Essay Draft 3

In this “digital age”, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), which is defined as “technologies that provide access to information through telecommunications” (“ICT”, 2010), has shown increasing importance in various aspects of human lives, including the education field. Recognizing the paramount importance of ICT in the process of learning and teaching, Malaysia has launched several initiatives such as Smart Schools, SchoolNet, Computer Lab and Educational web TV to integrate the use of ICT in teaching and learning processes in primary and secondary schools. The outcomes of these initiatives were indicated in a study by Multimedia Super Corridor Malaysia (MSC) & Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE) (2006), in which 73% of the teachers identified themselves as “upper intermediate users” and 10% of the teachers identified themselves as “advanced users” of ICT literacy. Also shown in the studies were the opinions of students regarding the use of ICT in their learning processes. A vast majority of the students surveyed (97.7 percent) stated that their interest in learning was improved due to the use of computer (MSC & MOE, 2006).

Despite the large number of teachers who reported themselves as “upper intermediate” or “advanced” users of ICT skills (MSC & MOE, 2006), a “divide” was still found to exist between younger teachers and senior teachers in primary and secondary schools in the frequency of ICT use for “teaching and learning, searching educational resources, and creating presentation/delivery materials” (Umar & Yusoff, 2014). Due to the less frequent use of ICT in the learning and teaching process of primary and secondary schools among the senior teachers as compared to junior teachers in Malaysia, the Ministry of Education (MOE) Malaysia should conduct more ICT workshops for senior teachers to encourage senior teachers to incorporate ICT in their classrooms more often.

According to the study done by Umar and Yusoff (2014), senior teachers (teachers who are 30 years old and above) use ICT significantly less than junior teachers (teachers who are less than 30 years old) in their teaching and learning processes. This could be caused by the attitudes of senior teachers towards ICT use in education. For example, some of the senior teachers believe that their age is an obstacle for them to adapt to the modern teaching styles and that traditional teaching methods would suffice in educating their students (Raman & Yamat, 2014). As a result of the significantly less frequent use of ICT in their teaching and learning processes, the senior teachers and their students fail to benefit from ICT. ICT use in teaching and learning has many benefits for both teachers and students. Specifically, it promotes active learning in students, encourages them to learn more and increases their interest towards learning (Elmaifi, 2014). Teachers also gain from the use of ICT as it increases their efficiency in lesson planning, besides enabling them to work in teams and communicate ideas more easily (Elmaifi, 2014). In view of the numerous advantages of ICT use in classrooms, actions should be taken to encourage senior teachers to integrate this technology in their teaching and learning processes more often, so that both the teachers and their students will get to enjoy the benefits of this technology.

One solution to reduce the disparity of frequency of ICT use between senior teachers and junior teachers is to conduct special ICT workshops for senior teachers. Although a large number of ICT training programmes have been provided to the teachers in Malaysia, MOE has not conducted relevant training targeted at the senior teachers. Therefore, special ICT workshops should be conducted by MOE to equip the senior teachers with the interest and skills to integrate this technology in their teaching. To ensure the effectiveness of such workshops on the ICT use of senior teachers in classrooms, these workshops should be held with the vision that they will result in an improvement in senior teachers’ ICT skills. The workshops should also raise awareness in senior teachers about the benefits of using this technology in their learning and teaching processes. Thus, experts in ICT should be involved in teaching senior teachers the relevant skills that can be used in teaching such as the usage of presentation tools, word processors and so on. Employing experts in ICT to conduct training for senior teachers is vital as these experts have a high proficiency in ICT skills. This maximizes the possibility that questions raised by the senior teachers will be answered, which would in turn enable the senior teachers to have a greater command of the various ICT applications.

Another necessary instructional method in these ICT workshops is experiential education. In this context, computer labs would be ideal venues for these workshops as participants will have access to a computer each. After the instructor demonstrates the use of ICT tools, the senior teachers should be given time to test the various tools, as the hands-on experience will consolidate their mastery of these skills. In addition to that, participants can be divided into groups, which will in turn be assigned tasks that simulate real-world scenarios. For example, a group of participants might be requested to apply ICT in their teaching process of a new mathematical concept to the other participants. Through the actual application of ICT skills in teaching, the senior teachers will retain more knowledge than if they were to maintain the passive role of listening to the knowledge imparted (Ayers, n.d.). The hands-on experience is indispensable, as it will also arouse the participants’ interest in learning more ICT skills (Ayers, n.d.) and applying the skills in their actual teaching processes.

