Hamid'sCommonSense

Blended Learning - What is..

2011-12-28T01:56:00.000+08:00

I thought i'm done tonight with an entry but alas not. I think i need to have this on my collection. Its on Blended Learning, of which is nothing new to me. Its just feel good to have it on my blog. In my line of job, i've used the concept of blended learning in my first big project back in 2003. My first million dollar project for MOE.

It was new to them, the teachers liked it, all 100K of them. I did put a lot of thoughts into it and make it a reality through the BPPT project. I realized it, internalized it and delivered the concept to teachers thirsty of knowledge in technology and its application for classroom teaching.

This video of which was non existence then brings back the good memories. I still do apply Blended Learning concept till in all of our recent and upcoming projects. From ICMS to IC CITIZEN to VEC to GREEN to HALAL to IF

Enjoy the video...Fundamentals of Blended Learning!

The Fundamentals of Blended Learning from Education Elements on Vimeo.

Animated !

hamid

Howard Gardner on Digital Ethics

2011-12-27T21:33:00.003+08:00

Hi, its end of the year again, this time, of 2011. I thought I owe you and myself another posting. I came across this Howard Gardner's (Professor @ Harvard Graduate School of Education) video interview on what American youth thought about being ethical.

A very insightful view of most American Youth feels about ethics, and Howard summarizes it as Ethics is a Luxury! One only need to be ethical when they already successful and rich in life. None sees any of their friends as ethical. They are afraid to be ethical! They are afraid that they will lose out if being ethical in a world of society that 'cut corners'.

Is this results of capitalism, individual rights, broken family values and faithlessness?

Enjoy the video:

Education, Social Media, and Ethics: Howard Gardner, Harvard Graduate School of Education from Education Week on Vimeo.

They sure are needed to be certified in IC CITIZEN

hamid

The Creek and the Burjs of Dubai

2011-10-21T08:31:00.000+08:00

Hi again, its time to write. Been busy for the past few months since Eidul Fitr, mostly due to work. I've traveled quite a bit, to Brunei before Ramadhan, Sabah last month and last week to Dubai of the UAE. I'm lucky to have met a group of wonderful people of the same passion and interest in R&D work, training and certification.

I had the luxury of learning from the real world, real people from the industry, experts and professors in various fields from different countries. One thing for sure is being a Malaysian in foreign Muslim land helps. It helps opens up conversation on almost any topic and getting acquaintance. Its very different from an academic discourse which often than most detached from the real business or industry world.

Being the only one from a far at the KirkPatrick Program Evaluation Certification training in Dubai was rewarding. They want to know, to learn and even to explore business opportunities. They want to hear my story. While i got to meet wonderful Middle Eastern ladies form big corporations (with their ultra modern outlook and fine English) to stately gentlemen from various Emirates government agencies in their fine 'jalabah'.

Me on the other hand learned the mechanics of getting from Level 2 to Level 3 of evaluation, which easier said than done. Multitude of tips on planning and getting towards capturing the necessary data. Jim even indicated survey items of more than 15 would turn off respondents. Again the economics of program evaluation will decide how far one wants to go in evaluating on ROE.

On the hindsight it provides me with the first hand experience on the dynamism of Dubai, with its Burj Al Khalifa, worlds tallest, beautiful creek and sprawling Jameira Palm that triggers Gulf financial crisis. One thing for sure is the leaderships vision, boosted by the black gold monies propelling the Emirates into a formidable Gulf's economic power, but leaving the common Emiratis gasping to keep up, with glaring gap between knowledge and skills needed and provided by the expatriates.

I'll be back!

Journalism online: Ethics as usual?

2011-07-23T14:09:00.002+08:00

Hi! its been a while since my last post.  I am preparing for my next training assignment in Brunei. I came across this write up by Ari Heinonen entitled "Journalism online: Ethics as usual?" which is quite interesting, as it relates to my next training assignment.

Ari tried to examines the "possible changes" in the ethical attitudes of journalists in the context of new media-dominated communication environment, but found NONE


The study reveals that journalists consider ethical issues constant across old and new media, but indicated that emerging ethical issues that might lead to a redefinition of proper journalistic conduct within new media environment.

Now my question is whether journalism ethics apply to bloggers and twitters especially to individual and personal bloggers or twitters. It would interesting to discuss and find out this at my coming training. Below is some related terms word play on Wordle.

Email 40th Anniversary Infographic

2011-06-19T22:06:00.000+08:00

Email has become a big part of our daily routine. Most people feel a lost if they did not get to check their mail inbox for a day. But the availability of access to emails via mobiles have ease the cravings. Social media creates another diversion from the crave of having to access emails. But social media are seen as an informal form of communication, not to be taken as formal nor official.

When email started they too were seen as informal form of communication, not as formal as written mails, typed or hand written. So all official communication still need things in 'black and white'. So must so in early days of email adoptions email still need to be printed to qualify as formal and in 'black and white'.

Now emails are considered formal and official especially properly signed. Email do carry new form of writing ethics..it is speedy, making cc to multiple recipient more efficient and cheaper. Introduction of emoticons tried to make emails more humane and personal. The technology also make it easy to make personal email become public, sending to wrong person more common, office and work story leaked to wrong people.

But without doubt an important digital technology contribution to businesses, education, social, government, politics, research, journalism, broadcasting and communication ever.

Here is an interesting inforgaphy on email. Enjoy!

Hamid

World Map of Social Networks

2011-06-15T17:27:00.000+08:00

A new edition of the World Map of Social Networks, showing the most popular social networks by country, according to Alexa & Google Trends for Websites traffic data* (June 2011).

Below you will find an updated version and an infographic poster of all changes since June 2009. You can also see an animated version of all my maps.

Facebook is slowing gaining users around the world (almost 700 millions) establishing its leadership in 119 out of 134 countries analyzed (in this edition I’ve added Ethiopia and Tanzania).
Since December 2010 Zuck’s creature has conquered Iran and Syria, although struggling against censorship. Europe has now became the largest continent on Facebook with 205 million users (Facebook Ads Platform).

Probably Netherlands and Brazil will be the next countries to surrender. According to Alexa Facebook is already the leader there, but Google Trends shows a different picture (I will change my map when the two sources will say the same).

How interesting!

Does Test Scores Matters

2011-03-05T22:16:00.001+08:00

I'm reblogging, if there is such a word! contrary to retwittering. I came across this wonderful blog by Katie Ash entitled "Does Test Scores Matters". She quoted Prof.Yong Zhao's statement about how policy makers turn problems in US public schools systems for blame!

This struck 'the teacher' chord in me. I realized that something of similar in nature to this, also happening back home. Policy makers trying to use school systems for their public standing. Trying to propose ideas as new subjects in schools, be it academic or in the form of co-curricular activities. Putting unnecessary burden on the public school system and stresses the teachers. Read this NCCE Keynote and share your views.

Once a teacher always a teacher, hmm.

NCCE Keynote: Do Test Scores Matter?
By Katie Ash on March 3, 2011 6:00 PM | 1 Comment | Recommend

I'm fortunate enough to be blogging live today and tomorrow from the Northwest Council for Computer Education's annual conference here in Portland, where Yong Zhao, the director of the Center for Advanced Technology in Education at the University of Oregon in Eugene, delivered this morning's keynote.

In a speech that drew on his experience as a Chinese immigrant who came to the United States 20 years ago, Zhao said part of the problem with American education was that "schools are like hospitals—we're supposed to fix our kids." Whenever social and economic challenges arise for the U.S., policymakers turn to problems in the public school system for blame, he said.

(You can read more about Zhao in the upcoming issue of Technology Counts coming out on March 17.)

Over the past few years, mediocre U.S. performance on international tests has drawn a lot of domestic attention. But U.S. students' test scores have "always been bad," Zhao said. Since the 1960s, the U.S. has not excelled on international tests like the Program for International Student Assessment.

A more pertinent question, said Zhao, is what scores mean compared with the country's economic standing. And countries with the highest test scores actually have lower rates of economic growth, wealth, and creativity, he said.

In the last 8 years, China has actually cut back on time spent on math and academics in favor of more electives and a broader curriculum, said Zhao. What matters most, perhaps, is not how well our students do on tests, but how well our environment is suited to foster creativity, diversity, entrepreneurship, and passion. "Why do we try to weaken our strength?" he asked.

Although Zhao's speech was a refreshing perspective, as I was filing out of the conference hall, I overheard a couple of teachers talking with each other. "Don't worry about test scores," she said, "that would be great if our jobs didn't depend on them."

Turkiye Trip - on your own

2011-02-19T17:12:00.000+08:00

No plan today, just looking forward for the Partners meeting @ Raddisson Blu. Shall be moving to the venue hotel in a bit.

