KUCHING – School principals from the Miri, Subis and Baram districts in Sarawak had a glimpse into the future and saw how mobile devices could change the way lessons will be planned, taught and managed during a multimedia demonstration at the Miri Library, recently.
The 110 senior staff from 22 schools also found that lessons could be made more engaging, interactive and thought-provoking through the application of the technologies, creating a climate that encourages learning among students.
The ‘window into the future’ was made possible by lecturers from Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus at the demonstration which focused on creative content development for teachers.
“Mobile technology – such as mobile phones, ibooks, smartphones, tablets, laptops and interactive 3D – could change the way school is taught,” said John Hii, a multimedia lecturer at the university.
“In fact, this is already possible with the current technology available in the market, as we have demonstrated here. We only need to know how to use the right tools, for the right purpose.”
Hii and his team showcased classroom management utilities and tools which allowed teachers to create and customise interactive content. With these they could control the activities, take attendance, record marks and student’s conduct or generate a class report with only a touch of a finger.
The participants were invited to try out some of the interactive content developed by Swinburne Sarawak: they could remotely retrieve and share files from their home computer from any location, hold video conferences, share files, and take notes – all through a mobile device.
Teachers could create their own digital textbook, quiz, and monitor students’ progress, without the use of paper. Teachers and students could also work and stay connected, making teaching and learning engaging and fun, Hii said.
The multimedia demonstration by Swinburne Sarawak was presented on the invitation of the Miri Council of School Principals.