As former Minister of Education RAdm (NS) Teo Chee Hean has aptly said, the world has changed. In fact, it is still changing, and at a very fast pace. With the increasing abundance of computers and technology in the world, the education system cannot remain stagnant. Not only would be failing to fulfill our sacred duty if we do not equip our students with the skills to use new technology, but we would also be missing out on wonderful opportunities to broaden our students' education experience with ICT.
The Ministry of Education's (MOE) three masterplans for ICT are essential to introduce technology into teaching in a step-by-step process. Some teachers I spoke to are strong supporters of the traditional whiteboard teaching style. There is no denying that in teaching some subjects like Mathematics and Physics, the whiteboard is extremely useful. It is far easier to draw out diagrams and show detailed workings this way. However, one should not let this kind of thinking deter us from exploring the possibilities of using computers and other equipment. A simple visualizer could replace the whiteboard as it also enables a teacher to draw diagrams and write detailed workings. Having a laptop also gives the teacher access to using Youtube videos to illustrate some formulas or concepts. I personally experienced being able to use the laptop to flash pictures of real-life examples of pyramids and cones to the Secondary 2 class I was honoured to teach Mathematics to. I also frequently used Youtube videos to help my Secondary 3 English class understand comprehension passages or situational writing questions better. The visual impact the videos left behind also motivated them to complete their comprehensions and gave them some content to include in their situational writing assignments.
I was little aware of the ICT masterplans as a student, though I vividly remember going to the AV theatre every Chemistry lesson to view the Powerpoint slides that my teacher had prepared. I suppose that laptops were cumbersome back then, and setting the projector up was tedious, and so our teacher decided to bring the class to the AV theatre, where the computer was already hooked up to the projector and ready to use. Of course, we students also enjoyed the added benefit of the air-conditioning in the theatre. I also remember with fondness the educational games that we were allowed access to as a primary school student.
MOE's Masterplan Three is all about encouraging self-directed learning in the student. The task of motivating the student to take an active interest in his own learning then falls on the teacher. This is even more difficult than merely imparting knowledge, since students have to take an active role now, as opposed to the usual passive role they play. My ESE experience in a neighbourhood secondary school has led me to believe that many students lack the motivation to learn. As a beginning teacher, I think that my greatest challenge is to instill the love of my subject in the students. Changing mindsets is no mean task, but if I have the ability to create fun and yet challenging ICT lessons for my students, I believe they might grow to like my subject. This includes creating online quizzes and elearning lessons, like my ESE school has done. Online quizzes are a good way for students to monitor their own learning as they can reflect on the score they obtain and find out their own weaknesses. On elearning day, the onus is on the students to access the online materials for their lesson. By taking elearning seriously, students will be taking a step towards self-directed learning.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Pre-Session Task 1: My ESE experience
I was attached to Greenridge Secondary School for my four weeks of Enhanced school experience. During that time, I had the honour of being attached to class 2/7 (2E4) for Mathematics. This is the last Secondary 2 express class in the school. While they seem quiet and attentive in class, I soon came to realise that many of the students are in fact weak in Mathematics. In fact, their Mean Subject Grade for their mid-year examinations were a little below passing mark! I found out over time that their quietness due to boredom and a little fear for their teacher. In fact, they are so quiet that they do not dare to speak up even if there is something they do not understand.
The class was taken to the computer lab for lesson some time at the end of my first week there. Their teacher had prepared some online quizzes for them to attempt in order to monitor their own learning. This was perhaps in preparation for the school's e-learning day that would take place on 29th July, to ensure that every student knows how to access the site where the questions will be posted.
Before allowing the students to switch on their computers, however, the teacher wanted to conduct a short lesson to re-explain something that he realised that many students did not quite understand. This short lesson took 20 of the 45 minutes allotted to the lesson, but the students were restless during those 20 minutes. Sitting in front of a computer they could not touch was, it seemed, a torture to them. Many of them, however, quickly realised that they would not be switching their computers on until their worksheet was done, and so quickly got on task.
Finally, the students were allowed to use their computers. About half the class obediently went to the AceLearning site to begin their quizzes, but the rest of the students were less motivated. I noticed some students on the correct site, but listlessly testing the system by entering random answers. They got even more bored when they found that the system would not allow them to advance to the next question until they got the first one correct. The rest of the students, however, were to be found on Facebook, MapleStory, or other entertainment sites. One student was even playing a flash game at the back of the class, and did not bother to stop even when I approached him. He claimed that he had already finished his quiz, and was able to show me his final score on the online quiz.
