Jenny's Learning Journey

Having a Go at Photography!

2012-01-01T18:12:00.000-08:00

I was reading a blog post written by a Facebook friend and was really inspired by his work on photography. He is a young man who is always full of energy and original ideas. He does not have the best camera but he makes use of what is available to him. He once told me as a student, he can’t expect his father to buy him the most expensive camera. This young man just clicks away with his phone camera and his photos are still amazing to me. The moral of the story is “ The happiest people don’t have everything, they just make the best of everything.”. Wow! This is so true! So I said to myself– if this young man can do it, I can do it too. Yesterday when I was out for a walk, I decided that I would start taking photos with my iphone. I took random flower shots and here are some of the shots.

Would Google Plus be useful in the Classroom ?

2011-08-13T05:34:00.000-07:00

For the past month, many of us have heard people around the world, raving about Google Plus--unless of course if you live below sea level or under the rock. I have to admit that I joined Google Plus fairly early because I have friends who are very active in social networking. And ever since, my ride with Google Plus has been very pleasant. I love it totally. So far it has been just a social networking site where I interact with friends globally.

My views changed dramatically last Monday night when I over heard a family member having a "hang out" with her peers. This family member is in her final year of completing her degree in Optometry at Auckland University. There she was hanging out with her optometry classmates discussing about their assignments. They were eight of them in the "hang out" and I could hear them talking and discussing about their topics and I could also hear them laughing at times assuming that one had given the wrong answer. It reminded me of the tutorials that I used to attend when I was at university. To me, this is just awesome, now people do not have to meet in a room in any particular time to hold any meeting. The seemingly important "tutorials" can be held after hours outside the institutions. Imagine how much bus fare or petrol money these students can save over a long period of time. Needless to say there will no excuses like the bus never came or I have no money for the bus fare.

I came across an article while on Google Plus about the possible ways of using Google Plus in the classroom. This article gave many useful tips about the ways that educators can use Google Plus. I personally think that "Circles" and "hang out" would be of great value especially for the classroom. The "circles" can be used to group the students and the "hang out"can used as a teaching and learning tool. And of course, this is just the beginning of many good ideas to come!

My First Experience with Google Plus!

2011-07-24T17:29:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to write this post for a few days but got distracted by my busy life schedule as a teacher. Today seems a perfect day to do it.

I first heard about Google Plus from a Facebook friend by the name of Nicola D. who lives in Italy. He has a post on his wall about how Google was aiming at setting up a social net work site that is very similar to Facebook. I was totally intrigued by what he said and after that I did a bit of reading on the net about the whole thing and I left it at the point. The next day when I got up from bed, I found out that Google Plus was there for real and Nicola was sending out invites. I was too late as his invites were all gone! I felt a little disappointed because I want to be part of it. Two days later, I tried signing up on G+ without any invite and wah la--BINGO! I got in! What followed that was unbelievable! I played with it and circled all the friends that I know very well and of course, Nicola was one of them. It didn't look very user friendly at first but then I got the hang of it and after that, it was a journey of no return from here. I have to say Google Plus totally rocks! Awesome! Awesome!

The privacy feature of Google Plus is most impressive! Now I can add my family members without offending anyone. I can post stuff that I want to whatever circle that I prefer. I have a school circle which consists of only educators and a close friend circle that I can share all things about my life and they won't mind. And more, I have a crazy circle that consists of people whom I think are geeks and nerds that I can learn stuff from.

Inorder to pay forward, I have also send out invites to my good friends who want them and this make feel good because this is what social networking is about! Thank you for coming by, my courteous readers! If anyone need any invites, please leave a comment or follow me on G+.

The photo below shows the cup of coffee that I had on Friday at a cafe in Auckland. I requested Melissa who made the coffee to put the Google plus sign on it--just for fun. Melissa was thrilled to do it. She said in her 5 years of working there, nobody had ever made any personal requests before me.

The Night When I was admitted to the Hospital.

