The history of technology in education

Hi there, its time to write again. This time around i am sharing an animated video on The History of Technology in Education!, my favorite subject and research focus. Nicely composed and delivers the main milestones in the field of Technology in Education. But the main BIG question remains, does this help make our young ones a SMARTER students or learners? Of which i have some doubts...as the word goes Technology is ONLY a means...

Don't pay any attention to the closing BRAND displayed though! Enjoy.

hamid

Master The Art of Giving

Hi, this time i am sharing a wonderful article by Tess Marshall from The Bold Life  as a follow up of my recent post. Enjoy...Perhaps we can learn from this and act accordingly to master the art of giving!

THIS IS A GUEST ARTICLE BY TESS MARSHALLL FROMTHE BOLD LIFE

>“Give others all that is alive in us—our interest, understanding, our knowledge, our humor, everything in us that’s good. In doing so, we enhance the sense of aliveness in others while enhancing our own. When we give, we get a “heightened vitality” of what it means to be human.” –Erich Fromm

With our changing economic times, everyone is asking for help in some form. There are as many reasons to give as there are ways to give.

Some people give for recognition. They want their names in programs, on park benches and in hospital lobbies. Others give expecting to be paid back or thanked, they give to get. Some people want a hands-on-experience and are generous with their time. Some like to give anonymously and don’t want any recognition at all.

People who truly master the art of giving give out of the goodness of their hearts with no self-serving motives. Giving becomes a blessing for the giver and receiver.

It’s human nature to believe, “When I have more I’ll give more.” If you come from this mentality you never have enough of anything to give.

Generosity is a choice that feels right and joyful. Generosity comes from believing you have enough to share.

The following are gifts we all have that can benefit others.

1. Give of Your Talents

Give someone an hour of coaching, a signed copy of your book or a golf lesson. Can you offer child care? Or do you have plumbing, painting, or landscaping skills?

Give things. Clean your home and clear out your closet of unwanted things. Give what you don’t use or need to charity. Your junk is someone else’s treasure.

2. Give blood.

Save a life. I’ve done this on several occasions; it’s a great feeling to know you are helping to save someone’s life.

3. Give of yourself.

Make someone feel loved, special and appreciated with a visit, phone call, email, text or card. Give a hand made gift. Give praise, gratitude and appreciation. This creates heart-to-heart connections.

4. Give someone a lift.

When you encounter a quotation or a good news story, pass it on with a personal “thinking of you” note. This is spirit-lifting. It can make someone’s day. Today hand written notes and cards are rare gifts.

5. Give a recommendation.

Enrich someone’s life by sharing the discovery of a great blog, book, restaurant, product or service. The message you give is “This was a great find for me and I want to share it with you.”

6. Give the gift of laughter.

Laughter brings health and happiness to others. It offers physiological, psychological and spiritual benefits. Laugh loud and laugh often with everyone.

7. Give an invitation.

Being invited to any kind of event means people want to be with you. When you invite someone into your life you are saying, “I want to spend time with you, you are important to me.

8. Give affection.

Appropriately offer a hug, a kiss on the cheek, a pat on the back, a touch on an arm or a tender look. We never lose the need for affection and acceptance. Touching heals emotional wounds.

9. Give good advice.

Ask the question, “Do you want advice or to you want me to listen.” If needed and wanted advice can be life-saving. Shared insights and wisdom is a precious gift.

10. Give encouragement.

When people are filled with doubt and fear they lack courage. When you inspire and motivate someone to act on their dreams, it can be life changing. You are making the world a better place.

11. Give without keeping score.

Real giving is expecting nothing in return. Give when you have the opportunity not because you received something and want to return the favor. Never hesitate to give because you gave last.

12. Give forgiveness.

Forgiveness offers healing to family, friends, coworkers and neighbors. Forgive yourself and others in spite of memories of unlovable times. Drop the story of what they did and what you did and the meaning you have given it.

13. Give money.

Giving stuff is easy. We usually don’t need or want it… But almost everyone likes to hang on to their money. Giving away money is more difficult because it means less for you. Give money because others need it. Give money because we’re dependent on one another.

