Centre holds training on using ICT in classrooms

A THREE-week training programme on incorporating Info-Communication Technology (ICT) and making use of new media in teaching and learning processes began yesterday at the SEAMEO VOCTECH Regional Centre with the attendance of various members of ASEAN countries.

In a welcoming speech, Director of SEAMEO VOCTECH Regional Centre Alias Hj Abu Bakar (pictured), said that new media such as mobile phones and tablets have shown potential as a tool in teaching and learning processes, but also noted that not everyone has a personal laptop or computer.

"Almost everyone has a mobile phone and are Internet-ready, enabling a link from a teacher to a learner anytime and anywhere," he said.

"The tablet is (also) becoming very popular and everyone wants to have it."

He said that in today's "interconnected and technology-driven world", a learning environment can be virtual, online, or remote.

"In other words, it (the learning environment) didn't need to be a place at all. Perhaps, we can think about it as the support systems that organise the condition in which humans learn best," he said.

The possibility of establishing the 21st century learning environment is no longer remote, he said, with technology such as ICT and new media available to everyone.

"What the teachers need is training on how to develop the components of this type of learning environment."

In concluding his speech, the director also expressed hopes that through the training programme, SEAMEO VOCTECH would be able to assist participants in their efforts to "transform Vocational and Technical Education for the 21st Century".

About 23 administrators, teachers and lecturers from 10 SEAMEO member countries as well as officers from the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) will be participating in the programme.

In an interview, Education ICT Manager cum ICT Specialist at SEAMEO VOCTECH Benjamin Quito said that the course will be specifically designed for teaching and learning by incorporating new media such as social networking and mobile applications like the iPad or Android.

In terms of ICT, he said that what they will help the participants learn was to deliver lectures in such a way that was "enjoyable and exciting" to the students.

"Students are more informed in terms of ICT nowadays. They are more connected to the Internet and they are more adapt to use new technologies.

"We have to make use of these tools for teaching and learning, not just for phonecalls or logging into social media. These powerful tools can be used in reaching out to the students," Quito noted.

Meanwhile, according to a statement from the SEAMEO VOCTECH Regional Learning Centre, the training programme will also be focused on the development of teaching and learning materials for classroom or online delivery applying proper instructional design techniques. The training will provide extensive workshops on the development of materials and its delivery through ICT in teaching and learning.

Theories and teaching pedagogies will be an integral part of the programme guiding the development and delivery of the materials in a classroom setting. Participants will create a project developed from the ICT tools freely available on open source for use in teaching and learning.

The Brunei Times