Yesterday was quite an adventurous day. My 6th day thus a bit more familiar and have the sense of direction. Met three Germans looking at maps in front of the hotel. Offered help to show the way to Tokapi Castle complex. I was on the way to Grand Bazaar and after that to Blue mosque. They gladly followed, introduced myself and get to know George and Erick. Passed by the University of Istanbul before parted ways at the Grand Bazaar. Didn't find anything except to change some USD to TL. Then walked to SultanAhmed mosque. Great feeling to be able to perform a Friday prayer here. Been admiring the Blue Mosque and wondered when will i have the chance to pray in it. Syukran.

Walked all the way to Blue Mosque around 11.00 – 20 min walk, in cold is unfamiliarly long. Entered the mosque at 11.45 full of tourists, stopped by a guide that the mosque is closing from visitors as its time for Friday prayer, but told I’m going for prayer...and he apologizes. A long Friday prayers, with usrah, quran recital, khutbah and long sunat prayers after...In front line and could not get out as most Turks still praying something like 10 – 14 rakaat sunat at the back rows. Got out at 2.15pm, took some photos too.

Cross over to St Sofia to buy Hop On/Off City tour...40TL at 2.30pm, hopped off @ Taksim, hopped on back @3.30pm last bus back to St Sofia....Bought something for the girls. Saw some Malay faces in the crowd at St Sofia.

Cold day sitting on top of double decker, earphone on to listen to the guide stories. The tour passed by most that we’ve covered but also drive thru some especially the 25km city wall. The guide is more informative.
Stopped @ McD for some takeaways (my lunch and dinner)...and walked back to hotel almost 6.00pm. Flat!

Today its raining @ 10’C and expect to rain the whole coming days with temp around 6 – 7’C. Turkiye has a lot to offer. Perhaps i can come back with Norli, god permits.

Celal Aga Konagi

Istanbul Old City

Facebook vs Twitter 2010 social demographics

2011-01-25T00:54:00.000+08:00

College readiness Test - the test format

2011-01-22T14:54:00.001+08:00

Early Assessment Program at a Glance

The Early Assessment Program consists of several parts designed to work together to measure and enhance California students’ college readiness. Students who score high enough are considered “college ready” at the state’s 23 California State University campuses and 48 of the state’s community colleges. They can skip remedial classes and enroll in credit-bearing coursework.

The Test:

15 questions each in mathematics and English, and a 45-minute English essay, devised jointly by California State University and K-12 faculty members, are added to the 11th grade California Standards Test, or CST. The college-ready determination is based on a combination of those and 45 questions from the CST.
The augmented version of the test is optional; students may choose to take only the CST.
There are two math EAPs: one for students who have completed Algebra 2, and another for those who have completed more advanced math courses.
In English, there are two EAP results: ready for college, or not ready.
In math, there are three EAP results: ready for college, conditionally ready, or not ready.

The Early Warning:

Rising high school seniors receive a letter in August informing them of their EAP results.

Student Supports:

Students not yet college-ready in math can use a suite of online-learning tools or take courses at their schools. Use of the online modules does not offer an exemption; the tutorials are designed to boost students’ skills so they can pass CSU’s own placement tests. Conditionally ready students retain their EAP exemptions as long as they earn at least a C in a math course with a prerequisite of Algebra 2 or higher during the senior year.
Students not yet college-ready in English can use a suite of online-learning tools or take the Expository Reading and Writing Course, designed by precollegiate and CSU faculty members to reflect the skills needed in college-level English. Neither option leads to an exemption; both are aimed at increasing students’ chances of passing CSU placement tests.

Professional Development:

Two courses were created to strengthen high school English teachers’ literacy instruction: a 20-hour series designed to support the teaching of the Expository Reading and Writing Course and a broader 80-hour series; a Web-based tool helps teachers improve students’ essay-writing skills.
A redesigned course in math instruction is geared toward strategies that teach students how to solve complex problems.
The California State University system embeds the EAP’s expectations into preservice teacher training.
EAP coordinators at each CSU campus work with districts to help them understand their results, advise students, and strengthen teaching geared to the EAP.

SOURCE: Education Week

Success of College Readiness Intervention Hard to gauge

2011-01-22T14:36:00.003+08:00

An article on Success of College-Readiness Intervention Hard to Gauge by Catherine Gewertz on Education Week was very inspiring and also an eye opener for me.

(http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/01/20/18eap_ep.h30.html?tkn=LNLFPhdYSdqWQbuQprV2ADQ3gu7OH%2F%2FW9TP8&cmp=clp-edweek)

There seems to be of major concerns among higher education institutions in the US and California particularly that high school graduates are NOT ready for college. I find this interesting as it has a lot in common with the situation in Malaysia. We have programs like Matriculations, Pre-U, Preparatory classes, Bechalaurette,Finshing schools and Inductions to help college going students better prepared for their tertiary education.
Some universities even go down a level to offer these 'bridging' programs to ensure flow of students into their institutions while trying hard to maintain their minimum entry requirements.

Parents like me send their children to preparatory classes like English, second language classes, soft skills development, music, sports clinics and ICT certifications just to ensure that they can have the extra advantage and college ready.This indicates that there is a big gap between high school education output and the college readiness requirement.

I can still remember my 1970s experience of adjusting to college education upon completion of my high school. There is no matriculation or pre-u program to help readiness. All I had was the University orientation week which tend to be more incline to 'freshie bullying field day'.

How i struggled through my 3 year Diploma program, with the worst score in the first semester itself and did not enjoy any moment of it except when I was doing sports and represented the University. I also noted that my first degree was easier and later my post degree the easiest!

I also remembered how some colleagues that failed in the same program later excelled in a different program at a different university.

I came to the conclusion college readiness has a lot to do with it. So having a mechanism to indicate that a student is college ready would be great. A supporting program to better prepare a students would be welcomed and appreciated, other than there is money to be made.

Are We Obsessed with Facebook?

2011-01-20T22:03:00.001+08:00

Are We Obsessed with Facebook?

Via: Online Schools

Your T(w)een's School Social Life - When to Step in and When to Step Back

2011-01-15T00:25:00.000+08:00

Your T(w)een's School Social Life - When to Step in and When to Step Back

Meeting the Man

2010-10-30T22:12:00.000+08:00

Yeah i know it has been quite a while since my last entry. Just would like to continue where i have left off. Not long after our presentation at the Parliament House to a group of very high profile people and managed to sell the idea and concept, we got to see 'the Man". I came early just to ensure i get to the building that i thought was part of the Islamic Museum. It is just that i was a bit not dressed up to the occasion, but that secondary.

The Man is none other than The Father of Modern Malaysia - Tun Mahathir. Never in my wildest dream to sit and discuss with the man eye to eye. But the topic of discussion which is hot at the moment overwhelms the awe of sitting with him. Indeed it is about IC Citizen. We presented the idea, objective and concept of which he agrees. But one thing that caught my attention was when Tun asked about how do one teach 'ethics'? The same concern that i have discussed on my last blog entry. When i mentioned Case Study as the way...he agrees. I said to myself...wow exactly how i think it should be thus again reconfirmed my earlier hunch. Again i thought...this is my research framework!

Sharing our thoughts with Tun, definitely makes my day!

Major ethical dilemma of the Web and the Internet

2010-07-27T14:47:00.002+08:00

A euphoria of discussionss was in the local news when everyone start talking about the need to filter of phonographic sites. Dr M in his blog discussion pushed the idea of filtering, saying now is the 'appropriate time' since the inception MSC and decree declaration of filter-free Internet for Malaysia. A front page news on some newspapers and main stories in major digital media. Comments from all quarters especially the Ministers and Deputy Ministers in agreement.

All this became a sitting target for PSSB new found arsenal to fire home its IC Citizen training and certification bullets. What a great timing. The endorsement form our Parliament House presentation earlier will put the 1Citizen program into the limelight.

But today Charles I. Cragg in "Because Wisdom Can't be Told" (Harvard Alumni Bullettin, October 19, 1940) gave me a lease of life in confirming the correct approach and direction of using case study in designing and developing the training module of IC Citizen. Now i have the Theoretical Ethical Framework and the right methodology.

As Cragg puts it;

"The case system, properly used, initiates students into the ways of independent thought and responsible judgment. It faces them with situations which are not hypothetical but real. It places them in the active role, open to criticism from all sides. It puts the burden of understanding and judgment upon them. It provides them the occasion to deal constructively with their contemporaries and their elders"

I am happy!

"Paparazzi" - Micheal Greyson

2010-05-13T16:25:00.002+08:00

Cisco Cybercrime showcase

2010-05-04T13:53:00.001+08:00

Cisco Cybercrime showcase

Posted using ShareThis

iCITIZEN in Macau

2010-05-03T22:34:00.006+08:00

Hi again! I didn't realize that i have not been updating my blog since when. My last post was about my Bali Trip with the boys. So many things have happened and i jot it down most in my Twitter and Facebook.

iCitizen project has been wonderful, but very taxing on me and my team. Finally we got something going on a global basis, our very own Certification and content for the world.

