#2. Opinions on MOE Masterplans for ICT in Education

In your opinion, why do you think it is important for MOE to develop the three Masterplans for ICT in education?
After viewing the video on the importance of ICT, I now see the perennial importance of having to constantly meet the demands of the globalized world even in any academic institutions. The conventional way of delivering lessons via textbooks is proven to be less effective and also does not equip students with the technological changes. Even the most seemingly basic multimedia tool is sought after to support teaching and learning, and this is indeed a welcoming two-pronged approach as well as a pedagogical tool that make lessons more engaging. The pervasiveness of ICT extends to beyond the classroom - what with the competitions that encourage students to hone their ICT skills and embark on continuous experimentations, the need for teachers to undergo professional development. However, it must be acknowledged that different schools advance at different rates in ICT hence the need to ensure that all schools have to at least equip students with the necessary and basic ICT skills. The importance of e-learning is also given much emphasis. Although some skeptics frown upon the usage of e-learning (claiming that it is not effective teaching because no teacher is present to monitor the students), it is an opportunity for students to practise self-learning, take ownership of their leaning, and discern right from wrong. Altogether, this ICT movement is not only a compass that guides both teachers and students in a rapidly globalizing world but also serves as a platform for students to mature into responsible individuals and to increase their employability.

Has any of the Masterplans impacted you as a student? Share your experience of how ICT had been used in the classes you attended as a student (if applicable).
I remember having my first taste of ICT back then in 1997 when I was a Primary Four student in Xinmin Primary School. There was overwhelming excitement and enthusiasm over the introduction of ICT in classrooms, an even an overwhelming sense of loss that engulfed me because I did not even know how to manoeuvre myself around something as simple as Microsoft Word. Many things have changed since then; the use of computers and the Internet is pervasive - websites like YouTube and blogging tools were used when I was a student to cater to the learning demands and the urgency to pique the students' interest as well as a convenient (shared) platform for us to reflect our learning on. Because of these factors and circumstances, I remember pleading my father to sign up for a dial-up connection (and subsequently, broadband) in our house so that I could participate in ICT activities and not be left out amongst my classmates.

Based on your enhanced school experience, how do you think the current Masterplan 3 may affect your role(s) as a beginning teacher ?
A beginning teacher has many changes to adapt to. Some of these changes may overwhelm him/her because of the flurry of activities we may find ourselves in and having to adjust to them or even re-learn. Hence it would be of no surprise if there were vehemence expressed towards Masterplan 3. However, I am positive that in due time, we can show our potential to shine as teachers of the 21st Century - not only adhering strictly to the role of educators but also in facilitating learning. We have to constantly come up with interesting resources and tools of learning to feed the students' interest and also to encourage them to come up with their own fair share of it.