14. Give An Act Of Kindness.

Kindness is the easiest and most abundant gift we have to give away. Buy Girl Scout cookies, always open the door for the person behind you, return your grocery cart, make cookies for your neighbor. The list is endless. Kindness brings joy to the giver, receiver and anyone witnessing the act!

15. Give love.

It’s easy to love those who love us back. Challenge yourself to give love to those who deserve it the least. Make your love unconditional. Make the world a more loving place. Everyone will reap the benefits!

Tess Marshall is the mover and shaker, at www.TheBoldLife.com, where she’ll hold you accountable for being the boldest you’ve ever been in every area of your life! What would you do if you were 10 times bolder? You can sign up for her RSS feed and receive her updates or follow her on Twitter

The Art of Giving

Hi again...last August 2nd was a significant day in my life and career. This the day that i personally experienced the joy of sharing and giving. More so when its done during the month of Ramadhan 1431M. This year the company's management decided to distribute the zakat to deserving asnafs ourselves.

With the courtesy and kind heart of Hj Abdul Aziz and wife, we've managed to identify the right and deserving recipients in parts of Terengganu. First of all the orphaned brother and sister siblings that were left all alone at a young age without any known close family member, to face the world in Jertih. The kind hearted old single mother neighbor who took them in without any hesitation was overwhelming and humbling.

The joy it brings with such a small help from us to ease their day to day burden seems hugely meaningful and is god send to them. It is an indescribable feeling to be able to share small amount of what we have with the needy in Ramadhan.

Later in Kuala Terengganu, sharing some meaningful moments with a handful of professionals that have taken up and embraced the "Art of Giving" to the limit, in helping making SRI Al Amin KT a reality, through cooperation, sharing of ideas, time, kindness, forgiveness, love, talents, money, effort, and aspirations. Even when we @ Prestariang contributed some cash, it seems so little as compared to what they already did and planned to do at SRI AL AMIN, KT. that will benefit the community and younger generation with education and knowledge.

People gathers early to the Majlis Iftar Jamae'i 2012 SRI AL AMIN, KT. The whole school, principal, staff and community were there to participate and share the occasion, be it simple but meaningful. Meeting friends from university days and teaching days in MPI was a pleasant surprise and was an icing on the cake. May Allah bless them all.

The thought lingers all throughout my flight back to KL that night. What an experience and we must do more to embraceThe Art of Giving!

Its DURIAN time - Putting Zimmerman to shame

Hi All, its that DURIAN time @ Prestariang again. Its our 8th Annual Durian Feast for partners and clients. You can only have this when DURIAN is in season. This time around there 2200 kilos of the 'King of Fruits", 200 more than last year.
Indicating our Durian Feast has become a tradition in its own right and hugely popular among partners and clients!


This time around we have people of numerous nationalities at out feast, namely Korea, Singapore, Australia and Egypt to name a few, and of course our local Malaysians. All at a different level of 'engagement' with the King of Fruits.

To some 'durian virgins', an experience to smell it, some its the first time to hold in their hands the hard prickly thorns of durian, for some its time to sample the different varieties but the rest its time to savour the great taste and gobble it down.

Malaysians have this to say to our foreign partners, "if you have not tasted it you can't be successful doing business in Malaysia but If you liked it you are accepted and one of us."

As a King (of Fruits) they'll always be a few who dislikes as compared the popular majority. Durian has put Andrew Zimmerman of Bizarre Foods to shame. He can take on 'rats' and 'Icelandic rotten sharks meat" but NOT Durian, ha ha, not bizarre enough!

As usual we have top best 18 varieties of Durian such as the expensive "Musang King" to "XO", to D24, to Udang Merah among others. Durian in Malaysia and the region has these binding effects and promote friendship.
We at Prestariang tried to get friends to a get-together through dinner, high tea, kenduri & tahlil without much success, but Durian Feast never fails to attract a huge crowd.

With a combination of Durian, fresh coconut water, lychee, mata kuching and dokong we have trails of people coming in - from CEOs, Chairmans, Board Members, VCs, Government officers, MNC Partners, Vendors, Suppliers and friends from 3.30pm till 7.30pm.

Everyone enjoying the casual air of friendly get together and catching up with friends and buddies. Thats Durian the great equaliser! Look at them..


