SCHOOLS: Technology, the basis of education transformation

BEST EXPERIENCE: Intel supports the integration of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) into the teaching and learning process because it believes technology is the essential foundation of education transformation.

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The decision to allow IT devices to be brought into the classroom is merely the first step. The company's view is that other factors should also be considered and these include:

• Robust IT Infrastructure

An Internet-enabled and networked infrastructure that can scale to support a collaborative learning environment is critical.

•l Tools/solutions that deliver better "learning experiences"

Appropriate software applications, operating environments and solutions need to be in place to support optimal teaching and learning. Together, these should not only support one to one e-learning, project-based inquiry but also help the teacher to manage and create best learning experience for students. The recently launched Studybook is an example of how the company is creating devices and solutions to cater to the needs of students today.

• Formalised curriculum and syllabus

While it is beneficial to incorporate ICT into the classroom, we need to ensure that such tools can be utilised effectively. A formalised set of curriculum and syllabus, complemented with the appropriate ICT tools, must be adapted to ensure that students gain critical skills and knowledge to compete in the 21st century.

The writer is  Intel Malaysia, country manager, sales and marketing.

PERSPECTIVE: From Twiplomacy to Twidependency

 

PERVASIVE ISSUE: Getting to grips with addiction associated with the use of Information and Communications Technology

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THE influx of electronic gadgets into our lives is matched by new words and acronyms, at times coined to attract attention and as a sales pitch. The latest is "Twiplomacy"  apparently to encourage a form of competition among Twitter fans.

But there are other less well-known buzzwords too, for example "phantom-vibration syndrome" and "FOMO" (Fear Of Missing Out). How about "iDisorder"? Or "iCrazy"-- the cover story of the Newsweek (July 16) that inspired this column?

Soon, Twidependency will read "obsessive compulsive disorder" (OCD), more commonly called "Internet-related psychosis".

To link such terms to technology was at one time sneered upon as alarmist for not being IT savvy.

Just like the glorious days of smoking tobacco, those who spoke against the newly acquired habit were frowned upon.

It took almost five decades for reality to sink in that tobacco kills. It is tragic considering the millions of lives lost in that time. It is a very high price to pay.

In the case of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), evidence indicates that all is not well. Unless we are prepared to listen more intently, modify our habits and change our perceptions, then similar "tobacco-kills" episode may come to haunt us sooner than we think.

It has been documented that, on average, a teenager processes some 3,700 texts a month, double that in 2007.

As many as 60 per cent of them reportedly felt their phones vibrate when in fact nothing was happening, leading to the "phantom-vibration syndrome".

Susan Greenfield, a renowned neuro-pharmacology professor at Oxford University in the United Kingdom, summed up the situation well. "We could create the most wonderful world for our kids but that's not going to happen if we're in denial and people sleepwalk into these technologies and end up glassy-eyed zombies."

The use of "sleepwalk" is perhaps apt to describe how little we know of what such technologies can do to us, or our brain, especially when we are unknowlingly overexposed to them.

A Stanford study of iPhone habits of 200 people cited in the Newsweek article found that one in 10 users feels "fully addicted" to his or her phone; all but six per cent of the sample admitted some level of compulsion, while three per cent would not let anyone else touch their phone!

Addiction associated with the use of ICT and mobile devices is not new. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders -- a reference for psychiatrists -- will be including "Internet Addiction Disorders" as a new category in the latest edition to be released next year. Some countries such as China, Taiwan and Korea reportedly are more aware of this and are taking positive steps to check the related potential health crisis.

Peter Whybrow, the director of the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at University of California, Los Angeles in the United States has argued that "the computer is like electronic cocaine"-- creating mood swings for users.

The possibility of "structural abnormalities" in the brain due to such effects can no longer be discounted.

In a book appropriately titled iDisorder (2012), author Dr Larry Rosen points to the changes to the brain's ability to process information and to relate to the world due to daily use of media and technology resulting in symptoms of psychological disorders such as stress, sleeplessness and a compulsive need to check in with the technology.

More recently, The Times of India (May 10) carried a report on cases showing clear signs of "Facebook addiction" similar to those exhibited by people hooked on drugs, alcohol and other chemical substances.

In yet another article in the prestigious journal Pediatrics, the rise of a new phenomenon called "Facebook depression" is being discussed.

In short, ICT addiction moments are fast unfolding before our eyes. We cannot ignore them anymore.

It can be worse than the use of any habit-forming substance since technology is much more pervasive, and has longer lead time given that the starting age gets even younger as society becomes more IT savvy and there is greater ease of use. It is bound to penetrate deeper into our daily lives, setting the stage for Twidependency.

Many more will be hooked for life until we get to grips with such addictive technologies. Unless we know how to resist being dependent on technology, we will be enslaved by it! These issues are far more important to consider than arguing if mobile phones should be allowed in schools.

Once we are disciplined enough to make an informed decision and are able shake off FOMO, we are at peace with ourselves, regardless of whatever gadget comes and goes.

Life goes on even without the superfluous gadget and, at most times, the quality of life is far better.

