Innovative & Creative Malaysians - Day 2

I was late starting from home. I found the jam was just like day 1. I had to park further this time from the hall, all the other parking spaces closer to the hall were occupied by participants who had arrived earlier or by other visitors to the Intekma Resort and Convention Centre.
The session started later than scheduled. I listened with interest to a presentation by Haji Hasni from Adni School on the holistic and integrated system of education at his school. I actually had been to his school, in Taman Sri Ukay, Ampang before joining SSS (formerly known as APIIT Smart School). I applied for a teaching post at the Integrated Islamic School, Kota Damansara and got accepted. I attended an orientation programme held at Adni school. The system is new to me and I was eager to learn but I was not feeling any warmth from the teachers present least of all from the members of IIS Kota Damansara who travelled with me for the week long session. I decided not to join for that reason.The pay did not entice me to stay either.
After Haji Hasni's rushed presentation, we brokeout into 5 smaller discussion groups to brainstorm on the current status of teaching and learning of Mathematics and Science (M & S) and the issues and challenges. In group 2, we had to discuss on Infrastructure and Infostructure. Prof. Dr Ong Seng Huat from the Dept of Mathematical Sciences, UM acting as rapporteur. I was elected by Prog Ong as leader of the group for reasons he knew best. I felt the group members were rather passive,quiet, shy perhaps and slow in getting organised. I felt the need to prompt, and urge them to come closer together in a tighter circle so we can look at each other and start the discussion. They were sitting classroom style, in my opinion, was not condusive for any discussion to take place. I am guessing, these proactive moves, were what got me elected. I actually was not aware that I was amongst the best teachers in the country. Nor was I aware that some members in the group were lecturers with Phd's and proffessorships. One lady was the pricipal of Adni School. It was a blessing in disguise. Had I known, I wouldn't have agreed to accept the election. I felt so small, having so little to offer.
None the less, I took the challenge in my stride and between the Prof and I, we did manage in getting some sort of discussion going. Not everyone seemed interested to contribute. The few that did gave some views. We also used the pointers given by ASM in the programme book. Nothing exciting or completely new were brought up. We came up with 4 different issues and challenges to be discussed in further detail in another session after lunch. The first breakout session was followed by a forgettable panel discussion. I was given the floor to say my two cents worth. I spoke about school/staff room culture which often hindered new trained teachers from applying their innovativeness and creativity in the classrooms.
After lunch, it did not take the four groups long to concurr and come up with some views. Raja Rohaiza, from ASM helped in keying the data in a laptop after we had the leaders of the small groups to present their findings. I got the help of Zazolnizam, a group member savvy in IT to help improve the PowerPoint presentation. in his own time after the day ended. I gave him my email address with the request to email me the slides for me to read and possibly make ammendments before my presentation to the whole hall on day 3. That apparently is one of the duties of the group leader. I had decided to rope in the small group leaders to present with me instead. This idea was opposed by Prof Dr Ong, our rapporteur, but strongly supported by Prof Ho provided we kept to the 15 minutes allocated for the presentation.
After completing the assignment,we spent the rest of the breakout session sharing success stories and ideas on how to teach maths and science creatively in school. That, I felt, was more beneficial than the panelist discussion earlier where they spent half-an-hour talking about PPSMI - teaching of M & S in English, a policy already decided by the power that be. The topic of discussion - Creative teaching of M & S, was NEVER touched. It was a big disappointment. Blame it on the chairman.
That night, I felt the fatigue from the two day workshop setting in and it was only 9.30pm but I called it a day. I managed to make some rearrangements of the data keyed in by Raja before hitting the pillows. Zazol's email never came. I checked again in the morning. Just in case but it was in vain. Again another disappointment. I hope I could present my groups's findings reasonably well come day 3.

Innovative & Creative Malaysians - Day 1

Yes, that's what we want our students to become. They have to, inorder to compete in the global economy. Its a serious enough issue for the Academy of Science Malaysia (ASM) to collaborate with MOSTI and MOE and gather about 200 excellent teachers and teacher education lecturers from all over Malaysia for 3 days and pick their brains to come up with a position paper that will be presented to MOE.
I am not an excellent teacher. Excellent teachers are nominated by Principals of government schools and a panel will award this prestigious accolade after a comprehensive selection process. I was there representing SSS together with 3 other maths & science teachers. Mind you, I am no excellent teacher.
Early Tuesday morning, 2 Feb 2010, I drove to Shah Alam, so as not to be caught in the jam after the Subang toll. I was caught inevitably in a slight snarl but it was moving. By 7.45 I was already at the Bukit Kayangan roundabout. I was quite relieved. I had studied the map e-mailed by ASM few days before and was confident of finding the Intekma resort and Convention Centre with no problem. Boy, was I wrong. I made a wrong turning and ended up somewhere else. I traced my way back to as far as Section 6, Shah Alam and took another turn towards UiTM campus. I had been there 3 years ago, but I have forgotten how to get there. This time I was still not sure if I was on the right track. Then I saw the Intekma sign but missed the right turn into it. A short distance away, I made a U turn and found a nice parking space, a short walk from the Banquet Hall where the first session was to be held at 9am. It was still early.
Up to then,I still did not know where the workshop was going to be held, because it never said so in any of the documents that I had. So, I went to the reception area, and a concierge opened the door for me. After establishing that I was there for the workshop, he directed me to the door leading to the Banquet Hall. Another participant, who arrived shortly after me, benefitted from the concierge's direction and we walked together to the hall. I never got to know him. I forgot his face and he never came to say hello. Too bad.






