the lilypad - issue #9

Oxford Summer Schoolwas a blast!

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 T H E L I LY PA D # 9 W W W. F R O G A S I A . C O M

TOOL OR TOY?Can hours of study be hours of fun?

So You Think You LikeCOMPUTER GAMES? Solve mysteries or explorenew worlds?There’s a game for you!

pg 19

Find out how teachers are using game-based learning at SK Jalan Selangor (1)

Also, check out the school’s

new Frog Classroom Makeover!

pg14


CONTENTS

CREDITS

A NOTE FROM FROGASIA

DEAR FROGASIAWe love hearing from you!

CIKGU JOTHI KONGSI PENGALAMAN GUNA APLIKASI I AM LEARNINGApa kelebihan pembelajaran berasaskan permainan?

SPLASH! Splash! Pullout for Students!

WHAT TYPE OF GAMER ARE YOU? Find out here!

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06

14

19

20

DO IT YOURSELF: GEOBOARD! Create a fun tool to learn about the shapes around us!

GAME-BASED LEARNING Tools or Toys: What can game-based learning do for you, Cikgu?

FROG CLASSROOM SK JALAN SELANGOR (1)Find out how a Frog Classroom Makeoverbreathed life into a local school!

EXTRA ‘COOL’RICULUM Your scoop on what’s happening in FrogAsia!

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24

28

32

EDITORIAL

Tiffany Chua | Low Ee Lynn | Ashvina Naidu | Ramziah Razak | Joseph Wong | Lisa Toh

COVER PHOTO

Kenny Ng

DESIGN & ART

Nor Zamilia Zainal | Sharifah Nabilah Alhadad | Victor Lau

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Welcometo our latest issue of

e hope you’ve had a happy Merdeka Day celebration!

We’re fresh from Oxford Summer School Kuala Lumpur and Leaps of Knowledge, with St Anne’s College, University of Oxford and we’re overwhelmed by the great things you’re telling us about the week, from how inspired you were by professors at the top of their profession to the amazing friends you’ve met.

But there’s certainly much more to come for the rest of the year! In this issue, we explore game-based learning. Is it a tool or a toy? Find out what the research says about how game-based learning affects students in the classroom.

In fact, schools in Malaysia have already begun to use game-based learning to good effect. In

W

from all of us at

Keep in touchwith what we’re doingon Instagram!

CLICK HERE >

these pages, learn more about how SK Jalan Selangor, a Malaysian school is doing with a game-based assessment programme created to engage students.

Things are also going to heat up towards the end of the year with the Leaps of Knowledge Conference 2015 featuring Cathy Davidson on the 31st of October! She’s a renowned speaker for her work in innovating new ideas for the workplace, school, and in everyday life and will share her insight on what it means to have a classroom makeover. We hope to see you there.

We know that exams are right around the corner, and we’re sure that everyone’s doing their best to get ready. So take a break, and enjoy your new issue of The Lilypad #9.

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Cathy Davidson is a leading innovator of new ideas and methods for learning and professional development in school, the workplace, and everyday life. Her work closely examines the necessity for change in learning spaces and as a result, she’s widely recognised as a highly influential voice in the development of the modern classroom.

An author and editor of more than 20 books on education, her research focuses on technology, collaboration, cognition, learning, and the digital age. She is a also frequent speaker and consultant on institutional change at universities, corporations, non-profits and other organizations, and writes for the Harvard Business Review, Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, The Chronicle of Higher Education, The Washington Post, and Times Higher Ed.

She’s also renowned for being the educator who introduced free iPods to every new student in Duke University - to tremendous effect as seen in her latest book, ‘Now You See It’. Her book also reimagines workplaces and

Find out more about Cathy:

Click Here >

classrooms for workers and learners in the digital age, and has been touted as ‘critically important’ by Publishers Weekly. Featuring a chapter titled “Project Classroom Makeover”, it’s a recommended read for all changemakers in Malaysian education. Come learn more about her ideas on classroom transformation in our Leaps of Knowledge Conference: The Classroom Reimagined, coming this 31st October.


Meet Cathy Davidson!

Click Here >to register

We’ve gone through

enormous change that has affected

everything, from the way we do business

to how we view intelligence and attention. We have to

rethink it all in a more

INTERACTIVE,

Networked, and Collaborative Way.

//Cathy Davidson

Dear FrogAsia... Hello, readers! We love getting e-mail and feedback from you. If you would like

your suggestions and letters to be featured, write to us at [email protected],

Tweet us at @FrogAsia, or drop us a message on facebook!

In OurMailbox

Thank you for bringing Oxford to us. I had such an amazing 4 days & 3 nights over here with such amazing lecturers and dedicated Frog Interns. You people taught me that nothing is impossible. Thank you Oxford University. Thank you FROGASIA.

