Action Research Presentation :Action Research Presentation Can mind mapping reduce mistakes in writing Chinese words and characters? Team members: Eileen Lin Kwan Tuck Soon Leong Wah Chin Tan Ah Buay Wu Haofan


Observation :Observation Many pupils tend to make mistakes in writing Chinese characters which have the similar pronunciations but different strokes. One common mistake is the use of 的 (dè)、地(de) and 得(dé).


Specific Action and Research :Specific Action and Research In order to reduce these mistakes, selected lower primary pupils will go through a series of Mind mapping lessons involving Chinese characters.


Why Mind maps? :Why Mind maps?


Slide 5:的 地 得 得 得 得 得 得 地 地 地 地 地 地 地 的 的 的 的 的 的 的


Slide 6:得 地 的


What is a Mind map? :What is a Mind map? A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items linked to and arranged around a central key word or idea.


A Mind map :A Mind map Source: http://www.solutionlanguage.com


Slide 9:Reference Source: Google Images


Why Mind map? :Why Mind map? “The uniform graphic formulation of the semantic structure of information on the method of gathering knowledge, may aid recall of existing memories.” Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_map


Measurable :Measurable 2 classes of Primary 1 and 2 classes of Primary 2 pupils taking Chinese language (97 pupils) are selected for this project.


Measurable :Measurable These pupils will be given a Pre-Test before going through the lessons. Upon completing the lessons, they will be given a Post-Test to judge if this project is a success.


Action Plan :Action Plan The group identified some characters which pupils often wrote wrongly. The group set the Pre and Post Tests which will assess pupils’ proficiency in differentiating these characters. The group crafted 5 Mind mapping lesson packages involving these characters.


Pre Test (Post Test) :Pre Test (Post Test)


Timeframe :Timeframe


Slide 16:的 我的同学 美丽的花朵 CJ7的眼睛好大喔！ 妈妈的手


Slide 17:地 伤心地哭 飞快地跑 开心地笑 认真地读书


Slide 18:得 跑得快 飞得高 长得漂亮 读得很大声


Slide 19:游戏时间！ http://tinyurl.com/3o92ms


Pupils in Action :Pupils in Action


Customized Games in classtools.net :Customized Games in classtools.net


Worksheet :Worksheet


Slide 23:Pupils’ works A pupil’s work


Slide 24:Another pupil’s works


Slide 25:Before After Pre vs. Post Test


Slide 26:Before After Pre vs. Post Test


Results (% correct answers) :Results (% correct answers) Total: 97 pupils from P1 and P2


Reflections :Reflections Mind mapping can be one of the effective teaching tools to reduce mistakes in writing Chinese characters of similar pronunciation but different strokes.


Reflections :Reflections Traditional methods like sentence making and spelling have proven to be effective as well.


Reflections :Reflections The pupils enjoyed the customized computer word games. Learning takes place simultaneously with gaming.


Reflections :Reflections Mind mapping can be used as a tool to clarify and reinforce the semantic relationship between Chinese characters by unleashing pupils’ ability to visualize and memorize.


Thank you! :Thank you! Some recommended websites: http://www.classtools.net/ (Make your own games!) http://www.funbrain.com/ (Educational games) Google ‘Freemind’ for a free Mind mapping software