My One And My Only

Dear reader,

Do you know that this is my first experience in blogging? Before I create this page, my view towards this stuff was quite discouraging. I think that blogging is such a waste of time and people seems to have limitations in their privacy. But, EDU3217 has introduce me with this new exiting world.

Blogging gives me the opportunity to express my thought freely. I am not an outspoken person. So, I actually preserve all the ideas that I have for myself and refuse to tell others. But, trough this page, I am actually expressing almost 80% of my thought without much restrictions. The idea of having a page, create just for yourself, own by yourself, is really interesting for me. I can edit my page, add with pictures and colours that I like in order to make it more interesting.

Other than that, blogging also comes with adequate network. What i mean by network is, I can easily visits other blogs own by my class mates. I can read their post regarding the same matter but different view and perspectives. This somehow enhance my understanding towards the lesson and certain matter in my area of studies. By reading those entry by my friends, i get to see the bigger picture of what have been taught. I also can express my idea by leaving a comment on their page.

Name it: Awful + Terrible

Soul Gone home by Langston Hughes is the play for my simulated teaching which is focusing on the analysis of character.

For set induction stage, I am planning to show the class a video showing the ties between the mother and son. But, the video cannot be play due to some technical problems. But that doesn't stop me from keep on going by asking one of my students to introduce her mother to the class. Then, I asked my student to differentiate the character and characterization that have been mentioned before.

I proceed the lesson with the first activity, which is underlining the character mention in the text and the words use to describe them. Then, I instructs my students to fill in the table with the connections between characters and characterization. Each of the answer should be support directly from the text given. Finally, I conclude my lesson by review of what have been taught for the lesson.

The first mistakes that I have commit during the teaching process is by addressing one of my students as my favourite students. This attitude somehow gives the impression of a bias teacher and also decreases students' attention towards the lesson. I've asked two students to read aloud the text but this action leaves the other students in chaos because I only focus on the two target students. Maybe I should ask both of them to stand in front of the class so that other students can pay attention to what's happening in the class. So, if I am able to redo this simulated teaching, I am going to straighten up those mistakes.

My obvious weaknesses that day is; GRAMMAR. Throughout the lesson, I stumble with my words and my utterances is not clear enough with lots of grammatical mistakes. Other than that, the flow of the lesson also not smooth enough. I forgot to read aloud the instruction for one of the activities and i didn't hand in the activities to the class in time. Next time, I'll try to organize my plan before I start teaching. As for strength in simulated teaching, I think I don't have any. I need to improve myself before I hit the school. Wish me luck

Doubt

Here I am, pretending to be a teacher for 15 minutes. My doubt is; will I be able to perform much the same task when I hit the school? Is it impossible for me apply all of the skills that I've learn here to the max? Can I? I'm not sure. Doubt..
Then I start to draw my own conclusion. Maybe it is a little hard for me to do that. Why??

Firstly, I have to consider the place where the teaching is held. Is the place gonna provide all the facilities that i will need in teaching. I dont think so since the school usually lack of facilities related to media and etc.

Second, the proficiency. During the simulated teaching, I didn't experience the problem with the students' proficiency since my student is my course mates. But, in the real school, the level of proficiency is a very important matter to think about. I need to know my students level so that my lesson/activities are parralel for them.

Third, the syllibus. with current exam-based education, the teacher will be struggling with the time to keep in track with the specification. So, the time constrains will somehow adjust teacher's performance and later will cause them to focus on the exam rather than do the real teaching.

Who is he??

On 30th of March, my beloved lecturer had fulfilled his promise. What is that?? At the early session of this course, he had promise us that he will create the opportunity for his students to meet the eyes with the notable playwright, Kee Thuan Chye.


Almost 2 hours we have been given the opportunity to communicate directly with Kee Thuan Chye. He starts his speech with informing us about his childhood story, his motivation and also his favourite movies. He is a man with good sense of humor, with great courage in expressing his thought. Later, he gave us chances to ask him about the play that he had wrote. Many of the students grab this chance to ask him whatever confusion that they still have regarding to "The Swordfish and then the Concubine". As for me, the most memorable question for the day is " Is Logod and Riskaw represents by Dr. Edwin and Kee Thuan Chye himself?".

Kee Thuan Chye had use literature(play) as the tools to express his thought and also convey the vivid images of our current situation. That is why, "The Swordfish and then Concubine" is always been rewrite suitable to the current problems.