I was at Certiports APAC Meeting in Macau last March, and had wonderful time meeting the people and had the opportunity to present the concept and idea to the world. The feedback has been outstanding!
Here we come WORLD

AIM 2010

2010-05-03T22:12:00.004+08:00

I am not so much into music, but yesterday's AIM 2010 caught my eyes and attention...of course due to Yuna, Aizat and Faizal Tahir...plus the great Afdlin & Co and the band. The rest are just side shows. Here's a tribute to the best song of the year!

AIM 17 - SONG OF THE YEAR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEwZb_lxo6A

Great Time in Tembok, Bali

2009-11-27T20:08:00.004+08:00

Hi again, its writing time again. Been planning this trip months ago. I wanted to celebrate our 24th Anniversary in Bali...just the two of us. But as planning continues, more feedback need to be considered. True enough, we owed Muiz a holiday trip for his good result in last years PMR. So Muiz is on, during this school break holiday. Now there is three of us, booked on a bargain air fare to Denpasar.

As the saying goes, we can only plan, when at the very last minute my other better half couldn't make it, due to her work commitment even when its already a school break and found a willing replacement. Since nothing doing, she had to cancel her trip and there goes our "Anniversary in Bali". So as not to disappoint Muiz, Naim is the ever willing replacement. Now the trip became an all 'boys' trip to an exotic Spa Village Tembok Bali.

I can understand the 'caught by surprise' face of Ms Rina the caretaker in Tembok Bali when we appeared at her resort.... minus the leading lady. We did have a good time together, at that beautiful paradise. I was impressed by the hospitality shown by the staffs, even when we did not take full its offer of full adventure. I did enjoyed the 3 hours trip to and fro the resort to Denpasar, the view of Mt Agung from the sea during Sunset Boat ride, I enjoyed 'our' pool, the broleh activities, the food, the comfy room, the fisherman's attire, the dinner dance, and the early picturesque dawn of black sand beach.

I can imagine the fun if Norli was around, perhaps next time. I definitely am coming back to SVTB.

40th Anniversary of the First ARPANET Transmission

2009-11-02T09:11:00.003+08:00

Hi, again..it's been sometime since my last input. I came across this wonderful this article by SRI on the ARPANET, the predecessor to today's Internet (http://www.sri.com/). I did have an entry on this in either my Facebook or Twitter (http://twitter.com/arhamid) early last month. Its interesting to know University of Utah was part of that early initiative.

Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age. Victor Hugo (1802-1885)

Enjoy!

MOUNTAIN VIEW and MENLO PARK, Calif., CAMBRIDGE, Mass. —October 27, 2009—Forty years ago this week, two programmers sat in front of computer terminals four hundred miles apart. Unknowingly, they were about to make history. At the University of California, Los Angeles, Charley Kline typed the word "LOGIN" at around nine p.m. on October 29, 1969. The command went through interface computers built by Cambridge's BBN Technologies (formerly Bolt, Beranek, and Newman) on its way to Kline's counterpart Bill Duvall, at SRI International (then known as Stanford Research Institute) in Menlo Park, California. The first letters, "LO", came through to the SRI machine before the system crashed. The minor setback would be fixed quickly, and the connection was fully in place by 10:30 p.m. The very first data had been sent between two nodes of the ARPANET, a key precursor to the Internet.

New interviews with pioneers Duvall and Kline will be made available on October 29 on www.computerhistory.org, along with links to other resources. This will kick off a series of Computer History Museum activities on the history of the Internet and the Web.

"The 1969 connection was not just a symbolic milestone in the project that led to the Internet, but in the whole idea of connecting computers—and eventually billions of people—to each other," said Marc Weber, founding curator of the Museum's Internet History Program. "In the 1960s, as many as a few hundred users could have accounts on a single large computer using terminals, and exchange messages and files between them. But each of those little communities was an island, isolated from others. By reliably connecting different kinds of computers to each other, the ARPANET took a crucial step toward the online world that links nearly a third of the world's population today."

"The development of the ARPANET, which had no commercial application at the time, underscores the power of coordinated basic research and the importance of that research to our society," said Bill Duvall. "In the 1960s, computers were not interconnected and most were not even interactive. A few research groups were looking at the potential of networked computing and how distributed systems might be used as information repositories and collaboration tools, but they were hampered by a huge obstacle: they lacked a network to weave their projects together. Bob Taylor and Larry Roberts at ARPA understood not only the potential of computer networking, but also the challenge of networking during an era when computers were generally not standardized, and did not use a common language or alphabet."

"The ARPANET was built to permit ARPA-supported computer researchers to share common interests without geographical limits," said Bob Taylor, who helped conceive and fund the ARPANET in the mid 1960s as head of computing research at ARPA (U.S. Department of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency). Taylor and his Program Manager Larry Roberts chose the people and places to build the network, assigning unique roles to three institutions: Cambridge-based BBN built the special Interface Message Processors (IMPs) that connected the main computers to the net and served as the system's administrator; SRI was the Network Information Center, which besides acting as a central library kept track of all the computers on the net and ran the Domain Name System until 1991; and UCLA was the Network Measurement Center, researching and improving how data moved across the network. An original BBN Interface Message Processor (IMP) computer is in the Computer History Museum's collection.

By early 1970, those three Centers were all connected, along with the University of California at Santa Barbara and the University of Utah. By 1972, the network had 37 nodes. A few years later, the ARPANET would begin the process of connecting itself to other networks that had sprung up—a process known as internetworking—leading to the Internet on which the World Wide Web and email run today. Both SRI and BBN played key roles in internetworking, and SRI's mobile radio van was used in several watershed experiments. The van is now a part of the Computer History Museum's collection.

Utah Trip

2009-10-04T21:38:00.007+08:00

I just can't imagine what Utah is like. When i was asked to go for this working trip i wasn't know what to aspect. I have relatively a good idea what's to come professionally, that is lots of work to deal with our new partner based in American Fork, Utah ( a world renown Certification company), but the least of what Utah would be like?

Looking the map of Utah doesn't help at all, it give you an impression of desert and empty space. I was dead wrong! Utah is very interesting. The people, the environment, the fresh cool air, the vastness, and the view is just fantastic, one of the best on this god given earth. The food (being Malaysian...an important criteria) simply represent most parts of the world.

Professionally i met some of the most wonderful people i've ever met in my working life. I'm sort of a difficult person to engage with immediately on first meeting, but that changed my view when in Utah. I met this sweet lady Sunny our host, an American of Korean lineage, made you like her as if you are at home in this foreign land! Another lady Marnae, the editor came to explain things but made me think, as if, hey! i known her for years. We talked on professional things, but already know of her whole family...uncommon in most parts of the world other than Malaysia. So do Quinn, David, Joe, Dave, Sarah, of course Ray and others. Hmm! I can now appreciate the plurality of Utah community whom most are devout Mormons.

I learn some wonderful insights from David, a professional psychometrician, Sinead and Steve on the product development commitment, Joe and Dave on the items...even when i've done this some years ago. We learn a lot of the technicalities from Marcus in item authoring using his SCO editor, only to spoil his scheduled three day slots to a day and a half. I appreciate the sensitivity to provide us a space to pray too. How i wish i can show them the Malaysian hospitality.

The last thing is, i have a glimpse of Utah wonderful natural history, their National Parks. Being there to appreciate the Arches and arches in formation in those highlands of canyons simply made you wonder the gift of god to us. I'm going to see the great Salt Lake!

hamid

Sandy, Utah

Eid -ul-Fitr Celebration

2009-09-23T00:48:00.003+08:00

Eid -ul-Fitri is one of the important festivals of Muslims. After Ramadan, the month of fasting Muslims celebrate Eid-Ul-Fitri. Eid-ul-fitri is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, which Muslims follow. The sighting of the new crescent moon marks the beginning of the month. In Arabic the meaning of Eid is Festivity and Fitr means to break in English. Eid-Ul-Fitri means to celebrate the breaking of the month

of fasting

On the Eid day early in the morning all the Muslims take a bath and wear their new clothes which they have got stitched beforehand.after dressing they have breakfast which includes dates and then proceed to the Mosque (masjid) for a Eid prayer ceremony and recite the takbeerat “allahu akbar, allahu akbar” meaning Allah is the greatest. Apart from this many other Eid prayers are recited to remember Allah on this occasion.(Ramadan).
Eidul Fitri in Malaysia is a colourful event, everyone dressed up in new and colourful traditional attire of 'baju melayu, samping and songkok' while the ladies in traditional 'baju kurung or kebaya'. Everyone proceed to the nearest mosque for the morning Eidul Fitri prayer before meeting and greeting to ask for forgiveness. They then proceed to fiends and family homes for the traditional feast of 'ketupat, kuah kacang, lodeh, and rendang'. Not forgetting the 'kuih raya' and of course the 'duit raya'. Most have an open house to all guest, friends and neighbours. Everyone enjoys Raya food, the one things that binds Malaysians well.

