On the 5th meeting of MMSEL Subject, I was learning in interesting way. Why? Because on that day, I watched a movie with title: “I not Stupid”. There is no writing error when I write the title, and you will see, this movie has unique title as like as the story inside.
The movie told me about three students at one school on Singapore. Their names are Kok pin, Terry and Boon Hock. They have learning disabilities and they are on “EM3” level at their school. This level is for students who have low score, so everyone who enters that class will be called a stupid student. Unfortunately, they got a teacher who cannot motivate them to study hard and labeling them as stupid and naughty students. It makes those three students has learned helplessness.
The condition changes when a new teacher comes to that class. I forget the name of the teacher; I will use Mrs. X as the teacher’s name here. When Mrs.X enters the Class, she gives students motivation by telling her story to students: “I have bad score in mathematics, but if I hates mathematics then I will get bad score in mathematics. Then, I tried to make a friend with mathematics, knowing mathematics deeper from outside and inside. After that, I get good score in mathematics”. Based on her story, I conclude that Mrs. X motivate their students to feel enjoy when they learn mathematics and show that learning mathematics is easy. Students just need to “make a friend” and “knowing deeper” mathematics itself. It influence students’ emotion and motivate Boon Hock to study hard. Finally Boon Hock can get good score in mathematics.
Kok Pin has different problem in learning disabilities. At the first time, Kok Pin will be drawing if he gets stuck when he is learning. Although her mother getting angry whenever he is drawing, but he still drawing. Based on that case, Kok Pin has good skill in drawing and it influences his personal interests in learning. When Kok Pin tried to study hard, he still gets bad score. It means that his personal interests affect his multiple-intelligence and make him hard to learn if not suitable with his learning styles.
Terry has problem with language. He cannot use English well. That is why he is dropped into “EM3” class. He also has a problem with his mental development. He always follows her mother’s say without thinking, “is it true or false”. Then, he cannot make his own decision to do something without her mother instruction. Because of his lack in languages and making own decisions, he always failed when tried to make conversation as interaction with Kok Pin and Boon Hock. Like as a chain situation, because of he cannot make a good interaction and get accepted by his friends, he has low social goals. Therefore, when Terry has low social goals then his motivation to learn is decrease.
The movie is really interesting. It also makes me feel thankful, because I have good family condition and I do not have that kind of learning disabilities.
The important question from this reflection is: “Could I be able to handle that kind of students on my class later?” Hopefully the answer is “YES”.
Shinta Puspita K