One day, I was randomly browsing on YouTube. I came across KonMari method. I was fascinated by the tidiness of a house or room. Thus, I was looking for her books. However, mostly it was available in the Chinese language. I requested my sister in Singapore to find the book for me. How lucky am I! She had the book. in her bookshelf. She never had the chance to read finish. Viola! I borrowed from her and read it immediately.
After reading and applied KonMari method, my room was great. I didnt manage to take a before and after photo.
Below is the mind map of The Life-Changing of Tidying.
The life-changing magic of tidying: Marie Kondo
I strongly recommend you to read this book. Her example and tips in the book are very useful.
I do enjoy one quote from the Introduction of the book. The authors mentioned that
‘EVERY STUDENTS deserves the opportunity to develop their talents and life skills, which will provide the best opportunity for them to EXCEL in life.’ (Johnson & Sessions, 2015, p.1).
In reality, education values testing and making sure all students act and think alike. Reading and counting do matter a lot for students. However, character is just as important when it comes to being a productive citizen.
The summary of 20 ways to help students to EXCEL:
Image Credit: HR In Asia.com
1) Promote Leadership
There are 5 traits or talents that are considered as key components of leadership. These include intelligence, integrity, determination, self-confidence and sociability. Teacher need to identify one of the traits in each student. As that traits can be the starting pointing for the student. Teacher need to inform the job expectations for each group member before each project or activities. These will help the group member to develop their skills within the job expectations and become the leader in that task.
2) Allow competition
Personal competition allows students to compete with themselves and to reach personal goals. Renaissance Learning and the Accelerated Reading Program can help students to enhance reading skills. Students have a set of period time to reach their own goal while also being aware of others’ progress.
3) Help Boys Become Reader
Boys claim reading becomes less enjoyable as they become older. Thus, let boys choose their own reading material. Programming coding apps such as Hopscotch, Tynker or Code Academy are encouraged for boys. These apps help boys in problem solving and strategize. While, girls prefer to write their own creative narrative stories using apps such as Scribble Press, Write About This or Book Creator. Who know this can help them to become the next JK Rowling
Image Credit: jbs.cam.ac.uk
4) Inspire Creativity
Incorporate divergent thinking when appropriate. Divergent thinking considers how a learner can use different ways to approach a problem.
5) Encourage Meaningful Engagement
6) Help Students Find Their Voices
Give students a chance to do public speaking. It is a good activity to practice their speech, pronunciation, and body gesture.
Image Credit: Complex.com
7) Incorporate Edutainment and Pop culture
Edutainment is connecting the learning in the classroom to the real world in a fun and meaningful way. However, the content must be age-appropriate and fits within any regulations the school has developed.
8) Motivate toward Excellence
Challenge students so they feel a sense of accomplishment. Muscle can only grows when it works against resistance.
Image Credit: The Canadian Press.com
9) Hold Students Accountable and Responsible
10) Foster Perseverance and the Ability to Learn from Failure
11) Don’t Childproof Education
A student’s education is a team work between student, parent and teacher. All parties must do their parts and corporate with each other. Parents should not help their children to do their work. Teacher need to be a guidance and mentor, rather than let the chalk do the talking.
12) Instill Vigor
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13) Model Flexibility
Set guidelines for communicating with students, parents and other teachers. This will help them know when you will respond to them. They will feel validated and you will not be aspect to be available at every whim. Flexibility is what enables individuals to generate new ways to solve a problem, adapt to changes in routines and adjust to the unexpected.
14) Create Kids of Character
15) Integrate Technology
Image Credit: Linkedin.com
16) Promote Teamwork
Group work and teamwork are two different characteristics and goals. Team building us a skill for the future. Provide feedback and work on team-building skills to help students grow and improves as teammates.
17) Teach effective communication
18) Instruct the Individual
19) Authenticate the Relationships
Relationships are built on respect and communication. Teachers are powerful role models in regards to relationships
Image Credit: wwt.org.uk
20) Merge the Real World into the classroom
Finding meaningful ways to bring in professionals, guest speakers or incorporate careers into the academic content area. Encourage students to become the best “self” they can be regardless of their interests. Remember if all students are able to develop to their full potential, then they will be happier and more successful in the real world. It is never too early to build the foundation of skills needed for success and the pursuit of excellence.
Conclusion, the different teaching methods are stated in the books with great detail. Some of the methods are applicable in Malaysia education context. Hopefully, with all these methods, teachers and students can improve too.
References
Johnson, B., & Sessions, J. (2015). What schools don’t teach: 20 ways to help students excel in school and life. New York: Routledge.
Alibaba’s World: How a Remarkable Chinese Company is Changing the Face of Global Business by Porter Erisman.
I first get to know Alibaba.com when I was studying first year in university. I didn’t really understand what is the website about. I was more interested in Taobao.com. Taobao literally mean treasure hunt in Chinese. I enjoy window shopping at taobao.com. The product listing are so mesmerizing. The recent 11 November sale get the world excited. I joined the sale craze too. The currency conversation rate is small. Shipping fee from 65Daigou is almost free. How can I resist the temptation not to buy?