Eidul Fitri is truly a One Malaysia event that everybody love.
hamid
3rd Syawal 1430

End of Ramadhan, Welcome Syawal and Hello Utah

2009-09-22T23:46:00.006+08:00

How time flies. It felt like we were just a week into fasting and adjusting to Tarawekh prayer very night, suddenly its already a month! Now we are into the 3rd day of Syawal 1430. Lots of things been happening during Ramadhan. I had to break fast in my car three times over the month just to indicate how much work we need to finish off before Syawal, making me late to leave office and be on time for breakfasting. Off late the weather didn't help either, raining almost every afternoon, making driving home takes longer time than usual, i.e more than an hour an a half from Cyberjaya to Setapak Indah. At least the work on OeC has produced fruits and we are packaging it for the Utah trip.

Having said that, i'm sure we'll get it done no matter what. My personal thanks to some hardworking team members. The raya break has given me some breathing space to be with family and enjoy the kinship, getting updates on family matters, new additions among family members,

seeing who is having more grey hairs, just seeing and saying hello. And of course the open houses, raya food and photos. Not to mention the travel nightmares to endure going back one's kampung. But it's all worth it, wouldn't you agree? Thanks to those who have sent their greetings and wishes, thank you for the thought.

Selamat Hari Raya

hamid

Hong Kong named world's spam capital

2009-09-13T18:35:00.003+08:00

Again we get to see and hear more and more of this abuse of the Net by unethical people. It gives you the creep of what is going to happen as more and more people taking on the cyber world without any sense of good ethics, self respect and respect of others. Cyber world provides the platform for people to express themselves to a larger world and audience that never before possible. It also provides the 'shade' from prying eyes of their true identity thus making them feel brave to do things that they 'knowingly' know would adversersely affect others and unintentionally gain them the title "World's Spam Capital"

AFP - Thursday, September 10

HONG KONG (AFP) - - Hong Kong is under siege from legions of "zombies" attacking people with spam and leaving in their wake a trail of destruction costing millions of dollars a year, analysts have warned. It sounds like the plot of a surrealist B-movie but it is the worrying scenario computer users are facing in a city which has been awarded the unenviable title of spam capital of the world.

The problem has taken a sinister new twist with the rise of so-called zombies -- computers infected by a virus that are sending reams of spam, or unsolicited emails, without their users' knowledge.

There are an estimated 4,000 zombies active in Hong Kong and their criminal puppet masters use them to fire off thousands of messages offering products ranging from jewellery to pornography.

Full Story and photo credit: http://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/afp/20090910/ttc-hongkong-crime-spam-internet-0de2eff_1.html

eCampus News: Student can re-enroll after blog dispute

2009-09-07T11:34:00.003+08:00

Student can re-enroll after blog dispute. Judge says student’s online writing did not violate school’s honor code. eCN • September 2009 • www.eCampusNews..com, Law & Ethics, pg.34.

A University of Louisville nursing student expelled over blog posts about an assignment to follow a woman the day she gave birth has won the right to return to school from a federal judge. U.S. District Judge Charles Simpson ruled Aug. 3 that Nina Yoder, who was dismissed from school on March 2, can re-enroll because the school violated a contractual agreement with her in the dismissal.

Yoder was dismissed after the university ran across her blog on a MySpace page. The blog covered a variety of topics, including religion, sex, guns, and politics. She mentioned the university several times but revealed no patient names in postings. In dismissing Yoder, the university said in a letter that she violated the school’s honor code and confidentiality agreement by posting blog items concerning patient activities and naming the university on her MySpace page. The judge sidestepped the constitutional and free-speech questions raised in the lawsuit. Instead, he focused on how the honor code and confidentiality agreement that students must sign are written and explained.

“Upon review of the relevant texts, the court finds that the blog post does not violate either of these two agreements,” Simpson wrote in a 12-page decision.The blog post that resulted in Yoder’s dismissal involved an assignment to follow a pregnant woman through the birthing process. In the post, Yoder criticizes the woman she finds to follow, as well as pregnant women at the hospital in general. “I came to work, overwhelmed with emotions and new knowledge and experience,”

Yoder wrote. “I sat down, looked around and once again proved that women are FREAKING STUPID and don’t learn from their past mistakes. I said: ‘I want another baby!

David L. Hudson, Jr., a scholar at the First Amendment Center and an author of 20 books, said the University of Louisville case is the latest in a series of questionable decisions by higher-education officials when faced with students’ web-based writing. “The whole situation is emblematic of a growing trend of punishing people for their online expression,” said Hudson, who teaches courses at Vanderbilt University Law School and the Nashville School of Law.

“Many people act as if the internet is a legal-free zone, and it is anything but.” Hudson said he did not expect Simpson’s decision to affect future cases that pit student blogs against educational institutions. “This was a well-reasoned decision, though it did not reach larger constitutional free speech issues,” he said. “The judge pointed out that the school could apply its honor code more broadly if it changed the policy and provided fair notice.

Hmm..exactly the reason why we are embarking to champion this Digital Citizenship cause. What other justification do we need? Right.

hamid

An Interesting Digital Weekend

2009-09-07T10:36:00.006+08:00

I'm dead tired today. Didn't realized it until we finished the workshop and got home. Fell asleep on the couch until woken up to send Muiz back to boarding school at 4.00pm. Luckily today a holiday. We were working on the Digital Citizenship with a group of people. It was an interesting session, which all believed gonna get better. We do need more feedback from the youth group. The body of knowledge is growing. The more we look at it the more we realize how important it is to us in a plural society. The Capstone activity suggested and the use of real local scenarios tops it all. Thank you guys.

Customer Service

2009-08-04T17:22:00.003+08:00

Hi everyone, i'm going to share you some behind the scene Customer Service scene on this video clip...and see why most customer service sucks! Ha ha.

hamid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOeLc88Mpi4&feature=player_embedded

The Machine is US/ing US

2009-08-04T14:26:00.004+08:00

Hi world! this is great stuff. Remember the infamous "Did You Know" slides? I even adapted and used it to help conclude my presentation on "MOTIVATION" at my last semester subject on "Cognition and Learning" by Prof. Dr. Khadijah Rohani in Education Faculty, UM. But this "Machine is US/ing US" is cool. Very much relevant to the current project i'm working on.

Enjoy this!

hamid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLlGopyXT_g&feature=player_embedded

Creating Effective PowerPoint Presentations

2009-08-03T17:20:00.005+08:00

Here is another webcast on the use of Powerpoint for effective presentation.

rgds

abdul hamid

Content Creation for the Content Network

2009-08-02T21:35:00.006+08:00

Hi again...i guess that this webcast i'm sharing comes from Brainshark. This post is specifically meant for ICMS Project i.e instructors at Kolej Pembantu Perubatan Alor Setar (KPPAS), Kolej Jururawat Masyarakat Port Dickson (KJMPD) and people in Bahagian Pengurusan Latihan (BPL), Ministry of Health (MOH). I hoped that would give you some ideas and motivate you to upload your content on our LMS that would benefit your students.

Enjoy!

hamid

http://www.learningcontentnetwork.com/title.aspx?pid=900116804

Learning Operations on a Shrinking Budget - Expertus

2009-08-02T21:15:00.006+08:00

Hi I'm sharing some slides from Training Industry's Learning Content Network. This webcast are great for Training Managers in any organinzation. Enjoy!

hamid

http://www.learningcontentnetwork.com/title.aspx?pid=402388968

Making the Full Circle

2009-07-27T02:20:00.007+08:00

Back at the Conference, presentations were made and soon its time to say good bye. We exchanged business cards and i tried to collect information and brochures as many as i can. I have a 5.00pm flight to catch from Tampa International Airport to Newark International Airport in New York.

Since i came in from the West coast through Los Angeles to Pheonix to Tampa, my flight back through Newark to Stockholm to KL made it a full circle trip. This was my second round the globe trip.

But i have a few hours to kill. I checked out of the resort at 12.30pm and booked myself a cab. SandPearl Resort

and Spa on

Clearwater is approximately 30Km away from Tampa. The cab trip over Tampa Bay was beautiful. I got the driver to drive to the Shopping complex next to the Terminal for a short shopping.

I need to find Naim a Swatch watch and thought of purchasing the iPhone.

Founf the Apple Store but was not eligible to purchase as the sale comes with purchase of the telecommunication carrier service the AT&T. I need to have a permanent address in Tampa or at least stays for three month to be eligible. So there goes my iPhone, instead i bought latest iPod Nano for Azhim and some University of Florida's Alligator T-shirts.

The flight back was unevenful, i had to wait in the plane till it was dark enough for me to

'breakfast' again. Got into Newark around 8.30pm and aboard the NY-Stockholm flight at 10.30pm. I slept through till we landed in Stockholm the next day at 7.30am. before continuing again at 11.ooam to KL.

