1. DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS
UNIVERSITI PENDIDIKAN SULTAN IDRIS
ASSIGNMENT (ESSAY PBL)
SSI3013 : INFORMATION COMMUNICATION
AND TECHNOLOGY
Semester I Session 2012/2013
NAME AND ID NUMBER 1. NUR WAHIDAH BT SAMI’ON D20101037525
2. NOR HASHIMAH BT ZAITONG D20101037458
3.NUR ASHIKIN BT ALIAS D20101037459
LECTURER : MR.AZMI BIN IBRAHIM
GROUP :B
DATE OF SUBMITTED : 05 OCTOBER 2012
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2. 1.0 Introduction
MSC Malaysia, formerly known as the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC), is a national
initiative spearheaded by the Malaysian Government to promote both the national ICT industry
and provide a test-bed for the global ICT industry. MSC Malaysia provides a conducive enabling
environment designed to facilitate companies to harness the full potential of ICT and multimedia
technologies. With its ideal business environment coupled with availability of talent resources,
the MSC Malaysia has attracted participation from major global ICT companies to develop and
host their leading-edge technologies in the designated MSC Malaysia Cyber cities. MSC
Malaysia also provides the ideal growth environment for Malaysian ICT SMEs to transform
themselves into world-class companies.
In late 1996, the Smart School project was introduced as one of the seven Flagship
applications of the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC), a gargantuan government project that
aims at building Malaysia’s capability in the ICT area. The Smart School Flagship was
conceptualized out of the vital necessity for Malaysia to make the critical transition from an
industrial economy to a leader in the Information Age. Education is the vehicle for the
fundamental shift towards a more technologically literate, thinking workforce, which is able to
perform in a global work environment and use the tools available in the Information Age.
The Smart School Flagship aims to reinvent the educational system in Malaysia in order
to ensure the achievement of Vision 2020. The Ministry of Education (MOE) implements the
Smart School Flagship through a partnership between the Government, the private sector and the
Multimedia Development Corporation (MDC). The Smart School Flagship will help children to
practice self-paced, self-accessed, and self-directed learning. Students will learn at their own
pace, learn to access information from various sources independent of the teacher, and learn to
explore topics of interest outside the curriculum.
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3. 2.0 Smart School initiatives
The Malaysian Smart school initiative began in 1999. The intention was to equip
Malaysia schools with an impressive array of information technology (IT) facilities and to bring
about associated innovation in teaching and learning as well as to equip Malaysian children with
necessary skills to be effective in a modern society.
First, we will focus on pedagogical changes which teachers had to be bringing about and
how to enact them. Teachers needed to understand the purpose of the innovation and should give
their support to enable it to happen. The Smart School pedagogy should make learning more
interesting, motivating, stimulating and meaningful. It involves the children minds, spirit, and
bodies in the learning process by build basic skills to prepare children for greater challenges.
The pedagogy shall use an appropriate mix of learning strategies to ensure mastery of
basic competencies and promote holistic development. For example, the teacher can apply
different method of teaching and learning by put the roles of students and teachers in classroom
environment in a right way. Here are the range from those completely teacher centred to those
entirely student centred. In the learning depend on teacher centred, the learning objectives only
can be established by teacher. The determination of instructional tasks also only the teachers are
determined. The resources for learning were selected by teachers and not by the students. The
students only depend on teachers to give them knowledge.
Another type of learning is gives roles to teacher as mentor and model. The learning
objectives were established by teacher, it stills same as teacher centred learning. The
determinations of instructional tasks were suggested by teacher and students have been given to
discuss tasks that suitable to be including in their learning process. This will give students chance
to make their learning more creative and interesting. The resources for teaching and learning are
suggested by teacher and open to student to give their opinion to choose their resource for
learning.
Then, teacher plays a role as coach or facilitator. In this situation, the learning objectives
are established through discussion between student and teacher. Teacher act as a guide to
students and ensure that they understand the objectives must be achieve. For the instructional
tasks, it was determined by students with teacher suggestion and input. Teacher plays their role
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4. to encourage students have a guideline. The selection of resources for task also selected by
students and teacher only give suggestion and input. The teacher role in this type of learning is
almost the same as student centred learning.
