I Wish The School Has..

Hi guys. These are my top ten wish-lists which fly around my head for few days. I think every school should have this.

10. A Convenient English Computer Lab

I prefer to call it English Computer Lab because I will be an English teacher later on. And why does this thing appear in my wish list? Is it different with normal computer lab? For me: OF COURSE. The normal one is no different with computer center. Only rows of table with computers. Not interesting and not applicable for KIDS. I prefer one with more spaces which allow the pupils to not only sit in front of the computers. They need to move around as well. Learning ICT doesn’t mean that we have to look at the computer only but learn based on the input as well (example; interacting through videos). The arrangement also has to be in groups that will promote interaction and discussion. Teachers also will easily monitor them while having activities.
9. A complete ICT tools > Smart board, camera, video camera, computer (20 are enough), projector etc.

If every class has ICT stuffs, that will cause our government to invest a lot. And ‘surely’ those stuffs will be broken somehow later. So, the best thing is to just focus on the lab (complete it as much as possible). That will reduce the cost and at the same time, schools will have ready-to-use ICT equipment. If that happens, not only English teachers will benefit from it, other teachers also will have no problem when conducting integrated ICT teaching. In fact, the tools also are can be one path to expose young children about ICT. They will have the opportunity to learn how to use it.

8. Separate learning tools

During my practicum, the only thing provided for me is the CD from textbook. Then, I had to create my own ICT based learning tools. For me, it will be better if the lab has specific learning tool. For example, a CD that includes videos ONLY, a CD that includes pictures ONLY and etc. Not to say that government has to provide all of that to schools. But it would be a collaboration of teachers’ work (divide the work and pack it and then label it and then put it in the lab). It would be great teaching aids later on. Moreover, we won’t have to waste time, wondering what we want to extract from the CD given. The pupils also will be more focus as they are clear about what they are learning.

7. A lab supervisor

This is one of the most important one. Imagine that you have a house. If there is no one cleaning up the house daily/weekly, what will happen? It is similar to the lab but much worse. If the lab is dirty, we can clean it. But if tools inside it are BROKEN, who wants to repair it? Once broken, many procedures have to be done to make it usable again. (Policy) Then teachers will face the problem in using the ICT later on. So, for me, it is wise to maintain it before broken. This is the thing that I personally want our authority to take a look. Providing is good but maintaining is…… (Use your brain).

6. Sufficient time

The problem in our education is time constraint. Most teachers complain about it (especially to finish up the syllabuses). For me, to teach using ICT need more time. The one that most of us learn (1 hour lesson) is crap. It is only usable for traditional method. One question from me, can you learn and create something (using ICT) in less than 1 hour? If we teachers are given more time while teaching using ICT (not necessarily every class), the output will be better. Pupils will have more chance to explore and do self learning then.

5. ICT knowledge (at least about few things – for pupils)

Young children are attracted when their teachers teach using ICT. They are eager to use it during activities after learn it. But most children nowadays are ICT blind. They know about facebook, myspace, and etc. but do we realize that they are ‘blind’ when it comes to educational stuffs related to ICT? Teachers should seed the pupils to learn independently using ICT, not only teach them using ICT. They will still gain knowledge but they would not be able to build up their own knowledge. That is sad. This can be done if the teacher shows them proper ways to use ICT. The result, they will end up with searching their own knowledge and become independent learners (not only in school).

4. E-learning

Asking young pupils to do blogging is…ridiculous. Some of them not even know what to write. What I mean with this E-learning here is teachers would ask the pupils to do E-diary. They can use PowerPoint or Word to write what they have learned weekly. By then, it will develop the pupils’ awareness about their own learning. Teachers also can easily monitor pupils’ progress and help them if necessary. This could be done in 15 minutes, once a week during the class and put it in a folder (created by teacher). Unconsciously, the pupils learn to express themselves.

3. LAN, File sharing, email etc..

Sharing is caring. That’s the only thing I would say about LAN. In the lab, some pupils have no ideas what to do. If they can ‘see’ and ‘share’ their friends’ work, they will know what to do then. They are not only learning about how to share, but they will develop reading and observing skills as well through their friends.

2. A stable internet connection

Before I entered my school for teaching practicum, I only know about streamyx and broadband. Then, I heard about schoolnet – an internet program run in schools. The name is very convincing and might provide a better service (since it is under government). But sadly, it is just a name. Worse than streamyx and has a lot of problem technically. As far as I concern, the authority pays a lot to a specific body to manage this service but why is it still making problem? I think, it is better for the school to just use the ordinary internet service like streamyx and whatsoever. It is more convenient and less problem. The connection is important for the pupils to explore the knowledge. If it is broken, how come they want to learn (independently)?

1. ICT course for teacher

My top priority is for the teacher itself. Just tell me one thing. How do you want to teach using ICT if you do not know how to use ICT. Word, PowerPoint and Excel can’t be considered as powerful ICT stuff. We have to have extra knowledge to deal with the current situation. My suggestion is, teachers should undergo ICT courses consistently to catch up with the current world. Then it will be useful to teach pupils using the new knowledge. We are preparing the kids for future. So we have to teach them ‘future’ things, not ‘history’ things..