On\u00a0 Thursday,\u00a0 November\u00a0 17th,\u00a0 2016,\u00a0 a\u00a0 ground-breaking\u00a0 event transpired.\u00a0\u00a0 That day, the Secondary\u00a0 One classes were converted into virtual classrooms.<\/p>\n
The Sec 1 students\u00a0 interacted\u00a0 and\u00a0 engaged\u00a0 themselves\u00a0 with\u00a0 the\u00a0 learning\u00a0 resources\u00a0 that\u00a0 the\u00a0 Sec\u00a0 1\u00a0 teachers prepared for them in an online setting. Only a few books and stationery were brought to class, and the first period was focused on configuring their tablets and laptops to connect with the school\u2019s Wi-Fi. They sat excitedly with their gadgets before them, logged onto a specific school site that would give them the study materials needed.<\/p>\n
As soon as they were logged in, the students were treated to an immersive e-learning experience. It is a neat-looking website. It is divided into sections such as \u201cHOMEWORK\u201d and \u201cCHATROOM\u201d where each student\u00a0 was\u00a0 encouraged\u00a0 to\u00a0 navigate. The\u00a0 different\u00a0 Sec\u00a0 1\u00a0 subjects\u00a0 required\u00a0 different\u00a0 materials\u00a0 and resources. There was a scroll-down menu on the left-hand side of the screen on that site to navigate pages, grade by grade, subject by subject. Through e-learning, interacting and discussing is now possible outside the physical classroom.<\/p>\n
In Maths, for example, students viewed questions from their screens but did their work on foolscap. In English class, however, students would write out compositions and essays in word document then attach them as a pdf file to be sent to the teacher. Specific deadlines automatically alerted the students for the submissions of assignment. There were also quizzes, albeit still developing, only multiple-choice quizzes could be conducted. The computer system automatically calculated the answers and sent the data to the teacher. The plan is that every teacher will have their own virtual class to operate and update on for every class to see.<\/p>\n
When asked about this revolutionary experiment, the students responded in a majorly positive manner; Then we\u00a0 decided to ask the Sec 1 teachers about their views:<\/p>\n
BBS\u00a0 SPECTRUM:\u00a0 <\/b>Do\u00a0 you\u00a0 prefer\u00a0 teaching\u00a0 students\u00a0 using\u00a0 technology\u00a0 or\u00a0 the\u00a0 old traditional way?<\/p>\n
Ms. Nerissa<\/b>: <\/b>I definitely prefer using tablets and laptops, because it is easier and faster, since we\u2019re going through the age of technology, it is good that we\u2019re starting it soon.<\/p>\n
BBS SPECTRUM: <\/b>How do you teach them using tablets and laptops?<\/i><\/p>\n
Ms. Nerissa: <\/b>We\u2019ve been trained to teach them this way, we download resources, convert them to PDF, send it to the students, and currently they can only do their work on paper.<\/p>\n
BBS SPECTRUM: <\/b>Do you allow students to bring laptops instead of tablets?<\/i><\/p>\n
Ms.<\/b> Nerissa<\/b>:<\/b> For now yes, although it is better if it\u2019s only tablet, as it would be much more portable and easy to carry.<\/p>\n
BBS SPECTRUM<\/b>: <\/i><\/b>Do you enjoy teaching via e-Learning method?<\/i><\/p>\n
M<\/b>r<\/b>.<\/b> Eduardo<\/b>:<\/i><\/b> Yes, it is tiring but very rewarding. e-Learning is very different but as teachers, we have to innovate and improve with the times.<\/p>\n
BBS<\/b> SPECTRUM<\/b>:<\/i><\/b> Speaking<\/i> of<\/i> traditional<\/i> and<\/i> modern<\/i> teaching<\/i> techniques,<\/i> which<\/i> do you prefer now that you have tried both?<\/i><\/p>\n
M<\/b>r<\/b>.<\/b> Eduardo<\/b>:<\/i><\/b> Well, both have their own pros and cons; e-Learning is faster and organized, but the traditional method keeps a deeper, more sincere bond between \u00a0the \u00a0teacher \u00a0and \u00a0the \u00a0students. \u00a0Converting \u00a0to \u00a0an \u00a0entirely \u00a0virtual classroom may limit instructor interaction unlike the vibrant traditional face-to-face exchange.<\/p>\n
Between the traditional and modern method, I guess we have\u00a0 to\u00a0 find\u00a0 a\u00a0 common\u00a0 ground\u00a0 because\u00a0 like\u00a0 it\u00a0 or\u00a0 not,\u00a0 we\u00a0 are\u00a0 going nowhere but forward!<\/p>\n
BBS<\/b> SPECTRUM<\/b>:<\/i><\/b> Do<\/i> you<\/i> think<\/i> it<\/i> will<\/i> be<\/i> successful<\/i> enough<\/i> to<\/i> spread<\/i> to other classes?<\/i><\/p>\n
M<\/b>r<\/b>.<\/b> Eduardo<\/b>:<\/b> That\u2019s the next step though. I do think that it depends on what type of learners fill that class.<\/p>\n
Some classes are visual learners and can work\u00a0 better with computers,\u00a0 whilst\u00a0 others\u00a0 are\u00a0 auditory learners and would suit\u00a0 the traditional method\u00a0 better.\u00a0 So\u00a0 it\u00a0 really\u00a0 does depend on the students.<\/p>\n
Having\u00a0 heard all these, the\u00a0 aim\u00a0 is\u00a0 to\u00a0 gradually\u00a0 get\u00a0 every class into the e-Learning platform by the end of Term 3.<\/p>\n
They can then start upgrading the school facilities to keep up with BBS_KJS\u2019 virtual learning environment.<\/p>\n
Students enjoying their 1st exposure to e-lear<\/i>When asked about this revolutionary experiment, the students responded in a majorly positive manner; Then we decided to ask the Sec 1 teachers about their views:<\/p>\n
BBS <\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/i><\/b>SPECTRUM: <\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/i><\/b>Do <\/i>\u00a0<\/i>you <\/i>\u00a0<\/i>prefer <\/i>\u00a0<\/i>teaching <\/i>\u00a0<\/i>students <\/i>\u00a0<\/i>using <\/i>\u00a0<\/i>technology <\/i>\u00a0<\/i>or <\/i>\u00a0<\/i>the <\/i>\u00a0<\/i>old traditional way?<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n