Since the implementation of masterplan 1 and 2, schools with improved infrastructure allow teachers to use visualiser, video, audio, certain programs (eg, Geogebra) and mobile device during field trips to reinforce ideas, clarify concepts or to engage students in discussion. Students become more self-driven learners whereby syllabus is a guide but the depth of knowledge depend on individual’s diligence, ie students are encouraged to use their IT skills to explore further whenever they can.
Students are getting accustomed to the idea of learning outside classroom and they could learn beyond curriculum. Certain homework are given in school system and students are asked to login and do it online or hardcopy.
School has also built the platform where teacher could upload assignment, quizzes, video , audio files Students will then do it anywhere outside classroo. Besides loading, it also has a forum for interaction between teacher and students or teacher with teacher.
In addition to knowledge, ICT has helped to impart values through the news in class and video shown. Many videos from different countries are used to give students an insight of foreigners who are less fortunate but yet they are resilience and adaptable to their surrounding.They shared their success and motivate students to do likewise.
Beside teaching and learning, IT has pervasive impact on school processes (admin) such as school cockpit system, forum to discuss matters. For example, it reduces the marking time of exam paper via the use of OMR.
In Straits Times , 18th July 2011, Education Minister, Mr Heng Swee Keat said, "Look at the children entering Primary 1 next year. By the time they start work in 15 or 20 years' time, what would the world be like? We wouldn't know but we must equip them to face the future." He further mentioned “future is not going to be a world where there are set solution. In a globalised world, the ability to think analytically and creatively is important”.
From my earlier years in private sectors, I am totally agreed with Mr Heng’s words. I feel ICT masterplans are heading in the correct direction. We need to train students to be self directed learners. The skill of fishing is much more important than just to receive free fish for every meal. Tomorrow, the world is getting smaller. Employees of the future, include foreigners and Singaporeans, are competing not just locally but also worldwide as the globalisation continue to stride. To become a self directed learner is a survival skill. Meanwhile, we, as teachers, need to upgrade ourselves as well, to learn and pass on what we learn so as to equip students while they are still under our wings.
Indeed, as the world becomes ‘smaller’, we are more hard pressed to keep abreast with new technologies and learn how to harness their value in our work and daily lives. If we stick to the old style of teaching from the textbooks without real life examples, students will find learning in schools obsolete and a waste of time and resources. Schools help to implement education policies such as ICT Masterplan, it is where we put the theories to work and strive to make them work. Our students are the future leaders. We wouldn’t want our future leaders to know nothing and coop within the Singapore borders. Only by using ICT appropriately can students widen their horizons and learn internationally at local schools.
ReplyDeletePrem - Yes i agree that one has to transform to a self-directed learner to compete globally. Adding on to the proverb that time and tide waits for no man, we ought to increasingly explore putting in technology to the proverb as well. As long as we ride on technology, learning can take place anywhere and anytime. However, on a collaborative aspect, sharing the experiences and knowledge is equally important as this attribute enables one to learn from others and develops the critique in oneself which becomes constructive if used properly.
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