//Muhammad Amirul bin Mohd Asri

Great lecturers! Lovely lessons! Wonderful campus! <3 I have met some of the best people from this event. Hope to see more like this!

//Haziq Danial Instagram username: @HAZIQ_DANIAL99

I have really enjoyed all the courses and classes over the past four days; everyone’s been extremely open and friendly. I particularly enjoyed getting to speak and listen to all the professors as they are extremely passionate about their subjects, and it is inspiring to learn and listen to them. Getting a taster of lecturers and subjects has made me even more excited for university and has helped me narrow down options on what I would like to do in the future. For that I’m extremely grateful.

//Raphaelle Tseng

“Getting a tasterfor university lecturers and

subjects has made me even more excited for it...”

I have met some of the

best people from this event.

You people taught me that

nothing is impossible.


6


What happened at the

Frog VLEIntroductory Trainingwith FrogAsia

Alhamdulillah. Semuanya berjalan lancar. Program ini bagus betul. Saya rasa berbesar hati sungguh pada hari ini kerana terlibat dalam program yang ternyata sangat berguna dan padat dengan input yang membolehkan pemahaman yang lebih luas.

//Hasbullah bin Md Din, SK Setapak

I gained more confidence about using the Frog VLE and realised there are so many benefits that my students can get from it too.

//Norhajratuliqma Binti Mohd Mansor

I hope that local trainers can be trained to be as efficient as our trainers over the last two days. Thank you En Aizam and En Sukri for the very enriching experience, invaluable skills, and knowledge imparted to us.The workshop was among the best workshops I've ever attended.

//Boey Mei Li

#leapsoxfordon Instagram!

leaps of knowledge™

with

Join us on our blog at

Hop On!

Another splendid Leaps of Knowledge conference by @frogasia for 2015. Charming and engaging tutors who have made the conference so fruitful for me, especially in explaining subjects and courses available in university and the career path that follows through. Thank you! #leapsoxford

//yasminssfr

With Professor Martin Speight Thank you for the opportunity, @frogasia! Left the conference feeling super inspired. All the subject talks (by the professors of Oxford themselves), interview coaching,& precise elaboration for international applicants totally educated me & changedmy perspective towards studying abroad & tertiary education Still a long way to go, let’s hope for the best inshaAllah! #leapsoxford

//najihahzman

Such a refreshing interview between YAM Tunku Ali and Datin Kathleen. Love the honest answers and stories!

@frogasia @ytlfoundation #leapsoxford

//xtramiler

Everyone had loads of fun taking photos at #leapsoxford and loading them up on Instagram! Join in the fun by visiting our Instagram page here.

Search

#leapsoxford and join us on Instagram!

Curious about #leapsoxford or wanting to re-live the moment?

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CHECK OUTWHAT HAPPENED AT

Missed out on #leapsoxford? Not to worry! Check out these snapshots from the five straight days of fun, learning and new friends at Oxford Summer School and the Leaps of Knowledge conference with St Anne’s College, University of Oxford!

Students busy watching their experiment bubble!At the Biochemistry class, students had the opportunity to tinker around with water baths, centrifuges, gel boxes, and incubatorsas they extracted their own DNA.

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All ready for four days of fun and learning at Oxford Summer School Kuala Lumpur!

Amirul giving it his all for his team’s pitch in their bid to win Summer Showdown! He’s one smooth talker.

Who doesn’t like free shirts? Team Wolf used their creativity to put together some pretty nifty shirts made out of paper to promote their Leaps of Knowledge Conference ideas!

All teams were hard at work building some amazing booths to sell their very own Leaps of Knowledge Conferences! Here’s Team Cow pulling in the crowd with their ideas for theirown Leaps of Knowledge conference!

Students at the Extreme Environments class analysing deep sea life on a giant map!

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Happy faces all around at the end of Summer Showdown! Having spent three evenings together brainstorming and working together to plan their own Leaps of Knowledge conference, it was inspirational to see all the ideas that were put forward.

After four days of exciting classes and hands-on experiments, Oxford Summer School has come to an end! Friendships were made and knowledge was gained.

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Meet our enthusiastic teachers who took the opportunityto learn more about the Frog VLE during Oxford Summer School!It was really encouraging to see teachers who are curious abouthow technology can help their teaching and learning in classes.

We’ve been reading all your reflection cards from Summer School! We’re glad to receive feedback, and your voiceshave been heard.

Friendshipswere made

& knowledgewas gained!

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All bright and early for the Leaps of Knowledge conference with St Anne’s College, University of Oxford!

It was a truly incredible week, working with some of the top minds of the world to bring Oxford Summer School and the Leaps of Knowledge conference with St Anne’s College, University of Oxford to Kuala Lumpur.

