Taylors University School Of Education

EDP 4026 Teaching Practical (Phase II)

Lo Wei Hui 0317284

Our teaching practicum for phase II started on 5 January 2015. I will be the assistant teacher
and shadow my mentor, Mrs Wan. In phase II, I will use the Gibbs model (1988) of
reflective cycle as a guide to write my reflection. There are six parts in Gibbs Reflective
Cycledescription, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion and action plan. Below are the
week 3s reflections.
Reflection 9: Preparing Teaching Aids (Traffic Lights Cards)

Evaluation

Feelings

Description

Day: Monday
Date: 19/1/2015
After four days of process, the traffic lights cards finally were out! Today, I was
helping my mentor to cut the Traffic Lights cards into same shape and hooked it into a
labelled keychain. It was easy to make the cards but to get it done were time
consuming. The whole process stoke on me that teachers effort would never see by the
students. The Traffic Lights cards have three colorsred, yellow, and green. Red
represent that the students do not understand at all; Yellow means the students
understand the instruction partially; and Green card shows that the students understand
the instruction very well.
I breath a sign of relief when I finally done the Traffic Lights cards. I felt that this
task was challenging in term of time. It really took me lots of time to work on it. All the
way from cutting the papers into small shape, laminate, and cut.
Many times I felt like giving up because it really hurt my fingers so badly when I
was cutting the cards into same shape. Sometimes I even made fun of myself that if I
continue to work on it, I would have muscle on my arm.
Cutting the cards was the most struggling part but when I saw the products of my
hard work, a feeling of satisfied warm my heart. The whole process of making this
teaching aids dawn on me that the preparation stage was the most difficult stage
compare to other stages in teaching.
The whole process of making the Traffic Lights cards was really successful
although it took a longer time to complete it.
It was true that the process of making the cards look a bit hopeless as it was easy
with some simple steps, but these steps might have to repeat over hundreds of times.
For example, I have to cut about 300 cards into same shape.
However, things can be done when you kept on doing it without gave up on it. I
was glad that I never gave up on doing it although I felt struggled most of the times.
Especially when my fingers were very pain and I still have to continue about it.
I realized that this was the reason that teachers mad on students when the students
spoiled their teaching aids. This was because the efforts that put into making the
teaching aids were unpredictable.
I found the Traffic Light cards was a really cool teaching aids. Students just have
to put the cards on the table to show their current state of understanding instead of
teachers kept asking do you understand?

Action Plan

Conclusion

Analysis

Taylors University School Of Education

EDP 4026 Teaching Practical (Phase II)
Lo Wei Hui 0317284

I think that my believed in never give up helped me to complete this task. This
was because my mentor also admit that if I was not around, she wont made this
teaching aid as it really took lots times and efforts to make it.
The moment when I heard she said this, I was thinking that whether a person can
complete one task was really depends on whether the person want to do it or not.
Sometimes, time may be the factor but if a person really wants to do it, things
could be done no matter how. I found that the efforts that teachers put into the task, the
students wont know and see it. I think this is so-called behind the scene.
Preparation of a materials or any other stuffs might not be that easy, it took a long
times but I found that it was the most beautiful and challenging part in teaching. I
observed that, teachers kill their brains nerves on thinking about the teaching
process but when you saw that things went according to the plan, the feeling of
achievement was show on the face.
I also realized that the Traffic Lights cards actually helped the teacher to identify
each students current understanding of instruction. It is more personal than assume the
whole class understands about the instruction.
By doing this, teachers can give individual support. This also reduces the noise
on students calling for help. When students have something that they do not
understand, they just have to show the red or yellow card. Then, the teacher or
assistance teacher will go to the students.
I was glad that I never gave up on doing the task. Though this task, I also learnt to
do thing in a smart way (use paper cutter instead of cut the cards one by one). I was
also happy that I did helped my mother did similar task before this. Because of that, my
mentor kept acknowledges my cleverness on doing this task.
Task like preparing teaching aids, I really learnt a lot from my mother. Now I
really glad that she asked me to help her during that time. Next time, if I have to do a
similar task like this, I sure will work on it.
This was because I found that every time I did a task like this, I will learn a new
and smart way of getting the task done effectively. I also learnt that task like preparing
teaching aids usually took a longer time. Therefore it was important for me to prepare
the teaching aids much earlier so that I have enough time to make it.
Lastly, this task taught me a new way of classroom management. The Traffic
Lights cards really helped the teachers so much and made students felt even more
interested in learning. This was because the cards made them felt more cool in the
class.
I would never gave up on a task, because I know that I will success if I continue
work on it. Next time, I must also work wisely, so that I can safe lots of times in
preparing teaching aids. I will also looking forwards to do similar task, this is because I
want to continue build on my experience as a teacher. Besides that, I also like to learn
more new things. People always said experience build throughout the years. I think I
would need more practice. Lastly, I would also implement Traffic Lights cards into my
class in the future.

