Hello!
It was still the 3rd week and we're already receiving our fourth assignment from our course coordinators. Basically, this assignment is the continuation of Assignment 1, another "Think, Pair & Share" activity. My pair, Rachel Chin and I have to produce a literature review based on our Week 1 topic, "Thinking Skills and ICT". We are required to review on online journals and e-books as well as e-articles from UKM Database, Google Book and Google Scholar as we need to write a report based on those reviews. We are also encouraged to include information from other reliable websites for evidential supports. However, before proceeding further into our report, we have to decide upon a research problem so as to specify the scope of the topic chosen. It's the priority in producing a good report. Besides, by deciding on a research problem, I could actually focus more on the scope of the topic and thus increase my knowledge on the subject matter concerned. Our search process was in fact guided by our research problem.
Unknowingly, we're actually implementing the topic, "Thinking Skills & ICT" into this course subject. Interactions are conducted mostly via the virtual environment. Yet, many still remain unaware of the power of ICT. In fact, there are misconceptions that the integration of thinking skills in ICT is unnecessary and futile. Needless to say, most ICT users are taking the issue for granted as they assumed both entities are unrelated and should not be linked together.
After a series of search processes and discussions, we've decided to settle on "Developing Critical Thinking through Web-Research Skills". As a known fact, critical thinking plays a pivotal role in our daily lives. Imagine performing online banking transactions without adequate use of critical thinking. One would face the high possibility of being hacked and spammed by some unknown entity. In general, lack of thinking skills would lead to many serious crimes, ranging from cyber bullying to plagiarism cases. Thus, the need to implement critical thinking into web-research skills is adamant. Take for example, many ICT users always fall victim for unreliable and invalid information from the Internet. This could affect the users' performance be it in educational fields or working places.
What should be done by the Malaysian government to promote critical thinking in web-research skills? Plenty I would say. In fact, the Malaysian education system has propose the improvisation the whole national curricula and thus introduces KSSR/ KSSM programs, to focus on ICT implementation in schools. It's a big leap for a developing country like Malaysia which aspires to be on par with other developed countries. For more info, download and read at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/a135735aileentiong/files/
Yet, there are plenty rough and tumble along the path to perfection.One of the problems faced is most definitely the time management. Initially, I had a hard time trying to readjust my time. I have to include this additional assignment into my already jam-packed schedule and also to complete it on time. Our only option is to gather and discuss for information and ideas at any given free period. My pair and I often interact and share information across the virtual environment as we're often busy at any other time. It was difficult and tiring at first, but as soon as we got used to it, we managed to complete the assignment without much problems. I need to learn to do things one step at a time, rather than rushing headlong for the sake of completing the assignment. Henceforth, I would not succumb to stress so easily.
As I went through the report, I discovered the crucial need to apply the correct style rule of quoting for referencing and citation purposes. Our failure in providing the accurate citation ad referencing formats could actually land ourselves in hot waters. Our work products will be branded as products of plagiarism. We ourselves might face expulsion from the academy if we were to be discovered providing inaccurate citation formats. Therefore, I would like to thank my pair, Rachel Chin and Barbara Kath for their attempts in clarifying my doubts concerning referencing as well as their guidance in my providing accurate references. That's all from today.
Aileen A135735, signing off...
Happy Reading!
P/s: Comments are most welcome =)
Aileen Tiong Ling
A135735
B. Ed TESL IPGKS - UKM
GGGE1155 Computer in Education
Faculty of Education
Telephone Num. : 013-5603522
Email Address(es) : aileenukm7@yahoo.com/ aileenanaukm7@gmail.com
Yahoo! Group Account : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/a135735aileentiong
Facebook Account : http://www.facebook.com/a135735aileentiong
Blog Address : http://aileena135735.blogspot.com
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