We hopeto meet ALLOF YOU again!

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Do you remember our Exhibition Hall? It was buzzing with activity!Which was your favourite booth?

13

ermainan atau

embelajaran Cikgu Jothi kongsi pengalaman guna aplikasi pembelajaran berasaskan permainan, I Am Learning.

ermainan atau

embelajaran Apa kata kedua-duanya sekali?

p

[OLEH RAMZIAH RAZAK]


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“C ikgu, terima kasih kerana percayakan saya dan membimbing saya hingga lulus dalam peperiksaan. Terima kasih kerana tidak putus asa dengan saya.” Nota ringkas dari salah seorang muridnya membuatkan Sivajothi a/p Arnasalam atau Cikgu Jothi menitiskan air mata. Setahun yang lepas, guru dari SK Jalan Selangor (1) ini hampir buntu memikirkan cara terbaik untuk membantu pelajar tersebut mendapat markah yang lebih baik bagi subjek Bahasa Inggeris.

Sehinggalah dia diperkenalkan dengan aplikasi pembelajaran berasaskan permainan, I Am Learning. Semuanya bermula apabila SK Jalan Selangor (1) dipilih sebagai sebagai projek rintis aplikasi tersebut pada tahun lepas. Aplikasi yang berasal dari UK ini mengandungi isi kandungan Bahasa Inggeris dan Matematik yang boleh diubah mengikut sukatan pelajaran di Malaysia. Fungsi utamanya ialah memberi kemudahan kepada guru untuk menugaskan kuiz yang disertakan dengan permainan kepada pelajar.

Permainan? Tetapi bukankah itu yang paling ditakuti guru; melihat pelajar bermain dan mengabaikan tugasan. Itu persepsi yang Jothi selalu dengar dari guru-guru lain. Dia juga beranggapan begitu pada mulanya, tetapi dia tidak mahu berada dalam zon selesa selamanya. Jothi mengambil keputusan untuk mencuba sesuatu yang baru dan tidak hanya mengharapkan buku teks sahaja.

Tambah Jothi, satu lagi kelebihan aplikasi tersebut ialah penyediaan laporan prestasi pelajar yang lengkap. Baginya, fungsi ini sangat praktikal dan sesuatu yang diperlukan oleh guru sejak dulu lagi. “Bayangkan guru tidak perlu lagi menanda buku latihan satu persatu. Kami boleh mendapat analisis lengkap prestasi pelajar dan mengenalpasti pelajar yang perlukan bantuan. Proses menanda buku dan mendapatkan analisis yang mengambil masa dua hari kini hanya memerlukan beberapa minit saja!” kata Jothi.

Apabila ditanya apakah perbezaan sebelum dan selepas menggunakan I Am Learning, Jothi dengan pantas menjawab, “Banyak! Selain tidak perlu menanda buku, saya juga kurang menggunakan kertas. Go green!” Kata Jothi lagi, aplikasi itu mengagihkan pelajar ke zon merah, kuning dan hijau mengikut markah kuiz yang diperoleh. Jothi akan menumpukan lebih perhatian kepada pelajar di zon merah kerana mereka masih belum menguasai topik tersebut.

“Apabila berada di zon kuning atau merah, mereka akan lebih bersemangat untuk mencuba lagi dan masuk ke zon hijau. Sebagai guru, saya berasa puas apabila melihat pelajar saya bersaing secara sihat.” Sambil berjenaka, Jothi turut berkongsi yang aplikasi ini mengurangkan sakit matanya kerana tidak perlu lagi membaca tulisan buruk sesetengah pelajarnya! Paling penting, apabila menggunakan I Am Learning, dia hanya memerlukan 30 minit saja untuk menyediakan bahan pengajaran. Dapatlah dia meluangkan masa untuk berehat dan bersama keluarga dan rakan-rakan. “Guru juga perlukan masa untuk keluar tengok wayang dan bersantai!”, kata Jothi yang turut gemar mendengar muzik klasik.

Setelah lebih setahun menggunakan I Am Learning, Jothi merasakan inilah aplikasi terbaik yang pernah dia gunakan di dalam kelas. “Saya tidak mempunyai “superpower” dan sekolah kami bukanlah sekolah elit dan berprestasi tinggi. Malah kebanyakan pelajar kami berasal dari keluarga berpendapatan rendah. Tapi saya yakin kami mampu menjadi setanding sekolah lain kerana teknologi merapatkan jurang. Dengan teknologi, kita semua berada di aras yang sama.” ujar Jothi mengakhiri temu bual.

ermainan atau

embelajaran

Jika permainan ini mampu memberikan

mereka semangat untuk mencuba, bukankah

itu sesuatu yang bagus

dan positif?