However, in order to fully equip senior teachers with the knowledge and interest of using ICT in their learning and teaching processes, the ICT workshops will have to be held frequently. This requires the allocation of a substantial amount of funds for these workshops, which could become a burden for the Malaysian government. Furthermore, a more comprehensive approach will have to be taken to address the less frequent use of ICT in classrooms by senior teachers. Adequate technological infrastructures have to be made available in primary and secondary schools, before the senior teachers can apply their ICT skills. Another important strategy is the encouragement from school administrators on the application of ICT in teaching in their schools. This is essential as the support from people whom teachers deem respectable is necessary in the teachers’ execution of a new technology (Ely, 1993, as cited in Khalid, Nawawi & Roslan, 2009).

In conclusion, MOE should multiply their efforts of encouraging senior teachers to integrate ICT in their teaching and learning processes to reduce the disparity of frequency of ICT use between senior teachers and junior teachers. Undoubtedly, the efforts of the other parties involved such as the institution administrators and the junior teachers is equally significant to induce a change in the use of ICT by senior teachers. By increasing the frequency of ICT use by the senior teachers, it would be beneficial to both the teachers and their students, which could eventually lead to an improvement in their teaching and learning results.

References

Ayers, S. (n.d.). What are the benefits of hands-on training? Retrieved October 9, 2014 from http://www.ehow.com/about_5136211_benefits-handson-training.html

Elmaifi. (2014, February 9). Advantages of Using ICT in Learning-Teaching Processes. EdTechReview. Retrieved October 9, 2014 from http://edtechreview.in/trends-insights/insights/959-advantages-of-using-ict-in-learning-teaching-processes

ICT. (2010, January 4). In TechTerms.com. Retrieved October 9, 2014, from http://www.techterms.com/definition/ict

Khalid, F., Nawawi M. Hj & Roslan, S. (2009). Integration of ICT in Malaysian SecondarySchools: What Conditions Will Facilitate its Use? The International Journal of Learning, 15(12), 85-93. Retrieved from http://www.academia.edu/

Multimedia Super Corridor Malaysia, Ministry of Education Malaysia (2006). Impact Assessment Studies on the Smart School Integrated Solution (SSIS) and other ICT Initiatives. Retrieved from http://www.mscmalaysia.my/sites/default/files/pdf/publications_references/ImpactStudy.pdf

Rahman, K. & Yamat, H. (2014, July). Barriers Teachers Face in Integrating ICT
During English Lessons: A Case Study. The Malaysian Online Journal of Educational Technology, 2(3), 11-19. Retrieved from http://mojet.net/index.php

Umar, I.N. & Yusoff M.T.M. (2014, February 21). A study on Malaysian teachers’ level of ICT skills and practices,
and its impact on teaching and learning. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 116, 979-984. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.01.331

Reader Response Draft 4

In the article “World wakes up to digital divide”, Wakefield (2010) states that digital divide has become a global concern. Statistics from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) show that there is a widening gap between countries that have access to the Internet and countries that do not. The author believes that digital divide is correlated to the economic status of the countries. In response to the divide, less developed countries such as Hungary have been implementing wi-fi village programmes to reach out to users in rural villages. Wakefield (2010) also mentions that by gaining access to the Internet, the minorities will benefit in various aspects such as keeping in touch with their culture and also receiving specialized online healthcare services. However, it is asserted in the article that minorities will only gain advantage from the Internet if they are equipped with the knowledge on how to use it.

In Malaysia, the disparity in internet usage between urban and rural areas appears to be less distinct. In urban areas of Malaysia, 66 percent of youths use the Internet, while in the rural area, 56 percent of the youths use the Internet (Azhar, 2012). At a national internet penetration rate of over 60 percent (Azhar, 2012), it seems that the country’s initiatives to reach out to the rural community residents have been proven effective to a certain extent. However, the speed of Internet connection and the high costs of maintenance services of digital devices remains a major obstacle in bridging the digital divide between urban and rural users in Malaysia. Just as Wakefield (2010) has mentioned, a more comprehensive approach has to be taken to address the digital divide. In my opinion, to achieve greater results in narrowing the digital divide in Malaysia, the Malaysian government should improve the quality of the internet service and reduce the costs of maintenance services of digital devices provided to its citizens, especially those living in rural areas.