Aboard the MAS flight back i get to have Malaysian meal again. I can't wait to be back home!

hamid

Dawn at SandPearl Resort, Clearwater, TAMPA FL.

2009-07-27T01:19:00.006+08:00

Hello everyone, i know its been a while, but i'm determine to finish the unfinished story of my Tampa FL. trip.

Finally on the third day of my stay in SandPearl Resort and Spa had to come to and end. You know what i've been unable to get away from the conference to even walk the sandy beach of SandPearl Resort and Spa. So on my last day, i made a point to wake up early. After my Subuh prayer, i took my camera and walk to the beach.

In the early morning cool air, the resort staff already start working, a team of workers combed clean the beach using small tractors collecting washed up debris from last night tide.

It make patterns on the beach as well as making the sand soft to my bear feet. The sky and sea was blue, with flocks of pelicans and gulls flying low and diving for fish.

My footsteps made marks on the soft white sand, i'm alone and had the beach all to myself. I'm gonna miss this place

Here are some of the shots.

hamid

Real Manta at Kurishio Sea

2009-07-26T21:40:00.001+08:00

Lets look at the real Manta Rays....enjoy

Kuroshio Sea - 2nd largest aquarium tank in the world - (song is Please don't go by Barcelona) from Jon Rawlinson on Vimeo.

Training Outsourcing Conference 08

2009-04-18T08:50:00.004+08:00

I'm back, it's been a while since last i wrote. I'm continuing with the Training Outsourcing Conference 2008, that i attended in Clearwater, Tampa, FL. It was organised by Training Industry Inc. with the mission of creating a more efficient marketplace for learning. Their TrainingIndustry.com is the world’s leading portal for searching and accessing information about the training industry. So at this conference assembled a group like minded training idustry players from al over the world to exchange and sharing knowledge, learn about training outsourcing trends, new products and to network. A group of 100 people meeting in a beautiful place of SandPearl Hotel and Spa on Clearwater's long sandbar facing the Gulf of Mexico.

The conference, which focused on the processes and strategies needed to drive success in difficult economic times, has an excellent lineup of talented and experienced presenters.

The conference kicked off with a welcome remark by Training Industry Inc. CEO Doug Harward. This was followed by a keynote by famous photographer Steve Uzzell, one of the top advertising and corporate photographers in the country.

He presented Open Roads Open Minds: An Exploration of Creative Problem Solving. Using his striking photographs

as illustrations of his metaphor about possibility and creativity, Steve inspires audiences to take advantage of his experience and vision to make

any venture an adventure.

A totally new experience for me. I have never had someone presented a keynote just using beautiful photo slides without a word written and still

get away with the most memorable presentation. Do visit his website at http://www.steveuzzell.com/speaker.html

This was followed by Jim Brolley, Senior Director of Global Learning for Harley-Davidson, Inc., will present CLO Best Practices. He will discuss

the journey of Harley-Davidson, Inc. as well as how they have implemented an LMS. Mr. Brolley will also discuss how Harley-Davidson, Inc. is working

on sustainability of learning, their efforts to drive a leadership university and how they're going global with the dealer university. He will also talk about

some award-winning onboarding processes.

HELLO TAMPA BAY RAYS

2008-11-10T16:58:00.005+08:00

The flight on Southwestern was ok, when the leather chairs made you kept sliding down the seat. A full flight. Sat in between two burly American in work suits whom monopolized the armrests made me sitting straight with arms folded. Bad for the joints. For your information its Ramadhan, and mind you, i'm fasting...thus by passing the orange juice and hard fretzels. Luckily i only had to endured them half way untill touchdown in Phoenix. Arizona.

Quickly i move seats by the window. Its a free sitting from Pheonix to Tampa. Pheonix is like a 'wadi' in the middle of a huge desert. What a glorius view...of the tail end 'Grand Canyon'? I had a middle aged lady next to me...busy reading....everybody seems to be reading something. Phones were prohibited only on take-off and landing...other than that you are quite free to use. The window sitting gave the best view of things along the way to Tampa, FL.

The view over Tampa was glorious...modern city by the sea facing Gulf of Mexico....white sandy beach, lagoons and marina of Tampa Bay, home of the Tampa Bay Rays...Runner Up of the American Major League Baseball 2008 Championship. Even the Tampa International Airport was impressive.

Upon landing i have just half an hour before the Conference starts...hopped on to yellow cab and straight to the hotel. I walked in with my bags as they are having the tea break after the Opening Speech. I did not miss much. Registered myself at the counter and introduced my self to Erin. Phew! what a journey and i made it.
It feels like in the movie Around the World in 80 days!. Anyway i have a few days to immersed myself in the Conference and also to enjoy Tampa.

hamid

Journey into the Unkown

2008-11-10T15:42:00.002+08:00

Hi, i'm writing again...after a long break due to hectic schedule of work, work, work, aidil-fitri, open houses, assignments, training, assignments, meetings, kursus haji and minding 'the weekends 'asrama' kids' and the new addition to our pet "cat-family"!. A lot of new development since not to forget the near miss "puasa enam - syawal".

Back to the Tom Bradley Airport, "THE TERMINAL" like movie scene where i had to spend the night, due to 'someone' negligence. It 12.30pm that i managed to get online to contact people back at the office. On my YM, i saw a few images of office mates online...but none responded except for Azmi, our technical head..who was in a meeting. "Mi, get Nani online, need to tell her i'm stranded in LA Airport and its pass midnight after a long 16 hours flight.". I did shout at her in my messenger....though with out the voice! Tell that travel agent girl what happened!....Poor Nani....i'm shooting the messenger...am i? Missing the last flight out from LA to Atlanta is one thing, but having to drag your bag from Terminal 1 to Terminal 5 at midnight and later to find the ticket counter Southwestern Airlines closed in another.

A help from a janitor get me to buy via Southwestern Airlines 1-800 tol free number the first flight out tomorrow morning at 7.30am. Its my best option, direct flight from LA to Tampa, FL via Pheonix. It cost me USD399 (RM 1396.50) on my credit card. The lady on the other end of of the phone simply can't spell my name right, so i had to spell letter by letter as in A for America, B for Bahamas, D for Dallas, U for Utah and L for L which she got it on her own....for ABDUL...HAMID RAHMAN. The same thing for credit card billing address 55 JLN 2/6 Tmn Setapak Indah, Kuala Lumpur....It's hell!

But her patience was admirable. She then said, Congratulations Sir! your card was accepted and told me to write down the Booking Number so i can present it ct the check-in counter tomorrow morning. She mentioned me to be at the check-in counter by 6.30am. A sigh of relief and suddenly i felt dead tired. Thanking her i wandered off. Found a spot and then decided to go to the men's washroom. Pushed in the trolley into the handicapped toilet, and eased my self. Had a quick warm shower that was refreshing....before finding a spot to rest.

Could'nt sleep, i was at the check-in counter at 4.00am...to my surprise already a que is building up. Counter opened at 4.30am...self checked-in using the 'Booking number' was a breeze. At 6.30am i'm already checked-in for Tampa. Its Tuesday morning 16th September 2008. The opening day of the Conference with Welcome cocktail at 5.00pm. Its a 3 hour flight still....Can i make it on time?

hamid

NIGHTMARE at THE TERMINAL

2008-10-04T10:48:00.010+08:00

15th September 2008, 10.30p.m. Tom Bradley International Airport, Los Angeles is where it begins. It was when my short joy of puasa on a long haul flight HKG -LAX ended and my nightmare started. According to my itinerary as set and confirmed by MAS KLIA Airport staff i have ample one a half hour before my connecting flight to Atlanta and Tampa on Delta Air.

Upon checking in i was told by the Delta Air people at terminal 3 that their last flight out was BLOODY FULL! I was aghast and shocked definitely felt my heart skip a beat! How's that happened? The lady calmly said that my agent did not reconfirm my ticket booking as i had missed my flight the day before (which was due to disruption by typhoon Sinluka in Taipei).

What shall i do next? Is there any other flight out? NONE she said, till tomorrow (16th Sept. Wednesday) at noon, and if i'm interested she can booked me on immediately, but i have to pay extra. Why? i can't get the same price as the one booked by an agent...i have to pay an extra of USD600. Damn! my agent and damn! MAS KLIA people i said to myslef!.

My next question was is there an earlier direct flight to Tampa from LAX? She said YES but on Southwest Airline at Terminal 5 that leaves tomorrow morning at 7.30am. I asked for Southwest contact number and she quitely gave me their 1-300 tol free number. Thanking her i made my way out of the arrival hall towards Terminal 5. With some help i got on to the terminal bus towards Terminal 5, its the bus last round trip for the night. By then its already 11.30pm.

