New and improved ICT contest launched

THE new and improved Inforama, a nationwide ICT competition for schools was launched yesterday at the Masin Secondary School, the 2010 host.

Themed "We Can Really Shine", the changes to this year's format addressed several challenges such as simultaneously working with teachers in helping them to use ICT efficiently and effectively, and engaging more teachers and students to integrate ICT in the classroom, among others.

One of the main focus areas of this year's Inforama is highlighting the role of digital communication by using Windows Live spaces as the Inforama official website.

"Recognising the crucial role that digital communication plays today, it was decided earlier on that it should be one of our main focus areas this year for Inforama. This includes using Windows Live spaces as the Inforama official website to disseminate Inforama news, frequently asked questions, to download entry forms, competition formats and schedules," said principal Hjh Mariam Hj Ladi as the chairperson of the competition, in her speech.

A digital tutorial was also introduced via the website which is available through SWF (Shockwave Flash) and PDF (Portable Document Format) formats.

The principal, in her speech also highlighted the poor ergonomics in the computer environment saying that this area is often overlooked.

"Long hours sitting and typing can quickly create bad habits which if not addressed right from the start could cause pain and discomfort later on," she said.The event was launched by Pg Dr Hjh Mastoli PSI Pg Hj Ismail, Director General of Ministry of Education (MoE), who in her speech talked about the impact of ICT in the lives of today's people in relation to education.

"In this century, given our almost limitless access to information, knowing will not be enough. The real skills that must be developed involved doing rather than knowing. I believe ICT is the tool that will customise the learning experience," said Pg Dr Hjh Mastoli.

In an interview with The Brunei Times, Sharifah Hj Mohd Shahlan, Head of ICT Department at the host school elaborated on the changes to the Inforama format. "This is the first time since 1996 that the format was changed. It is another step towards integrating ICT across the curriculum," she said, adding: "This year, the teachers who are in charge of the participating groups are the subject teachers, for example History and Ugama teachers," she explained.

In previous competitions, only computer teachers were involved but the new format gives way for collaboration between computer teachers and the subject teachers. Another significant change is that this year, non-computer students are also given the opportunity to participate in Inforama, said Sharifah.

On digital tutorial, Sharifah said that it was a transition from the physical tutorials which was the norm before.

"It can be (accessed) by parents, as well as students who can use it to learn at their own pace. They can also repeat the tutorial anytime," she said, adding that they have received positive feedback.

It benefits the students by way of experiential learning — students can transfer the information and knowledge obtained from theory to learning products by using multimedia such as keywords, recorded sounds and animation.

The competition is divided into four levels: primary, lower secondary, upper secondary schools and for teachers.

It began with Typing Skill Competition which is a new category for Level 1 (primary school).

"From what we can see today, even the Primary Three students could finish typing the texts in a minute plus. The actual duration is 10 minutes," said Sharifah who was delighted to learn that one of the students who completed the text in a minute and 20 seconds had only started practice typing at the end of February this year, when the new format was distributed to the schools. 'This means that they can learn fast."

The deadline for the project submission is in the first half of May, and the second half of the month will be dedicated to judging and choosing the winners. An Inforama Carnival will be held for three days starting July 5 before the awards presentation and the closing ceremony.

The ICT competition is coordinated by the Science, Technology and Environment Partnership Centre (Step), MoE and supported by Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) Sdn Bhd.

The Brunei Times