Taylors University School Of Education

EDP 4026 Teaching Practical (Phase II)
Lo Wei Hui 0317284

Reflection 10: Year 6 Meeting

Evaluation

Feelings

Description

Day: Tuesday
Date: 20/1/2015
It was my second time join in year meeting. It was a really cool experience. In the
meeting, we talked about the lesson plans of the coming week for all the subjects. All
teachers give their opinion and feedback in the meeting. Through this meeting, I found
out that the lesson plans was done in this way. A subject will be assigned to the teacher,
after that the teacher will be in charge of doing the lesson planning of that subject. In
the meeting, we also talked about the coming events. It also cools that looking at all
teachers using their MacBook in the meeting and every notes key in online.
It was really cool that looking at everyone access to the meeting e-hand out
through their MacBook. For youngster like me, I really like it as I did not need to keep
all the meeting papers and hand out.
I like how they divided the subjects for each teacher to do the lesson plans. It
made the process more organized. However, I also felt that it is important for teachers
to know how to do the lesson plan for their subjects.
Besides that, through this meeting, I have a clearer picture on what is going on in
the school such as event like IPC topic entry point. I also got the direction of each
subject for the coming week.
I was also surprise at looking all the teachers trying their best to adopt technology
into their life. Like currently the school is trying to promote paperless during every
meeting. I felt every exciting as it is moving towards 21st century education.
When I look at everyone taking their laptop for the meeting, I also took my IPad
to record some notes. It was very convenient to everyone as all the teachers just have to
go to Google Drive and open the share folder.
Besides that, they also did the minute online and all of us can saw the changes.
The synchronous web 2.0 tool that they used made it convenient for the teachers that
were not able to attend the meeting.
Through the meeting, I have a clearer mind on what is going on in the school. For
example, this coming Thursday we have guided reading show case to the parents. I also
have better understanding towards the subject that my mentor is going to teach.
By looking at all the teachers trying their best to adopt technology into their daily
routine, I saw how education is moving towards a technological era. I saw how
technology made our education more systematic and easy as we getting used to it.

Action Plan

Conclusion

Analysis

Taylors University School Of Education

EDP 4026 Teaching Practical (Phase II)
Lo Wei Hui 0317284

If my mentor can be more open to technology, I think it would help lots during
our lesson. She was fine with technology but when the technology was a bit tricky in
term of using it, and then she will gave up and do not want to learn about it.
For example, if she already knows about Google Drive, she would not want to
know about Dropbox. This was because she found that Google Drive was already
tricky enough for her, therefore she did not want to learn about Dropbox.
Through this meeting, now I fully understand how the lesson planned been made
in the school. I also learnt the system that my school used to develop the lesson plan for
each subject.
It was nice that one teacher in charge of planning one subject, so they wont felt
like overwhelm when doing the planning. However, the down side was if the teacher
that in charge of planning have retired or gone to other school. Then, the other teacher
has to take over but this teacher might not know how to plan as the teacher never in
charge of the planning before.
If I could explain and taught my mentor to use the technology in an easier and
simple way, I think she would accept more. For example, put the file into folder in
Google Drive made everything in the drive look more systematic. I explain for about 3
days than only I manage to convince her that it was not hard and tricky.
I also learnt that technology might seem to be difficult and tricky, but once you
got it, things become very easy and simple. I also felt that it is important for us as
teachers to know more useful technological tools. This is because it provides us more
chances in choosing the tools.
I really felt that it was good to integrate technology into education as 21st century
learners are born digital native. They are automatically attracted to technology. Lastly,
I learnt that one person doing the lesson planning for one subject was a good way to
distribute work log but I still felt that every teachers should also know how to do the
lesson plan.
I learnt that my school is moving towards 21st century education. They promote
paperless. I will make sure I can follow the current trend and adopt this into my life. I
will also keep track on my schools event. I will also learn more tools that might help in
education. I will continue improve myself in using technology. Besides that, I will
continue to join more meeting. If can, I really wish that I can take part in planning the
lesson too. (Unfortunately my mentor is not in charge of any lesson planning for the
subjects.)