I registered at the reception area in front of the hall and entered the hall bearing a door gift and a participant's tag. I was also placed in group 2, for the breakout session on day 2. I was hoping to be in group 5, attracted by the title of the group's discussion. The hall was still half full, but right smack in the middle front row, were my colleagues from primary school. There was still a space next to one of them, so I sat down at the table made for three. There was still no sign of our CEO, who is one of the panelists nor of Sugendren, the other secondary rep.




I did not look at the time, but the session started with the MC welcoming everyone and the formality began. Then it was the beginning of 10/11 presentations by a list of panelists from MOE, our CEO, En Azlan Shahrom, Petrosains Education Head, Principal of Australian International School Malaysia, ASM fellow, Prof Ho and Datin Frieda from Cempaka School. The titles of the presentations were interesting enough but the presentations were long especially the first two and draggy that it puts me to sleep soon enough, except for the first ( I was still fresh and was taking notes) and En Azlan's (he was engaging with good slides and I was capturing him on video). Because of lack of time, some panelist had to rush through their presentations and despite their best efforts, the organisers completed all but one presentation. We stayed well after 6pm, when the session should have ended at 5.15pm.
We all left the hall for home or for the rooms in Intekma for those from out-station. Day two will find, Haji Hasni from Adni school, presenting first before the breakout session. He couldn't present on day 1 because of technical problems and it was already too late, everyone was exhausted and saturated.

A Visit by the Angkasawan Negara

What a day it was. I am still "star-struck" at getting the opportunity to be up close and personal with the first Malaysian medical doctor to go to space. The one and only Dato' Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor. My Principal (bless you Mrs Chee!!) actually put me in charge of organising the programme to receive the Dr. To be the anchor. It was a real priviledge to accept this unexpected task. I have organised more challenging functions before but none as glamorous as this.

Dr Sheikh is a Malaysian celebrity albeit a controversial one and every Malaysian knows him (unless that person has gone to space or hiding underneath the coconut shell). It was such a short notice. I knew about it on thursday and Dr Sheikh is coming on monday!! After receiving some guidelines from the Principal, I quickly roped in some help to get things rolling.My classes went on as usual, my test papers were 90% done. But I am not going to meet the monday dateline. But I am sure, the exam sec will understand.

Everything was prepared as well as could be. Banners, posters, all the logistics, floor plan for arrangement of seating, music,script for the MC and the itenary for the day. All went like clock work - well almost anyway. Minor glitches were taken care of immediately. Thank God.

Dr Sheikh himself, despite having gone to space, was so so so down-to-earth,friendly and charming. And of course, his talk was fluent (despite negative rumours about his communication skills)and his presentation was engaging, enlightening and inspiring.

He must have got used to being mobbed and crowded upon by everyone, young and old. He was also very patient with the primary kids, answering every single question asked. He is always smiling and ready to have his photograph taken and to sign autographs.He encouraged them, saying and I quote, "Don't be shy. Always ask for what you want". And that was my cue to stand right next to him to snap a close up photo with the very sexy and handsome doctor. I managed a very intimate self potrait with him. Don't believe me? See the picture. I took it myself!! His cologne lingered on my scarf, he was that close. Something I will treasure and remember for as long as I live. You can bet your stars on that.

The story of Brad Cohen

I saw this movie on Hallmark last year. Then, I came across this Youtube in saifulislam.com
With the start of a new academic year, this rediscovery is very timely. A motivating story of a boy growing up with an incurable disability eventually becoming the best teacher of the year! Watch it and cry!!

We are back in business, yeah!!

It took a long time coming but we got connected again today!! The TM man came at 10am as scheduled and within minutes, we are connected. Its the waiting that took so long. Isn't that typical of government services? Health care, transportation, education, registration, everything!!
You wait for hours in the queue and then once you are there, in five minutes sometimes less, its over. This time, we waited for 2 weeks to get the fixed line, fixed. Then another two weeks waiting, to get Internet connection. First world technology, third world mentality.
No more trips to kopitiams. No more free cigarette smoke, no more caffiene and no more midnite walks home in the dark. The security guards at the boom gate will miss me.

