Tears of happiness
You know, I'm always a cry-baby who really shed tears easily.
A few days back, I got to know from my ex-colleague (teacher from BMSS) that DMC (Digital Media Club) has won something for the SDMA 09 awards. I am very happy!
A little history of this club...
The club started with some shitty members who created a lot of problems and some other members who really want to learn something yet had learnt nothing after a few months. I had a hard time taking over it and I almost wanted to give up. Those good members chose to stay on and promised to learn and work hard. So, I picked myself up, wiped away the tears, continued to walk the journey with them.
I taught them the basic skills then threw projects to them. At first, they had no idea on what to create because they are so frightened that their idea will suck or their idea can't pass our passing line. I was sick of coming up with ideas and let them create my idea. I want them to have their own ideas and create those ideas out! Only then, they will enjoy the process of producing the animation or digital media and they will be proud of it!
I had a hard time squeezing their ideas out. For the first session of brainstorming, I practically get everyone near the whiteboard, forced everyone to throw input. I told them to draw anything that they thought would be nice. Even the simplest thing like adding sun to the drawing on the board was a difficult task for them! So, one drew a face; another drew a cap on the head; another drew a DJ mixer; another drew musical notes and that continued for quite some time. Eventually we saw an image of sun, flowers, birds, DJ mixer, boy with cap and etc. I got them to vote on the part on the board which they liked the most and well, majority wins so they would then design what the majority liked. Threw them plain papers and asked them to draw storyboard. Told them, each sequence is important and I just sat them monitoring their progress.
Taught them the basic skills and they were able to come up with simply animations. Imagine from someone who had no idea on how to use flash to someone who were able to create animation. Of course, I did help them for the first time. Then, after the first project was completed, I was like a witch who did not let them rest. During the CCA session, I continued to throw them projects so that they were able to practise the skills that they had learnt. Again, I threw them into the pool and just watched by the poolside. When they are going to drown, I would then jump into the pool to save them; else most of the time, I was slacking during CCA period. Hee Hee
So, the sec 2 kids learnt to be more independent; creative and responsible. They came during the holidays just to finish the project; everyone worked hard and did not mind staying back for extra hours. They enjoyed the process and most importantly, they were proud of their work.
Before I left the school, I and another teacher-in-charge sent them for N.E.Mations Competiton but they did not even manage to go into the first round. They were disappointed but I told them this, "It's ok not to win competitions, we just have to take it as a learning experience. Learning process is more important than winning and most importantly, it's your work so you should be proud of your work! If this competition you cannot get in, it's ok, go for another one and another one!"
So I made plans to send them for other competitions, I had even made plans for them on what they should do for 2009 because I know I won't be there for them anymore. They are my babies, though they always squeezed me dry of my sweets (I am responsible for spoiling their teeth! Haha) , I did not mind at all. Yes, I love them because though they are mischievious, they were the one who made me happy too.
So their hardwork paid off! I'm so touched and happy when I know that they won an award! Finally! I knew if I were to be there, I would probably jump and hug them man! Haha...Though I was not there to help them with this competition, I was very happy when I saw their animation. Because they really did improve a lot...
I sent a facebook message to one of the members to congratulate them.
Me: Small aunty, I heard DMC won something! Oh man! Must take photos ok! *hug* And work harder in future too! Wishing you all the best... :)
She: Hello! I'm so happy! Of course must take photo! I miss you! *wipes tears* :D
This, brings tears to my eyes. I miss them too but I left the service for a better prospect. I'm happy that they have grown so much (skills + mentally) and I hope they can continue to work hard to enjoy this process.
May God bless them!
=)
A few days back, I got to know from my ex-colleague (teacher from BMSS) that DMC (Digital Media Club) has won something for the SDMA 09 awards. I am very happy!
A little history of this club...
The club started with some shitty members who created a lot of problems and some other members who really want to learn something yet had learnt nothing after a few months. I had a hard time taking over it and I almost wanted to give up. Those good members chose to stay on and promised to learn and work hard. So, I picked myself up, wiped away the tears, continued to walk the journey with them.
I taught them the basic skills then threw projects to them. At first, they had no idea on what to create because they are so frightened that their idea will suck or their idea can't pass our passing line. I was sick of coming up with ideas and let them create my idea. I want them to have their own ideas and create those ideas out! Only then, they will enjoy the process of producing the animation or digital media and they will be proud of it!
I had a hard time squeezing their ideas out. For the first session of brainstorming, I practically get everyone near the whiteboard, forced everyone to throw input. I told them to draw anything that they thought would be nice. Even the simplest thing like adding sun to the drawing on the board was a difficult task for them! So, one drew a face; another drew a cap on the head; another drew a DJ mixer; another drew musical notes and that continued for quite some time. Eventually we saw an image of sun, flowers, birds, DJ mixer, boy with cap and etc. I got them to vote on the part on the board which they liked the most and well, majority wins so they would then design what the majority liked. Threw them plain papers and asked them to draw storyboard. Told them, each sequence is important and I just sat them monitoring their progress.
Taught them the basic skills and they were able to come up with simply animations. Imagine from someone who had no idea on how to use flash to someone who were able to create animation. Of course, I did help them for the first time. Then, after the first project was completed, I was like a witch who did not let them rest. During the CCA session, I continued to throw them projects so that they were able to practise the skills that they had learnt. Again, I threw them into the pool and just watched by the poolside. When they are going to drown, I would then jump into the pool to save them; else most of the time, I was slacking during CCA period. Hee Hee
So, the sec 2 kids learnt to be more independent; creative and responsible. They came during the holidays just to finish the project; everyone worked hard and did not mind staying back for extra hours. They enjoyed the process and most importantly, they were proud of their work.
Before I left the school, I and another teacher-in-charge sent them for N.E.Mations Competiton but they did not even manage to go into the first round. They were disappointed but I told them this, "It's ok not to win competitions, we just have to take it as a learning experience. Learning process is more important than winning and most importantly, it's your work so you should be proud of your work! If this competition you cannot get in, it's ok, go for another one and another one!"
So I made plans to send them for other competitions, I had even made plans for them on what they should do for 2009 because I know I won't be there for them anymore. They are my babies, though they always squeezed me dry of my sweets (I am responsible for spoiling their teeth! Haha) , I did not mind at all. Yes, I love them because though they are mischievious, they were the one who made me happy too.
So their hardwork paid off! I'm so touched and happy when I know that they won an award! Finally! I knew if I were to be there, I would probably jump and hug them man! Haha...Though I was not there to help them with this competition, I was very happy when I saw their animation. Because they really did improve a lot...
I sent a facebook message to one of the members to congratulate them.
Me: Small aunty, I heard DMC won something! Oh man! Must take photos ok! *hug* And work harder in future too! Wishing you all the best... :)
She: Hello! I'm so happy! Of course must take photo! I miss you! *wipes tears* :D
This, brings tears to my eyes. I miss them too but I left the service for a better prospect. I'm happy that they have grown so much (skills + mentally) and I hope they can continue to work hard to enjoy this process.
May God bless them!
=)