The recent 11 November Taobao craze make me wonder on the man behind this great website, Mr. Jack Ma. Thus, I borrow this book from the library for leisure reading. Leisure reading became obsessive reader. I spent one night to complete this book. The librarian was quite shock with my reading speed. I too get confused with my reading speed. I just couldn’t stop reading as the story is full of exciting challenges. Porter Erisman clearly written the book with just joyous and simple word. Although I am an MBA graduate, this book is so easy to read. It was like a novel rather than a motivation book. Here are my 12 lessons from Alibaba’s World: How a Remarkable Chinese Company is Changing the Face of Global Business.
Never Underestimate Yourself
Everyone has the potential to be BIG. Yes, Jack Ma has big dream. However, I admire Porter Erisman to take the first step to work with China start-up In my opinion, there are too many challenges with China start up. It is something I need to learn from it.
Learn from Competitors BUT never copy them
Copy and Paste was the greatest invention. But it just doesn’t mean it work for other companies too. Be innovative at solution.
Be as Fast as a Rabbit but Patient as a Turtle
FREE is Sometimes a Business Model
TO be frank, I love FREE stuffs. As I stand at consumer point of view, FREE is a term to capture customer base. Once you have enough customer base, freemium may be the right pricing strategy to start off.
Find Opportunity in Crisis
Put yourself in Position for Luck
Imagfe Credit: Trust in humanity.org
Don’t Dwell on Mistakes
one door open when another one close.
Have the Team Work for the Goal, Not for the Boss
Don’t Disregard the “Tech Dummies”, you may work for ONE
The yearly book list is inspired by Bill Gates. He has a blog category named “Books”. I wish to be an inspiration person like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. Thus, I will start a new blog category too. It has the same category name as Gates Notes. It is named “Book” category.
Image Credit: Amazon.com
Inside Steve’s Brain by Leander Kahney
The author analyses Steve Jobs’s behavior and attitudes toward his career. Apple is a big computer brand in the world. Although I am an Android supporters, I can’t help admire the design detail and user friendliness in Mac product. The book mentioned on the cult of personality that surrounds Jobs to unearth the secrets to his unbelievable results. Key lessons from this book:
Don’t get emotional. Access your company’s problems with a cool, clear head
Get informed; don’t guess. Make a thorough inspection of the company and base your decision on data, not hunches. It’s tough but fair.
Avoid Osborne effect. Keep the new goodies secret until they’re ready to ship, lest customers stop buying the current stuff while wait for the new stuff.
Don’t listen to your customers. They don’t know what they want.
Don’t consciously think of innovation
Be flexible.Jobs dropped a lot of long-cherished traditions that made Apple special and kept it small.
Image Credit: Google Book
Someone to Watch Over Me by Lisa Kleypas
A romance genre novel was written by Lisa Kleypas. The story is on the chemistry and struggling between 2 protagonists. The author created a wonderful male character which is masculine, assertive and strong. Yes, I do enjoy fantasy. This book has wake the romantic desire inside of me.
Image Credit: Google Image
Disney U: How Disney University Develops the World’s Most Engaged, Loyalty and Customer-Centric Employees by Doug Lipp
Disney theme park is one of the most sought after theme park in the world. I do not have the chance to visit Disneyland yet. However, the services of Disneyland is very engaging and customer-centric. This book mentioned on the training and orientation program invented by Van France. His orientation program focus on 4 values.
Innovate
Support
Educate
Entertain
Image Credit: Amazon
Why Study Smart? A Teenager’s Guide to Academic Success by Teo Aik Cher
The book discussed on the different type of learners and study methods. I summarised into a table format.
Types of learners
Common phrases
Strategies
Visual Learners
· Let’s see how this works
· I can picture it clearly
· Let’s look at it from another point of view
· Organize the information you require in tables and diagrams to help you understand and remember them
· Mind mapping will be useful for you.
· When it comes to note –taking, make sure that the important points are highlighted or made obvious to you
Auditory Learners
· That does ring a bell
· That sounds right
· I get it loud and clear
· Read aloud the information that is found in your notes or books because you learn best through listening
· Try to engage in meaningful discussions in class or in study groups
· Auditory stimulation helps. The important thing is that the music should aid in learning and not DISTRACT.
Kinaesthetic Learner
· I need to get a grip on this
· That feels about right to me
· I do have a good feeling about this
· Instead of sitting down, stand and move around when studying. Of course, try to stay on a room when you do this.
· Give yourself stretch breaks to keep your mind active.
· Make your notes using different coloured pens and highlighters to keep your hands busy.
Logical learners
· That seems logical
· Let’s follow the process and procedure
· Let’s see if there’s a pattern
· Use mind maps
· Use flow charts
Image Credit: Google Bookes
This Man by Jodi Ellen Malpas
A romantic with some fantasy leisure read for married couple. In my opinion, the story will spice up your marriage life. On the other hand, Mr. Ang was shock with the content. He was not able to read finish. He mentioned that man prefer visual effect over reading.
Conclusion, I hope to apply the knowledge in my daily life.
PS: I learn more English vocabulary from romance genre novel,