Definisi Baru Pembelajaran

embelajaran

Jika permainan ini mampu memberikan

mereka semangat untuk mencuba, bukankah

itu sesuatu yang bagus

dan positif?


15


16

Saya terkejut apabila mereka sendiri

meminta untuk membuat latihan dalam

I Am Learning. Paling menggembirakan

saya apabila mereka

lulus buat pertama kali selepas hampir

tiga bulan menggunakan aplikasi ini

Selepas beberapa bulan, Jothi mulai melihat perubahan positif dalam kelasnya. “Ada tiga pelajar yang boleh saya kategorikan sebagai lemah. Mereka sering gagal dalam subjek Bahasa Inggeris dan Matematik. Selalunya mereka ini langsung tidak berminat untuk membuat latihan dalam buku, jadi saya terkejut apabila mereka sendiri meminta untuk membuat latihan dalam I Am Learning. Paling menggembirakan saya apabila mereka lulus peperiksaan selepas tiga bulan menggunakan aplikasi ini.”

Bagi Jothi, permainan yang diselitkan dalam kuiz bukanlah suatu masalah sebaliknya menjadi perangsang kepada murid untuk terus mencuba mendapatkan markah yang baik. Jika kita sebagai orang dewasa pun memerlukan motivasi yang kuat untuk bangun pagi dan keluar bekerja, inikan pula murid-murid ini yang perlu menumpukan perhatian selama enam jam di sekolah. “Jika permainan ini memberikan mereka semangat untuk mencuba, bukankah itu sesuatu yang bagus dan positif?”, ujar Jothi.




Kisah Cikgu Jothi beri anda inspirasi untuk mencuba aplikasi seperti I Am Learning? Pasukan Lilypad sedia membantu anda menerokai aplikasi pembelajaran berasaskan permainan! Hanya berikan butiran lanjut anda (nama, nama sekolah, emel & nombor telefon) di [email protected] dan nantikan maklumat

lanjut dari kami.

Saya terkejut apabila mereka sendiri

meminta untuk membuat latihan dalam

I Am Learning. Paling menggembirakan

saya apabila mereka

lulus buat pertama kali selepas hampir

tiga bulan menggunakan aplikasi ini





Lebih Fleksibiliti Untuk Guru dan Pelajar

Baca juga kisah Frog Classroom Makeover di SK Jalan Selangor (1) di

halaman 28 - 31.

Selepas beberapa bulan, Jothi mulai melihat perubahan positif dalam kelasnya. “Ada tiga pelajar yang boleh saya kategorikan sebagai lemah. Mereka sering gagal dalam subjek Bahasa Inggeris dan Matematik. Selalunya mereka ini langsung tidak berminat untuk membuat latihan dalam buku, jadi saya terkejut apabila mereka sendiri meminta untuk membuat latihan dalam I Am Learning. Paling menggembirakan saya apabila mereka lulus peperiksaan selepas tiga bulan menggunakan aplikasi ini.”

Bagi Jothi, permainan yang diselitkan dalam kuiz bukanlah suatu masalah sebaliknya menjadi perangsang kepada murid untuk terus mencuba mendapatkan markah yang baik. Jika kita sebagai orang dewasa pun memerlukan motivasi yang kuat untuk bangun pagi dan keluar bekerja, inikan pula murid-murid ini yang perlu menumpukan perhatian selama enam jam di sekolah. “Jika permainan ini memberikan mereka semangat untuk mencuba, bukankah itu sesuatu yang bagus dan positif?”, ujar Jothi.




The things teachers do each day inspires hope in classrooms. Their work starts early in the morning and carries on, sometimes into the night. It’s difficult work that isn’t seen by many, but teachers do it to empower their students to seek a bigger, brighter future.

In this story by YTL Foundation, discover the story of Ratnadewi Lim, an exceptional student who couldn’t get a place in a local university. But because of the intervention of someone who believed in her, she went on to complete her studies at private university.

This simple act changed her life. Today, Cikgu Ratna is a teacher in a high-need school who uses that same belief to bring hope to her students.

RATNA’S STORY

Click to Play

Watch the video to learn about her story.

Presenting the second short video installment from

Part 1 - A Boy from

Teluk Intan

Use the hashtag#heroescreateheroesto share a story about someone who believed in you on social media.

#HeroesCreateHeroes


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We want your ideas for Splash!Share them with us at [email protected]

Turn to

pg. 20Do you think that all gamers are alike?

We think not!

What type of

Gamer are you?

Turn to

pg. 22

Do It Yourself:

Geoboard! What’s a Geoboard? It’s a fun tool to learn about shapes!

STORY-DRIVEN SCIENTIST

Are your favourite subjects in school languages or literature?

Do you enjoy playing games with storylines?

•

•

Best in class for physics, chemistry or biology? Do you have a passion for the sciences?

