Sunday, May 31, 2009

Microsoft Regional Innovative Students Forum

I just got home yesterday after representing Malaysia to the Microsoft Regional Innovative Students Forum, hosted for the first time together with the 5th Microsoft Regional Innovative Teachers Conference. It was at Le Meridien,KL( yeah, I know- own country) but it was still a blast nonetheless. So I'm gonna introduce everyone I met, amazing people I tell you.

Malaysia
1.Matthew
2. Jin Yun
3. Kong Soon
4. Me, Shobana

Singapore
1.Kartini
2.Sagar

Philippines
1. Johanna
(another participant, Franmarie did not attend)

Bangladesh
1. Anwar

Vietnam
1. Linh
2.Chip
3.Anh( studying in Japan)

New Zealand
1. Marcus

Thailand
1.Kam
2.Pai(Vaspol)

Indonesia
1. Iman

did I miss anyone? Hope not.

These group of students are like no one else I've ever met. They're ambitious, smart and are eager to make a difference in the world. I'm so happy I met em' all. If any of you ever read this, I want u 2 know how grateful I am to have met u and I think u r all fantastic people and aspiring young leaders of the world. Hopefully one day we'll be as great as Mike! :p

Then there were the 3 really brilliant and funny mentors: Shaun, Bernise and Cherrie. They were great in assisting us on our projects and are just really great people personally. Shaun is really funny, Cherrie is witty, and Bernise has the sweetest smile. Thanks guys for all your help and entertainment. Really enjoyed the whole thing. U guys are awesome people! Hopefully we'll meet again someday.

To top it all were the 2 driving forces behind it all: Michael Furdyk and Katherine Walraven. The very fact that I was standing in the same room as them was mind blowing, but to be able to talk to them as friends is something I'll treasure for the rest of my life. They were the reason I was there and I'll forever be grateful. I really am thankful to have met the both of you, and I want u to know what a wonderful job I think you're doing. The forum wouldn't have been as great if it wasn't for the two of you. I hope I'll get to meet u again.

I really do miss everyone. And I'll admit that I even shed a tear or two on the way home knowing that everything was over. But it doesn't end there does it? I know we will all continue to be friends no matter what.


As for the forum itself, It was an eye opening experience. To know that so much is being done to change the face of education is like a breath of fresh air. I was really surprised to see what the innovative teachers of Malaysia had done, it gives me hope that one day our education system would be different. The students forum showed me that though all of us were from different countries and spoke in different languages, we all had a common goal when it came to education. We all wanted change. This is something that goes beyond the borders and barriers of language and nationality. We all were able to work together on subjects we were passionate about. But the most important one to me would be the value of an IDEA. Who would have thought that an idea cultivated by a group of students in a day could be developed to such great heights? Being funded by microsft would be a dream come true for many people, but it is a dream that has become our reality. I learnt that no idea is worth nothing, for even the smallest of ideas, if paired with a great mind can become a big one.


As for my teammates- Kam,Iman,Kong Soon and Vaspol, you guys rock! I wouldn't trade our group for anything and I really do think that our project is capable of greater heights. Our nationality is different, but our passion is the same. Project "Children Behind Us" will definitely be a success. U guys were wonderful throughout the whole ordeal-with us staying up till the wee hours of the morning just to finsh the project. We make a great team, don't we?


I'll blog more about project "Children Behind Us" when we have all the details finalized. I'll let u know how u can be part of our project.

Till next time.


Cheers, Shobana


P/S: I'll be starting college soon, wish me luck! :)

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

ICT

So hey, I'm doing this project for a conference that will be held in KL at the end of may. I have a few questions that I would like your feedback on.



How often do you use ICT in the classroom? ( school and uni students)



Do you think that is enough? If so, why?


What sort of technology would you like to be introduced in the classroom?



How much of your homework uses ICT?


Would you help your teacher who is having problems using ICT?



Lastly, please leave your own comments on the use of ICT in the classroom. Your own views and thoughts. Thank you.!