For this week tutorial, our task is about presenting our
article based on our group understanding. Our article is about the analysis of
language teaching materials: inside the Trojan horse, by Andrew Littlejohn. In
the process of comprehending what is the article all about, I felt quite
difficult to understand what Littlejohn’s trying to convey, until I feel like
what am I doing?? Why did I keep reading the similar article over and over
again for about 4-5 times but I still couldn’t get the overview about the
article. But, everything is getting
better when we start to discuss within members until we came up into an
agreement about littlejohn’s article. The process of getting into point of
agreement is not something easy instead with some arguments and conflicting
understanding, yet we still manage to do it. At least, at that time I feel a
bit secure because now I know my way and what I suppose to do which when
compare to the situation before, I was totally lost!
As I go through reading the article, something hits my mind.
What is it? I have an insight about what
kind of materials I should use in the future. I found out that the materials
that being used in the future should really fit with the students proficiency
level. It should not be too easy neither too hard for them and is it the
materials or task should be handle or should be done individually or in group.
Since, there are some tasks that students are not able to complete it alone
instead they need scaffold from other who are more expert which means they are
doing the task under the zone of proximal development. As for an example, the
littlejohn’s article, I don’t think I can do it by myself, but when it’s done
in group where discussion and arguments can happen since each of us has
different interpretation of particular parts in that article, everything become
a bit easier, therefore, discussion is very fundamental in order for us to come
out with a presentation. Besides, the material given should be based on careful
consideration by the teacher before introducing the material into the classroom,
whether the materials will aid the learning as claimed, or otherwise. Does it
will motivate or demotivates them to learn a particular lesson. Because if it
is too easy they might feel boring or if it is too difficult, it will makes
them easier to give up to learn. But, after all it depends with the student attitudes
toward their own learning, because some students might be demotivated when come
to difficult task especially someone with extrinsic motivation but some might
be motivated to learn as they are very eager to learn something new when they
know that something new is beneficial, this case usually for someone who is
intrinsicly motivated. As for this situation, teacher should know what to do as
only teacher will knows their students well. That is why evaluating a material
is very crucial before we can use that particular materials in the classroom.
For my opinion, materials should be able to scaffolding students so that they
will be able to reach and it should starts with something easier and step by
step the level of difficulties will increase. Because students need time to
understand and internalize knowledge especially the one that it’s their first
time being exposed to.
Yes! Littlejohn’s
checklist quite time consuming but if it is worth why not teacher spend some
time and put some effort to evaluate the material so that the materials would
be able to create a positive classroom management.( it is beneficial to both
group in the learning and teaching progress).
As like me, the article really demotivated me to continue
reading but since we have to come out with a presentation, I try my best to put
some “love” on what I am doing…is it extrinsic or intrinsic motivation??
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