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Action Research Report

Strategies for Enhancing Pupils Learning When There Is No


Functionable LCD Projector Available At the School
Abstract
The purpose of this action research was to explore how a teacher can conduct activity
and use a variety of teaching and learning resources as an alternative to the activity
which requires the use of LCD projector in order to enhance the understanding of the
Year 4 pupils in Sk Ulu Ranan Kanowit. It was found that group activities, using pictures
to clarify ideas, classroom games and worksheet were some of the activities/ teaching
resources that can be conducted/used as an alternative for the activities which required
the LCD projector like video viewing, power point presentation, in order to attract the
pupils to learn, motivate them, improve their understanding as well as to enhance the
teaching and learning processes.

INTRODUCTION
Information and communication technology (ICT) has been used more widely in
classrooms and schools. The utilization and integration of ICT tools into a learning
environment has contributed to a lot of positive consequences in which it has helped
deepen students content knowledge, engage them in constructing their own knowledge,
and support the development of complex thinking skills (Kozma, 2005; Kulik, 2003;
Webb & Cox, 2004).
Nevertheless, there are some barriers that hamper the implementation of the integration
of ICT in teaching and learning processes such as the challenge of insufficient ICT tools
or the absent of functionable tools due to lack of maintenance. In this situation, the
teacher of the schools has to think of other strategies to facilitate the achievement of the
pupils learning outcomes and to enhance the pupils learning. As the effective teaching
method required active participation of the pupils, activities that can let all the pupils to
be engaged in the lesson should be provided.

Action Research Report


PROBLEM STATEMENT
During my wonderful practicum period as a teacher trainee at SK Ulu Ranan, Kanowit in
January 18- April 16, 2010, I was given Standard 2 and Standard 4 to teach Science
subject. The pupils of Standard 2 were generally good but somehow 14 out of 37 pupils
of Standard 4 have been identified as pupils of poor reading and writing ability. After
having a discussion with my mentor and according to the latest Science examination
result of the pupils, it was found that most of the pupils of Standard 4 were still struggling
with the Science subject. I need to find successful strategies to teach and reach all the
pupils of Standard 4 effectively. As there is no functionable LCD projector available at the
school, extra effort was required in order to teach Science in a way that is
understandable and meaningful to them.
RESEARCH QUESTION
What are the strategies that can be used to teach Science to Standard 4 pupils in the
situation that the functionable LCD projector is not available at the school?
TARGET GROUP
The thirty seven pupils of Standard 4 of Sk Ulu Ranan, Kanowit. The name and the
relevance information of the pupils were given in Appendix A.

Action Research Report


LITERATURE REVIEW
Technology is essential in teaching and learning processes. In year 2003, the sum of
978.7 million Ringgit was spent to purchase notebook computers, LCD projectors and
other related equipment in order to introduce the usage of ICT in teaching of Science
and Mathematics under Teaching and Learning of Science and Mathematics in English
Programme (Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Sains dan Matematik dalam Bahasa
Inggeris, PPSMI) (Mahathir, 2002).
There were a lot of researches have been carried out to evaluate the benefits of
integrating and using ICT tools in the lesson. Becta (2003) point out that the usage of
ICT has several advantages such as it promotes collaboration among students,
encourages the sharing of knowledge, gives rapid and accurate feedbacks to students,
contributes towards positive motivation and supports the constructivist pedagogy
(students use technology to explore and reach an understanding of the concepts). In
addition, integrating ICT tools in teaching can lead to increased students' learning
competencies and increased opportunities for communication (Carmen et al, 2003).
The liquid crystal display (LCD) projector, the tool that enables images, text, videos and
presentations to be transmitted to a screen is the common ICT tool used in the lesson. It
enables the teacher to present multimedia content appropriate for a variety of students
with different learning styles. It enables the students to participate in real-time, interactive
activities as well. In addition, the use of ICT presentation tool, the LCD projector may
promote class understanding of and discussion about difficult concepts (especially
through the display of simulations) (Trucano, 2005).
The present of the functionable LCD projector is very beneficial in order to enable the
teacher to carry out activities that can enhance and promote the understanding of the
pupils.

