ICT in schoolsDone by: Jonathan KohSamuel NgChua Jie HanSha Yi Cheng

What is ICTInformation and communication

technologiesAll technical means used to

handle information and aid communication

General term for all kinds of technologies which enable users to create and access information.

A combination of information technology and communications technology.

Moving into ICTSecond industrial revolution(SIR)

1981Move from labour-intensive

industries to knowledge based industries

Develop Singapore into a modern industries economy based on science, techonolgy, skills and knowledge

In order to attract high-tech industries

Why?Rising wages due to labour shortageLabour intensive industries were no

longer competitiveEconomies of other countries at that

time were moving into labour-intensive industries

China, Malaysia, ThailandThey had a lot of manpower resulting in

lower wagesSingapore had limited resources and

was unable to compete with others

ICT development in SingaporePlansNational Computerisation Plan (1980-

1986)National IT Plan (1986-1991)IT2000 (1992-1999)e-Government Action Plan I &

Infocomm 21 (2000-2003)e-Government Action Plan II &

Connected Singapore (2003-2006)iN2015 (2006-2015)

ICT in SchoolsCore objectivesAll pupils have the opportunity to

achieve computer literacy and to equip themselves for participation in the information society

Teachers are supported to develop and renew their professional skills, so as to enable them to utilise ICTs as part of the learning environment.

EnvironmentSchool-wide networkInternet accessTeacher– notebook ratio 1:1At least one techinal assistant

per schoolComputer labsICT integrated into 30% of our

curriculum time

Use of ICT in School3 Masterplans(1997-2002)– Preparing for

innovations(2003-2008)– Seeding

innovations(2009-2014)– Teach less, learn

more

Masterplan 1Basic infrastructure(ICT)Add-on to curriculumMainly CD-ROM based digital

learning resourcesHeadquarters driven

implementation with centralised provisions

Budget: $2 Billion

Masterplan 1Laid a strong foundation for

schools to harness ICT,Especially in the provision of

basic ICT infrastructure and in equipping teachers with a basic level of ICT integration competency. 

Masterplan 2Built on this foundation to strive

for an effective and pervasive use of ICT in education

 Strengthen the integration of ICT into the curriculum

Establish ICT standards for students

Seeding innovative uses of ICT among schools

Budget: $600 Million

Masterplan 3AimEncourage more self-directed

questioning and learningAn interactive environment using

senses to enhance content transmission and retention

Tailor learning experiences according to the way that each student learns best

Enable students to learn anywhere

Masterplan 3A continuation of the vision of the

first and second Masterplans, Enrich and transform the learning

environments of our students Equip them with the critical

skills(IT) to succeed in a knowledge economy.

Masterplan 3Further improve on Teachers’ ICT

skillsUpgrade schools' ICT

infrastructure to keep up with developments

Bandwidth at schools will be increased to 1Gbps -- empower students anywhere and anytime through mobile learning

Masterplan 3edumall 2.0Providing a platform for teachers to

teach students“wide range of digital resources

including full length videos, video clips, interactive websites, multimedia activities, lesson plans and visual, aural and textual archived resources”

Quote from: http://www.ida.gov.sg/insg/post/Singapore-unveils-third-Masterplan-for-ICT-in-Education.aspx

ProsBetter access to learning

resourcesWith ICT, students are able to

access educational resources anytime, anywhere with internet access

Searching for data will be faster, need not look for books– time consuming

Internet provides a large knowledge “pool” to learn from

ProsCollaborative learningWith better communications due

to the internet, students are able to communicate and discuss over long distance (MSN, Skype)