The classroom atmosphere is important to support the Smart school teaching and
learning. For instance, students and teacher must create an atmosphere of respect and rapport
interaction. They also must establish a culture for learning to make balance between process and
content in learning. The teacher must be innovative to manage student behaviour by be sensitive
and give appropriate response to student misbehaviour.
The Smart school teaching and learning materials will support the new teaching and
learning strategies for Smart School. The first characteristics is meets curricular and instructional
needs, is cost effective, as well as cosmetically and technically adequate. The material use must
be clear and comprehensive to make the process of learning more effective. The materials also
must have it own manuals and guides. It can prevent from misuse of the materials. The
component use must have cost effectiveness to avoid from wasting money. The price must be
relevant to the quality of the component.
Then, the Smart School teachers will be enabled, through use of technology, to consider
students individual learning preferences in designing and recommending instructional methods
and materials. The methods and materials use have to be cognitively challenging, attractive,
motivates students to learn, and encourages active participants. It is because the students have
different learning styles and they need a variety of materials to maximise their learning potential.
For example, conventional media is commonly used in today educational settings, still a feature
in Smart Schools. It is used in an integrated manner with high-technology media such as
computer based teaching and learning materials.
Teachers can use software that fulfils various needs and capabilities of students. For
students that have Bodily-Kinaesthetic Intelligence, teacher can use software that can hands on
construction kits that interface with computers. They can use motion simulation games to attract
them learning more interesting. Another type of software is virtual and reality system software. It
can help students to experience learning in reality. For students that have Logical-Mathematical
Intelligence they are very comfortable to learning in number and logic. There are many software
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5. are recommended for them such as Mathematical skills tutorials. This tutorial can examine their
understanding. Other software is logic games can make students thinking creatively.
The Smart School Curriculum is designed according to best practices of other successful
Smart schools. It is incorporating elements that will enable the education system to achieve the
goals of the National Philosophy of Education. The curriculum was designed to help students
achieve overall and balanced development. This will encourage students to not only focus on
academic only. For instance in communication skills, from curriculum they can learn effective
oral and written communication in Malay and English as a second language. Students also can
emphasize multiple language, interpersonal skills and networking. Other than that, students also
can develop their emotional. It can instil moral and religious values by emphasize adaptability
team player characteristics, emotional balance and emotional intelligence. Students can develop
social skills to instil their responsibility and consciousness of health and environmental issues.
In addition, variety of skills, knowledge and values elements that get from study can form
new curriculum for Smart School. Students can learn to integrate of knowledge, skills, values
and correct use of language through curriculum. The examples of skills that can develop by
students are creative and critical thinking skills. This can encourage students thinking beyond
their knowledge that getting in class. Students can improve their knowledge of problem savings.
For example, the teacher gives them question and let them to find the answer according to the
creativity. The values can be taken from curriculum activity such as respect and love. Students
can learn how to respect other people in their organisation and love them like a family.
The curriculum design for Smart Schools also incorporate elements of vertical and
horizontal integration. Curriculum reflects vertical integration by allowing high fliers to surf
through their schooling years without being kept apart from their peers in virtual express class.
For example, each subject is divided into different learning areas. For the horizontal integration,
curriculum reflects features of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches. A
multidisciplinary approach is one in which two or three subject areas are combined in a single
learning area that focuses on a theme, issue, problem, topic and concept.
In addition, the Smart School curriculum programme can provide activities that reinforce
classroom learning, as well as make schooling fun and interesting. For example, community
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6. service activity will encourage them to respect and care about other people. Students can learn
how to interact with the person older than them. The cultural activities allow students to know
more about their culture and learn other culture. Recreational activities can make students feel
fun when they enjoy with their activities. They can release tension when they had faced school
day for 5 days.
3.0 Use of Technology as Enablers in Smart School Concept
The technologies and infrastructure are required for the teaching and learning,
management, the connectivity to the external constituencies and the Educational Network
connecting the Smart schools all over the country. There are the implications of using
Information Technology (IT) in the Smart School management system. In financial management,
teachers can use computer communication to link the schools databases to facilitate budgeting,
accounting and reporting. They can manage financial of school more accurately and effectively.