Taylors University School Of Education

EDP 4026 Teaching Practical (Phase II)
Lo Wei Hui 0317284

Reflection 11: Explain Slides To Student ( A Moment of Take Over The Class)

Evaluation

Feelings

Description

Day: Thursday
Date: 22/1/2015
Today, my class was having art lesson. After my mentor shows the video, she
went to the staff room to get her laptop. Before she goes, she asked me to go through
the side with the students. I took over her class, interact with students and go through
the slides with them together. It was really exciting and nervous experience as this was
the first time I was in the class by my own. I communicated with students carefully and
observed their reaction as the feedback for myself.
Today was an awesome and surprising day! I was really nervous when I was
alone in the class. The moment when I took over the class, I was a bit out of my pace
when I heard of this sudden task, and I can felt my heart palpitation. I tried to apply
what I have learnt in my course to the real life experience. I felt really excited when I
was in control of the class flow. Although it just about 5 minutes of took over the class,
I felt that I learnt more than the usual in the room. I really thank that my mentor gave
me this precious opportunity.
I was really nervous like the ant on the hotpot. However, I still kept remind
myself to speak loudly and clearly. At first, I saw that students were not really listening
to me which made me felt a bit down.
However, I never gave up and tried to use different tone of voice, body and facial
expression to gain their attention. I realized that it turns better when I started to gain
back my confidence.
Without hesitation, I started to show my enthusiastic in teaching as I want to bring
the class into a high energy level environment. I learnt this from Marzanos on-task
behavior theory which teachers should show their enthusiasm in teaching to maintain
the high energy level learning environment.
From here, I observed that students were all started to follow my flow and we
even have fun while going through the slides.
Although the starting of this task did not go really smooth, but I am glad that I
managed to turn the situation at the end. Which the conclusion for this task still
considered well done!

Action Plan

Conclusion

Analysis

Taylors University School Of Education

EDP 4026 Teaching Practical (Phase II)
Lo Wei Hui 0317284

Observation is the most direct and most honest feedback that you can get from
students. I observed that when I speak loudly and clearly I got my students attention in
a twinkle of eye.
Besides that, I also realized that its exactly same as what my lecturer told me,
different tone of voice and non-verbal language convey the message more than a verbal
language in a communication. I found that human are naturally spent their attention
more towards non-verbal message.
Moving on, I found that Marzanos on-task behavior theory is a very applicable
theory in classroom. Through this task, I found that if a teacher shows their enthusiastic
in teaching, it will eventually affected students energy level too. According to
Marzano (2007), students need certain energy to pay attention in the class. Therefore I
tried to bring up their energy level so that their attention was on me.
Eventually this strategy work very well. I definitely will consider this strategy
into my teaching plan in the future. Personally, I believed that students learn the best
when they are in high energy level. This is because they can pay more attention to their
teachers.
Lastly, I found that this task also trained my flexibility towards unexpected
situation. From here, I realized that this is the reason why we must teach our students to
become a resilient child.
If I could be more confident at the beginning, I think I would have more time to
interact with my students as a teacher (not assistant teacher). However, I have to
admit that I do learn a lot through this short 5 minutes task.
I caught the feeling of speaking confidently in front of the class. I experience how
to use non-verbal language in the communication. I analyzed how Marzanos on-task
behavior theory works in practical.
It also dawn on me that it is important for me to revise and remember all the
theories that I have learnt. With all the theories, I also have to analysis which is more
appropriate and effective to be applied in the classroom.
In a nutshell, I find this task really reinforced my knowledge and skill in teaching
a lot. This process of this task was really successful and very useful for me. If there is a
chance, I probably would like to do it again, although just a 5 to 10 minutes.
Next time, I would like to start by instruction in an energetic way. This is to
caught their attention and also bring the liveliness into class. I believed in active
learning. Therefore, I will make sure my students are actively engage in their learning.
I hope next time when I teach, my students are enjoy in the process. I will also go look
for more theories to support and affirm my believed. Not only that, it can also varies
my teaching techniques. I can also have a border view towards instruction.