Tech key to education hub

AFFORDABLE TOOLS: Universities can supplement existing infrastructure and free up resources

MALAYSIA has set for itself an ambitious goal to become the region's premier centre for higher education, aiming to  attract 200,000 international students to its shores by 2020,  on top of its local student intake.

Success will mean that Malaysia would have been able to shake off stiff competition from neighbouring Singapore or even Indonesia, rake in billions in educational revenue and add significant depth to the country's manpower pool to ensure future growth in a knowledge-driven economy.

However, high costs of building infrastructure and the speed required to attract students and roll out curriculum effectively could pose major bottlenecks.

The price of failure will not only be lower student enrolment and insufficient skilled workers but also will deny Malaysia the opportunity to position itself as a leading global player in offering off-campus online education -- another opportunity which can have major benefits for the country.

Malaysia is already one of Asia's leading educational hubs. Strong government support, robust infrastructure, availability of good instructors conversant in English language and relatively lower costs of fees as well as student accommodation compared with the likes of Singapore, have helped both private and public educational institutes to flourish.

Encouraged by the success over recent decades, two new education hubs have been launched with strong government backing -- Iskandar Malaysia in Johor and the Kuala Lumpur Education City (KLEC).

But will the students come in the droves as expected -- from 90,000 international students currently to 200,000 by 2020? And what are the major bottlenecks which can curtail this grand plan?

International experts have often cited that Malaysia's higher education system suffers from lack of high-impact research at post-graduate level coupled with insufficient teaching experts and outdated approaches to research and training, which are often lacking in innovation.

These, together with insufficient access and linkages to the global education community, have left Malaysia producing graduates who may not adequately meet market demands. Behind these challenges lie three fundamental issues.

The first and most serious is the lack of resources. University administrators and educational authorities are over-burdened and unable to cope with the demand while ensuring quality.

In other words, there are not enough qualified people to offer qualitative work. There is a deficiency of both good student administrators as well as qualified faculty who can be enticed to come to Malaysia, teach and facilitate world-class research.

The second is that Malaysia's education system often trails Western and even Singapore and Hong Kong institutes of higher learning in terms of best practices.

Not being on par in terms of curriculum, student administration, online management and interaction with administrators as well as faculty from other institutes may mean that Malaysian colleges may lose out in winning exchange opportunities and accreditation. This in turn compromises the attractiveness of Malaysia as an education hub. Finally, even with substantial direct and indirect government support, all university administrators have to find the most cost-effective balance between achieving educational goals and reasonable tuition costs.

Large capital investments in student life-cycle management solutions have often deterred migration to the next level of competence. This sets up a vicious cycle. Failure to invest in costly on-campus infrastructure reflects ineffective administration, leading to higher costs to hire administrators, inefficiency and missed opportunities. These in turn prevent institutions from allocating resources to attract experts and conducting high-impact research, consequentially leading to lower ratings of the colleges.

Awareness through the Internet and ready availability of rankings of colleges indicate that higher education has become increasingly transparent and competitive.

Many countries once considered as laggards in offering higher education have moved up the ladder and are seeking to position themselves as education centres, with precisely the same goals as Malaysia -- increasing knowledge base, acquiring efficient workers and building an educational hub to attract talented faculty as well as securing revenue from college education.

The common denominator which can address all three problems is how quickly and effectively Malaysian educational institutions can harness technology as a major accelerator and differentiator.

By using affordable IT tools, yet being on par with global best practices, Malaysian universities can supplement existing technology infrastructure and initiatives in the country to free up resources, hire top talent, increase post-graduate research, improve teaching methods and help graduates meet the needs of the market more effectively.

Major technological advances in recent years, in particular cloud computing and virtualisation, have levelled the playing field for university administrators. Advanced solutions such as the Oracle Campus Solution (for which Mahindra Satyam will provide end-to-end solutions, hardware, application software from Oracle, implementation and ongoing management) now allow Malaysian institutions to address student life-cycle management -- from recruitment, enrolment, administration to financial information management via the affordable private cloud model.

Lower cost and speed in implementation and real-time management of administrative aspects will allow Malaysian colleges and education administrators to match best practices globally.

More importantly, it will address the resource issues so that manpower and funds can be channelled towards improving curriculum and hiring better faculty, helping the country to become a knowledge centre and position itself as the region's leading educational hub.

GTP 2.0 gives hope for Sabahans, says Jainab

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KOTA KINABALU: The second Government Transformation Programme (GTP 2.0) gives hope for the people, especially in Sabah, to improve their quality of life.

Sabah Assistant Minister of Resource Development and Information Technology, Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid, said there were still many areas in the state, especially in the interiors, lacking in infrastructure to enable them to get information technology (IT) facilities.

 

"Education is the only way to get the people out of the vicious circle of poverty and for that, we cannot escape the use of IT,.

 

"We hope to achieve 90 per cent accessibility to IT in Sabah by 2015 based on GTP 2.0", she told reporters after a gathering with media members here yesterday.

 

She also advised the people against using the IT knowledge to manipulate current issues, especially through social websites.