At an internet speed “almost three times slower than Vietnam” (Chin, 2014), the efficiency of using the Internet in Malaysia is largely reduced. As a result, the benefits of getting connected to the Internet are not optimized. Even though the internet appears to be available in many areas of the country, such dissatisfying speed diminishes the efforts of the government to bridge the rural-urban digital divide as it makes the Malaysian citizens less willing to use the Internet in their daily lives. Therefore, the Malaysian government should improve the quality of the internet service provided to its citizens, especially the rural population. One way to do this is by allocating more funds to the installation of high-speed broadband services throughout the country. A faster internet speed is essential as it not only will benefit those who are already online, but it will also promote the usage of internet among those who are not yet connected.

Furthermore, making low cost maintenance services available in remote communities is yet another action that is of paramount importance in encouraging the usage of internet in rural areas of Malaysia, as the provision of the necessary digital infrastructure to rural population is only the first step of narrowing the digital divide. The Malaysian government should set up maintenance centers in rural areas that provide low cost or even free services to citizens in these areas for maintaining their digital devices, so that the remote communities will not end up with the conclusion that “getting connected” is too costly and sophisticated a matter for them to be involved in. Without consistent services to help the rural population in maintaining and repairing their devices, the purposes of getting them connected will be considerably harder to achieve.

In a nutshell, I agree with the author’s stand that a more holistic effort should be taken so that more people that are currently offline will get connected, for only then will the rural population benefit more from using the internet. Implementing efforts such as ensuring the good quality of the internet and providing rural population with low cost maintenance services is not only important in Malaysia, but also in other countries. With Malaysia as an example, governments that are trying to narrow the widening gap of internet access between rural and urban regions should make their efforts more comprehensive in order to achieve better results in this aspect.

References:

Chin, C. (2014, May 4). Speed slower than Vietnam and Cambodia. The Star Online. Retrieved September 7, 2014, from http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/05/04/Our-Internet-not-so-broadband-after-all-Speed-slower-than-Vietnam-and-Cambodia/

Nur Azrina Azhar. (2012, December 19). Malaysian youth: connected yet cautious. The Asia Foundation. Retrieved September 7, 2014, from http://asiafoundation.org/in-asia/2012/12/19/malaysian-youth-connected-yet-cautious/

Wakefield, J. (2010, March 19). World wakes up to digital divide. BBC News. Retrieved September 7, 2014, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8568681.stm

Essay Draft 2 (Edited)

In this “digital age”, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), which is defined as “technologies that provide access to information through telecommunications” (“ICT”, 2010), has shown increasing importance in various aspects of human lives, including the education field. Recognizing the paramount importance of ICT in the process of learning and teaching, Malaysia has launched several initiatives such as Smart Schools, SchoolNet, Computer Lab and Educational web TV to integrate the use of ICT in teaching and learning processes in primary and secondary schools. The outcomes of these initiatives were indicated in the “Impact Assessment Studies on the Smart School Integrated Solution (SSIS) and other ICT initiatives” (Multimedia Super Corridor Malaysia (MSC) & Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE), 2006), in which 73% of the teachers identified themselves as “upper intermediate users” and 10% of the teachers identified themselves as “advanced users” of ICT literacy. Also shown in the studies were the opinions of students regarding the use of ICT in their learning processes. A vast majority of the students surveyed (97.7 percent) stated that their interest in learning was improved due to the use of computer (MSC & MOE, 2006).

Despite the large number of teachers who reported themselves as “upper intermediate” or “advanced” users of ICT skills (MSC & MOE, 2006), a “divide” was still found to exist between younger teachers and senior teachers in primary and secondary schools in the frequency of ICT use for “teaching and learning, searching educational resources, and creating presentation/delivery materials” (Umar & Yusoff, 2014). According to the study done by Umar and Yusoff (2014), senior teachers (teachers who are 30 years old and above) use ICT significantly less than junior teachers (teachers who are less than 30 years old) in their teaching and learning processes. This could be caused by the attitudes of senior teachers towards ICT use in education. For example, some of the senior teachers believe that their age is an obstacle for them to adapt to the modern teaching styles and that traditional teaching methods would suffice in educating their students (Raman & Yamat, 2014).

Due to the less frequent use of ICT in the learning and teaching process of primary and secondary schools among the senior teachers as compared to junior teachers in Malaysia, the Ministry of Education (MOE) Malaysia should conduct more ICT workshops for senior teachers to encourage senior teachers to incorporate ICT in their classrooms more often.