2011-05-19T03:15:00.000-07:00

It was on Monday night on the 2nd May 2011. I was feeling unwell after dinner and while brushing my teeth using my electric tooth brush, I vomited all the food I ate. I said to myself; Gosh! I had inserted my tooth brush too deep into my mouth.--at least that was what I thought was happening. I went to bed after the clean up. At 1 am, I had to rush to toilet and I visted the toliet at least 6 times within an hour. I thought I was suffering from food posioning. The turning point was at 2 am when I vomited a whole lot of blood and this was followed by instant passing of blood as well. I felt very sick and collasped into the couch! I was rushed to the Emergency department of the hospital immediately. Upon arrival, my blood prressure was taken and was given IV straight away. They also put needle on the other hand incase my bleeding wouldn't stop, they could give me blood transfusion. I was very weak but I was fully awake and knew that I was suffering from a bleeding stomach ulcer. They were pumping medicine into my system to stop the bleeding. I was then admitted into Ward 68 and was told that I had to stay there till the bleeding stopped. They also told me that at some point that night, they would give me an endoscopy. Meanwhile I was very tired but I couldn't and dare not sleep. I was afraid that If I slept, I would never wake up.

It was 5.30 am when the nurse came to check on me and I heard the patient sleeping across from me.--calling " Nurse, I lost my wedding ring, can you find it for me ? " The nurse replied ( while taking my blood pressure;) " Forget about your wedding ring and go to sleep! " Gosh! I said to myself; That wan't very nice of the nurse to say things like that. Anyway, I didn't say anything as the nurse was super nice to me and it was a funny time to look for a wedding ring. The next morning, that patient had a visitor and I overheard her asking her to keep her wedding ring for her. So at last, she never lost the ring. She also tod her grandaughter that the DARK nurse was rude to her! Gosh! How racist can one get? She was referring to the Indian nurse that was on duty and the one who had asked her to forget her wedding ring. I found out she was 93 years old. I wonder if she would have said that the YELLOW one was palying angry birds --if she had known what i was doing with my iphone! LOL!

And of course, throughout the night, all sorts of tremor were happening but none as amusing as the LOST WEDDING RING!

I am grateful that I am now well and in good shape and I owe that to GOD who has answered the prayers! Thank you all--for reading and listening and for being here! I am totally touched!

My Dream Has Come True! I Have got my ipad2!

2011-05-12T04:02:00.000-07:00

I have finally bought my ipad2. My dream has come true! The satisfaction is immense! Now I am searching for apps to use. I have bought imovie11 for $6.99 and have obtained garageband as well. I love the two cameras and the photobooth is awesome! The fact that I can tweet and facebook is extra bonuses!

I am Dreaming of ipad 2!!!!

2011-03-05T20:44:00.000-08:00

I have been think of buying the ipad for a while now! Now that ipad 2 is coming out soon, I am just totally excited! Why ? Well, this time, I am going to get one! A twitter friend tweeted the following video and it made me smile! So I thought I would share it with you! So enjoy!

Why Teachers Should Never give Up on Any Students ?

2011-01-20T15:48:00.000-08:00

As teachers, we all have our moments-( when things haven't turned up the way we want them to be--whether it is when the students are naughty or when the team leaders are hassling you to complete your plans when you already have a hundred things to do ), that we might just let it be! Then we will look at those innocent faces that are staring at us and we will give it another chance! This is called " Never never give up! Got it ? ". I love my job as a teacher and the following video reenforces my beliefs that I can make a difference! Cheers, my courteous readers!

What is Life to You ?

2011-01-14T15:04:00.000-08:00

For the last few days I have been thinking and reflecting. Time flies!! Life is precious or rather time is precious! Whether we like it or not, people move on and things change with or without our knowledge! I find this pretty scary! In a short period of time, I have lost a few things and gained a few things! The passing of my dear friend, Mata, has a big impact on me! I have tried to stay on top of things by keeping myself busy. I took a trip to Asia visiting Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore. I had an awesome time! The trip was planned for me by my family. My brother in Malaysia has been telling me that my father is in ill health and that I should pay him a visit and so I did.

Now that I am back in reality, I find myself looking for inspiration! Then I saw a quote posted on a friend's facebook wall --it says: " The happiest people don't have everything, they just make the best of everything. Live simply, speak kindly, care deeply, love generously. The richest person is not the one who has the most, but the one who needs the least.". Well, this is so true and wise. This quote or rather the passage was taken from the video--"Life is like a Cup of Coffee!". Watch it carefully because it has brought smiles to my face and hope it will do the same for a lot of people. So enjoy, my friends!

My class's Waka Pictures!

2010-12-05T10:53:00.000-08:00

In Term 3, my class were learning about the Mighty Mariners. As part of the learning experiences, the students were also able to draw pctures of canoes or waka (Canoe in Maori). Here are some of their beautiful work!

