post 2

• In your opinion, why do you think it is important for MOE to develop the three Masterplans for ICT in education?

It is imperative to develop a masterplan for ICT in education as there is always a need to have a (grand) overall plan for any big project as it provides a goal to work towards, as well as guidelines on how to work towards it. The first master plan (1997-2003) has laid the foundations to which schools can use as a guideline. Since then, most, if not all schools are better equipped with computers and the likes which enable them to make use of ICT in order to conduct lessons and/or elective lessons. I decided to go to the website to find out more about the goals and this is what I got:

• Enhance linkages between the school and the world around it
• Generate innovative processes in education
• Enhance creative thinking, lifelong learning and social responsibility
• Promote administrative and management excellence in the education system

As cliché as it sounds, we live in a highly globalised and connected world. Communications is key and hence there is a greater need to promote this particular function. At the same time, ICT was set to enhance creative thinking and lifelong learning. But somehow I have an issue with social responsibility. Is the goal stretching it too far? Or perhaps the master plan aims to have the students taught virtual social responsibility?

The second master plan led to the achievement of several goals:

• Students surveyed were competent in the use of basic ICT tools, namely, Internet, email, word processing and presentations, with almost all of students knowing how to use the Internet.
• Teachers were proficient in the use of the basic tools, namely, productivity tools, Internet and email, with two-thirds of teachers comfortable in using existing ICT tools and resources to support classroom teaching.
• The ICT implementation in 80% of our schools have met the mp2 outcomes, with about 15% having exceeded the mp2 outcomes. There was a flexible network environment to allow schools to experiment with new technologies such as wireless network. All schools have funds to attain a student to computer ratio of 6.5:1 for Primary schools and 4:1 for Secondary schools and JCs.

MP 2 has enabled schools to work towards the goals mentioned in order to ensure that all students, teachers and support staff in schools are better equipped with ICT knowledge and tools.

MP 3 will not only enable students to be more initiative in their own learning using ICT effectively, but also become more discerning and responsible, in accordance to MP 1. Teachers’ roles as mediators and guides will be effectively brought out with ICT learning journeys as they teach and nurture students to be responsible users.

• 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).

The use of powerpoint slides became a necessity amongst teachers in my secondary school days and it was useful to a certain extent. We were encouraged to use powerpoint for our own class presentations, as it extended our management and our own learning beyond the classroom, as we had to conduct research outside school hours. It led to self-directed learning (SDL) as we could apply what we learnt in class to our projects and assignments, and enabled us to explore alternatives and formulate questions and answers. This also resulted in more reflective SDL. More often than not, SDL was accompanied by collaborative learning (CoL) where working in groups was highly encouraged in order to have better brainstorm sessions and creative questions or answers generated. It was also a simple way to chase the boredom of the subject away. However, I personally felt that powerpoint was overused and sometimes, it was no different from the old ways of the OHP. I guess teachers today try to think up of more creative and engaging ways to conduct their lessons but at least when I was in secondary and JC, it was the beginning of the ICT masterplans and in the beginning stages, a lot of improvements could have been made, in retrospect.

• Based on your enhanced school experience, how do you think the current Masterplan 3 may affect your role(s) as a beginning teacher ?

Based on the current goals of MP 3, where:

To promote self-directed learning, teachers will establish or provide:
1. Student-teacher learning partnership
2. Experiences for extension of students' learning
3. Conditions for students' self management and monitoring of their learning
To promote collaborative learning, teachers will establish or provide:
1. Assessment of individual and group learning
2. Structures for collaboration among students
3. Structures for effective group processes

I will definitely need to have a good working relationship with the students. In order to do so, it is imperative to first establish a sincere and respectful environment within and outside the classroom. As a beginning teacher, it might be difficult to sometimes control the class, so there must be a constant self reminder that I should not lose my cool and shout at the students in class.


To provide an environment where students are more encouraged to conduct their own learning process, I should monitor their friendships with each other in order to see if certain group members are working well together and to always be updated with their progress. While programs such as e-learning or research conducted at home is to be encouraged, I must also make sure that students are initiative enough to do their work after class and school. Charts have to been filled up to check their improvements (or not) in order for me to cater to the different learning speed of my class.