However, in the situation that the tool is not available, the lesson that

incorporated with the activities that fulfil the key purposes of the lesson is still possible to
be conducted.
OBJECTIVE
This research was carried out to find out strategies for enhancing pupils learning when
there is no functionable LCD projector available at the school.

Action Research Report


THE STUDY
Research Implementation
The following table provides an overview of the activities conducted throughout this
research.
Table 1: Overview of intervention
Week
1-3

Date
08/02/10-28/02/10

Activities
Reading literature

Remarks
Relevance articles
were downloaded
from the internet.

4
4-5
6
6
7
8
9
10-11
12

01-07/03/10
01-14/03/10
15-21/03/10
15-21/03/10

Finalize objective
Draft literature review
Devise research approach
Draft research strategy

22-26/03/10
29/03/10-01/04/10
05-11/04/10
12-25/04/10
26/04/10

and method
Cycle 1
Cycle 2
Update literature read
Report writing
Submission of the report

Research Cycles
Cycle 1
Plan
I wish to provide interesting group activity which requires no usage of LCD projector that
can motivate the pupils to learn and promote the spirit of teamwork among them. The
activity should be compatible with the level of the pupils as well. The following activity is
suggested in order to teach about breathing organ of animals:
In a group, the pupils will be required to make animal crafts. They will present the craft to
others and state orally the breathing organs for each animal craft.
For clarification of the ideas, colourful pictures or other suitable teaching and learning
resources will be provided.

Action Research Report

Action
Printable animals craft had been downloaded from internet. The links: http://www.dltkkids.com/animals/index.html and http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/animals/ are
some of the example of useful internet links from which the printable animal craft can be
downloaded.
During the stage of eliciting ideas of the lesson which conducted in order to teach about
the breathing organs for certain animals, the pupils were instructed to form a group. The
38 pupils were divided into 9 groups in which each group consist of 4-5 members. They
were asked to follow the instructions given in order to make a craft of animal such as
crab, eagle, fish, frog, monkey and rabbit.
The pupils were then required to present the animal craft they made to other and discuss
in a group to decide the breathing organ for it.
Colourful pictures were used to clarify the breathing organs for animals such as crab,
eagle, fish, frog, monkey and rabbit.
Observation
The pupils were actively participated during the lesson. They love the activity and
enjoyed cooperating with their friend while accomplishing the task given to them.
Furthermore, the pictures had attracted the pupils to listen to the teacher explanation.

Action Research Report

Reflection
Strengths:
Although there were no activities such as video viewing or power point presentation or
online interactive games which can be used to easily attracted the attention of the pupils,
the pupils attention were still successfully gain through the activity of making craft
conducted during the lesson. The pupils, even with different intelligence capabilities were
successfully encouraged to be involve in the lesson as well. They loved the activities and
requested for the activity to be repeated during the next lesson. In addition, the colourful
pictures provided which had been enlarged into appropriate size have enabled the
teacher to clarify the breathing organ for the animals effectively.
Weaknesses:
The activity conducted was successfully used to encourage participation of all pupils.
However, the attainment of learning outcomes still can be improved. There were some
pupils (the remedial-class pupils) that have difficulty in spelling and writing. They were
able to state word orally but have difficulty to spell and write the word correctly.
Ways to improve:
Some other interesting activities such as classroom games should be included during the
lesson. The activities should be able to attract the pupils to learn and in the same time
contribute to their improvement in understanding of the content of the lesson as well as
enhancing the achievement of the learning outcomes. Some classroom games
instructions have been downloaded from the internet in order to be applied during the
lesson. The examples of useful internet links that provide ideas for classroom games are
such as http://www.eslkidstuff.com/Classroomgamesframe.htm
and http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/lessons/index.pl.