Do you love discovering new things and experimenting with any game you’re playing?

•

•

LEVEL UP!Story Telling

FTL: Faster Than Light, Mirror’s Edge, Broken Age, The Banner Saga

LEVEL UP!Sciences

Kerbal Space Program, Portal, Singularity, Spore, The Sims 4

WHAT IS Y UR

gamer personality? Do you enjoy a game with a great story? Or do you prefer to explore far-off worlds that are undiscovered by humans? You could even be the scientists who creates epic inventions!

Your answer to these questions will lead you closer to finding out your gamer personality! Check out the chart below!

GAMES TO CHECK OUT GAMES TO CHECK OUT

CLICK HERE >Download a poster of this page!Oxford Summer Schoolwas a blast!

20

SOCIALITE ADVENTURER

ARTIST SPORTSPERSON

Do your teachers rearrange your seat to separate you from your friends because you talk too much?

What about staying connected and challenging your friends and family with games on Facebook?

•

•

Do the phrases “wanderlust” or “adventure is out there!” apply to you?

Do you quickly finish “story mode” just to start exploring the virtual world in that game?

•

•

Do you draw your favourite characters in your free time?

Do you sometimes pause your game because you like how colourful everything is?

•

•

Are you on your school sports team? Are you on fire for a particular sport?

Think you know the game inside out and could be a better football club manager than Sir Alex Ferguson?

•

•

LEVEL UP!Art and Graphic Design

Horizon: Zero Dawn, Fez, Journey, Monument Valley, Child of Light

LEVEL UP!Sports Strategies

FIFA, NBA2K14, Wii Sports

LEVEL UP!Social skills,

Communication

Dota 2, League of Legends, Hearthstone,

LEVEL UP!Critical Thinking

Minecraft, Terraria, Final Fantasy series,



“C ikgu, terima kasih kerana percayakan saya dan membimbing saya hingga lulus dalam peperiksaan. Terima kasih kerana tidak putus asa dengan saya.” Nota ringkas dari salah seorang muridnya membuatkan Sivajothi a/p Arnasalam atau Cikgu Jothi menitiskan air mata. Setahun yang lepas, guru dari SK Jalan Selangor (1) ini hampir buntu memikirkan cara terbaik untuk membantu pelajar tersebut mendapat markah yang lebih baik bagi subjek Bahasa Inggeris.

Sehinggalah dia diperkenalkan dengan aplikasi pembelajaran berasaskan permainan, I Am Learning. Semuanya bermula apabila SK Jalan Selangor (1) dipilih sebagai sebagai projek rintis aplikasi tersebut pada tahun lepas. Aplikasi yang berasal dari UK ini mengandungi isi kandungan Bahasa Inggeris dan Matematik yang boleh diubah mengikut sukatan pelajaran di Malaysia. Fungsi utamanya ialah memberi kemudahan kepada guru untuk menugaskan kuiz yang disertakan dengan permainan kepada pelajar.

Permainan? Tetapi bukankah itu yang paling ditakuti guru; melihat pelajar bermain dan mengabaikan tugasan. Itu persepsi yang Jothi selalu dengar dari guru-guru lain. Dia juga beranggapan begitu pada mulanya, tetapi dia tidak mahu berada dalam zon selesa selamanya. Jothi mengambil keputusan untuk mencuba sesuatu yang baru dan tidak hanya mengharapkan buku teks sahaja.

Tambah Jothi, satu lagi kelebihan aplikasi tersebut ialah penyediaan laporan prestasi pelajar yang lengkap. Baginya, fungsi ini sangat praktikal dan sesuatu yang diperlukan oleh guru sejak dulu lagi. “Bayangkan guru tidak perlu lagi menanda buku latihan satu persatu. Kami boleh mendapat analisis lengkap prestasi pelajar dan mengenalpasti pelajar yang perlukan bantuan. Proses menanda buku dan mendapatkan analisis yang mengambil masa dua hari kini hanya memerlukan beberapa minit saja!” kata Jothi.





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Have you ever played with a Geoboard?Have you ever played with a Geoboard?It’s a board where you can create shapes with bits of string and pins!

Here’s what you’ll need:

1

2

3

4

5

6

Graph paper/ grid paperBulletin board/ thick cardboardPushpinsRubber band or yarnDuct tape/ cellophane tapeCreativity!

Trim graph paper into a square.

Stick your graph paper onto the bulletin board with duct tape.

If you are using a piece of thick cardboard, you could use super glue to seal the graph paper onto the cardboard.

1 2 2a

Instructions

22


Have you ever played with a Geoboard?

Push your pushpins into the grid paper, making sure they are pushed in firmly.

You could dip each pushpin in super glue to prevent them from popping out.

3

Archimedes of Syracuse lived around the year 250 BC and played a large role in the history of geometry, including a method for

determining the volume of objects with irregular shapes.

