Beyond cut-and-paste learning

The Star

06-07-2025

Creativity unleashed: Participants presenting a story created from newspaper pictures during an activity.
USING newspapers for learning often struck Tay Yee Meh as merely a cut-and-paste activity.
That was before she took part in a workshop that opened her eyes to out-of-the-box methods of turning newspapers into an engaging classroom tool.
At the workshop held under The Star's Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme at the Manjung District Education Office in Perak recently, the SMK Pantai Remis teacher experienced the myriad possibilities such use could offer.
The activities - conducted by Star-NiE freelance trainer U. Ruthra Devy - ranged from creating stories based on newspaper pictures to carrying out interactive language tasks, bringing fun to learning while boosting language proficiency.
'I had not expected the workshop to be so engaging.
'I initially thought it was just about cutting out materials from newspapers and pasting them, but there are so many possibilities - like using the materials creatively for activities such as creating poems, songs and riddles,' she said.
Affirming that it was 'doable' to teach classes using newspapers, Tay said she plans to apply this method in classes with higher English proficiency first, before adapting it for those with lower proficiency.
'I hope that more workshops like this can be held, as they give teachers a boost and much-needed support,' she added.
Tay was among 43 teachers from 21 secondary schools in the district who took part in the workshop, held on June 23.
Another participant, SMK Seri Samudera teacher Roshida Abu Bakar, also looks forward to using newspapers in her classes.
'I've often followed the Star-NiE programme and I believe that newspapers can help students improve their English.
'I've been using ChatGPT in my classes but learnt (from the workshop) that it doesn't help students develop their ability to think critically and creatively.
'I want to try using newspapers in class,' she said.
Roshida added that the workshop provided valuable exposure to teachers.
'Not many teachers know how to use newspapers as teaching materials, and I believe many, including the younger ones, are receptive to using this methodology,' she said.
Ruthra, who has 24 years of experience as an English language teacher, urged teachers to promote reading over scrolling among students.
She said that while advanced technology like artificial intelligence (AI) is a fantastic invention, it cannot help schoolchildren develop their creative or critical thinking skills.
'Instead of using AI like ChatGPT in classrooms, newspapers should be the go-to resource to help students hone abilities that could benefit them in their future endeavours,' she said, adding that newspapers feature current issues as well as other topics that can provide students with knowledge and ideas.
She also emphasised the importance of teachers instilling confidence in their students and encouraging them to speak, listen and read more in order to tap into their creative and critical thinking abilities.
'These are the skills required in the real world, not just academic results,' she said, adding that those who are proficient in the English language often stand out.
'The only way to be proficient in English is to start in school,' she stressed.
She expressed hope that the workshop participants would be inspired to use creative means to teach their students.
'I hope they are able to bring back ideas and implement them in their schools.
'They just have to start, and once students get on board, everything will move forward,' she said.
Since its inception in 1997, Star-NiE has supported English language teaching and learning in primary and secondary schools nationwide.
Star-NiE activities are available in StarEdu on Sundays, and in StarLifestyle on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. For enquiries, email [e-mail].