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By Amelia Tan
SINGAPORE schools, lauded the world over for their maths and science curriculums, are now also serving as role models in the use of technology for teaching.
A group of education experts from software giant Microsoft told The Straits Times at a conference in Brazil last week that many countries have their eye on Singapore schools because they have managed to integrate the use of technology into lessons effectively - something which schools elsewhere do only superficially.
Microsoft vice-president for worldwide education programmes Anthony Salcito said: 'Many countries, in their rush to innovate, think using technology is about using a computer and making it do the work to connect with curriculum and so on.
'But increasingly, we need to take a more holistic approach to the way we think of the role technology plays, as a servant to the learning process.
'The most successful examples of using technology in teaching start with sound pedagogy and looking at how technology can improve the lesson. Singapore has managed to do this.'
He was speaking on the sidelines of Microsoft's annual Innovative Education Forum, held last week in Brazil.
Mr Salcito said one example of Singapore's success in integrating technology within the curriculum is BackPack.NET, a $20 million project by the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) and Microsoft Singapore. It was started in 2003 with the aim of transforming teaching through technology and allowing mobile learning.
Students were supplied with tablet PCs, giving them the chance to learn both inside and outside the classroom.
Beyond just introducing new technology, teachers made significant changes to the way they taught lessons. A whole year's worth of lessons was uploaded online, and other digital resources like videos were provided, allowing faster learners to learn more and slower ones to catch up.
The results were outstanding. Students involved in the project did well in examinations and - perhaps more importantly - their teachers say they are confident and self-directed learners.
Another example named by the experts was the Future Schools project, which designated six schools as test beds for new education technology.
For example, to nurture presentation skills and allow creative expression, students at these schools are encouraged to film videos and upload digital art onto social networking websites which they have developed themselves.
The schools' portals have also been enhanced with live messaging features so that students can ask their teachers questions and work on group projects with their peers even when they have left the school grounds.
Mrs Eugenia Lim, principal of Crescent Girls' School, one of the schools involved in the project, said that monetary and professional support to develop the curriculum came from MOE, IDA and the National Research Foundation.
Ms Jenny Lewis, an adviser to Microsoft's US$500 million (S$700 million) education initiative Partners in Learning, said Singapore schools are gaining attention for the way they use technology to teach '21st century skills' such as collaboration and critical and creative thinking.
MOE has announced that it will cut down on pen and paper exams, which test content knowledge, in favour of projects which teach team work and creativity.
It is also encouraging schools to get students to join co-curricular activities and place more emphasis in the teaching of oral skills.
Ms Lewis added: 'Singapore is taking some amazing and radical steps in what they are doing in the curriculum. It certainly will set the scene worldwide as an example of what it looks like to have a 21st century curriculum.'
Partners in Learning director James Bernard said the world has much to benefit from Singapore's journey as a pioneer in education technology.
'The things that Singapore schools are doing can be used as case studies which other countries can learn from. By sharing, Singapore can help shorten the journey for other countries.'
This article was first published in The Straits Times.
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