Alhamdulilah finally, this semester ends up! There are many things are interested to be noted and should be fruitful learning for future step.

This semester I firstly  deliver course Introduction to Information System. It covers 4 credit hours, for three big  classes (60 students each). Since, it my first time, it is little bit difficult for me. However I still used my “freak” way, delivering this course in English.

Actually, I do hope I can enjoy my long holidays. Unfortunately, it is long holidays for my students, but not for lecturers, I do not have holidays aat all. As lecturer, many things must be done after semester ending. Research:  I have two research projects and I am people in charge to encourage and coordinate research activities in my department, Industrial Project: I am still bonded with IT Master Plan Project. National Seminar : I am number 1 people in charge for this seminar in the beginning of December. Lab Activity: I still have many final year project (FYP) students conducted in my Decision Support System and Business Intelligence Lab and absolutely I should advice and coordinate them.  However, in my own way I can skip all theses stucked jobs  to enjoy my holidays, hahagh!…

Being University student is not the same as college or professional academy. One thing is they should able to write their idea, their thingkings in scientific writing. That is what it is called analytical and critical thinking. As University student they are expected to sensitive, critical, and responsive with their environment. That’s why some days ago In my Introduction to Information System course, I conduct “Student Paper Contest (SPC)”.  Each student is required to write a paper ( sholud aligned with IEEE format)  in the topics: Emerging Technology and Emerging Issues in Information System.

I very sure in each lecture, there must be student assignment. But, in this lecture I try something different, I try contest instead assignment. Just like another contest there must be winners. So, I sure it will motivate more  the students.  They will try their very best compete with others to be the best one. Absolutely, the winner, the best one, will get certificate, and prizes. In this Student paper contest they are not only required to write, but also required to deliver oral presentation. Only the best ten students of more than 300 students will be given great opportunity to deliver oral presentation.

I am happy with this SPC, since I knew my student showed their ability in scientific writing, analytical and critical thinking, although they are still in first year in this University.  In my humble opinion, it is effective way, to boast their writing, analytical, and critical thinking. The most important thing is to nurture academic habit such as citation, no-plagiarism culture, and how to write effectively.

Creative thinking? it should be posed by each student. However, it is not easy to make student to be creative. Several days ago, I try to trigger my first year student to nurture their creative thinking in Poster Exhibition. In this poster exhibition they are in group are required to exhibit their group project in developing Information System for Rural Development and Small and Medium Enterprise.