~D~R~A~M~A~

Adapting with the Drama is a little hard for me at first. This course is my first exposure to the Drama worlds. However, as the time passed by, I found out that drama is another interesting component in English.
I am very grateful because I am able experience the learning of Drama under Dr. Malachi Edwin. There is a lot of skills that I can adopt from him. For example, there are a lot of thing to consider in choosing the materials for the students. This is really a crucial matter since it deals with students interest towards the lesson. If i have choose the wrong materials, the student will finally get bored and the objectives of the teaching cannot be achieve.
Other than that, as a teacher, I shouldn't use the same kind of methods in teaching the students. Throughout this course, my lecturer had varied his method of teaching and that makes the lesson more interesting.

Black and white

"The Street Car Named Desire" was the last movie that have been schedule for movie session. In my opinion, this movie is a complete picture of barbaric characteristic which represent by Stanley Kowalski. This story is about Blanche, who lost her former status, lives in her delusional world. She cannot cope with the lost of her husband, Allan Grey, and latter cause her to find the peacefulness trough his body. Realizing that her figure is fading, she tries to find permanent safety by pouring hope in Mitch. But, once again she lost this chances when his brother-in-law tell Mitch the truth about her. This cause her to fall deeper in illusion world and later be sent to the hospital by her sister.

As I watch the movie, I've pay attention to the script uttered by each character which I found out later it is similar to text."Street Car Named Desire" provides so much information on the stage directions which concerning the places, situations, characters and also the emotions. Comparing the movie and the text, I've found out that the movie didn't closely follows the stage directions mentions in the text. Other than that, the closure of the movie also didn't follow the text. In the text, Stanley will tries to sooth Stella after Blanche had been taken to the hospital but in the movie, Stella holds her baby and escape to Eunice house when she hears Stanley calls her.

Organize yourself

Whoa, second of April is getting closer and I don't think I manage to keep an ideal level of anxiety. Well, you can call me Miss Literature because other than Drama, I also have to perform my teaching in Poetry on the same day!! (congratulate me please). Thank god I have prepared the materials for the "Teaching The Language of Drama".


After spending a great time pondering about the title of my teaching, I came to a conclusion. CHARACTER. I am going to teach the character in one of the story that I have learn. Gladly to say, I have gathered all the materials that I'll need for every stages.

As for set induction stage, I will show my students a video regarding to the topic. As providing the ground for the students before the lesson starts, I hope they enjoy the video. Then, they will spending time in recognizing the characters that they can find in the text, follow by 3 exercises to enrich their understanding.
I hope the teaching process will go smoothly and Heriana, please avoid the stupid mistakes.

"And that has made all the difference"

Do you notice the significance the title of this post? Yes, the last line of the Frost poem; The Road not taken. But, I am not going to discuss about the poem but the differences between lecture and tutorial.

As you notice, lectures had been controlled by our most significant lecturer, Dr. Edwin Malachi while tutorial is under Miss Kasthoori. The first differences that I have realize is the anxiety. When I enter class for lectures, the anxiety is a little high for me. It is because,it is the introduction to the each lesson that will be held. In other word, the anxiety is there because I am not clear with what the lecturer will teach and its really freak me out. In tutorial, I did feel a little at ease because I have grasped the idea on what the lesson is going to be. So, trough the tutorial, I will be able to understand the lesson better. Tutorial have serve me the reflection that I need in revising the lesson that I have get trough the lectures.

For example, the first play that I have studied this semester is Oedipus Rex. In lectures, my lecturer have discuss about the tragedy, reversal of fortune and many more. But, it is a little hard for me to get to the theme of the text. Later in tutorial, Miss Kasthoori had helped me to get to the theme of the play. How? She had provide us with a worksheet relate to the Oedipus Rex. She had instruct us to works in pair and answer the question with direct quotation from the text. This somehow helps me to identify one of the theme which is human versus fate. Later, all of us express the answer orally so that others can get hold of points.

Think about it

Yesterday, in my tutorial class, Miss Kasthoori had asked us some question related to King Lear.

The first question that she had asked is about the character that I had favour the most in King Lear. Those question had never cross my mind before. Then, when i start to think about which character that I favour the most, one character comes to my mind is EDMUND. Edmund is the illegitimate son of Gloucester and always be refer as UNNATURAL and BASTARD.

