Goodbye EDU 3217…

All of a sudden, now it is week 14. This will be my last entry in this blog regarding this topic. For the past 14 weeks, I had learn many new thing, in this class, I had learn 3 major play and many minor plays. Plays such as Oedipus Res, King Lear, and The Swordfish, Then the Concubine in some way make me realize the power of the character. Although this plays maybe different when we come to see for their time, it still has the power to affect us. Oedipus was written thousands of years ago, and yet, in modern time, we still appreciate it. This goes the same to King Lear. However, The Swordfish, Then the Concubine is a play that is written not so long ago. And the issues are related to us. In my own opinion, I can say that a play has the power to spread the ideas of the script writers. As Mr. Kee said earlier, it is up to us to accept it or not. This class also teaches me to appreciate literature even more. The ideas that Dr Edwin had instill to me about drama, are meaning full. But nothing last forever, at the end of the day, I must say goodbye to this subject and even heart breaking, to Dr. Edwin, who had decided to retire. Best wishes to you, Dr, Edwin and thanks for the ideas and also knowledge that you have provided me for the subjects that you had taught me.

An afternoon with Kee Thuan Chye

Last Monday, I have the opportunity of a life time. Dr Edwin had personally called Mr Kee Thuan Chye to give us a lecture about his work. This is something new for me as I had never attended a lecture by one of Malaysian writers. Well the lecture was unlike any other lecture. Here, we are able to speak our mind freely. He is a play writer, who does not hide what he has to say. He is the author of March 8 that is about the revelation of the government. And he’s style of writing, I really admire. His hilarious ideas that he had incorporated in his play such as ‘The Swordfish, Then the Concubine’ makes the play spark to life. However, as he discusses about the play the issues, he had mentioned that the edition of the play that we had examined is different from his latest edition. He had mentioned also that a play is like a living organism, always evolved in time. And he said the issues that he had mentioned ten years ago are not relevant anymore now. Although I felt quite disappointed that the play might not come to Malaysia due to the economic crisis, he still gives us some hope that it will come. Just give it time. Overall, that session was very interesting and also an eye opener for me, who never takes plays serious

Simulated Teaching (Part 2)

Today, I have finally have presented my simulated teaching. It is a major relief for me as before the presentation, I was getting pretty nervous. However, I gather all my strength, and decided to go early instead waiting for the last one to present. As for this time, I have to give a lesson on pre and while reading based on the story ‘The Ring Doesn’t Fit’ by Tan Kee Aun. Prior for this lesson, I had prepared chosen an extract and also set some questions that I think that the students could handle them. However, in the middle of my lesson, I had gone slightly different from my teacher’s guide that I had given to our tutor, Mr. Harold. I think that he had realized it. And he say ‘Ok, conclude your lesson’. Actually, the main idea that I am trying to say here is that do not take easily on your simulated teaching. Maybe it is called ‘simulated’, it is a practice for us, future teachers to be good at what we are at, that is teaching. as a whole, I had gain more experience from this activity. Teaching drama in classroom!