 

The people should be wise in evaluating current developments, including on efforts carried out by the government, she added. -- BERNAMA

Graphic designing for creative minds

PTPL offers ample chances to explore one's talent

At PTPL, students who study graphic design have many opportunities to expand their knowledge.

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GRAPHIC designing involves working closely with creative people in the media as well as the advertising world.

It holds special interest for those interested in communication design and visual arts. This field provides ample chance to display and explore one's creative talent.

SHAH ALAM: PTPL College offers a comprehensive Diploma in Graphic Design for those interested in a career in this field.

The field of visual communication is attracting greater public attention.

One of the advantages of this programme is that students get to learn subjects that will prepare them for the real working world by providing lots of hands-on experiences.

The subjects under the course include visual communications, typography, communication skills, advertising design, interactive multimedia and software development.

These subjects will help students understand the concepts involved in communication design, and later apply the skills in their working life.

Those who complete the course will have an opportunity to become graphic designers in companies involved in desktop publishing, advertising or media.

This 21/2-year diploma programme requires a pass in Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia or Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia Vokasional, with three credits in any subject, or a PTPL certificate in a relevant field with passes in all subjects.

Diploma holders can pursue higher studies at university colleges, the Management & Science University (MSU) or other institutions of higher learning.

The PTPL diploma enables students to transfer their credits to the second year of degree-level studies at MSU.

Other programmes offered by PTPL's School of Information Science & Engineering at diploma and certificate levels include electrical and electronic engineering, multimedia technology, information technology, e-commerce and computer science.

PM: Consensus between govt, scholars safeguards interests of Islam

KUALA LUMPUR: Consensus between the government and Islamic scholars, intellectuals and virtual writers serves to safeguard the interests and dignity of Islam in the country, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak meets participants of national gathering of Islamic scholars, intellectuals and virtual writers at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur. -- Bernama photo

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The prime minister said these three groups of people should be sensitive to current developments and changes in government policy so as to be able to disseminate information with accuracy and credibility.

They should cooperate among themselves and with the government to screen all information and filter malicious accusations and slander hurled by irresponsible people for their vested interests, he said.

"The consensus between the three groups and the government will serve to safeguard the interests and dignity of Islam," he said when closing a national gathering of Islamic scholars, intellectuals and virtual writers at the Putra World Trade Centre, here.

The two-day maiden gathering carried the theme "Consensus Transforms the Ummah".

Najib said the participation of the three groups is most important in the context of current challenges, whereby they can set right information on the government agenda or policies which are often manipulated for political interests.

Remaining silent or not wanting to intervene or act can result in dire consequences for Muslims and the position of Islam itself, he said.

The prime minister said that in Islam, politics is a "jihad" (struggle) which should be given priority and one that cannot be separated from the struggle to uphold Islam and champion the interests of Muslims.  

"If politics is viewed through this dimension, it becomes a discipline that is closely associated with the role of man on this earth, as the caliphs of God.

"Hence, the struggle to disseminate the truth and uphold Islam, either by way of writing or speech, should sprout from good faith and trust with truthful and accurate information that does not confuse listeners," he said.

He said that such a struggle would strengthen the unity of the ummah and elevate Islam in the eyes of followers of other religions.

Acknowledging that it is difficult to restrain the information technology revolution, Najib said it is of utmost importance to strengthen collaboration among the three groups to enable them serve as disseminators of information and as a bulwark against the social media "virus" which uses the facility to spread information for certain social and political purposes.   

He said a phenomenon arising out of the use of the social media is that an issue can become viral very quickly compared to the flying letters which were the norm at one time.  

"The IT revolution is something that we cannot dismiss. We have no option though. If we choose to shackle the country or Muslims from this development, it will be something just impossible to do.

"Therefore, in facing the borderless cyber world, collaboration among the three groups is of most importance so that we can act swiftly to stop the dissemination of false information that can reach anyone at all," he said. -- BERNAMA

Good quit rent collection

SMART MOVE:The Kulaijaya Municipal Council has acquired half of its targeted sum for the year as it collects payment from owners at their homes

THE Kulaijaya Municipal Council (MPKu) has collected RM36 million in quit rent so far this year, which is about 55 per cent of its target of RM64 million set for the year.

MPKu president Md Rofiki A. Shamsudin said the good collection was due to the success of Ops Cahaya where 10 teams of MPKu officers took the approach of going from house to house to collect the quit rent as soon as the payment period ended in March.

"This gives us the first hand information about the payment status as we collect from each households on the spot.

"Through this approach, we managed to collect 90 per cent of quit rent and this is expected to increase in future with the implementation of our smart partnership with the Alor Gajah Municipal Council which will be signed next month," he said.

Rofiki said the memorandum of understanding will benefit both parties in improving their services, especially in the administration aspect.

"Previously, we have signed an MoU with the Petaling Jaya City Council which focussed on the aspect of enforcement," said Rofiki.

"The new collaboration with the Alor Gajah Municipal Council will see improvement in quit rent collection, information technology, innovations and idea sharing," he said.

MPKu collected RM58 million in 2011 and RM52 million in 2010.