He is the antagonist in the story who betray his own father for his own good. Despite of that, I always prefer him as an interesting character. Edmund never refer himself as "good for nothing" although he is the child out of wedlock. I really like his courage to fight for what he wants. He always the shrewd one, that comes with interesting idea to twist the truth. For example, he had made use of his father curiosity to turn Edgar(the natural son), to a villain. He is also manipulative and the fastest one to take advantage of the others. Other than that, he is able to make the two sisters, Regan and Goneril, fight over him and later being murdered commit suicide. He is a brilliant character. In the end of the story, he died because of the wound inflict by Edgar.

The second question that have been asked by Miss Kasthoori is, Do you like Cordelia? My obvious answer is, NO!!!
Some of my friends have develop the fondness towards this character because she have the courage in telling the truth. I don't think so. As for me, Cordelia is being unwise in expressing her feeling towards his father. She somehow state that her feeling towards his father is the obligation and was there because of the ties between her and Lear. I think she should find a better idea to show her appreciation towards his father rather than use such insignificant mark that later ignites Lear's rage.

The List

~King Lear~

The first thing that comes to my mind is; the language. The most difficult use of language that I need to comprehend. When I first being force to read this text, it absorb all my spirit away. Why??? Because i can't understand half of the text.
Then, in order to make sense of the story, I try to find the summary of the story in the internet. It does help. But, the best thing is, my lecturer had explain further (and precise) about it in the class. He had been really patient with us since this is our first encounter with Shakepears' text. Thanks a lot. The first task that he had instruct us to do is: make a list of the characters who get killed in the play. It took me hours to figure it out then come out with this list.

Characters who get killed in King Lear.
1)Cornwall
2)Gloucester
3)Oswald
4)Regan
5)Goneril
6)Cordelia
7)Edmund
8)Lear

p/s: That's all I can find in the text. Is there any character that I've missed?

Time Travel

Back in school, I have a favourite teacher, my English teacher. Why? Because only in English period, all of us can breathe easily. Back there, English was my tension-free zone but not lately.

Enough with that memories, now i want to focus on how my teacher, back in school, had teach me. When I first introduced to the micro teaching, I was puzzle because none of my teachers have literally follow the stages in teaching.

For instant, when I was learning The Pearl, there was no such thing or activities that can be related to set induction stages. When the teacher walks into the class, all that he do is "Class, take out your text book and read the summary of the story." We have focused on the part which is important and turn out in the exam.

Comparing those memories with what I've learn here, here is much better. With the stages in learning, you can organize your teaching accordingly, attract student's attention and also increase student's comprehension. But, I am not putting the blame on the teachers. Maybe those lack of skills in teaching caused by the time constrains since our education system is exam-oriented. Other than that, it also cause by the school atmosphere and also lack of facilities.

Read versus Watch

Oedipus Rex is the first play that I have read. This play is really an interesting play to read so that i can't stop reading until I finish it. In this play, I really experiencing the feeling of fear and pity towards the main character, King Oedipus. The element of Moira(fate) that had been cast upon him since the day he was born really make me pity him. His ignorant, as a seer human, leads him to his downfall. Although he is a great king towards the Thebans, he was fated to lead a dark, lonely day at the end of his life.




While watching the movie on Oedipus Rex, i found it quite similar to the story. Throughout the story, chorus had played the important role in telling the audience about the current situation. in the movie, the chorus is represent by a group of man wearing black robe, wanders around and telling the people about what had happened. It is completely different from what I have imagine while I am reading the text. In my own opinion, the colour of the robe is one of the way to emphasize the dark fate that Oedipus will later experience.

The movie watching session somehow helps me to understand the play especially about the plague.

GET READY

For past two weeks, I have evaluated my fellow course mates on their simulated teaching. it is fun to watch them teach and struggle to prepare the best material for each stages in teaching. Some of them were really creative in preparing their lesson.

For example, Hafiza had come up with a very interesting lesson that surely will capture her student's attention. For the set induction stage, she provide the students with the pictures of beautiful barbie dolls and map. She instructs the students to match the picture with the place that suit them and later explains about the characters. Her lessons is well connected later congratulate by Miss Kastoori.

The nervousness really get to me when i started to realize that my turn to take over the class for 15 minutes will actually come. I've tried to list out the important aspects that I have to overcome which is my fluency and voice projection. In my previous simulated teaching, I hardly can control my class so I will try to make it better on 2nd of April.

