With all the PPSMI courseware available, is PPSMI as simple as ".... the clicking of the mouse..." as somebody once said? Is the role of a science teacher reduced to that of operating the computer and LCD projector only? Are we sending a wrong signal to teachers when we overemphasise the use of courseware at the expense of 'hands-on' activities?(Note: PPSMI stands for teaching of science and mathematics in English.)
2 comments:
Generally, there are certain guidelines that have to be considered when using T&L CD coursewares:
• One of them is that the courseware is a teaching aid and not to be mistaken as a courseware for self-access learning (SAL).
• Teachers play an important role in ensuring that the courseware is utilised to the maximum in the classroom.
Ofcourse, the courseware is also intended to fulfill the needs of teachers who are not proficient in English.
On the content-wise, it is in tandem with the current subject syllabuses and is based on pedagogical principles.
However, observation and interviews with teachers in the classroom showed that not many teachers were using the courseware in the classroom. They cited the fact that the courseware slowed down their teaching and that they had much to cover and would be behind time if they were to depend on the courseware.
Nevertheless, there must be a continuos effort to remind teachers that the coursewares has a role to play:
1. Firstly, to teachers who are not very proficient in the language, the courseware can be used as a model of pronunciation and the use of sentence patterns and instruction patterns.
2. Secondly, the teacher can emulate the pedagogical principle put into play.
3. Thirdly, to the students, the courseware is an interactive tool that can be used to enhance motivation in learning the (English) language.
Good comment. Thank you. This is one of the main aims of publishing this blog - to engage in various conversations relating to current issues especially on education.
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