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.
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