We want to hear your ideas about The Lilypad’s Splash!

Tell us what you think, and give us suggestions about the articles

you’d like to us write!

Heystudents!

Heystudents!

It’s easy! Just stretch your rubber bands or string along the pushpins to form different shapes!

Now, test yourself by making an octagon (8 sides), followed by a rhombus (4 equal sides)!

Got it? Well done!

Have you ever played with a Geoboard?

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Now, students have the space for ‘reflective’ learning. Like a mirror, the student can watch how his or her learning takes place. In stepping back from their own learning experience, students are able to be objective about their own learning. When they do this, students can ask questions about how and why they understand the subject. They develop these critical thinking skills and begin to explore how to make their learning better over time.

Closer to home, our efforts to develop the ability to think critically has been seen through the outreach by Ministry of Education to integrate High Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) or Kemahiran Berfikir Aras Tinggi (KBAT) into the national syllabus. As we become more and more comfortable with technology in our everyday lives, we might explore how gameplay fits into our classrooms. This may be of even greater importance to teachers and parents, as it has been found that the critical thinking and reflection that is encouraged by the process of gameplay is different to what may occur through conventional teaching.

Digital Games. Classroom Learning.These two phrases don’t usually appear in the same sentence, do they?

If you walked into a PIBG meeting and mentioned the words, “computer” and “games”, what responses do you think you would receive? A teacher might wonder how that could relate to their lessons. “How am I going to just get all my students to pay attention to the lesson if they’re on a computer”. A parent might feel resistant. “Why would I let my child play on a device in class? I already have to fight to get them off my iPad…” they might say.

The concept that a child can be inspired to learn while he or she is playing games may be a new conversation-starter for us. What is fascinating is that in-depth scrutiny by researchers both locally, and across the globe has shown just how well students can respond to games! And in fact, how it can fit seamlessly within learning, revision and assessment processes.

REFLECTIVE LEARNING

A BETTER WAY TO TEST UNDERSTANDING?

Funnily enough, it is through being a virtual, or artificial world, that digital games help students understand a subject. They provide a relatable context for the learning process. Studies show us that our guesses are not far from the truth: students preferred more hands-on and gameplay-like classroom activities, We can look to research performed in Denmark where students were learning English. They tended to choose the most game- and play-like classroom activities over the regular ones.

This is because games can provide a liberal context for the learning process, which means that students feel free to explore. Students do not feel pressure to understand immediately, or to face a negative human reaction if they make mistakes.

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1825

GAMES AND LEARNING

The Facts

Behind GAME-BASED

L E A R N I N G

We have seen a steady increase in the production of digital games - they appear

everywhere, from simple (signing into online banking, verification systems) to complex

(literacy games for children played on a tablet). What’s more, organisations are turning to

game-based training programmes for their staff. With more and more inspired ways of

using technology and play to spur growth and learning, parents and educators around the

world will have some of the very best tools at their fingertips. What better way to fulfill our

roles than to kickstart and nurture a joyful, enriched learning experience.

A teacher’s work depends how a student understands lessons, so imagine if students could play a game about a subject even before a lessons starts to get excited and ready. At the Complutense University of Madrid, a simple yet comprehensive blood test game enables medical students to familiarise themselves with their lab equipment before an actual laboratory session! The game tests student understanding, tracks errors and gives instant feedback for major mistakes.

The system is a part of the university’s Learning Management System (LMS), which allows teachers to track student activities to manage learning experiences. In fact, it’s similar to the Frog VLE’s

Quiz Widget that immediately tracks student answers so that teachers can immediately understand where a student might need help in a subject.

With a the university’s relatively high number of students, compounded by a scarcity of time and blood samples, the university had to manage their resources very carefully. The university’s LMS did exactly that through its game, which allowed the university’s many students to familiarise themselves with the equipment quickly and effectively.

THE FUN FUTURE OF EDUCATION

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#1#3

Nurhizan binti Ab Halim

The greatest things often start with small beginnings and we know a few schools who are definitely on the right track. Here are our shout outs to some

amazing people who are making a difference for schools in Malaysia!

SM Sains Dungun, Terengganu, SM Sains Tun Syed Sheh Shahabudin, Penang, SM Teknik Kuantan, Pahang, and Tunku Kurshiah College, Negeri Sembilan

The long distance did not keep these teachers and students from being inspired about higher education! Busloads of these participants travelled from out-of-state to get to Leaps of Knowledge with St Anne’s College, University of Oxford in Kuala Lumpur.

