can be in "controlling" your emotional reaction, nor how "better" you can be in being more "polished" (or spikeful???) in your words.

It has to do with the heart first, isn't it?
Indeed, what comes out from the mouth, relfects what is in the heart.
Why deal with the words, when the root of all these is the heart?

Then again, who are we to decide what is considered as a "right" heart and what is not?

The world is changing so dramatically that what used to be "wrong", can now be "right". It has become an issue of "human-right of opinion", of what is widely acceptable, of what one "feels" is the right thing to do in a given situation, of common "sense", of what ultimately "benefits", even if it is at the expense of the "other(s)".....

At the end of the day, only the absolute "truth" will prevail, and all false-hood shall be exposed and destroyed.

What folly it is, to pursue all things but the truth!

Truth, truth, truth....if only all the intents and desires of our heart are birthed from and governed by it! The world may be a better place then....

Only God is the truth.

Dear teachers, who are you here for?

2009-02-09T20:45:00.000-08:00

I had a night mare some time ago.

I dreamt of a school, renown for its academic achievements (all the straight-As records, i mean).

How did it maintain such standard?

By only allowing students of certain standards to enrol for official exam.

What about those who fall short of the "standards" (whatever that is)?

They will not be allowed to enrol for exam under the school name, so as to ensure that the school's overall achievement is not "tainted".

I woke up with "cold sweat".

Phew! Thank goodness it's just a dream! But it seems so real.

Although it's just a dream, it had kept me thinking.....

Who are we (the teachers) really here for? Only the "good" ones? What is "good" anyway? The number of "As" that one attains regardless of the "kiasu" and "selfish" attitude behind the whole achievement, regardless of whether he/she actually understood anything besides what he / she has memorised, regardless of........?

What about the "academically-challenged" ones, the ones who are struggling, secretly, because of language problem, personal problems, habbitual problems, circumstancial problems etc?

What is teacher here for anyway? Mere transaction of "head-knowledge" to the students, making sure that the "good" ones do better, and the "bad" ones manage to "pull through", so that the "grades" are maintained???

What about the aspect of them as "human being", as God's mighty and beautiful creation?

Hmmm....Hey students, what about you? What are YOU here for?

What makes a lecturer happy?????

2009-02-05T05:48:00.000-08:00

Today is a good day for me.

I had "lou sang" with my students.....during class (PLEASE don't let my boss know!)......why is it good? There are a few reasons:

1. Other than the fact that the "lou sang" "mixture" actually tasted quite yummy (it better be....it costed RM60+ per set!! We have two!!), the thing is, the whole noble idea actually came from a STUDENT, all for the sake of creating "happiness" (according to that student). Indeed everyone was laughing and joking, even the serious faced eased up a bit (from my perspective, at least).... i must say this whole event has caused me thinking....why didn't i even think of initiating such a thing in the first place? Have i secretly wondered as to why some students seemed so "distance" or "sub-dued" during class? Yes i have. Have i done anything to break the ice? Hmm....not really. There you go. It takes a student to "teach" me the lesson of being a "good teacher". Thank you. Small matter? Not to me...

2. During "lou sang", i was painstakingly "scooping" the mixture into a cup with my very "CANGGIH" chop-stick skill (you know, the "cross-over" type). All of a sudden, i saw this pair of chop stick throwing a nice slice of salmon into my cup....small matter you think? To me, it is heart-warming. Honestly, i didn't even manage to see who he or she was, but....thank you! You guys are a caring bunch! Small matter? Not to me...

3. After the "lou sang" (which can be really messy), the cleaning-up was really SOMETHING. Everyone knew exactly what to do. No instruction, no nagging, and such speed of cleaning up! The classroom was without a single trace of food (except for a pair of chop-stick....well, no one is perfect eh)!! These are MY students! Small matter? Not to me....

4. A student of mine sent me a letter through his friends today. "Huh?" was my first reaction. It wasn't a letter to tell me how good a teacher i am, and how grateful he is that i am his teacher, bla bla bla. It's just a few liner apologising to me for not being able to attend my class due to certain reasons. That really MAKES MY DAY!!!!! Small matter? Not to me...

So, what actually makes a lecturer happy? Is it the $ at the end of the month (P-LEASE, don't even mention that!!!) ? Is it the glamour (glamour??? what glamour???) Is it the grade?

For a "unique" (some may call it "weird") lecturer like me, are the "small matters". Small matters that allows me to learn from MY students, small matters that help me know MY students, small matters that show me their heart, small matters that reveals the positive attributes in them, small matters that show me the change in them (to the better).....

To my "lou sang" students, thank you for a good day today!

Note:
Lou Sang - a Malaysian chinese tradition during CNY where people will gather together tossing a mixture of "stuff" with raw fish inside. The higher you toss, the better, as it signifies the higher one will "rise" in whatever one does...something like that....i think.

grandmother story

2009-02-04T19:45:00.000-08:00

I have the habbit of telling grandmother stories during my class. They can be anything under the sun. Why? Remember i mentioned earlier that i am teaching the most "exciting" subject in town? That's why.....
I think not all of my students appreciate those stories. Some said there're hidden "jarum" behind my stories....some have this word written all over their face: "whatever"...some seemed to be rather "intrigued" by the stories....well, i received a very interesting comment recently from one of my students, he said:"i like to listen to your grandmother stories.......they keep me awake during your class." Hmm....well, at least i achieved something....i like that student. He has great potential (not joking).