MEANING IN LEARNING

Hi guys,

I managed to play tennis today. After a long break of playing I finally came to the court and play a set...single game set!!!! Incredible. I didn't realised that I still can play tennis that well. Thanks to Ken (Visiting Professor from Edith Cowen University, Australia). This time around he successfully beat me. He lost in our last meeting and managed to 'revenge' this time. 'Thanks' to my racquet which strings got snapped right before we begin the match (Not an excuse though). If I am using my own racquet the result would have been the same like last time...haha...sorry Ken. But anyhow, your game was tremendously improved especially on your service and backhand.

I am actually would like to say little bit about meaning. In learning 'meaning' is everything. Teaching can be considered as effective and successful if it can create meaning to the learner. Without meaning there will be no interest in learning. The learner cannot see the purpose of learning in specific which make them lost interest or even worst. 

One of my friend was asking about some decisions that he need to be making. Perhaps I got that wrong but the way he asked seems to me was more to his understanding but not to me. Although I do understand what he was trying to say but the way he was asking does not consider the understanding of the person which he was asking to. 

"Boleh tak aku ambil kabinet kalau aku jual rumah (Can I take the cabinet if I sell my house)"

At the beginning I didn't get he meant but later after some digestions and clarifications I managed to understand it. He actually referring to whether he can take his kitchen which mean not included in the selling agreement. Or in other words the house is sold without kitchen cabinet.

Interesting really when I relate this situation to learning. How do learner to find the learning as important if we failed to create meaning the learning itself. Learner will be more attracted to something where they found it interesting and have meaning to themselves. In other words making meaning to the learning is crucial if we about to make the learning fun and effective.

Sometimes or perhaps most of the time we just think about ourselves as the teacher. That is why we always struggling in encouraging the learning among our learners. What more important is that how we consider the learning activities according to the learners need and understanding. Without this I don't think the learning can be delivered effectively. 

Even sometimes people say that...if we want to understand our learner's understanding and feelings try put on their shoes...By doing so at least we can get to know how the learning should be delivered.

Okay...that's all for now.

Being a teacher does not necessarily ignoring the needs of the learner. A good teacher is also supposed to be a good learner at the same time.

Thank you.