Action Research Report

Cycle 2
Plan
In order to improve the delivery of the content of the lesson, a few more activities will be
integrated during the lesson in the hope that the remedial class pupils will be able to
overcome the problem of spelling and writing. Simple examples will be provided and
teaching aids will be used to help improve the pupils learning.
Action
Colourful pictures had been provided in order to help the pupils to visualize the animals
introduced during the lesson of animal reproduction. The stage of eliciting ideas
conducted by instructing the pupils to classify the animals according to the way they
reproduce. Two columns were provided on the whiteboard: animals that lay eggs and
animals that give birth. The selected pupils were asked to paste the provided pictures of
animals into the suitable columns.
The ability of the pupils to spell and write correctly the name of some animals were
improved by conducting the activity of arranging letter (pupils instruct to arrange letters to
form a word).
Worksheet was given to test the understanding of the pupils.
Observation
The activity conducted successfully gained the attention of the pupils. They voluntarily
participated and were managed to give good cooperation during the lesson.

Action Research Report

Reflection
Strengths:
The activity conducted had helped to improve the pupils learning. The activity of
rearranging letter was successfully employed to help the remedial-class pupils to spell
and write the words introduced to them during the lesson correctly (based on their
performance in answering the worksheet given). The clarification of the ideas which
support with the colourful pictures had enhanced the understanding of the pupils.
Weaknesses:
The activities conducted had contributed to the obtainment of the learning outcomes.
However, the activities should not be repeated during each lesson as the teacher should
ensure that the activities conducted were relevance with the intelligence capabilities of
the pupils as well as the content of the lesson.
Ways to improve:
In order to teach effectively the teacher should be able to variety the lesson according to
the need of their pupils. The teaching courseware provided at school can be used as a
beneficial source of reference. Text books and reference books can be used as
references as well. In addition, the teacher can retrieve the information and the teaching
ideas from internet to enhance the lesson.

Action Research Report

RESULT AND DISCUSSION


The integration of technology in a lesson is essential to effectively deliver the lesson
content. In the situation that the LCD projector cannot be used, some other activities
were suggested to be conducted as alternatives. The effectiveness of the activities had
been tested through this research. It had been identified that the following activities can
be used to enhance the pupils learning in which it can be used to motivate the pupils to
learn as well as help to improve their understanding:
1. Group activities
Group activities promote the teamwork spirit among the pupils. In order to carry
out this activity, the teacher has to ensure that the selected activities were
suitable for their pupils. Clear instruction has to be given in order to ensure that
the pupils will be managed to accomplish the task successfully.
2. Clarify the ideas with pictures
As the teacher cannot used video or other resources that required the LCD
projector to transmit it to a screen, colourful pictures can be used to clarify the
ideas. The pupils will easily attract to the colourful pictures and thus give their
attention to the teacher clarification. In addition, the pictures provided will be able
to help improve the understanding of the pupil as well.
3. Classroom games
The activity such as rearranging letter can be used to help the pupils to
remember the spelling or the new word introduce to them. They will enjoy doing
the activities and gain benefit from it.
4. Worksheet
Instead of online quizzes, worksheet can be distributed to the pupils in order to
evaluate their performance and to test the obtainment of the learning outcomes.
Sufficient number, good quality and interesting worksheet can be used to retain
the class control ability as well.

RECOMMENDATION

Action Research Report


There are lots more activities that can be conducted to enhance the pupils learning.
Some example of the activity or teaching resources that can be used to enhance pupils
learning were list below:
Teaching resources
Instead of using pictures, the following items can be used to clarify and give explanation
to pupils.
1. Replica/model
2. Real object
Activity
1. Singing with action
Pupils that love singing will love this activity very much.
2. Simple experiment
This activity will enhance pupils understanding as it provides hand-on
experiences to the pupils.
3. Video viewing
Even without the LCD projector, the teacher can always use their laptop to show
video to pupils in small group.
CONCLUSION
A quality science education is essential to the future success of all students. The results
of this action research indicate that group activities, classroom games and the use
colourful pictures and worksheet can enhance pupils learning.