For school governance, students and teacher can use IT to communicate through video
conferencing to link the school to the Ministry of Education for administration and policy
implementation purposes. Teachers also can use student affairs by using databases to maintain
student profile. In the profile it contains student data about their achievement in academic and
curriculum. It is easy for teachers to access their students profile when needed. For security
management, also can use IT for helps schools databases to the District Education Officer for
security management purposes.
Furthermore, IT also gives implications on teaching and learning process in Smart
School. For example IT can enable students to have self exploratory learning. This required
every computer shall have access to the latest educational materials available locally, as well as
to external resources. It also can enable students to have distance learning. They can
communicate with outside constituencies through e-mail, video on demand and broadcast.
Student also can do collaborative learning that can facilitate them group work within the class
and across classes. This application can let them to make brainstorming within student in
different school. They can exchange experience and ideas to make their study more interactive
In addition, experiential learning will be more interesting and fun when using IT. They
use simulation software and virtual reality to stimulate learning. Students can have self
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7. experience in doing the experiment. Teachers can do electronic assessment to check their student
achievement. Teachers can develop the online assessment via a standard database and built
assessment courseware. They can get data faster and accurately. Other than that, inclusive
educations also included in the IT products as a tool to help students with disabilities cope with
learning more effectively.
Then, the Information Technology also cans linkages to External Constituencies. In
community, the Smart School is a community centre to enable community involvement in school
activities. This situation can attract community to know more about Smart School without
feeling awkward. The community can also use the Smart School as an on going learning centre.
At homes, IT can enable students to do distance learning to ensure them to keep track of school
work even when they are not physically in school. Parents can access the school for feedback on
their children progress. Their parents also can ask teachers about student achievement and doing
discussion if they have a problems.
4.0 Overview Of The Progress
In June 2010, smart technologies announce SMART classroom suite 2010 interactive learning
software. SMART Classroom offers an integrated solution that enablers teacher to easily manage
and asses the entire class while addressing the needs of individuals students. The software
combines Classroom management, assessment , lesson creation and assignment tools in one
offering. The latest version of SMART Classroom Suite features a number of upgrades,
including improved wireless capability, greater support for formative assessment and
enhancements to Teacher Tolls.
The Smart School's Achievements in 2007 and Outlook for 2008.
Various initiatives were conscientiously put out and implemented throughout the Financial Year 2007 to
achieve its Key Performance Indexes (KPIs) for the year. A broad target was set to transform 47 schools
in the flagship program into five star rated smart schools. The following 5 Year KPI's were addressed and
much was achieved in FY 2007.
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8. 4.1 Increasing Usage and Adoption in terms of Utilization
a. Online and onsite monitoring program using the SSQS
A two pronged monitoring program was carried out, namely in the form of a survey based on the SSQS,
(Smart School Quality Standards) launched earlier this year, as well as monthly site visits to each of the
47 schools, since March 2007. By October 2007, 376 reports were collected.
Based on the survey, results show that 25 schools have conclusively achieved 5 star rating, while 16
schools managed to reach a 4 star rating. 4 of the remaining number of schools obtained 3 stars while the
balance achieved 2 star ratings. All 47 schools have school-based strategies and action plans in place.
b. Programmed Management of Enhancement and Deployment of Technology
The Centralized Services Desk, was set up in the Endeavour to manage the efforts in the enhancement and
deployment of technology. During the year, an inventory audit was carried out and completed on 6 pilot
sites. The structure and the functions of the CSD were also identified. Due to the success of the
programmed it is envisaged that by January 2008, all 88 smart schools will have their own CSDs.
4.2. Increase usage and adoption in terms of Human Capital
A. Develop and execute international conference
The Smart School International Conference (SSIC) was organized with great success on 16-18th April,
2007. The conference was graced by 300 participants from 32 countries throughout the world. During the
conference 44 papers on worldwide practices were presented by various practitioners. During the course
of the event, new alliances and friendships were forged while existing relations were galvanized, for the
benefit of the smart school program.
B. Develop and conduct professional development programs for smart schools
For the year 2007 591 teachers have been empowered with the relevant skills to innovate teaching and
learning via these programs. During the year 6 training modules for integration of ICT-based content in
teaching and learning were developed for various subjects, namely BM, English, Mathematics, Science,
History, Islamic Education & Geography
For the year 2008 a target of 880 teachers to be empowered by this program has been set.
