tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post6376723467044529905..comments2024-03-21T20:10:28.943+08:00Comments on EDUCATION IN MALAYSIA: Properly Using ICT in the ClassroomUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-74947650009852283922012-07-12T13:04:03.426+08:002012-07-12T13:04:03.426+08:00Do you think teachers are really utilizing the com...Do you think teachers are really utilizing the computers to teach ?Safia Tg safiahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15378733373784485413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-78094642149131721822009-02-07T13:40:00.000+08:002009-02-07T13:40:00.000+08:00I have nothing against handing out the CD because ...I have nothing against handing out the CD because it serves as a safety net such that even if the teachers can't speak or teach in English, students won't lose out. For this reason, the CDs were probably intentionally designed to be comprehensive.<BR/><BR/>Firstly, teachers in our school system are DIScouraged from venturing beyond the prescribed text. It is to ensure standardisation and prevent miseducation - inline with our over-protective mentality. Hence, even without the CDs, I'm sure it is very difficult to find teachers who don't just teach by the book.<BR/><BR/>If we pretend that teachers are allowed to venture beyond the CD, then having the CD does not prevent the teacher from including other material. Teachers with ability can still supplement the CD with their own examples and elaborations sourced from the Internet. Although I must stress that I am very much against giving young students the impression that all information from the internet is credible. They must also learn to discern.<BR/><BR/>Equally, having the CD does not prevent the teacher from having the students discuss or submit assignments electronically. Hence fulfilling the 'C' usage of ICT.<BR/><BR/>In conclusion, reliance on the CD is not because such a comprehensive CD was given out or that the teachers haven't been trained to optimise use of ICT. It is because we actually DON'T want teachers to "do their own thing" and actually use ICT creatively. <BR/><BR/>You forget, if they allowed such audacity, then urban teachers could potentially run much more interesting, useful and exciting classes resulting in greater chasm in the standard of urban and rural students. Very racist comment, please forgive, but maybe some truth: Resulting in greater chasm racially.Soo Hueyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13056395780314333366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-89620940952905561142009-02-06T23:28:00.000+08:002009-02-06T23:28:00.000+08:00I know that in my school, some students who attend...I know that in my school, some students who attended tuition know the subject material better than their science teachers. <BR/><BR/>The CDs, I think, are a way for the government to ensure that teachers don't teach the wrong thing. This is especially so in less developed areas.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-32379568162126453462009-02-05T11:02:00.000+08:002009-02-05T11:02:00.000+08:00While I agree that the use of 'course-ware' is qui...While I agree that the use of 'course-ware' is quite useless, the examples that you have suggested (Youtube and all) are still in the same vein. It's basically just using ICT to deliver content. There is a whole other level of ICT use in education that is applicable especially in subjects like Math/Science - simulating things that are otherwise too expensive to do in the real world.<BR/><BR/>Like in your game-theory class, instead of showing scenes from "A Beautiful Mind" (probably the one in the bar, where they discussed picking up girls), your professor could have run a simulation of the entire scenario, with different parameters applied resulting in different outcomes. While probably not as 'attractive' it is more 'instructive'. Instead of just playing simple games, complex games could be thrown in simply because computers have the necessary power to resolve the situations.<BR/><BR/>The 'I' in ICT stands for information. That is another thing that computers are good for. Wikipedia is a great source of information that kids can and should be encouraged to look at to supplement everything that they learn in class.<BR/><BR/>'C' stands for communication. ICT can be used to improve the communication between teachers, schools, students and parents. Students can communicate with each other to exchange information. Parents can use ICT to track their childs' progress in class. Teachers can use ICT to monitor everyone's progress.<BR/><BR/>Personally, I am biased, seeing that I used to develop a education system for schools. But it was clear to me, even then, that 'course-ware' was not the way to go. ICT in education can be applied to certain functions, but not all - good for timetabling and marking, not so good for replacing teachers.<BR/><BR/>However, the problem that you have raised is not just an educational problem. If you look carefully enough, you will see that in almost every area, ICT is not being applied 'correctly'. The trouble is that the people who care, don't usually have the ICT skills while those who do, don't care.Shawn Tanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04342111805045331752noreply@blogger.com