We had the Dragon Dance at the Cultural Festivals at our School.

2010-09-26T16:13:00.000-07:00

I offered to produce a cultural item for our school cultural festivals in September 2010. I came out with the idea of Dragon Dance and was very happy that Helen Squires who is also very creative wanted to be part of it! Together, we put the item together. To make it more interesting, we had added kung fu and umbrella dance as well. We are very thankful to the talented children who wanted to be part of it!

Garth J made the dragon head and Helen and I put the dragon body together.

We Should Listen to the Kids!

2010-07-07T16:01:00.000-07:00

As teachers, most of us tend to think that we know everything and that the students should listen to us all the time! Well that was how it was like when I went to school. The students' opinion was never taken seriously. How could it be as the teachers were always right! My dad was a teacher and a principal when I was a little kid. I had to keep quiet or else I was not allowed to get any treats from him.

Then I became a teacher in the 21st century and guess what I had found out or rather what I had learned! As a first year teacher, I had never used Mac computers when I arrived at my present school. I didn't even know how to use the mouse which has no right or left clicks. I felt quite embarrassed that I had to ask a Year 6 student to show me the function. I dared not ask my colleagues because I didn't want them to know that I couldn't use the mouse! I am proud that since then I have advanced quite fast and actually know a lot more than the six and seven years old children in my class. Even then I find myself asking them about certain things that they had learned from their ICT lessons and they never hesitate to show or teach me! They never ask me why I don't know how to do certain stuff because they have this collaborative learning nature which many adults are still struggling to get used to.
A week ago, a Facebook friend has posted the following video on my wall and I thought that it is a wonderful video to share with my friends-whether you are a teacher or not.

I just got to share this video with you! Are we looking after our Planet ?

2010-06-06T15:32:00.000-07:00

This morning while I was on the net, I came across this video! After I have watched it, I almost spilled my toasts onto the table!
Take a good look!

Thom Yorke - The Clock (1st Place D&AD Awards) from us (design studio) on Vimeo.

Are Task Boards useful in the classrooms ?

2010-04-09T18:19:00.000-07:00

In New Zealand, a lot of teachers especially those who teach the Juniors--Year 1 to Year 6, use task boards to help them manage their class. The task boards are essentially a list of rotation activities that the children can do while the teacher carries out his/her micro teaching groups. Why micro-teaching? Well, the little children can not handle whole class teaching. They get lost easily and many can't bear listening to a teacher talking in front of the class for a long duration of time. The next reason which could be a more valid reason is that the children are of different abilities or levels right across the curriculum areas from reading and maths and social studies. Because of this, the children are sorted into different ability groups and hence there are small groups teaching.

How do task boards work ? Well, the children's names are listed under the names of the activities and when they are asked to change activities, they look at the chart and go to do the appropriate actitivities. In this way, all children have something meaningful to do while waiting for their turn to be called to the teacher.

When I first started teaching in my first few years, I had found that the task boards were extremely useful in the year one classes. Children at this level,--five year olds, found all activities helpful and kind. Nowadays, I have progressed so much in use of integration of e-learning that I have found the constant interruption of the rotation cycle actually break the link in e-learning. Many children are not happy to leave the computers to do another activity that is listed. Many have found out that going back to the computers later on is just not so cool because the original ideas have gone from their heads. Because of this, I have modified the task boards in a way that the children ar allowed on the computers till they have finished the projects.

I have also changed the way the task boards work. The task boards that are just lists of things on the charts that the children can do. They are encouraged to choose wisely --like attempting different activities, never overcrowd an activity (Max:4 persons). So far, this is working and I am happy that there is flexibility.

The Year That Was--2009 ( Part 2 )

2010-01-01T15:11:00.000-08:00

Twitter;Jenny She-jshe has proven to be useful in October 2009 when I had to give a presentation at ULearn-an e-Learning conference held every year in New Zealand. Many teachers throughout the country enrolled in my session because they had known me and my work through Twitter. They had never met me but they have seen my work through the updates that I had posted on Twitter. I have to confess that while waiting at the hotel lobby for my turn to present, I overheard some teachers talking about how their friends couldn't get into my session because it was full and wished that it was in a bigger venue!. That made me smile! Thank you, Twitter!