Upon arrival i rushed in to get to the ticketing counter but was stopped by a guard informing its already closed! I can't contact my office as my phone already dead out of power. I thought i use the number to call the tol free number. It really is free and to my relieved get to talk to someone from Southwest Airline for tomorrows ticket booking. I have to use my credit card to pay USD393 for the ticket, which i had to spell out every alphabets out for her to get my name, billing address right. Upon acceptance she gave me a ticket confirmation number write down and advised me to be at the ticket counter latest by 6.00am tomorrow.

Thanking her i have 6 hours to kill. Half the mission accomplished now i had to find a place to spend the night, get connected and inform home base, PSSB Cyberjaya. Found a quite spot in the arrival hall of Terminal 5 with two other people sleeping (perhaps waiting for their next flight out) and tried to access the net.
Suddenly i felt like a cast with Tom Hanks stranded at an airport in THE TERMINAL, minus the leading lady Catherine Zeta Jones!. ...(look out at the poster guys!)

My Mac detected a signal but u need to subscribe T.Mobile service...luckily they have a day subcription of USD 9.90...again my credit card to the rescue. Seconds later i'm connected and on goes my messenger YM to find out who in office back home is online....

I need someone to shout at!

hamid

JOY OF SHORT PUASA ON A LONG HAUL CX880

2008-09-22T16:20:00.016+08:00

Its 2.00pm Monday afternoon 15th September '08 and the typhoon is brewing in the air at KLIA Departure Terminal. I confronted a MAS officer on my flight MH094 with my boarding pass and printed travel itinerary. They now looked bewildered and loss for words. After some serious arguing with MAS Airport people on my being left behind MAS Flight 094 rescheduled 12.30pm flight to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) via Taipei on the 15th September 2008. I stood my ground and they could not find answers to my having a boarding pass, thus my name on their system and was not contacted and accounted for.

A few officers later, they agreed to put me the next available 6.40pm flight MH074 to Hong Kong and drew me a skimpy itinerary on computer print out. I was put on a connecting flight Cathay Pacific CX880 from Hong Kong - LAX. I thought i was on may way and the worst was over. The flight KL - HKG was uneventful except the ever curious Hong Kong girl next to me and for the kind attention of MAS stewardeses when knowing that you are going a long haul trip on Cathay and fasting. I was given extra 'kurma' and 'bekal' from MAS for my Cathay trip. I does help to pacify a bit the the typhoon category4 to categrory 1 in me. Hey! MAS your international flight crew saved the day for your airport ground staff blunder!.

CX 880 was a 12 hour flight mostly through the night, thus enable me to eat and refereshed during this Ramadhan trip. I had the shortest 'puasa' aboard the flight when 'fajr' or sunrise was around the International Date Line over the Pacific and 5 hours later began landing in LA at around 9.30pm local time Monday 15th. thus my shortest puasa 'breakfast' or berbuka.

The joy of flying ended immediately upon landing and face the American Immigration, where your photo and finger print taken and everything else goes through the scanners - bags, laptops, handphones, shoes, and belts . It gave you the impression of the high 'sense of insecurity' that thay havein the US.....that triggered my next Nightmare!

hamid
alor setar

AMAZING MH094, GATE C36 AND SINLUKA

2008-09-22T14:22:00.013+08:00

September 14th 2008 was a rare day that's going to be etched for good in my memory. Its the day that i was supposed to travel to attend a conference entitled "Innovations in Managed Learning Services 2008" in Clearwater, Tampa Florida, US. The trip was to take me to Los Angeles via Taipei was in the end cancelled because Taiwan is being strucked by thypoon "Sinluka" that forces the closure off all outbound and inbound flights. So there goes my trip.

The beautiful thing about this was that i was given a boarding pass in KLCAT check in counter and set me boarding ERL to KLIA at noon that Sunday. Upon reaching KLIA and passed through the Immigration i headed straight to gate C36 to board. Amazingly no one was around and it was dark. Walking back bewildered i saw a news announcement on TV saying all flights through Taipei has been cancelled and to be rescheduled. I don't know where the other passengers went? A check at flight schedule indicated that it was rescheduled at 3.00am tomorrow. What? What do i do now? they put me in a hotel?

Upon checking at the transit counters it was mentioned that they would'nt know when it will be able to fly through Taipei, but was suggested to come back tomorrow at the same time. They mentioned the same goes for Saturday's flights. Grumbling (@11#???) why wasn't i informed when i checked in? I was advised to get back my luggage back from the Begage Reclaim and headed home while contemplating of getting another carrier that can bypass Taipei. As contacting our Travel Agent (SIME DARBY TRAVEL) was futile on Sundays, another amazing phenomenon (I have more on them next), i have no choice but go back home and wait till the next day assured that i'll be contacted. Sad that no one informed, nobody from our agent available to help, i made my way home...but happy that i have another day to spend with my wife on 'berbuka puasa'. I was worried that i cannot get my connecting flight in the US reconfirmed.

The next day, (Monday) i finally managed to talk to our Travel Agent after 9.00am, and was advised to go to the airpot. At around 11.30pm when i was about to leave for KLIA (which is 2 hours away), and again after the 2nd 'good bye' and 'safe trip' wishes by my wife, a call from our agent through Nani our company secretary informed me that the reschduled is departing at 12.30pm! which made it impossible for me to get on the flight. Too short a notice, i'm still at home. As fate wants it, flight MH094 departed with 265 people onboard without me. I could not 'figure out' why they (MAS) did not see my name on their systems (my boarding pass is the evidence) and could not contact me much earlier (confirmed by my agent - no record of being contacted by MAS on their system) when they say they have contacted all, AMAZING!

Arriving at KLIA later started another drama, the real Typhoon!

rgds

hamid

Alor Setar

Of OREOs and KURMA in BPL

2008-09-11T09:18:00.002+08:00

Hi, its about time for a new input. Today is the second day of Bahagian Pengurusan Latihan (BPL) Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia training. We had a full attendance yesterday, even though later it develops into an 'OREO' biscuits scenario..(kejap ada, kejap tak ada), which is expected of in BPL. Being the center for all KKM's training planning activities, and understaffed, its understandable to have officers being multitasking and attending multiple meetings in a day, even in between their own professional development training.

It's a compact 3 day version of ICMS Adoption Phase 1 training that was given to the colleges. We started off with Let's Change and e - Learning Theories...How i wished all the relevant people to be around as this slot really drives the principle, reasons, justifications and the theoretical framework of ICMS initiative that would evolved BPL into the e-Learning world.

We are having the training in a big meeting room thus the atmosphere is a bit more relaxed as compared in PD or Alor Setar. Everyone loved the Vista and Meta-search engine sessions. Dr Tunku of UIA research team joined in mid way to observed. Other than managed to discuss job issues, she managed to observe the on-goings and learn a few new tricks. 2nd day started off with GO BLOG session by Azleen. It got the day to a flying start and hoped the high spirit to fly the entire day, knowing that we are training in Ramadhan.

We have another stressful Phase 2 before Raya time. As my boss Dr. Abu used to say, we may look as serene as a 'White Swan' on water, but the webbed feet is paddling 'like mad' underwater. While training in BPL, we are developing and putting the final touches to Phase 2 module ('THE' icms engine)

To my team ...my gratitude! Stay as cool and sweet as Ramadhan's KURMA.

abdul hamid

BPL

11 September 08

Bubbles of Euphoria in Port Dickson

2008-08-28T10:45:00.000+08:00

I thought July was busy but so too is August. Why? everyone is rushing to beat 'the traffic light' i.e the beginning of Ramadhan, thus the need to get most of the ICMS Adoption Training (Phase 1) done in Kolej Jururawat Masyarakat Port Dickson (KJMPD). Again I thought Alor Setar's training was fun, but it turned out 'extraordinary' in Port Dickson. We were worried sick how are we going to manage PD, and that, made us planned the training flow more relaxed, segmented and simplified.

The enthusiasm of PD's people 'shoots out of the ceiling', and they are 'as eager as a beaver'. Everyone is excited to be on the training and do not want miss anything. We got to know someone had to miss it anyway due to work commitment...and Suhaimi 'being suhaimi' obliged to replace the classes if there are takers!

Everyone now knew where they stood, in terms of their 3 TPCK (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge) bubble sizes. Most have a big Content Knowledge bubble, smaller Pedagogical bubble and tiny Technological bubble that never did intersect each other much. We kept our fingers crossed, that these bubbles of knowledge will slowly grew and merged, thus making some 'sense' to them when integrating technology into their teaching.

We are on a mission to change, get them be creative and later ready for ICMS adoption.

