One Byte At A Time

POPCLUB: How has technology and gadgets impacted Singapore’s education system?

Keith: It is impossible to ignore the presence of technology and gadgets in our lives. Almost 87% of Singapore’s 5.4 million population own smartphones, and almost 2 out of 5 adults own a tablet device.

Gerald: Singapore has been implementing technology in its education system since 1997. According to the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Masterplan Phase One (1997-2002), student’s computer usage accounts for up to 30% of their curriculum with a computer to pupil ratio of 1:2. In Phase Two, educators are motivated to use ICT effectively in teaching and learning. Now in Masterplan Three (2009-2014), MOE is equipping students with the critical competencies required to succeed in a knowledge-based economy. Hence, the use of technology and gadgets are prevalent in Schools.

POPCLUB: What do you see as the pros and cons from a learning standpoint?

Keith: In preschool education, we emphasise on holistic learning to achieve competency in six domains — aesthetics and creative expression, discovery of the world, language and literacy, motor skills development, numeracy, and social and emotional development.

Digital features such as interactivity, sounds, special effects and virtual reality make stories come alive. These features offer unparalleled benefits compared to print books. An undeniable fact is that digital books draw attention, even from a hyperactive child, to interact with the components within the stories and to want to learn and do more.

Reforming Education

Keith Kwai is the Project & Business Manager for Project Pre-School Learning (PSL), and a father of two preschoolers. Gerald Goh is the

Head of Content & Curriculum at POPULAR e-Learning, a fully owned subsidiary of POPULAR HOLDINGS.In an exclusive interview with POPCLUB, the two leading advocates in e-learning shared about how technology is changing the face of education, one byte at a time.

KeithGerald

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Without proper guidance, too much of anything can be negative. Parents need to nurture, and guide the child to ensure a balance is achieved. The use of technology and gadgets are omitted in certain aspects of our curriculum. For example, in our Fun With Clay workshops, children have hands-on practise of colour mixing, blending and shaping. Ultimately, they can turn their creativity into works of art.

Gerald: I agree with Keith that the use of technology and gadgets has to be moderated. Educators and parents must show interest in how technology can transform and aid learning. If we do not use technololgy and gadgets appropriately, it can be more of a distraction than help.

POPCLUB: What is the role of school teachers in this digital age?

Keith: We have been talking to educators from Pre-K to K12 for a long time, and discovered that the top use of technology by teachers is on content research for the lesson plan.

There are lots of information available in the virtual medium, but the teachers have to help students in differentiating good information from potential misinformation.

Gerald: The use of ICT is not new in Education. As a former educator, I know that a number of peers in the teaching service are overwhelmed by the use of ICT in addition to their primary responsibilites as teachers.

However, teachers should embrace ICT as part of the education process. In primary and secondary schools, students are already using their own school networks to facilitate e-discussion, submit assignments and collaborate on class projects. Singapore teachers can assist by focusing on their role as facilitators of higher order thinking and learning, instead of merely information transmission.

POPCLUB: Do you believe that print books will eventually be replaced by digital content and devices?

Keith: Most academics and educationists believe that more and more of our education content, such as textbooks and research papers from Pre-K to K21 will be digitised.

Nevertheless, print books will still be around for a long while. As a father of two growing preschoolers, nothing in the digital space can replicate the pleasure of hours of doodling and colouring on sheets of paper.

Gerald: Almost all schools in Singapore have already implemented Learning Management Systems (LMS’s) such as Blackboard, WebCT and Moodle. In spite of that, these tools are only useful when properly used. The challenge is on how educators and teachers can use technology to aid student learning as compared to the past when technology and gadgets did not exist.

I believe that the information presented in this digital age is good for learning, but having more information available does not equate to useful learning. Rote learning remains the critical path of our educational system today, and we should be selective on what type of tools to use in teaching and learning.

POPCLUB: Any advice for parents and educators?

Keith: Parents play an equally important role as educators in the use of ICT at home. My children Benjamin and Alyssa, age six and four, are fully competent on using iPad and Android devices through exposure from their parents.

Gerald: The advantages of technology and ICT are limitless. Imagine taking the entire class on a virtual tour of Venice, Italy without leaving your classroom, or exploring the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, from the comfort of your desk. The use of video clips, audio sounds, graphic presentations and even virtual reality can bring content to life.

ICT has the ability to expand access in education, to areas that were previously out-of-reach. For these changes to take effect, educators must gain competency in the use of technology and ICT for curriculum design to move in tandem.

Imagine taking the entire class on a virtual tour of Venice, Italy without leaving your classroom, or exploring the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, from the comfort of your desk...

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