My obsession of the use of Web 2.0 tools to enhance the students' learning continued to grow in 2009 and I had refined my skills in using them. Now, I am using a variety of Web 2.0 tools in my class blog: LIttle Voices, Little Scholars..

I realized how much I have advanced in the use of technology in my classroom when I managed to make a Christmas movie using imovie09 applying the Green Screen effect without much difficulties! It was not long ago (2004) when I first learned how to use imovie and have since kept refining my skills. My movie--Merry Christmas from Room 5 was a piece of work that I am proud of.

It is this type of continuous learning which I find extremely meaningful and rewarding. I am truely indebted to people who believe in me and trusted me along my learning journey.

Finally, I have to mention that my ULearn presentation was a highlight in 2009 too. It had boosted my confidence in public speaking which I normally refrain from. It is indeed a blessing to be able to share what we have learned and created.

The Year That Was--2009 ( Part 1 )

2010-01-01T14:40:00.000-08:00

2009 was indeed a significant year for my learning journey. It had been a year full of surprises and happenings. Some of the surprises and events have changed my life and some have posed to be challenges. But the important thing is that they represtented my personal growth both in my personal life and in my career as a teacher!

My interest and indulgence in Twitter:jshe has to be the single most important factor that has affected my social networking skills. I was introduced to Twitter in late 2008 in an e-Learning conference in Christchurch in New Zealand. At that time, all I had in mind was to use Twitter as a platform to Promote my class blog: Little Voices, Little Scholars.

The turning point came when I met some very special people on Twitter ( I am not mentioning any names but these friends know who they are ) and these people are my treasure and they give me constant support in my work and in my personal life.

Seth Godin Speaks on Social Networking and its implication!!

2009-07-24T15:09:00.000-07:00

Seth Godin has been described as a person who 'writes the most popular marketing blog in the world'. If you google him, it says that 'he is the author of the bestselling marketing books of the last decade' and that he often 'speaks to large groups on the media about marketing'.

Now what has that to do with me, a primary school teacher who has no intention of going into marketing business ? A friend of mine, Maynas Eric Chua is forever mentioning him in his tweets and I have decided that I have to read and learn about Seth Godin and why Seth has been admired by so many people.

When I was researching about Seth Godin, I came across a video in which Seth Godin speaks frankly about social networking. He was talking about marketing all the time but the important thing is that he mentions how the relationship that we have built while twittering is the most important thing that helps us in our social life. It is this relationship which has been built on the basis of trust that will help us in our career and social life. I had to laugh because he said that now that he has so many friends, he can come to New Zealand and would easily find a place to stay.

Now, I am thinking about my own experiences and how I have some very good twitter friends as well as Facebook friends. I was told by my Singaporean twitter friends if I ever land on Singapore, I will be swamped by them and that they all want to see me.
Now that's really something and something that would not have happened if I have not been on Twitter. At the same time, my New Zealand twitter friends are just as generous. I have invitations waiting for me to have dinner and coffee with them when we go to Christchurch for the Ulearn ICT conference later on in October this year.

I have hereby embedded Seth Godin's video on social networking for you to enjoy.

Maynas Eric Chua, My best Twitter friend!

2009-06-27T17:08:00.000-07:00

When I woke up this morning, I felt compelled to write this post about Maynas Eric Chua, my best twitter friend. I first met Eric on #twitter in April this year.

Our encounter with each other was like a fairy tale story. I was responding to John Larkin, another twitter friend, calling for shouts about why we use #twitter. John was giving a presentation to the Singaporeans about the surge of twittering in social networking. Eric responded to one of my questions and I tweeted him back without even checking his profile. We have since become very good friends for a lot of reasons.

Eric has been a good friend because he inspires me and he believes in me. Through him, I have learned that I can do and achieve anything. He taught me to set goals and go for the things that I want in life. He keeps me company whenever I need to talk to somebody. He has introduced many of his friends to me and now I have the largest network of friends I ever have in my life. He is the person that has gained my trust from the moment he sent me his first tweet in April 15th 2009. I feel forever indebted to him for these reasons and for many others that I can not disclosed.

Eric has the fantastic site: Maynaseric.com
Please do visit his site if you have time and you will learn that he is indeed a truely awesome person!

Recently, Eric was interviewed by a large television chanel, Channel News Asia on IT technolgy,Facebook and Twitter.
The following video shows Eric's awesome interview.

Yet Another Great Twitter Song that I like!