Although large number of ICT training programmes has been provided to the teachers in Malaysia, MOE has not conducted relevant training targeted at the senior teachers. Therefore, special ICT workshops should be conducted for senior teachers by MOE to equip these teachers with the interest and skills to integrate this technology in their teaching. To ensure the effectiveness of such workshops on the ICT use of senior teachers in classrooms, these workshops should be held with the vision that they will result in an improvement in senior teachers’ ICT skills. The ICT workshops should also raise awareness in senior teachers about the benefits of using this technology in their learning and teaching processes. Thus, experts in ICT should be involved in teaching senior teachers the relevant skills that can be used in teaching such as the usage of presentation tools, word processors and so on. Employing experts in ICT to conduct training for senior teachers is vital as these experts have a high proficiency in ICT skills. This maximizes the possibility that questions raised by the senior teachers are answered. Consequently, the senior teachers will have a greater command of the various ICT applications.

Another necessary instructional method in these ICT workshops is experiential education. In this context, computer labs would be ideal venues for these workshops as participants will have access to a computer each. After the instructors demonstrates the use of ICT tools, the senior teachers should be given time to test the various tools, as the hands-on experience will consolidate their mastery of these skills. In addition to that, participants can be divided into groups, which will in turn be assigned tasks that simulate real-world scenarios. For example, a group of participants might be requested to apply ICT in their teaching process of a new mathematical concept to the other participants. Through the actual application of ICT skills in teaching, the senior teachers will retain more knowledge than if they were to maintain the passive role of listening to the knowledge imparted (Ayers, n.d.). The hands-on experience is indispensable as it will also arouse the participants’ interest in learning more ICT skills (Ayers, n.d.) and applying the skills in their actual teaching processes.

However, in order to fully equip senior teachers with the knowledge and interest of using ICT in their learning and teaching processes, the ICT workshops will have to be held frequently. This requires the allocation of a substantial amount of funds for these workshops, which could become a burden for the Malaysian government. Furthermore, a more comprehensive approach will have to be taken to address the less frequent use of ICT in classrooms by senior teachers. Adequate technological infrastructures have to be made available in primary and secondary schools, before the senior teachers can apply their ICT skills. Another important strategy is the encouragement from school administrators on the application of ICT in teaching in their schools. This is essential as the support from people whom teachers deem respectable is necessary in the teachers’ execution of a new technology (Ely, 1993, as cited in Khalid, Nawawi & Roslan, 2009).

In a nutshell, ICT use in teaching and learning has many benefits for both teachers and students. It promotes active learning in students, encourages them to learn more and increases their interest towards learning (Elmaifi, 2014). Teachers also gain from the use of ICT as it increases their efficiency in lesson planning, besides enabling them to work in teams and communicate ideas more easily (Elmaifi, 2014). Thus, MOE should multiply their efforts of encouraging senior teachers to integrate ICT in their teaching and learning processes so that their students will not be left out on these advantages. Undoubtedly, the efforts of the other parties involved such as the institution administrators and the junior teachers is equally significant to induce a change in the use of ICT by senior teachers in their teaching and learning processes.

References

Ayers, S. (n.d.). What are the benefits of hands-on training? Retrieved October 9, 2014 from http://www.ehow.com/about_5136211_benefits-handson-training.html

Elmaifi. (2014, February 9). Advantages of Using ICT in Learning-Teaching Processes. Retrieved October 9, 2014 from http://edtechreview.in/trends-insights/insights/959-advantages-of-using-ict-in-learning-teaching-processes

ICT. (2010, January 4). In TechTerms.com. Retrieved October 9, 2014, from http://www.techterms.com/definition/ict

Khalid, F., Nawawi, M. Hj, & Roslan, S. (2009). Integration of ICT in Malaysian Secondary Schools: What Conditions Will Facilitate its Use? The International Journal of Learning, 15(12), 85-93. Retrieved from http://www.academia.edu/

Multimedia Super Corridor Malaysia, Ministry of Education Malaysia. (2006). Impact Assessment Studies on the Smart School Integrated Solution (SSIS) and other ICT Initiatives. Retrieved from http://www.mscmalaysia.my/sites/default/files/pdf/publications_references/ImpactStudy.pdf