"To find the aroma of durian offensive, is a sure sign of ones inner toxicity" - Mango the Fruitarian
Thanks Doc, looking forward for another great feast next year.


Hamid

Looking for Anne

Hi it's time to write again. I rarely write about a movie, or rather hardly or never did. But last Saturday I stumbled upon one on Sundance a movie called "Looking for Anne" mid way through. Checked on its summary and decided to sit through till the end. We both (my wife and I)ended teary eyed...which is rare. As the movie was already half way through, so I was trying to know and do some background checking on the story. Things like where is this PEI (Prince Edward Island), who wrote the book "Anne of Green Gables", and Rose of Peace etc.

I initially thought it was somewhere near Vancouver but later to find out its near New Foundland. The scenery was beautifully set, the light house and farmhouses, but best of all is the story. A story of a young Japanese girl Anri who just lost her grandmother before their planned trip to PEI to find a Canadian WW2 POW veteran of Japanese camp. She sets out to find her grandmothers 'first love' bound by the book Anne of Green Gables and the Rose of Peace given to her grandmother at the end of the war by Gilbert.

The whirlwind search ended when the whole island helped to find the missing soldier by playing Anri's parting farewell speech on the local radio. Only to find later that Gilbert the war veteran had died near the Light house with a roses blooming on his grave. A rose hybrid he created and named "Beautiful Shizuka", Anri's grandmothers name. She found him at last.

You simply got to see this, I can't describe it better. After some searches the film had won the best film at Singapore film festival too. A great humanity stuff, of which Sundance is famous for...bravo Testimonials

Fast Facts About Looking For Anne


Starring: Honoka, Daniel Pilon, Rosanna, Kazuko Yoshiyuki, Johnny Sa, Mahiru Konno, Ai Takabe Screenplay By: Kikyo Gonpin Directed By: Takako Miyahira Produced By: Yuri Yoshimura-Gagnon, Samuel Gagnon Language: 60 percent English, 40 percent Japanese with subtitles Film Funded By: The Canadian federal government, Quebec and P.E.I.'s provincial governments and Japanese sponsors

"It's a beautifully small film that teeters perfectly on the right side of the line between emotionally true and mushy." ~~ Hour.ca

Hamid

Certiport APAC 2012 - A Learning Experience

Hello again...

A Hanuman welcome

I am penning down what is was supposed to do two months ago. Alas, what the heck...better late than never kind of thingy. The trip to Certiport APAC - Partners Meeting 2012 in Bangkok started with a half hearted effort. The reception from the CEO was lukewarm but later agreed that me (alone) need to be there, when i was pitching that Sales rep. should be there too. In the past partners meeting is where partners meet, get updated on latest info and product, recognized and awarded. APAC has been one of the biggest contributing region for Certiport business. APAC partners are important group. Me being there representing my company, but at a different level in terms of partnership with Certiport. We are there as Product Development partner first and reseller of Certiport product second. So the expectation of treatment from Certiport is a little bit different, we are more than mere making numbers as others do.

Certiport's Update

The partners meeting started with updates from Certiport's CEO and the rest of the management team. Followed by partners by country. Everyone updated on success stories, new deals and future plans. We also talked about expectations, support and ideas how to make things better. My presentation on Prestariang's IC CITIZEN Certification was on the second day in the afternoon. Ray miss big part of it as he joined my session almost to the end. I was urging partners to try out IC CITIZEN...most are quite sceptical...but i think its their lost opportunity. There were also some new on-boarding partners from Korea and Indonesia.

4th GDLC - APAC

Being appointed to the Global Digital Literacy Council (GDLC) is an eye opener. The Global Digital Literacy Council (www.gdlcouncil.org) serves as the preeminent advisory body and as an authoritative voice on issues driving the development and implementation of global digital literacy standards and systems. The GDLC is a leadership and advocacy organization. Council members convene and collaborate online at a community site to review and ratify digital literacy standards, define best practices and develop programs and position papers on global digital literacy.  