REFERENCES
Becta. (2003). What the Research Says about Using ICT in Maths. UK: Becta ICT
Research.
10

Action Research Report

Carmen et al. Use of ICTs and the Perception of E-Learning among University Students:
A Differential Perspective according to Gender and Degree Year Group in
Interactive Educational Multimedia, No 7 (October 2003) pp 13- 28).
Kozma, R. (2005). National policies that connect ICT-based education reform to
economic and social development. Human Technology, 1(2), 117156.
Kulik, J. (2003). Effects of using instructional technology in elementary and secondary
schools: What controlled evaluation studies say (Final Report No. P10446.001).
Arlington, VA: SRI International.
Mohamad, M. (2002). The 2003 Budget Speech.
http://www.portsworld.com/budget/Budget%20Speech%202003%20(English).pdf
Trucano, Michael. (2005). Knowledge Maps: ICTs in Education. Washington,
DC: infoDev / World Bank.
Webb, M. & Cox, M. (2004). A review of pedagogy related to information and
communications technology. Technology, Pedagogy and Education, 13(3), 235
286.

APPENDICES
A.
No.
11

Name

Gender

Race

Action Research Report


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24

Agatha Suga ak Richard*


Artridge Kendawang ak Jiamit
Caroline Ak Mathew Nangkai
Cyprian Ak Andre
Cyril Chrysostom ak Gilbert
Desemun Ak Semilan
Divebandder ak Balang
Dunstan Ak Andre
Evelyn Ak Gubar
Feliycia
Frandy Ak Daisy*
Grace Ak Roger
Jennifer Keliah ak Sawang
Jok Ak Tanjong
Joseph Ak Kiew
Joseph Ak Mering*
Josephine Ak Alin
Katerine Surang*
Kennedy Ak Minggu*
Ling Kwong Lin*
Lisa Ak Tuill
Lyana Regi Ak Seluping
Marilyn Niut ak Mering
McManaman Nyandhau ak

P
L
P
L
L
L
L
L
P
P
L
P
P
L
L
L
P
P
L
P
P
P
P
L

IBAN
IBAN
IBAN
IBAN
IBAN
IBAN
IBAN
IBAN
IBAN
IBAN
IBAN
IBAN
IBAN
IBAN
IBAN
IBAN
IBAN
KAYAN
IBAN
CINA
IBAN
IBAN
IBAN
IBAN

25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37

Johnson
Mella Landan Ak Kunchi
Nickles ak Alezander*
Paul Anting Ak Dennis*
Rachel Ak Sanggau*
Ramos Ak Unting*
Regina Ak Balai*
Robinson Ak Kusa
Rosita Ak Nating
Sabrina Ak Henry
Sandy Ak Seliau*
Sasha Ak Joseph*
Thomas Bryan
Tuah Ak Mengkui*

P
L
L
P
L
P
L
P
P
P
P
L
L

IBAN
IBAN
IBAN
IBAN
IBAN
IBAN
IBAN
IBAN
IBAN
IBAN
IBAN
IBAN
IBAN

The asterisks (*) represent the remedial-class pupils

B.
Some pictures of classroom activities conducted during lesson.

12

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13

Action Research Report

C.
Estimated Cost of Action Research Project
No

Material

1
2

A4 Paper
Printer Cartridge
14

Quantity

Total

*Price per unit


2 reams x RM 10

RM 20.00

Action Research Report

- blank ink

1 cartridge x RM 75

RM 75.00

- colour ink

1 cartridge x RM 90

RM 90.00

- manila card

10 pieces x RM 0.50

RM 5.00

- marker

2 pieces x RM 3.50
Total of cost

RM 7.00
RM 197.00

Teaching Aid

15

D.
Gantt Chart of Research Implementation
No

Activities

1
2
3

Reading literature
Finalize objective
Draft literature

review
Devise research

approach
Draft research

6
7
8

strategy and method


Cycle 1
Cycle 2
Update literature

9
10

read
Report writing
Submission of the
report

1
/

2
/

3
/

/
/

Week
7

10

11

12

13

/
/
/
/

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