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9. 5.0 Challenges faced since the inception of Smart Schools in Malaysia
The idea of development of Smart School in Malaysia is one of good effort for our
country’s education system. In order to realize the concepts, there are lots of cost that
governments have spend on it for effective smart school to build a new school with well
equipped infrastructure, to upgrade facilities and to introduce the new technology. Thus, we
should appreciate all these things. However, the development will directly affects the education
in Malaysia. It can be seen when there are such problems and challenges that have to faced due
to the implementation of these system.
One of the challenges is smart school teacher development. This is because as we know
teacher is the one that will delivers smart school teaching. Being a technology-based education,
they needs a versatile teacher which expert in many area of knowledge and skills. However,
there are some of the teachers have no formal learning to use the technologies. As we know, the
teachers comes from different educational background. For the teacher who are fresh graduated
from the university, it might not a big problem for them because nowadays in the university,
most of learning process, tests and assignments based on technologies. So, they are quiet familiar
with the technology. This is different with most of the senior teacher who more prefer traditional
method ‘chalk and talk’ to teach their students. They might not interested to use technology
during teaching-learning process. This is because they are not ready to change their mindset to
learnt new ICT programmed and to achieve the objective of smart school concept. Thus, the
teacher should be given an intensive training in ICT and technology integration in classroom to
enhance thinking skills and creativity. The teacher also is allow to explore the technology and
then they can accept the reality that they have to faced as an excellent teacher. They have to take
all the challenges. The learning process is not stop until here but the teacher have to learnt it
from time to time and they have to practice in class so that they will become more confident to
use ICT during teaching-learning process.
Moreover, the students do not understand about the smart school concepts. This is
because there are already suit with existing education system since the first time they enters the
school. The teachers are responsible to inform to their student about the goals of smart school,
the unique features of smart school and try to expain to them about the different between smart
school and other national school. While, the current schooling system is the students are placed
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10. in the classroom which lack of individual need ands capabilities. As we know, every students
have their own strengths and weakness and they are different in their learning styles either based
on audio, visual or kinesthetic. Sometimes, the students are passive during the teaching-learning
process because they are lack of knowledge. Supposedly, in the class, the students have to open
their mind and give feedback or share any ideas with their teachers and friends. From here, the
teacher will know either they are understand or not. Thus, the environment will not so bored and
teaching-learning process wills more interesting and effective. So, smart school process will help
by changing the way of children are taught and all are based on the students ability. As we know,
one of the smart school concept are helps the students to achieve overall balances development
and integrate knowledge, skills, values, and use correct language. Besides that, these are training
the student to be independent and they enjoyed the teaching-learning process. Smart school also
encourage the students to work in group in order to solve the tasks that have been given by the
teacher.
Nevertheless, the challenges are parents are not involved. As we know, parents play an
important role in achieving the aspirations of the smart schools. Nowadays, people are like to
spend most of their time with doing their work until they forgot about their family. As parents,
they have to be more responsible and always monitor their children’s behavior. For those parents
that have no many time to keep on their children, they can send e-mail to the class teacher and
make an appointment to discuss their children progress in school. Children needs to be guide,
motivate and counsel to ensure that they always keep in their mind that their parents sent them to
school for studies and to be a good person in the future. It is not only that, parents also can take
part in school activities in order to build a good relationship among parents and teachers. Parents
also can participate in smart school conference so they can get the information about smart
school concepts and directly support or contribute to the development of their children multiple
intelligent. Parents involvement helps in children’s education.
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11. 6.0 Conclusion
In conclusion, as Malaysia want to fulfill Vision 2020, Ministry of Education intends to
transform the education system. The transformation will change the culture of the school which
will shift from memory based-learning pattern for most of the student to the education that will
enhance students to think, to be creative, caring with others and be more rational. Here, the
students are required to be responsible on their own education while seeking more active
participation from their parents and others.
Thus, as we want to realize the Smart School Concept in our education system, everyone
have to give a good cooperation. Ministry of education have to look forward in rolling out the
Smart Schools initiatives with supports from others party. However, teachers are the one that
plays a major role in order to ensure these concepts are success because they are the one that will
deliver the teaching process. It is significant to ensure that curriculum innovation is worthy of its
implementation in order to enhance pupil progress, achievement and development of pupils
according to gender, ethnicity, social economic status and background of study.
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