In general, I think the students found it a nice change to be outside the classroom and enjoy the air-conditioning for a change. However, I have my doubts as to whether they have learnt anything through this ICT lesson. Certainly, from the attitudes that I have seen, it seems like only a handful of students had learnt something new from the ICT portion of the day's lesson. Perhaps the questions on the quiz were too easy for the students, as many of those who actually tried the quiz seriously managed to get full marks easily. Perhaps more challenging questions can be chosen the next time.
As for the attitudes of the teachers in the school towards ICT, I feel that there is very little ICT usage in the classrooms. This strongly reflects on the teachers' mistrust or dislike for ICT. Although the school has a number of iPod touches available, I have not seen any teachers using it, or mentioning any intention to use it. These iPods seem very new to me, which probably speaks much for its under-use. I have heard of Powerpoint slides, Youtube, and even visualizers being used in other departments, and I myself have used all three in my English lessons. However, no one seems bold or creative enough to step beyond the norm and create an usual or exceptional ICT lesson.
This is such a pity, since the school seems to have lots of good equipment for a good ICT lesson. For example, Greenridge has a "Black Box" room, complete with video recording equipment for making a mini film. The school also has a few copies of good video editing software. If I had the time, I would have liked to bring my English class in to make a "Vodcast", or video podcast. Not only will this boost their confidence as public speakers, but it will give them a chance to practice their conversational skills, enunciation, and grammar. And, of course, at the same time, the students will be able to have fun away from their usual classroom.
The class was taken to the computer lab for lesson some time at the end of my first week there. Their teacher had prepared some online quizzes for them to attempt in order to monitor their own learning. This was perhaps in preparation for the school's e-learning day that would take place on 29th July, to ensure that every student knows how to access the site where the questions will be posted.
Before allowing the students to switch on their computers, however, the teacher wanted to conduct a short lesson to re-explain something that he realised that many students did not quite understand. This short lesson took 20 of the 45 minutes allotted to the lesson, but the students were restless during those 20 minutes. Sitting in front of a computer they could not touch was, it seemed, a torture to them. Many of them, however, quickly realised that they would not be switching their computers on until their worksheet was done, and so quickly got on task.
Finally, the students were allowed to use their computers. About half the class obediently went to the AceLearning site to begin their quizzes, but the rest of the students were less motivated. I noticed some students on the correct site, but listlessly testing the system by entering random answers. They got even more bored when they found that the system would not allow them to advance to the next question until they got the first one correct. The rest of the students, however, were to be found on Facebook, MapleStory, or other entertainment sites. One student was even playing a flash game at the back of the class, and did not bother to stop even when I approached him. He claimed that he had already finished his quiz, and was able to show me his final score on the online quiz.
In general, I think the students found it a nice change to be outside the classroom and enjoy the air-conditioning for a change. However, I have my doubts as to whether they have learnt anything through this ICT lesson. Certainly, from the attitudes that I have seen, it seems like only a handful of students had learnt something new from the ICT portion of the day's lesson. Perhaps the questions on the quiz were too easy for the students, as many of those who actually tried the quiz seriously managed to get full marks easily. Perhaps more challenging questions can be chosen the next time.
As for the attitudes of the teachers in the school towards ICT, I feel that there is very little ICT usage in the classrooms. This strongly reflects on the teachers' mistrust or dislike for ICT. Although the school has a number of iPod touches available, I have not seen any teachers using it, or mentioning any intention to use it. These iPods seem very new to me, which probably speaks much for its under-use. I have heard of Powerpoint slides, Youtube, and even visualizers being used in other departments, and I myself have used all three in my English lessons. However, no one seems bold or creative enough to step beyond the norm and create an usual or exceptional ICT lesson.
This is such a pity, since the school seems to have lots of good equipment for a good ICT lesson. For example, Greenridge has a "Black Box" room, complete with video recording equipment for making a mini film. The school also has a few copies of good video editing software. If I had the time, I would have liked to bring my English class in to make a "Vodcast", or video podcast. Not only will this boost their confidence as public speakers, but it will give them a chance to practice their conversational skills, enunciation, and grammar. And, of course, at the same time, the students will be able to have fun away from their usual classroom.
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