How SPA BSB use technology?

I've a chance to do my mini-school base research on this topic at my previous school (Sekolah Persediaan Arab BSB). Before I discuss more on this topic, I would like to thank and sent regard to teachers who were involved, namely teacher Hjh.Normah, teacher Haryanti, teacher Hjh.Masni and teacher Hjh.Susilawati. Thank you for your time and cooperation.

Now a days technology are widely use in schools in Brunei due to implementation of the new educational system (SPN 21). In my previous school computers and interactive whiteboard were supplied just a few years ago. Even than teachers involve in teaching Maths and Science already use ICT to find educational resources for teaching in the classrooms.

Now with computer room and IWB room, teachers alternately use the resource to teach not only for computer subject but also other subjects. From my observation and the interview, teachers using the ICT to make their lessons interesting to the pupils. Teachers presenting their lessons in varieties of ways using the ICT. They also let the pupils interact directly with the computer to answer questions or even do their projects if there have their lessons in computer room.

In mathematics subject, teachers use computers or IWB to present 'mental computation test' (MCT)to post the questions. This topic is one of the new topic that was started last year. Not only that, there are some topics in the text book need the pupils to use computer to do the assessment. For example in year 6, under the topic tessellation, pupils are asked to create their own tessellation patterns using computers.

From the interview with the teachers, they do use internet to find suitable resource for the lesson that they want to teach. They find different methods of teaching from websites that they can apply to their pupils in the classrooms. The teachers also take some questions and activities for the pupils from the websites. They also encourage the pupils to surf some educational websites to try at home.

Since the computer room and IWB room are limited to each class and subjects, some teachers take their own initiative to bring their own laptop and projector just to make the lesson run smoothly.

When I asked the teachers if the pupils enjoy learning the lesson with the ICT, the teachers said that they could see from the pupils positive response during the lessons. The pupils are interested in answering questions thath was posted using projector. The pupils are motivated and looking forward to learn more using the ICT.

Unfortunately there are limited time and class to use computer room or IWB in the school because the school is only has one computer room and one IWB room to share within 16 classes and 12 different subjects. The teachers only have few chances to use ICT in their teaching.

How should technology be used in Science teaching and learning?

The used of technology in school are encourage by our new educational system (SPN 21) in teaching and learning. It also become alternative ways of teaching Science subject in all levels especially in primary level.

In primary level, teacher should shows the real object if possible, just to make the pupils really understand the content of the lesson. In some science topic in some conditions, real objects are not convenient. In this case ICT will take over. Using computer or other technology, teachers can easily shows the real pictures or video or even animation that related to the lesson. For example teacher can shows how earth move around the sun.

Using ICT in Science subject, not only make the teaching simpler and easier but also promote interest of the pupils to the subject. Pupils will look forward to learn Science for the next lesson. This shows that the pupils are motivated to learn although they fill the lesson are difficult or complicated.

How should technology be used in Math teaching and learning?

Now a days many technology are used in our everyday life. Even in schools those facilities are supplied by the government so that there are more variety of teaching and learning. Our government spent much money just to make teaching and learning more interesting and enjoyable.

If possible technology should be used in all subjects. Not only it will shows the creativity of the teachers in using it but also motivate pupils in learning. In other aspect it may make the teaching easier for the teacher.

In teaching maths, technology examples computers and interactive white board (IWB) are easily be used.Teachers may use power point or slide shows to present the topics so that the topic are easily understand by the pupils. We have done this in Year 1 when our CT maths lecturer (AP Dr. Hjh. Zaitun) asked us to find alternative ways in additions and subtractions of numbers. We presented it using slide shows and come out with excellent out come. From this project we learned that we can use ICT to make teaching easier and fun.

When I was in school, I had chances to use IWB during my lessons. I used it to show notes and some questions to the pupils so that I didn't have to write in the white board which will took time. It will save times if the teachers are well prepared before using of any technology in the school.The important thing is that the teacher his self must know how to use the technology. They should be given workshops on using ICT in teaching and learning if necessary.

How Science should be taught?

In new educational system (SPN 21), Science also one of a core subject for primary and secondary level. Pupils tend to put 'Science' as a complicated and difficult subject. From my experience, by looking at the result of my former pupils, they have difficulties in doing the Science 2 paper for primary pupils. This is because in Science 2 paper, the pupils had to use their own words to explain and answer the questions. I thought that the pupils were not use in explaining in their own words and may be didn't have ideas of what they have learned.

In these case, teacher should changed to new strategies to teach Science in enjoyable and interesting way. Teachers should let the pupils explore and find the answer by them selves. The technique that can be used is 'Inquiry' learning or 'Discovery' learning. In this technique, teachers may let their pupils learn either in pairs or groups. By giving them the task with prepared suitable facilities, the pupils try to solve the given tasks. The teacher is just a facilitator and helping them without giving the answers. The pupils will discuss and promote ideas what they need to do to find the answers. In this situations, the pupils try to understand and then explain their finding to the class. The pupils will learn through what they had done and what the other group explained. This activity encourage the pupils in public speaking and creating explanation in their own words.

Example of inquiry learning is asking the pupils to find out 'how seeds germinate?' Teachers will prepare materials are needed in this experiment. The pupils will try to find out by them selves what are needed by the seed to germinate. They also think of how much water or sunlight or soil are needed to germinate the seeds. The pupils will observe and record their finding, then explain and share it with the rest of the class. This activity will expose the pupils and show them how the real scientist doing their job.

There are other ways to make teaching and learning of Science subject interesting and enjoyable. One of them is using ICT. Pupils can learn through interactive learning and gain other knowledge from educational websites.

How Mathematics should be taught?

Mathematics is a core subject in new educational system in Brunei Darussalam (SPN 21). All pupils must be good in their Mathematics subject but still we found that not all pupils do very well in this subject and even like the subject. In my opinion these are the caused of how 'Maths' was taught.

The new educational system (SPN 21) encourage on student centered learning. This is how Mathematics should be taught with proper and suitable facilities so that teaching and learning is not a boring session for the day.

For example teachers should prepare suitable concrete materials so that the pupils learn by exploring the materials and understand the concept of what they had learned. Not only that, teachers should let their pupils to learn in pairs or groups. In this situation, the pupils will learn to discuss with their friends and bring out ideas and then explain their finding to the class. Teachers also encourage to give activities to the pupils so that the pupils enjoy learning and gain their own knowledge.

The use of ICT in teaching of Mathematics also can make the lesson fun. Some pupils are looking forward to use computers. In this case teachers can give interactive activities to the pupils. This will motivate the pupils more in learning Mathematics in enjoyable way. There are many educational websites in maths and science that can be used by the teacher.