Google documents– everyone can contribute to a document at the same time

Improve project work-- efficiency

ProsInteractive learning environmentICT allows students to access

information through videos, podcasts and other interactive media

Engages and make students interested in learning

Enjoyable learning experienceRetention of information will be

greater

ProsPrepare students for workThe working world is using IT As processing and compiling

data would be faster– Higher work efficiency

Students with IT skills would have higher value to companies

Better job opportunities

ConsHigh costsEven though computers are becoming

cheaper with time, it is still expensiveOne notebook= AVG $1000ICT needs frequent updating and

maintenance of existing infrastructureNot everyone is able to affordUnable to implement throughout all

schools

ConsTeacher trainingMany teachers are not used to

using ICT in teachingLack IT skillsResistant to the use of ITUse IT in class for the sake of

complying with school curriculumRequire to go for ICT training which

would take time and resources

ConsDISTRACTIONS!Internet has brought many

distractions such as social networking sites, online streaming of videos(youtube) and music

Students would spend more time on entertainment than studies

Without discipline, students’ grade could suffer

Referenceshttp://info.worldbank.org/etools/d

ocs/library/243155/day1Session2_Thiam%20Seng%20Koh.pdf

http://www.ida.gov.sg/insg/post/Singapore-unveils-third-Masterplan-for-ICT-in-Education.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_and_communication_technologies

http://www.ncte.ie/AbouttheNCTE/ICTPolicy/

http://www.newman.ac.uk/Students_websites/~s.r.i.whitton/Advantages%20&%20disadvantages.htm

http://blog.nus.edu.sg/allaboutict/2010/11/14/ict-development-in-singapore/

IP schools

IntroductionStarted in 2005 Aimed at giving the best students

in Singapore more time to explore their interests

IP Schools (A Levels)

HCIRIRGSNYGHDunman HighRiver Valley HighNJC

IP Schools (IB)ACS (I)SOTA

New IP SchoolsVictoria SchoolCedar Girls' SecondaryMethodist Girls' SchoolSt Joseph's InstitutionCatholic High SchoolCHIJ St Nicholas Girls' School Singapore Chinese Girls' School

Pros frees up about 6 months of time that would

have been spent studying for O levels Subjects in JC can be brought forward to upper

sec more flexibility in choice of subjects IP schools are generally given more freedom

and funds which allows them to implement new policies to enhance learning

greater breadth and non-academics curriculum

Cons elitism unnecessary stress for primary school students Certain primary schools are affiliated with IP

secondary schools, making it much easier to enter the sec school after PSLE. Entrance into primary schools goes firstly to children in close proximity to schools. Property close to top-end schools are expensive. Rich people get a better education.

O levels are no longer a good standard to judge students because the supposed "best" are excluded

IP students have nothing to fall back on if they fail the A levels

Is IP another "stream"?

What happens if there are more IP schools?

IP is no longer that exclusiveLess people taking O Levels -

sense of inferiorityO levels would lose its purposeAnother “stream” might emerge

So should we have more IP Schools?

NO

Different types of meritocracyTalent meritocracyExam meriotocracy

Talent meritocracyEmployed in the Western

countriesBased on individual’s different

talentsWorks under the belief each

individual is unique in his/her own way and should be given different opportunities to explore and develop

Classes are not restricted by grades

Exam meritocracyEmployed in Singapore and other asian

countriesBased on test scores derived from

standardized testsWorks under the belief that

Standardized test are sufficient to gauge out the cream of the crop and that developing the best will yield the most desirable results

Classes are restricted by the test scores that the individual recieves

Advantages of talent meritocracyEveryone is allowed to pursue

their passionNo one is discriminated against

regardless of gradesTalented individuals in areas like

the arts can be identified

Advantages of exam meritocracyIndividuals are developed based on

their academic strengthThere is a motivation to work harder

due to the competitive nature of exam meritocracy

Research have shown that countries which employ exam meritocracy score better on standardized tests compared to countries which employs talent meritocracy

Disadvantages of talent meritocracyInterest does not always equal to

talentMany parents all feel their child is

gifted,as such,would get their child to opt for a class which is not suitable for them

Significantly lower scores on standardized tests compared to other countries which employ exam meritocracy

Disadvantages of exam meritocracyInterest is secondary to abilityLacks the ability to test for areas

such as creativityFails to train qualities like

spontaneityWeaker students are

discriminated against and only the better students get better standards of education along with more options and opportunities

Thank you!