The Euphoria of Bubbles of knowledge in PD is just amazing!...and we trainers are bubbling on the lips just to manage this "eager adults" and we have a few more days to go.

abdul hamid

kjmpd

thursday 28th August 08

CRAZY JULY - MONTH of THE TALENTED 'SNAPPERS"

2008-08-07T00:24:00.001+08:00

Hi, it has been a busy July. Class on Fridays and Saturdays (not to mention assignments) and weekdays full of meetings and module development and business intelligence work. This is made worst by having your first family nephew getting married and being the 'favourite' uncle, in a NO WAY of 'not being there' situation. 'Being there' means being the 'saksi' on the "Akad Nikah" ceremony on the 17th, the "Bersanding" on 27th and "menyambut menantu" on the 2nd of August. Partly it's a learning experience and the opportunity to meet everyone (well almost) in the family from Johor and Terengganu side. 3rd week into the semester, i've already missed a class....hmm. Two more events looms in the horizon that gonna make me miss class again.

July closed with a great event for Prestariang when we managed to pull off a great stunt of staging "Snap-A-Job 2008" Carreer Day for 3P program, which made our boss 'Doc' smiles from ear to ear. Congratulations to Azleen the 'Taiko' and the 'Ah Moys", 3Ps and the rest of the clan. Great coverage on PSSB, even when one can see some journalists already being 'hooked' and overwhelmed by Microsoft presence thus making them unable to differentiate between who is the lead actor of 3P and who plays supporting role. But its nothing unusual about that, when comes to picking glory...a pity...As Jimmy famous tagline puts it...'muntah darah'!. But we know where the 'brains' are, the 'script writers', the 'directors' and 'producers'...its with US!

You know what? the event really provide an opportunity for us to observe some real hidden talent our people have. Among the glaringly talented were the MCs in the making through Izzat and Adura (though i kept worrying she might blurt out her 'kelantanese' accent over her cool 'controlled' sultry voice). The 'busy bee' Aini, bustling through the floor to fix 'everything'. The 'skilled' videographer, capturing everything in High Definition. 'Ms Quickfix' who tirelessly try to fix all chain of events but this time fail to rid of unwanted guest from VIP room. Ms Mee Mee who sweetly man the mother booth but can be 'brutal' at times to students coming for stamping of forms. The 'back up MC cum 'doa reciter' cum 'dorm warden' for guest students. The elegant 'Usherers and usheretes' doing 'uncontrolled ushering'. 3Ps whom manage the 'employers' well. We also have our very own 'Nabil' of 'Lu pikir la sendiri' who manages the career talk and lucky draws, that sometimes makes you laugh but most of the time made you mad. All these talents save us from hiring Doc, thus save us the precious dollars! Perhaps if we need 'pesilat pulut' we have one in Razak, complete with 'blangkon' the javanese traditional head cap he bought in Bali. Even our shadowy technical team, and trainees did well when most did not have enough sleep. I enjoyed myself greatly mingling with the VIP guests to the extent of noticing them admiring our 'black low buttoned' event shirt!

One good thing though..the event have brought us ever closer together. Bravo PSSB!

hamid

REGISTRATION DAY in KJMPD

2008-07-06T21:47:00.002+08:00

It's been a while since i wrote last. Our ICMS project team members split into two groups, with one headed North to Kolej Pembantu Perubatan Alor Setar (KPPAS) and another down South to Kolej Jururawat Masyarakat Port Dickson (KJMPD) for the students REGISTRATION DAY!

SAM our Project Director lead the Northern team with Suhaimi, Jazz and Yusri, while RAZAK, our ICMS Project Manager 'shuttled' thru space to lead the South bound team to PD in his RM8 roundtrip NGV driven 'SOYUZ''. Aini, Azleen, Syikin and 'yours truly' struggled to keep up with his 6.30am launching time on July 1st 2008 into orbit to PD (he even beat the earliest local staff to be at the gate of KJMPD at 7.45am by 15 minutes flat!)

It was an exciting day when you get to see 180 new students from different parts of the country. They came in cars full of family members. For once i saw excitement in KJMPD. Crowds with 'high hopes' on their faces. It was the first time i got to see the college security guard had their hands full, managing the traffic, giving directions and managing queries. We managed to get our car parked inside the college compound when others had to park outside, thanks to Syikin's 'WINK' n 'SMILE' tactic to which the guard quickly showed us in, to the envy of crowd! (now we knew..).

Back to business, our mission was to observe and record of the on-goings in terms of the processes each new students went through to register themselves. Syikin even ROLE-PLAYED as a new student on the registration day. This is to help us better understand the task that each college staff involved and to identify what their roles were. We need this details in order to 'map' with the features of CMS that will serve their needs, roles and task in the future so as to eliminate redundant processes, tedious paper work and time consuming activities of registration. I hoped that this will help my team better developed the 'training materials' on CMS adoption to suite their tasks and roles to become a real customized "Task-based CMS Adoption Training" modules, of which is the essence of Prestariang's training principles.

We talked, walked, asked questions and socialized with parents, new students, KJMPD's principal and staffs and of course seniors. Seniors played an important role in welcoming, assisting, ushering and making freshies 'feel at home'. The college took the opportunity to put up some 'meaningfull exhibition' to inform parents and visitors of their activities and roles. Here i met an ex-Paloh Hinai girl (a school along Sg.Pahang up river in Pekan, where i used to serve back in the late 70's). I caught the "Pekan Accent' loud and clear just to find out that she is Pi Hussein's (my former colleague) kin. What a small world.

What a glorious day and experience. We also got to meet our 'KJMPD models" whom had adorn our ICMS Portal. (how delighted they were to find out that they were online for the world since last three months without knowing). My thanks to everyone...we stayed till 4.30pm before returning to Cyberjaya.

We have a lot to do judging from the 'vanilla'.

hamid

cyberjaya

CLOSE ENCOUNTER

2008-06-23T21:05:00.000+08:00

We've reached the end of the journey of the ICMS Adoption Training (Phase 1). The last session was on the "World of Ethics and eMail" with respect to the use of online resources for educational purposes and also the proper way of doing citations. We've used American Psychological Associations (APA style) as the standard. In fact all training modules was designed to map against ISTE NETS (International Society of Educational Technology's National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers) which will be elaborated on in Phase 2 of the adoption training.

The whole 5 day sessions, starting from Induction to Basic ICT and Change Management; the objective, the flow of training, reasons for the need to change and what KPPAS are in for in this ICMS venture was revisited. Followed by Concepts of eLearning; Relationships of eLearning and ICMS; Theory of eLearning; "What they've got themselves into" and the need for change. I've highlighted that 'they are the CHOSEN ONE' (among all MOH nursing colleges), they are the 1st to be exposed and trained on this in the whole country, that they being honored to lead and venture on to the eLearning territory. The 'early adopter' among the 'mainstream majority'. The checbric mechanism instituted did its job of reminding these adult learners of the knowledge and skills that they acquiring.

The feedback form (the off form) indicated they've learned a lot. Some admitted that the training surpasses their initial impression and expectation (that they won't be getting much). Some says the 'eLearning Theory' session opened their eyes, some liked the 'What's in the Hat' session as it helped initiated their creative juice to flow. The rest liked 'Intro to Vista - (thus felt more comfortable with their new laptops), 'Interactive Teaching Aid' using spreadsheet and 'Snag the Grabber' and most of all the 'GO BLOG'!. Suhaimi was kind enough to share extras on pdf-ing skill.

I can't imagine how they are going to be if they were to do Authoring...in Phase 2. As usual all good things must come to an end....I shared my 'Did You Know" - KPPAS version with loud and sweet Yanni's instrumental on Yusri's borrowed Altec Lansing speakers and woofer, as an 'icing on the cake' on this CLOSE ENCOUNTER (closing end).

We had a small but memorable ceremony of 'prize giving' of an unannounced competition for the attendees in form of Best Blog and Best Presentation category. MohdTuah.blogspot.com by Mr Mohd Tuah won the best blog, followed by RoszanSapon's by Mr Roszan and Tok Kau by Mr Zaidi. Best Presentation went to Ms Norul Hernani of the HELMINTS (the cacings), followed by Mr Jamarudi's "Abdominal Inspection" and Mr Norizam's "Apsepsis Hand Cleaning Procedure" was third. I wished i could get to see all but time was limited.

Everyone who attended were given a Certificate of Attendance and group photo (which arrived from HQ just in time - TQ the amoys) by Mr Yu the Acting Director of KPPAS. They are looking forward to the next Phase 2 session. You know what?, i've met and made friends with all them in just short 5 days....i think we are of the same wavelength. I revisted my Science knowledge learned and taught years ago in the 70's and 80's. Again i'm proud of the team and things made easier by one reliable guy in Alor Setar by the name of Yusri.

Well we've done our part, and I think now its over to you SAM and RAZAK! ;)

hamid

DAY of MUSCLES, HEARTS and HELMINTHS

2008-06-22T14:52:00.000+08:00

Its P Day (Presentation Day) or rather D Day for ICMS Adoption Training. All attendees were excited and ready to show off their 'bright ideas' and new found 'skills'. We started with briefing of what we plan to do today i.e what we expect of them during presentation. This was followed with the issuance of the training feedback forms. For a while our Yusri was eager to get them to use our "Online Feedback Form' or passionately known as OFF. Unfortunately our 'OFF' application was 'off form', due to concurrent access by attendees thus slowed server response. As usual our plan B kicked into action with the distribution of analog version and that saved the day.

