Everyone have their own definition about Mathematics. For me, it’s about symbol, numbers, space, measurement and science of nature. In mathematics education, we have to understand that learning mathematics as accumulating facts and procedures to learn mathematics as an integrated set of intellectual tools for making sense of mathematical situations. We need to help students correctly understand the concept of numbers and the principles of operations so that such understanding can lead to skillful solving of mathematical problems. Besides, we also need to motivate students to solve various types of problems by using basic problem solving strategies. The most important in teaching mathematics is doing a lot of exercises. Practice makes perfect.
After my matriculation course at Labuan, I have planned to take architecture course. I like drawing and photography. But I didn’t make up my mind to choose this course and finally I had filled in all 7 choices for educational course, all about Mathematics. I was impressed on the achievements for both of my parents. They were Mathematics teachers too… I can feel that they are very happy to become a teacher because I enjoyed listening to their story in school. And every year when Teacher’s Day, I enjoy unwrapped their presents from students…”HAHA”…like my Birthday! It showed those students’ respect and appreciation for their teachers. It really touched me, feeling deep inside my heart. That is why I choose to be a Mathematics teacher at last. My parents will be very proud of me. I am sure they will.
On May 2006, I received the interview letter from Faculty of Education, UTM! I was definitely very happy because it gave a hope to me that I will be a teacher soon. Many people will think that teacher profession is a simple and easy job. But I never felt that way because since I was small, I saw every hard work my parents did, everyday they would prepare their teaching aids and writing their lesson plan, marking students’ homework as well. Besides, understanding human, psychology is very important for a teacher. We have to understand every type of students, using the appropriate approach to teach them. Sometimes, I think that we can not only learn this from theory and books, we need to listen to experienced teacher or elders, practically experienced it ourselves, and then we will really learn it.
During four years educational course in UTM, I learnt a lot of educational subjects, for examples, Psychology, Sociology, Philosophy, and other educational subjects. For me, those subjects really hard to understand theoretically, even I have tried my best in understanding them but I still need to memorize them for examination. The perception changed after I trained for teaching practical during my 5th semester. Seriously, I can learn better in practical. From here, I applied what have I read and learnt in UTM. So, I think faculty and lecturers should give students more examples and learn it in practical way such as activities like sketch and teaching practices.
For Mathematics subjects, since I am taking major in Mathematics. So have to learn a lot advanced Mathematics in 4 years course. Before this, I felt that Mathematics is a very easy subject. But now I feel that it is so hard and tough! Anyway, still have to face it and try my very best in learning it. That is when we learn mathematics; it is different when we teach mathematics. As a mathematics teacher, we have to make students understand the basic concept of mathematics before getting to harder part. This is because understanding is very vital in solving mathematics problems. Besides, group work activities can improve the class environment and interest in learning mathematics. The activities such as mathematics puzzle game, Sudoku, quiz and tournament. Teaching is a very unique and interesting for a teacher. Teacher has to use every single approach that they know to teach students in order to have active class learning and teaching process.
In conclusion, I am very happy because I learnt a lot during 4 years in UTM. Besides, I found that teacher is a very professional and meaningful job in the society. I will try my best to become a good teacher! Yea…