Taylors University School Of Education

EDP 4026 Teaching Practical (Phase II)
Lo Wei Hui 0317284

Reflection 12: Further Explore Class Dojo System

Evaluation

Feelings

Description

Day: Friday
Date: 23/1/2015
Today, my mentor assigned me a task which was figure out more about Class
Dojo System. There are some functions different between the Class Dojo Application
and the Class Dojo website. If access from the website, there are more functions that
can monitor the Class Dojo System. However, This time I mainly focus on figure it out
the application. The Class Dojo Application is really cool. There is camera function, I
even found that the instant messaging function also provide cute stickers! Its totally
like Face Book messenger. I suggested it to my mentor, but she denied it.
It was really cool and fun to try out the Class Dojo Application in smart phone
and IPad. It took me about one and a half hour (from register the email to activate and
play with the account) to finish the exploration in Class Dojo Application. It cant be
denied that I really have fun while trying out the application. I found the Class Dojo
System really designed very well and user friendly. I was a bit upset when my mentor
denied the camera function. I think maybe she have some misunderstanding during my
explanations of the function.
It was a really great and good experience on using Class Dojo System. Personally,
I really like this system. I found it very useful. For example, the camera functions in
application form. I found it really cool and on trend with the current technology.
Teachers can take a picture and sent to the parents if there is any problems on
students work; or take a picture as prove to parent about students misbehaving. My
mentor misunderstands it as platform to update parents about school coming event and
notice.
I also found the instant messaging function very useful. It runs like any other
instant messaging application such as WhatApps, WeChat, Kakao Talk, Line, etc. It
allows both parents and teachers to communicate with each other anytime, anywhere.
The most important is it is FREE of charge!
Add on to that, the whole system is designed as child friendly. The students can
change their avatar according to their will. It also allows the students to check on their
performance in the class. This will make the students aware of their own performance
in the class. In other word, students are doing self-assessment.

Action Plan

Conclusion

Analysis

Taylors University School Of Education

EDP 4026 Teaching Practical (Phase II)
Lo Wei Hui 0317284

If there is any training session on Class Dojo Application, I think the school can
maximized the used of this system. I realized that many of the teachers did not know
how to utilize this system. Most of them only know the basic function of it; therefore it
is not that effective.
This system used the classic behavioral approach to manage students behavior,
and also for encouragement of learning. As behaviorist view learning as a cause and
effect mechanism, this system also designed that way which is students will be
rewards or removes of the points according to their performance in the class.
I found that the inventor of Class Dojo system applied E.L. Thorndike (18741949)s theory of operant conditioning into the system. Operant conditioning is about
the effects of rewards on behavior. This can be seen through the change in students
behavior. After my mentor introduces the Class Dojo System, I saw the obvious change
of behavior of students in the class. This was because the students know that they can
gain points from the system.
I also found that this system also included some child psychology such as using
cute avatar to represent the students. This obviously got the students interest into it.
Other than that, I found the system make the communication between parents and
teachers become more convenient. According to Jones & Jones (2013), parental
involvement in educational experience plays a significant role academic success.
Which I think is a great help for teacher to establish positive rapport with parent.
If I could gains all the teachers trust on me, I probably will like to explain and
demonstrate how good the system is. I really wish to maximize the use of this system. I
felt a bit not satisfied on my own performance because I gave up to explain more when
my mentor denied the camera function in the application form.
I also realized that when I really look deeply of the system, there are many
theories behind it that made the born of this system. Each theory told me the reason
why I have to learn many theories such as cognitivism, behaviorism, and
constructivism and so on.
The whole process of figure out the Class Dojo System was really fun. Analysis
part also very interesting, it was like doing revision for exam. I am glad that I did a
deep analysis on this system; I will do the same thing again for other similar task.
I feel that I have to plan first before I try to explain something new to the other
teachers. I have to consider their age range. This is because I found it is the biggest
issues when related to technology. Besides that, I found that it is important for us as
teachers to analyze the tools that we choose to use. This is because the accuracy,
effectiveness and useful of the tools will affects the decision making of the teachers.
Therefore, I must revise and read more other researches on theories that related to
education, so that I have enough of theories to support me when I am doing my
analysis.