M'ed Reading for administrators?

When the teachers from this course go back to their schools there is the possibility that some administrators will be more accommodating than others.It could be a question of resouces,willingness or motivation.Therefore,to ensure that after investing so much time and money in this course some avenue should be found to educate the administrators to the importance and necessity of facilitating the teachers of this course.In other words a wider and all embracing approach should be used.Even if it doesn't help at least it wouldn't hurt!

Group work in EDRL 6004?

We all recognise that some students are more competent and exposed in computer literacy than others.In my humble opinion there should have been the opportunity for official group work in this course.Yes,some will claim that it may keep them back but was a consensus taken?Yes,the lecturer and tutors may claim that they were available but I still think that especially in this course the opportunity should have been provided for group work.Remember the same students in this course will now have to go out to the schools and practise the technology.So why couldn't we be the ones to practise on so that we all could have seen the possible hiccups and come to a collective solution?

M'ed Reading-irony,short coming or oversight?

Without sounding too presumptuous it is with a measure of concern that so far in this program where we have learnt all the aspects of assisting the early and struggling readers,we have also learnt all the aspects of research,ANOVA,SPSS et al and we have also been exposed to the computer technology to assist the very reading program yet no where have we been exposed to the true essence of reading.In my opinion,the person who can truly enjoy Macbeth's "fair is foul and foul is fair", or Julius Caesar's "There is a tide in the affairs of men..." or Keat's "Ah St Agnes' Eve,Bitter chill it was" or Grey's "Elegy" or Hardy and so on,that is the true epitome of reading.In other words,if there is not that true depth of appreciation for reading then it will be difficult to elicit same from the learner.

Can religion work in schools?

Religion always seem to be taboo.People are very sensitive whenever the topic of religion emerges.In schools it is usually downplayed so as not to offend anyone.However,all religion acknowledges right from wrong in terms of morality,cheating and misbehaviour.We usually have stories that emphasise these qualities.Using religion in schools does not mean offending or interfering with people's faith.What can be done is using the stories as activities for the children,let them read it,let them dramatise it,let them recreate it and let them enjoy it and hopefully the values will permeate their subconscious to make them better individuals.Is there a problem with that?

Parents in schools

For too long teachers have fulfilled the roles of parents in schools without complaint.It is about time that parents also fulfil the roles of parents in schools.Yes we have PTA and other activities but they are more sideline activities rather than real involvement.We need parents on a daily basis not being sent for because of disciplinary reasons but rather on a voluntary assisting with the children's behaviour during breaktime,lunchtime and after school because that is when most cases of indiscipline seem to occur.Parents also need to check their children's school bags and their homework.Get to know their friends and be aware of their general daily activities.The idea is that the child who enters the school gate is not necessarily away from home and from the parents but is in fact in another home with their parents.This will go a long way in dealing with some of the issues facing teenagers in schools.

Single sex schools?

The debate rages on.Should teenage boys and girls be in the same school?Some say it will pose problems and some say it is a good thing.In September twenty schools will commence a pilot project to change from coeducational schools to single sex schools on a phased basis.That is,the form one intake will be either boys alone or girls alone and at the end of five years the whole school will be of one gender.The intention behind this is really to address the growing "non performance" of boys especially in coeducational schools.It should be noted that single gender secondary schools have been around for over fifty years but they were denominational schools with a firm religious grasp.So is the problem religion,boys or something else?We have o wait and see what this new initiative will reveal and whether this new government will continue with it.

Reading - a dying art?

How much we used to enjoy reading Enid Blyton,Hardy Boys,Samuel Selvon,VS Naipaul,Charles Dickens,Louis L'Amour and Sidney Sheldon to name a few.We entered their worlds,we couldn't put the book down,we cheated and read out the ending sometimes because we couldn't wait.That was an adventure,that was fun,that was a hobby and that was learning.What has happened nowadays? Is it television,movies or computer?Are people too busy or are children not being taught the true value of reading?This needs to be addressed urgently at all levels from kindergarten,primary schools,secondary schools and even at university level.This socity will be better off for it and education level will improve.Thank you for reading this!

Expectations of the M ed Reading Program

It is hoped that at the end of this program the teachers would have benefited sufficiently to the better teachers and therefore to turn out better students.Also,they should be able to share this knowledge with the other teachers in their schools.Yes the assignments,the examinations and the hours of lectures can take their toll but in the end it should be worth it.And of course,we haven't forgotten the promise that we would be upgraded both in salary and in position.So we will keep plodding to fulfil our end of the bargain with the expectations that the other side will keep their promise.

Discipline in schools

Gang violence!Fights!Abuse of cell phones!Disrespect!Knives!Sexual misconduct!What is going on in schools these days?It could be that the curriculum does not meet their needs.It could be single parenting.It could be delinquent teachers.It could be incapable administrators or it could be a society that is falling apart-or all of the above.Whatever it is,it needs to be addressed or else we will end up with a very disturbed and uneducated modern generation.All the key players need to work collectively to generate a workable solution to manage this growing trend.We all have our part to play.

Toddlers in school

It is now fashionable for parents to enrol their three year old and four year old and even younger in schools to get an early start in education.We all know that children are curious and they are easily captivated by sights and sounds.Books and chalkboard might be too tedious.The computer provides an excellent opportunity to fill the gap because it uses sight,sounds and learning strategies together with hand and eye coordination.In addition the child can also play games,watch shows and create pictures and other areas of interest.Therefore the computer can be used to actually create leaning at an earlier age.

Computers in schools

The ministry of education has vowed to equip all the new form one students with a laptop computer.Some people have questioned whether it will work or not.The real question is that it should be done and deal with the problems as they arise.Do not anticipate and decide against it.We should realise that a number of countries have already gone that way.We need to look at the whole scenario and learn from their mistakes so that we could have our students entering the twenty first century fully prepared to deal with the dynamic technology.I say go for it!

Boys and learning-the dilemma

In the last two decades boys have become less inclined in the academics.Girls have progressed tremendously.What is the problem?Are boys too playful,distracted or not interested.Luckily,the computer has aroused their interest.This can now be used as a strategy to bring back the boys into the academics.The wide range of activities that the computer provides as well as the attraction of pictures,music and games can be channelled to encourage them to use these same activities and modify them to suit the learning strategies.This course and by extension the Reading Program should provide the opportunity.Only time will tell.