Special shout out goes to students and teachers from SM Sains Dungun, Terengganu, SM Sains Tun Syed Sheh Shahabudin, Penang, SM Teknik Kuantan, Pahang and Tunku Kurshiah College, Negeri Sembilan. We appreciate your effort and determination, cikgus and students.

things to help improve teaching

If you know a school or teacher who has done amazing

and learning using technology, do write to us at [email protected] or use the hashtag #tagyourheroto talk to us onFacebook, Twitter, or Instagram.We just might feature themin our next issue of The Lilypad!

Teachers and Students Coming from Afar

#1#3


All the way from TERENGGANU!


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A shout out to the these schools for taking part in the Snap and Win competition held

last month. To enter the competition, teachers were required to download an app and capture

a creative photo of their students or their school using the app. They then had to include a

caption and use the various editing features to beautify the photos. We received many awesome photos but these participants were our top three

favourites!

A huge shout out to the student teams who took part in the Summer Showdown that was held in conjunction with #leapsoxford. During Summer Showdown, teams made up of students from all over Malaysia had to plan their own Leaps of Knowledge event. Their excitement created a loud, energised atmosphere!

It was a close call for who could sell the most tickets and merchandise! In the end, Team Mice took the prize! Congratulations, Team Mice for winning the Summer Showdown challenge but most of all, we congratulate each of you for proving that teamwork and good communication are the keys to success!

The Mighty MiceSummer Showdown

Winners of the FrogSnapPilot CompetitionSMK Seri Puteri, Cyberjaya

Check out the Instagram account their team made for their

own event here!

Group Names: - Ariana Ng- Muhammad Syafiq- Shecheminy- Nur Faqihah - Nur Hadziyah - Amelina Ahmad Muslim - Pravena Dewi


#1#2Norain Mohd. Mazlan

#1#1 Raja Nurunnadiah binti

Raja Baharuddin

We congratulate these amazing teachers for winning the competition! And to the rest of the participants, we appreciate your continuous support in our pilot programmes whenever we are launching a new app!

Raja Nurunnadiah binti

Raja Baharuddin


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Menurut Pathmalosini a/p Arnasalam atau Cikgu Pathma, orang yang bertanggungjawab menerapkan teknologi dan Frog VLE ke sekolah ini ialah bekas Penolong Kanan Kurikulum, Puan Khoo Poh Eng. Sebuah sekolah perempuan, Puan Khoo seboleh-bolehnya tidak mahu pelajar perempuan di situ ketinggalan dalam menggunakan teknologi maklumat. Setelah beberapa bulan, SK Jalan Selangor (1) menerima beberapa Chromebook dan mereka tidak mensia-siakan peluang yang diberi.

Setiap guru menyahut cabaran Pengetua dan Puan Khoo untuk meningkatkan penggunaan teknologi di sekolah dan saling bekerjasama.“Kami mengadakan latihan Frog VLE untuk guru-guru tahun enam secara konsisten. Apabila mereka telah mahir menggunakan Frog VLE, mereka pula melatih guru lain.” Hasilnya, sekolah mereka berjaya mencatat penggunaan Frog VLE yang tinggi.

Satu lagi strategi sekolah ini ialah membenarkan pelajar sekolah membawa pulang Chromebook ke rumah. Tapi dengan satu syarat, ibu bapa harus datang ke sekolah dan menandatangani surat akujanji demi menjamin keselamatan Chromebook tersebut. “Kami tak sangka kesemua ibu bapa pelajar sanggup datang ke sekolah dan bersetuju

dengan strategi kami. Inisiatif ini menggalakkan pelajar melakukan kerja rumah di sekolah dengan pantauan ibu bapa,” kata Pathma.

SK Jalan Selangor (1) menerima Frog Classroom Makeover di atas penggunaan Frog VLE yang tinggi dan konsisten. Kata Pathma, semasa mula-mula menerima khabar gembira ini dari YTL Foundation, dia tidak tahu bagaimana rupa sebuah Frog Classroom. Setelah melihat gambar di laman Facebook YTL Foundation, barulah dia tahu serba sedikit “perubahan” yang bakal berlaku di kelas lama itu.

Kisah

SK JALAN SELANGOR (1)

dan TeknologiTemubual bersama guru dan

pelajar tentang Frog Classroom dan

penggunaan teknologi

Kisah


dan Teknologi


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Subjek kegemarannya ialah Bahasa Inggeris dan sejak menggunakan I Am Learning, markah peperiksaannya meningkat daripada 60% kepada 78%! Tidak suka belajar bersendirian, Nurin lebih suka berkongsi idea dan membuat tugasan bersama-sama rakan kelasnya. Kata Nurin, “Frog Classroom sangat ceria dan ia memberikan kami semangat untuk belajar.”