The presentation started with Mr Zaidi Ahmad who volunteered to present his Technology Integrated Lesson Plan (TILP) and Teaching Aids, bravo! Mr. Zaidi....that's the spirit. His presentation was on "A&P - Musculo-Skeletal Muscles".

Overall he showed that he understood our requirements in putting up with format but still need some thinking in the way he planned for his students participation. Good set induction video clip of Mr Universe. My comment was on his Teaching Aids slides where his 'navigational' buttons and links were everywhere! (bottom right; top left and in between - through out the slides). Again its well done considering its his first attempt. I appreciate his openness to comments and eagerness to learn. This benefitted the rest whom quickly rectified their presentations.

Next came Mr Jamarudi or 'Mr J' to me. His presentation was on "Physical Abdominal Inspection"which is a nursing skill through a live demo, with the help of some interesting 'video clip' as set induction. To me its a straight forward presentation but delivers a very 'classic' example in T&L that technology integration in minimal or come second in priority. My comment was 'NOTHING beats LIVE demo in classroom teaching". It is the "WHEN NOT" situation of technology integration. BUT live demo do come with its own shortcoming, that is when a student need the demonstration to be replayed or reenacted. Its like how can you replay a goal scoring action in a live football match that you missed? That's where the technology can help!

(Talking about football, forget EURO 2008, it was a HELL of havoc at the Macam-Macam Rasa Restaurant, in Alor Setar where we had dinner the night before. All eating stopped when KEDAH scored the third goal against Selangor at the Malaysian Football League Final 2008. "I was kind of hoping that the owner would announce that all food is on the house!". Hard luck Hamid! Again, technology helped at replaying the live action of scoring again and again from all angles to the joy of Kedahans.)

Back to P-Day....Presentations by Mr Razak, En Mat, Ms Yon or Norul and Mr Norizam, confirmed our observation that we did managed to deliver across the message about the need for Change in their way of T&L in KPPAS. Ms Norul made an astounding presentation entitled HELMINTS or commonly known 'parasitic worms' and successfully made everyone loose their appetite during the Lunch break. She even showed her pre and post training comparisons on quality of her teaching aids to the amazement of everyone. I'm impressed too! What a huge CHANGE for the better!

Overall it was a very GOOD day of training and making it worth all the efforts we put in. Well done team!

hamid

ELECTRONIC GRADING - CGPA

2008-06-21T10:05:00.000+08:00

How time flies...and today its Saturday, the fourth day of the training. We are almost at the end of Phase 1 ICMS Adoption Training at Kolej Pembantu Perubatan Alor Setar (KPPAS). (BTW Saturday is a holiday in Kedah..so do Friday....just to show our bosses that we are working on weekends, ;)

We are on "Electronic Grading"....continuation of yesterday's skill set of using FORMULAS in spreadsheet (yeah, yeah, i know, by right it should be FORMULAE in English - but again its Microsoft, what can u say..perhaps just another term?), for Interactive teaching aids to VLOOKUP skills for "Electronic Grading".

My "P.Ramlee sound-a-like" Suhaimi of yesterday has turned into "S. Kadarisman sound-a-like" today. His voice is back to normal but the class starts to act ABNORMALY. The spreadsheet session starts to become a bit messy as attendees are getting confused. Lots of new terms to familiarize with and the workings of spreadsheet that they need to understand in order to make the VLookup funtionality works. But patience prevails as our "S. Kadarisman" kept 'rewinding' the show to get everyone able to complete the process successfully. His star rating was affected though and made worse by some misprints on the module's checbric.

Again our ever able assistant Yusri and Ms Azleen came to the rescue with 'lightning speed' to reprint and replace the misprints with 'on the spot' editorial work and have the affected pages replaced...of course with the creative supervision of 'yours truly'.

Again great work guys.

hamid
saturday, alor setar

CREATIVITY vs INTERACTIVITY

2008-06-20T17:55:00.000+08:00

Creativity and Interactivity was the word of the day! Suhaimi who turned "P.Ramlee sound-a-like", the hero of Malay Film Production (MFP) of "P.Ramlee the Musical" WOWed the audience with his NEW 'husky' voice, singing tunes of instructions on how to use the spreadsheet to create in-ter-ac-tive teaching aids.

He joked, smiled, coaxed, charmed and cajoled the guys and the ladies to get them do the tasks he designed. One can see the raw enthusiasm that exuded from him while conducting training. It's difficult to say NO to his whims and fancies. It was NOT because he loves P. Ramlee so much, or him coming from Penang (Bukit Mertajam btw) like the great actor, but much due to his current health condition that add new flavor to his voice due to bad 'SORE THROAT'.

The 60% mic and PA systems on performance does not help either, and in fact forced him to exerts more on his wind pipe to maintain his P.Ramlee's huskiness.

Even the commanding Mdm Samsad felt weak and charmed by his sweet P. Ramlee's voice...and thus still endured 'HELL' to create 'Interactive Quiz of the Heart' using scripts and formulae on MS Exel 2007, EVEN when the exercise got NOTHING to do with her college Housekeeping job. Later she even helped served the finger licking good 'roti jala' with curry and 'kuah durian' special for "Suhaimi the P.Ramlee". Sore throat wasn't going to stop him enjoy two servings of "roti jala".

I salute this "P.Ramlee sound-a-like", and 'wannabe' for the commitment and dedication. Keep up the good work and stay healthy.

hamid
alor setar

Let's GO BLOG

2008-06-20T16:08:00.001+08:00

As expected GO BLOG session conducted by Ms Azleen brought out a lot of excitement from our attendees. Some who knew the meaning of 'goblok' in Malay or bahasa Jawa, smile sheepishly, while those who knew nothing, was bewildered at those who found it 'funny'!.

Apparently some attendees already has their own blog, and even we were informed that MOH has provided blogging facility on their site. Most of them looked lost, and when asked why?, most admitted that they did not know how...and jokingly mentioned they are and need GO BLOG!

The session started a euphoria of activity and joy, especially when seeing their postings went live! Everyone has all sorts of blog title and most were quite funny. The session was aimed at creating the 'culture' on posting ideas, reflections and content online. This is a major move on our side towards Change Management. It forces everyone to have an email to start with and later update their postings regularly. It also meant to get all attendees to have their own blog site.

They were also shown how blog can be used in their Teaching and Learning (T&L) especially for student going for Clinical practice, so that they can use it for refelctions of their experiences. I'm proud to say that the session was the best at the moment. Even the ever 'busy' Mr Tham was awed and came out with his "thamdrive" blogspot site.

One thing we ourselves learnt from this exercise was that when naming the blog site, it need to be likened to naming a 'book title', as some of them assumed it was just a 'topic'. For example Pn. Ani named hers as "Kucing Ku" and she assumed that it was for just one posting title, when she actually wanted to write and reflect more of her work as a librarian and hobbies.

At least we are one bit more wiser so as to use 'book title' analogy for future training.

Our two helpful assistants Jazz and Yus even took the liberty to learn to create, use and teach the others. A real hands on experience..

So keep up the excitement and lets continue TO BLOG.

hamid
alor setar

Digital Lesson Plan - DLP

2008-06-20T15:15:00.001+08:00

"IF YOU FAIL TO PLAN, YOU PLAN TO FAIL" was the session theme and tag line. Lesson planning is the crucial point towards an effective Teaching and Learning (T&L). Input from the "What's in the Hat" session yesterday, provides some view on the need for KPPAS instructors to be creative in the outlook in conducting classroom lessons. During which they successfully generated creative ideas of using common everyday items such as 'safety pin', 'paper clips', 'baby pacifier', 'nescafe sachet', 'comb', 'bath soap' etc. to initiate class teaching. Whoa! what a lively session!

The idea behind the introduction of Digital Lesson Plan was to introduce KPPAS staff to a common standards of writing lesson plan towards the preparation of migrating their teaching and learning content on to the LMS.

Digital Lesson Plan that we design was based on our successful past training experience and was endorsed by our former client, MOE. It consists of 18 subheadings that provide a complete coverage of teachers/instructors teaching planning activities.

It was also designed based on 5E principles of Constructivisim, which translate to Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate and Evaluate. KPPAS just need to adapt their current style of writing lesson plan and map it with this DLP format.

Attendees were also shown the APA style of citations. Some doubt and resistance is seen but it do provide them the opportunity and platform to consider integrating technology into their teaching plan.

The message is "Once you know how to integrate, you'll know how to integrate technology for the rest of your life".

Today they found that their current students are already on "YouTube". They know they need to catch up.

Still DLP is the key to the whole ICMS adoption effort.

All the best!

hamid
alor setar