IT takes pride of place in classroom
A New Territories secondary school has spent millions of dollars to introduce information technology (IT) to the school environment.
'In addition to the $9 million required for the basic infrastructure for the school, our board of trustees has spent an extra $3 million on computers and other IT facilities,' according to Yuen Long Public Middle School Alumni Association Tang Siu Tong Secondary School principal Ng Yu-yum. The school was established in 1999 at Tin Shui Wai and is among the handful of schools with fully integrated IT facilities.
'We believe schools must keep pace with society, and as school management we must prepare children for the information era,' he said.
The school had installed more than 300 computers for students, teachers and management staff, he said. Each teacher had been assigned one computer, and all marking and the composition of question papers could be done on-line.
There was one computer for every three students, and all students had their own e-mail address. Mr Ng hoped that in two years' time all students would have their own computer at school.
Each classroom was equipped with at least one computer which included Internet links, he said, and every workstation was linked to a video network which allowed signals to be sent to every classroom.
'I believe students in the near future will be able to attend lessons without actually going to the classroom,' Mr Ng said. 'By that time education will be re- defined.'
A variety of specialised software was available to support the school's programme, Mr Ng said. Form One students could begin typing in Chinese, and the school offered courses in Web site design and production of animation and multi-media materials. By Form Four it was intended that all students should have a good command of fundamental computer skills, and schoolwork could be submitted by e-mail, Mr Ng explained.
Teachers held a weekly meeting to exchange ideas on using IT in the classroom, and attended regular training sessions on major software.
'Frankly, I was a bit sceptical at the beginning,' said second former Tracy Ng Kam-fung. Tracy is also a member of the school's IT team. The group was set up to assist in the production of computerised animation and multi-media teaching materials for use in the school.
'Now everything here shows how effective the computer is; it makes teaching and learning a lot easier.
'Since the beginning of this year some teachers and students from neighbouring schools have visited us regularly to see how our teachers use information technology in their teaching. We show the visitors how to use multi-media production skills, such as shooting, editing and digitising the information,' she said. 'It's great fun.'
Graphic: ardistglo