Nurin Afrina binti Juraimi

“Ada sebuah bintang bernama VY Canis Majoris. Sebuah kapal terbang berkelajuan 900 km/j memerlukan 1500 tahun untuk mengelilinginya.” Bercita-cita untuk menjadi angkasawan, Angel sangat teruja apabila bercerita mengenai topik kegemarannya, Astronomi. Pada waktu lapang, dia akan mencari maklumat di Chromebook tentang topik kegemarannya itu. Angel kurang menggemari subjek Matematik kerana merasakan ia agak sukar, tetapi sejak menggunakan I Am Learning, dia dapat memahami Matematik dengan lebih mudah.

Veruschka Angel

Mengakui yang anak muridnya sangat bertuah, Pathma

sentiasa mengingatkan mereka untuk tidak menjadi terlalu

selesa dan jadikan

Frog Classroom ini sebagai penguat semangat

untuk belajar dengan

lebih tekun

Pelajar tahun enam ini suka belajar menggunakan I Am Learning kerana permainan yang disediakan mengurangkan tekanan semasa belajar. Tetapi Theyva akan memastikan dia menghabiskan tugasan yang diberi guru. Theyva juga berkongsi yang susunan meja dalam Frog Classroom sangat menarik dan membolehkan dia dan kawan-kawannya melakukan perbincangan. “Saya juga sukakan lukisan di atas meja ini!” katanya teruja.

Kisah


dan Teknologi

Ini kelas kami!

Theyvaharthani a/p SaravanamOxford Summer School

was a blast!

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Kami tak sangka kesemua ibu bapa pelajar

sanggup datang ke sekolah dan bersetuju dengan

strategi kami.

Inisiatif ini menggalakkan pelajar

melakukan kerja rumah di sekolah dengan

pantauan ibu bapa

“Makeover tersebut dilakukan pada cuti sekolah agar pelajar mendapat “kejutan” istimewa apabila sekolah dibuka. Tetapi saya berada di sekolah untuk kelas tambahan jadi saya dapat melihat sedikit proses pengubahsuaian. Perasaan berdebar-debar pun ada sebab makeover tersebut dilakukan secara rahsia!” katanya sambil tertawa.

Hari yang ditunggu akhirnya tiba. Pertama kali melihat Frog Classroom itu, Pathma sangat teruja dan hampir tidak berkata-kata. Perkara pertama yang menarik perhatiannya adalah penggunaan warna-warna ceria. “Frog Classroom kami mempunyai sentuhan feminin kerana ini sekolah perempuan. Antaranya, beg tinju yang digantikan dengan kerusi buaian dan warna cat yang digunakan juga lebih lembut,” kata Pathma.

Mengakui yang anak muridnya sangat bertuah, Pathma sentiasa mengingatkan mereka untuk tidak menjadi terlalu selesa dan jadikan Frog Classroom ini sebagai penguat semangat untuk belajar dengan lebih tekun. Perubahan ketara yang dilihat pada pelajarnya ialah mereka lebih santai dan tidak tertekan apabila berada di dalam kelas ini. “Sudah tentu, mereka tidak sabar untuk masuk ke kelas ini, dan semangat untuk bersaing sesama sendiri semakin ketara,” katanya sambil tersenyum.


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Meet top speakers like Cathy Davidson, an award-winning author, speaker and educator in the field of learning and professional development. You’ll also experience the exciting exhibitions, engaging workshops and much more. Come and be a part of this conference and learn how a education can prepare students for an ever changing future.

SAVE THE DATE...LEAPS OF KNOWLEDGE 2015 IS BACK!

Are you coming?

Conference 2015

31 OCT 2015

‘COOL’RICULUM Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Get all the latest updates on What’s Happening and Where.

leaps of knowledge™

What did

CATHY DAVIDSONexplore in her work? More here!

REGISTER NOW

Non 1BestariNet Member

Register in a group of two or more?

Click Here

Click Here

Click Here

RM50

RM150

20% off net ticket price


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ENGLISH REVISIONWorkshops

End Date:

22nd October 2015

End Date:

28th November 2015

Calling all English teachers!

Are you busy preparing your students for the English Language SPM examinations? Maybe all they need is some extra help, and a grAoup of like-minded friends to help them prepare for the subject. Sign them up at CLiC for the English Revision Workshop to get them the tune up they need!

SPM

At Mini UTC, Sentul

It’s a teacher’s dream to facilitate an environment where students actively engage in their lessons, even beyond a classroom. Using flipped classroom techniques, students are trained to do just that, while solving mathematics equations.

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity, driven in partnership with EduNation!

MATHEMATICS REVISION CLASS�e Flipped Classroom

Specially crafted for Form 1 Students.

Get to knowClick here >

At Mini UTC, Sentul


Technology & Platformsare not bad or good

they are Tools.

// Billy Downie Headteacher of the Year, 2013Streetly Academy, UK

The Success of them depends on the people who drive it.

the lilypad - issue #9

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