2009-06-27T16:46:00.000-07:00

This morning #twitter posted this awesome twitter song and I liked it instantly. I have hereby embedded the song here just in case some of you might like it too. Being a twitter addict, I like all things related to twitter but this song has special appeal to me because of its powerful lyrics. So enjoy!

Twitter Addict!! Could you be one ?

2009-05-23T12:36:00.000-07:00

While I was twittering this morning, I came across this video. It had reminded me of my Christmas holidays in Hong Kong in December 2008 and early January 2009. I had a wonderful time there but towards the end, I was getting bored of shopping and eating. The only joy that I could find in the end was twittering.
My twitter friends had kept me laughing and entertained all the time and we even drank our glasses of wine over the net on Christmas eve and New Year Day. It was just full of fun for me. Then came the crunch, my family decided that I was extremely anti-social(which I was because I was on my macbook all the time). They told me that I was not allowed on my laptop if I was with them. Guess what happened next, I found myself going into the bathroom very frequently in order that I could send my tweets out.
So here you are and that what people do if they enjoy doing something that they like.
So, watch this video, it will make you laugh.

Twitter Addict - watch more funny videos

Twitter in the classroom! Could it be a future trend ?

2009-03-30T12:36:00.000-07:00

More and more learning institutions are talking about introducing twitter in the classroom. This video tells the story.

Don't Fight Against Twittering!

2009-03-20T11:41:00.000-07:00

This video is about a young man's fight against using twittering.

The Solar System : Good Resource for teaching Junior kids about the Solar System.

2009-03-07T14:24:00.001-08:00

This could be the future way of Reading: We could read with one hand.

2009-02-27T11:00:00.000-08:00

At the rate we are going, we will not need a lot of space to store our books.
The e-books of the future are coming. Watch this video:

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Jeff Bezos

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things With Demetri Martin

Political Humor
Joke of the Day

Another useful Resource for Junior Teachers.

2009-02-13T17:36:00.000-08:00

Picasa ( for Mac )

2009-02-06T16:02:00.000-08:00

I have found this video clip helpful.

The Twitter Song

2009-01-24T15:06:00.000-08:00

What do you mean " Do I like it ?". I love it.

Seven Things ( Part 2 )

2009-01-15T06:28:00.000-08:00

4. I have two cats, Pal and Skye. They are Birman cats and I love them dearly.

5. I have given up red wine since October 2008.

6. I have a fear of heights.( Please don't ever use this against me).

7. I went to Disneyland in Hong Kong in Jan 2009.

Seven Things ( Part 1)

2009-01-15T03:28:00.000-08:00

7 things that you probably don't know about me--a Meme.
I received a tag from Digital Learning a few days ago to share 7 things about me. At first I thought I might be too busy to do this but being a keen blogger, I just couldn't help but join in. So here it goes:

1. I was born in Malaysia. I attended primary and secondary schools in Malaysia. My dad was a principal in a chinese medium primary school and my siblings and I went to his school. After I finished primary school, I went to a secondary school that used English as a medium of instruction. Because of this, I became bilingual. I can speak and write both Mandarin and English but I tend to be more proficient in English. While in high school, I was taught by VSA teachers from USA, Australia and New Zealand, as well as some Malaysian teachers depending on the subjects that I was doing.

2. When I was 18, I came to New Zealand to attend university. I was quite a scholar because I graduated with three degrees from the University of Auckland: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Town Planning and Master of Arts majoring in History.

3. While at university, I had several jobs in the summer holidays in order to support myself. The most memorable job was being a waitress in a chinese restaurant, where I learned to interact with the public and at one point, I even appeared in a TV commercial for a credit card company.

I was Inspired!

2009-01-12T18:37:00.000-08:00

I am supposed to be on holiday here in Hong Kong. The thing about me is that I am addicted to twittering and I go on it everyday. It was while I was twittering that I was told that I need to have my own personal blog so that I can share and reflect on what I have learned. I thought to myself, that makes perfect sense. Then I was thinking how Myles teased me about putting my holiday snaps on my class blog. This will definitely put a stop to that. Then I looked at Allanah, Justine and Penny and the list goes on, they all have their own spaces.

And of course, the wonderful view from where I am sitting now ( --watching boats, ships and junks passing by on the blue sea) also contributes to my motivation. And if you look at the photo above, taken from the window where I am sitting by, you will agree with me that it is beautiful and very inspiring.