Soliloquies

Tragedy is a form of art based on human suffering that offers its audience pleasure. HAMLET is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare and it is most powerful and influential tragedies in the English language.

On 3rd March, my course mates and I have watched HAMLET. From the movie, i tried to identified the famous soliloquies by all the actors. The first one "to be or not to be" really captured my attention. Mel Gibson, as the main actor in Hamlet, plays the role of young Hamlet (prince of Denmark). he also explain that he does not like his mother to marry the next king of Denmark so quickly after his father's death.

Other than this character, King Claudius also takes part in the soliloquy. he reveals his own knowledge of the crime he committed and realizes he cannot escape divine justice.

Different interpretation

"Elizabeth The Golden Age" is the interpretation of the movie that my classmate and i have watched. My first impression when i heard about the title is "this movie going to drive me to a long, deep, sleep". But, surprisingly, I LOVE this story.


This story is about the unmarried Queen Elizabeth and her obstacles in becoming a great Queen of England. Let me provide you with some summary of this movie. Because of her status as unmarried and childless, some people start to say start she is not suitable for the thrown and want her cousin Mary Stuart to become the Queen. So, a function is held in order to find her a suitable husband and a produce a child.

There, she had encountered with a pirate named Raleigh who later betrayed her with her the other Elizabeth@Bess.Queen Elizabeth endures multiple crises late in her reign including court intrigues, an assassination plot, the Spanish Armada, and romantic disappointments.


From my observation, the setting for this movie is like the prop in theater. For example, Elizabeth castle's is like a stage that have been prepared for performances. My favourite qoute for the movie is "I am who I am" which explain she had discovered who she is and saying that "I am your Queen".

Blind prophet

Do you know about a blind prophet named Teiresias? Well, i have come across this character when i read Oedipus King. In that story, Teiresias serves as an antagonist who go against king Oedipus. Oedipus has seeks him in order to find the murderer of the deceased king. However, Teiresias didn't want to reveal the truth because the real murderer is the king himself. Oedipus later provokes Teiresias to speak and then he spat out the truth about the incident.

Lets leave the story behind and focus on Teiresias himself. Why is he blind? Is he being born with the blindness or it is caused by someone. Actually, Teiresias ACCIDENTLY came across Athena while she was bathing, so she blinded him. At his mother pleading, Athena gave Teiresias the gift of prophecy as a compensation. Then, he started to gives the important prophecy and that made him the famous prophet of Thebes.

Theatre OR Cinema

Theatre serves as the branch of performing arts. It started with the passion plays of Ancient Egypt and served as one of the method to remind the citizens about their religion. After that, theatre develops from religious play to tragedy play and comedy play during the ancient Greek. Similar to passion plays of ancient Egypt, Greek plays made use of the mythological characters. Other than that, Greeks also develops the concept of dramatic criticism, acting as a career and theatre architecture. Trough the centuries, theatre change from poetic drama to more realistic style especially during the industrial revolution.

That is some of historical review towards theatre. But, nowadays, theatre had loose its place among society. Lots of people prefer to walk into cinema rather than to the theatre. Let see the similarities of cinema and theatre. First of all, both of it shares the same functions which is, entertainment and education. Trough the plays and movies, the audience will be serve with the entertainment, education about the people, place or history. Moral values also one of them. Other than sharing the same functions, both cinema and theatre also can be described as one way to do the story telling. Within the story telling, the characters are present on the suitable setting with their own role.

The biggest difference between theatre and cinema is the mode of audience. Theatre involves the real audiences, which is the people who came into theatre will witnessed the actual actors performing live in front of them. The play also accompanied by live orchestra. In cinema, the audiences will be presented with recorded materials. The audiences didn’t experience the live performance from all the actors. In theatre, the audiences will be presented with the real talented actors since the play is the result of spontaneity. The actors need to know how to express their emotion perfectly and also learn how to project their voice so it will reach to the audiences. So, some small mistakes were visible but didn’t make the play look bad. Different from the cinema, the recorded materials were edited. The pieces that come to the audiences usually the best result after edited and accompanied with some camera tricks. Other than that, the setting for every plays are restricted since it only takes place on the wide stage. However, the probs that have been presented deals with the audiences past experience and also their imaginations. In cinema, all sort of settings are able to be shown since it is recorded.