Week 9

For this week, we were exposed to the learning strategies for Problem-solving and Affective learning.

I guess everyday we are faced with problem-based situations. And all these situation involves some aspects of Problem-solving skills.

The only difference is that the Problem-solving strategies present us a more systematic approach of how to think of solutions to counter/solve the problems at hand.

I think by providing learners a "problem situation" and throw them in the hot soup, it will create a necessary level of pressure for the learners to feel the need to think critically and come up with solutions.

This, in my opinion, creates a deeper impression in the minds of the learners as they really get down and do the task.

I think one example of problem-based learning was shown in another NM module, NM3219, a PR writing module. Students were put into a Crisis Week, where they will take the role of a PR person handling a "crisis" of a fictitious company. Each day of the week, the instructors will release a "problem" and the crisis will sink further. Students have to prepare things like press releases and internal memos and submit to the instructors real time.

This i feel is quite an effective example of Problem based learning.

Week 8

This lecture, we learnt abt Procedure and Principle learning.

Both learning strategies are in fact, in my opinion, a level higher than simply learning.

However, i'm quite interested in Procedural learning, as it could possibly be related to my military experience.

The idea of Procedural learning is to teach learners to such a point that the "thing" which is taught to them becomes "automated", or in other words, a second nature to them.

In the army, we learnt soldiering skills right from the first day we enlisted. Things ranging from basic discipline to advanced tactics and maneuvers out in the field. During this process, we were made to do, re-do, practice and practice these exercises over and over and over again, so much so that sometimes it becomes mundane and boring.

However, all these is aimed at getting soldiers used to these soldiering skills, such that it becomes second nature to us. In times of needs, we can then display these skills in an exemplary manner.

Not sure if i'm relating to a right example.. do hope to hear some comments! =)

Week 7

Fact and Concepts, are they the same?

Apparently not.

Facts, according to this week's lesson, requires a more straightforward teaching approach as compared to Concepts.

For facts, methods like Linking and Associations can be use. For example, using acronyms, organising information into chunks and elaboration.

For concepts, it requires a more detailed method with involves defining the concept, telling learners what it is, providing examples to make sense out of it and eventually asking the learners to explain wat the concept is.

I think we as students can actually captitalise on this particular topic.

Many times, in our course of study, we come across many bewildering concepts. In order for us to understand the concepts, we can actually make use of the methods taught in this particular topic and exercise it in our studies. This goes similarly for facts that need to be memorized.

Could be something quite useful to us.. =)