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SINGAPORE : Over the next five years, schools will progressively devote at least 20 per cent of their curriculum to use information and communication technologies (ICT) to support learning.
They will also train cyber wellness student ambassadors to teach fellow students how to use the net safely.
These are the key thrusts of the Education Ministry's third ICT Masterplan, which aims to prepare students for the 21st century workplace.
North Vista Primary School has been using SMART boards since 2008 to teach subjects like English, Science and Mathematics.
Suriana Mohamed, teacher, North Vista Primary School, said: "Because this is a multi-sensory tool, the kids will definitely be excited to come to class, to learn. "
But as ICT-enabled learning becomes more commonplace in schools, the Education Ministry is also determined to ensure that students are discerning and responsible users.
And so one key support structure is to have a trained teacher in every school to implement cyber wellness programmes.
S Iswaran, Senior Minister of State for Education, said: "By the end of this year, we would have trained cyber wellness student ambassadors in 50 per cent of our schools and by 2013, we will have such student ambassadors in every school."
While schools will continue to be the main driver of ICT innovations, the Education Ministry will work alongside them to develop lessons.
It will also link schools with institutes of higher learning and industry partners to test-bed emerging technologies for learning.
In addition, there will be a new online platform called ICT Connection, which will engage teachers on the effective integration of ICT.
Mr Iswaran said: "As we make changes to the way we teach, we are also stepping up our efforts to change the way we assess learning. Over the next two years, we will explore, develop and conduct trials of new assessment approaches which are applicable to 21st century skills."
The Education Ministry will also develop a group of expert practitioners called ICT mentors who will guide teachers on the effective use of ICT for learning and teaching.
By 2013, the Ministry expects to have an average of four trained ICT mentors in every school. - CNA/ms
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