Rahman, K. & Yamat, H. (2014, July). Barriers Teachers Face in Integrating ICT
During English Lessons: A Case Study. The Malaysian Online Journal of Educational Technology, 2(3), 11-19. Retrieved from http://mojet.net/index.php

Umar, I.N. & Yusoff M.T.M. (2014, February 21). A study on Malaysian teachers’ level of ICT skills and practices,
and its impact on teaching and learning. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 116, 979-984. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.01.331

Essay Draft 1

Introduction
In this so-called “digital age”, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), which is defined as “technologies that provide access to information through telecommunications”, has shown increasing importance in various aspects of human lives, including the education field. Recognizing the paramount importance of ICT in the process of learning and teaching, Malaysia has launched several initiatives such as Smart Schools, SchoolNet, Computer Lab and Educational web TV to integrate the use of ICT in teaching and learning processes in primary and secondary schools. The outcomes of these initiatives were indicated in the “Impact Assessment Studies on the Smart School Integrated Solution (SSIS) and other ICT initiatives”(Frost and Sullivan, 2006), in which 73% of the teachers identified themselves as “upper intermediate users” and 10% of the teachers identified themselves as “advanced users” of ICT literacy. Also shown in the studies were the opinions of students regarding the use of ICT in their learning processes. A vast majority of the students surveyed (97.7 percent) stated that their interest in learning was improved due to the use of computer (Frost and Sullivan, 2006).

Problem identified
Despite the large number of teachers who reported themselves as “upper intermediate” or “advanced” users of ICT skills, a “divide” was still found to exist between younger teachers and senior teachers in primary and secondary schools in the frequency of ICT use for “teaching and learning, searching educational resources, and creating presentation/delivery materials”(Umar and Yusoff, 2014). According to the study done by Umar and Yusoff (2014), senior teachers use ICT significantly less than junior teachers in their teaching and learning processes. This could be caused by the attitudes of senior teachers towards ICT use in education. For example, some of the senior teachers believe that their age is an obstacle for them to adapt to the modern teaching styles and that traditional teaching methods would suffice in educating their students (Raman and Yamat, 2014).

Thesis
Due to the less frequent use of ICT in the learning and teaching process of primary and secondary schools among the senior teachers as compared to junior teachers in Malaysia, the Ministry of Education (MOE) Malaysia should conduct more ICT workshops for senior teachers to encourage senior teachers to incorporate ICT in their classrooms more often.

Solution
To ensure the effectiveness of ICT workshops on the ICT use of senior teachers in classrooms, these workshops should be held with the vision that they will result in an improvement in senior teachers’ ICT skills. The ICT workshops should also raise awareness in senior teachers about the benefits of using ICT in their learning and teaching processes. Thus, experts in ICT should be involved in teaching senior teachers ICT skills such as Powerpoint presentation. Besides, these workshops should also include experience sharing sessions in which junior teachers who have experienced the positive results of ICT utilization in teaching can share their experiences with senior teachers.

Evaluation

Conclusion

References (Not organized yet)
Impact Assessment Studies on the Smart School Integrated Solution (SSIS) and other ICT Initiatives (http://www.mscmalaysia.my/sites/default/files/pdf/publications_references/ImpactStudy.pdf)
A study on Malaysian teachers’ level of ICT skills and practices,
and its impact on teaching and learning (http://ac.els-cdn.com/S1877042814003486/1-s2.0-S1877042814003486-main.pdf?_tid=837931e8-486f-11e4-a30c-00000aab0f27&acdnat=1412060631_54a5d3abab515d456ae4a53ca90f1306)
The Malaysian Online Journal of Educational Technology (http://www.mojet.net/articles/pdf/v02i03/v02-i03-02.pdf)

New Essay Outline

Main topic area: The digital divide between the younger teachers and senior teachers in the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in their teaching process in Malaysian primary and secondary schools

Main problem identified: The frequency of ICT use in classrooms is less among senior teachers

Proposed solution(set):
– Ministry of Education (MoE) of Malaysia should conduct workshops to improve senior teachers’ ICT skills and to create a platform for younger and senior teachers to share their experiences in the use of ICT to encourage more frequent ICT use among the senior teachers

Proposed thesis:
Due to the less frequent use of ICT in the learning and teaching process of primary and secondary schools among the senior teachers as compared to junior teachers in Malaysia, the Ministry of Education (MOE) Malaysia should conduct more ICT workshops for senior teachers to encourage senior teachers to incorporate ICT in their classrooms more often.