From TKS to TMS to TKC

Salam Ma'al Hijrah 1431 to all. Its Awal Muharram, the January of the Islamic calendar. There's no fireworks and Auld Lang Synes but the day is significant to Muslims none the less.
Sabrina, my youngest informed me, that Noriman (her special bf) used to only know of his Islamic day of birth - which falls on 1 Muharram. How about that? Happy Birthday Iman!!
Now, I digress. What's the title all about?
Well, I told you in my previous post, how an Internet junkie I've become of late, right? One of the things I do when online is to check my emails and forum. I belong to the TKC email group as well as a member of the Budak TMS Class of 63 - 73 forum. That's what I do every time I am online. Its a must. I check my email group and forum. TKS also has an email address, but its rather dead.
Let's go back, one step, ok?
So what is TKS, TMS, and TKC? Maybe you all know what TKC is. It is the acronymn for Tunku Kurshiah College. Its like the Eaton schoolfor girls. Malay girls. Creme-de-la-creme. Clever girls who excelled academically (so why they selected me??) in public schools all over Malaysia, hand selected, leave behind their family and friends to attend boarding school. It's a prestigious school with excellent academic records, giving birth to many public figures like, Datin Rosmah, Datuk Sharizat Jalil, Datuk Paduka Marina Mahathir, to name a few,
I started schooling in '69. It was Sekolah B. Kuala Pilah. A 100% malay school, in terms of population and lingua-franca. In Standard 1, I was top of the class. But, I cried to be transfered to an English school. So in '70 I went to Tunku Kurshiah School (TKS), primary, then, to TKS (secondary) until my Form 3. Sekolah B, was a co-ed school but TKS (primary & secondary) were all girls school. I said was because, TKS primary is now co-ed although TKS secondary maintained to be the only all girls school.I did fairly well in both TKS but not top of the class. There were many pupils from Chinese family who were much cleverer than I. But at one time, in Std 3, I think, I was in the top 10. After that, I yo-yoed from top 10 to just off the scale, but never more than top 11. After LCE (PMR now), it was bottom 10 for me up to my MCE (SPM). In TKC, I couldn't compete with the brains of the country, Chinese or no Chinese. But one bright spark, in my entire school life, was when, a group of us TKS girls, we sent to study pure science in Tunku Muhamad School (TMS), a neighbouring school meant for boys!! We had a culture schock in the beginning, but built a platonic albeit healthy friendship that lasted a life time. I was in TMS for only 2 months but I made many new (boy) friends there. I was offered to study in TKC soon after. I stayed for two years but made no friends. What an irony!
I made life-long friends in TKS and TMS. We had re-unions and I even became a committe member of TKS old girls'association. Its TKC I have problem with.
On reflection, I think I made a mistake going to TKC. I missed my friends from TKS and TMS. On school breaks, I kept going back to my old alma mater to meet up with old friends. I had no friends in TKC. Its difficult, I tried but I just wasn't able to make friends. I see that happening in all the schools I have taught in and in SSS too. There are some misfits, and I emphatise.

I thank my TKS and TMS formative school years for making me who I am today. TKC, was a nightmare that, try as I might, but cannot seem to forget. The former two schools, were multi-racial. I developed "colour blindness" in these schools. Until now, the friendship we built, three and half decades ago, remain strong. If you want to see a sample of "1 Malaysia" just come to our reunions or teh tarik sessions.
TKC is an elite school, building elites who tend to remain elitist well after they leave school. Many become Datins after marrying Datu's or Datuks who were more often than not, were schooled in another elite Eaton - Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK). You see, back in the '70s when the New Economic Policy was introduced, our generation, left the nest to study overseas under various scholarships. In the process, the two elite schools, set free their prodigies, only for them to meet, fall in love and get married. I myself, married one MCOBA boy. We now have 4 girls, none of whom wanted to go to boarding school, thankfully. I wouldn't have let them anyway. Yes, many TKCians and MCOBAians went out to be successful, contributing citizens, but when I return for TKC reunions, I feel a great regret for being a TKCian. So much for moulding the person. In my down moments, I can't help asking "what if" questions.

I enter the TMS forum and I feel the camarederie and warmth. I enter the TKC email group, I shiver from the cold.
Que sera sera.

Free WIFI and cigarette smoke

I became a passive smoker in the process of getting WIFI service


I wrote this missive first, before I could come up with a title. It's been countless weeks with no internet connection at home. I had to spend time and money at a nearby coffee shop (Kopitiam) to get online - to check my mails, to chat, create this blog, etc etc etc. Its ok to get out of the house for a while after dinner and sometimes on weekends, in mid-mornings, in order to go online. Its the crowd that's challenging. As the nite gets older, the crowd gets younger and louder. Must be the coffee. But it's a necessary evil for an Internet junky like me. Its become a routine, to go online. On school days, I stay back much longer to check my personal emails and to chat with friends. (I do use work time to check my emails though - naughty naughty!). But when Maxis proofed to be a bad provider, my family decided to change to TM and it just takes such a long time for my girls to get this done and meantime I had to find alternatives. So after dinner, you will find me at the kopitiam hacking away on the laptop with a cup of tea. It costs me RM2.95 every time I sit down to go online, which is good bargain for I do stay for at least 2 hours, on work days and longer on weekends. Its a win-win situation between us (maybe not).