The Wat from Cho Phraya

Membership in the GDLC is by invitation only. The Council's community site is hosted by the ICT Literacy Forum (www.ictliteracy.info), and the Council is sponsored by Certiport, an advocate of global digital literacy and provider of the Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC3) program. Its a recognition to my work in development Digital Citizenship certification and their need to have certain ethical component included in their IC3 content.



Seriously, the biggest learning experience comes from a personal talk with our partner from Down Under...He really opens up a new twist to my insight of other partners reluctancies in adopting IC CITIZEN...its marketing....While we are expecting Certiport to handhold us, its us that it is expected of by other partners. It has become my mission to just that ...prepare all the marketing kits, and get Certiport to "impose".

Recent developement in MEA market wrt to IC CITIZEN is very encouraging....we had our first 300 orders from Kuwait....with more coming soon from Turkey and the rest.
May the force be with us!


hamid

When Common Sense is not Common

Off white and pink roses

March 11, 2012 was a day "When Common Sense is not Common". A rare case for me, as its my first. My first to be the head of delegation on an 'engagement' mission for my nephew Abdullah Omar, eldest son of Hj Abdul Aziz and Hjh Nor Hamidah, my in-laws.

Its a delegation from Terengganu, in transit in KL en route to Cheng Baru, Melaka. Being the eldest...hmm no no...being the senior most uncle i was unanimously made the head of delegation. As you all know, an engagement delegation to Melaka - the home of 'dondang sayang' and 'pantun' is quite a daunting task. So came all the ideas, suggestions, recommendations of 'pantuns' through email, fb, sms and chat.

iPad - ing a pantun

I ended up with a compilation of pantuns. Even Azhim's majlis on February 7 2012 in Seremban was not as stressful. But then Hai or Hj Mohd Salleh was around to be the spoke person on that day.
Come March 11, 2012 most of our family members were there in Melaka. Stepping out of the car, we were welcomed by smiling faces with open arms, the new extended family to be.

True enough, Melaka is thick in 'adat' and ceremony, and the host had long 'khemah' in front of the house in 'kenduri' mode. Common sense is not common! as all action has to abide the 'adat' or local ceremony.

The celebrities

When all seated and making our selves confortable...but nothing happens. Later we got to know we had to wait for the host 'spoke person' to arrive. Apparently the 'Tok Ketua' of the Qariah will represent the host family in welcoming and all negotiation.

True enough the opening remarks starts with a 'pantun' out of his mouth effortlessly - indicating experience....but my iPad saved the day! All my compilation of pantuns came out smoothly to counter all of his...much to the awe of the crowd...pantuning via iPad...

How i love technology....

hamid

A Case of Arrogance

I know its been a while since i last wrote. Things has been happening at dizzying speed that i can't find time for this common sense site. January 28th. 2012 i was Abu Dhabi to conduct Training of Trainers on Cyber C3 Project. This is my second trip to UAE, the first was in October last year attending a workshop in Dubai.

The TOT started on the wrong footing. We were sending three people, wtih two on content mastery training while another on Technical side of the training support system. While the host thought they just have 4 people tobe trained and wondered why 3 people was needed to train 4. That is the standard package we offered for offsite training of trainers. Trainees could number up to 25 per class. In the end our host decided to add more attendees to 13 people.

Thinking Cyber C3 is easy, they reduced the training days from five to three, saying they just need the training on the systems and little on content. At the end third day they need to sit for an exam, passed and certified as Cyber C3 Certified Trainer. They managed to find a group of IT teachers to train.

 The results shows quite a pleasant passing rate with around 10% failure. The feedback was lack of exposure on content knowledge - which translated to the 'arrogance' of our host to have a full five days workshop.

Personal relation was good, but work ethics is a little let down in this well spoon fed, well oiled economy. Most valuable was the understanding of the way of doing things, role of Emirates as paymaster, their expectation as client, their need for perfection when its not really a business sensible, and their overzealous effort to satisfy every clients comments, that reflected back to us the IP owner and service provider.

Arrogance towards knowledge by committing to shorter training days that blurs their business tasks and judgement. The ignorance became apparent when they start asking and commenting of training courseware....Lesson learned: learn with open heart from whoever as long as its beneficial and minimise prejudgement.

Other than that, Abu Dhabi...is a beautiful city..

hamid

Blended Learning - What is..

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

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