I can remember back in my secondary school days in 1986-1990 in Ping Yi secondary school. We have a computer lab that was located on the fourth level of the classroom block. Last September, I joined Ngee Ann Secondary School as a contract teacher teaching Art and CPA. The school is well facilitated with special rooms for different subjects such as mathematics, design and technology, art, computer application and music room. These special rooms were equipped with, tablets, desktop computers, mackintosh, and lap top computers. Syllabus is developed for the use of the technology for students.
Singapore is a small place we need to keep up with changes and upgrade our software and hardware to maintain our competitive edge in the competition. The three stages of the ICT master plan allows education in Singapore to integrate and equip the future generation with ICT skills to meet the demand of the global weather. The development of the three master plans is inline with global technology literacy. Each stage of the plan allows us to gradually equip the schools, teachers, and students. Educators are equipped with knowledge and tools to apply in their pedagogy in the classrooms. I do go online to a lot of research using reliable sources and organizations that provides knowledge. Cross discipline studies is made easier with the internet. The same information can be uploaded onto a screen in different areas of the world. That makes it efficient for sharing, learning and updating the information on cyberspace. Students are not limited to the use of just physical books anymore. Knowledge can be learn and experience through self-learning using the internet. By providing software and hard ware, given reliable academic sources such as libraries, organizations, museums and academic sites, students can acquire knowledge and develop independent learning by themselves.
Ngee Ann students are equipped with the right tools to do research and self-learning. The secondary three art students were able to use the macs in the art room to do research for their preparation boards.
As a beginning teacher, I felt the three master plans had established a platform for teaching in the contemporary setting. I strongly agree to students encouraged to exercise self-learning, which will benefits them in their life long learning process. Being ICT savvy has it cutting edge fore front in a competitive market. This makes learning more interesting and diverse. ICT is an important tool in learning and social development.
I agree with you regarding tech-savvy job-finders having an easier time finding jobs in this competitive market today. Nowadays, technical expertise is part of the resume and one has to know so much more than whatever is covered in that degree scroll. And I certainly do think that getting a head-start when these kids are still young would definitely give them the cutting edge needed.
ReplyDeleteI am very excited at the prospect of having such advanced technology to teach students, where in this case, Art subject. It creates new kinds of platforms, whereby students will be very interested and intrigued and this will enhance their interest and therefore, love for the subject. I believed that we, as teachers have to be current to keep up with the flow of our students. I did contract teaching in an all-boys school, therefore, I can foresee that Second life programme will definitely be a hit with them as they are able to have fun whilst learning at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the 3 of you. ICT has become part of our daily life. I’m very impressed by how Ngee Ann Secondary School incorporated ICT into teaching to even have syllabus developed for use of technology! I’m excited to become part of the teaching force that will be using all these tools into teaching in future and I’m sure that the students will be more engaged in their learning through use of ICT.
ReplyDelete