NEWS: More Smart Schools

THE Education Ministry is extending the smart school programme to another 15 rural schools, said Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) executive officer, Datuk Badlisham Ghazali.

There are already 88 smart schools so far.

He said out of the 15, two schools, Sek Men Ampang Pecah in Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor and Sek Keb Felda Palong 14 in Gemas, Negeri Sembilan, were selected as rural smart schools.
Students at a smart school rely on computers to work on their projects. — Filepic

The benefits that these two schools would enjoy include notebooks, wireless Internet connection (WiFi) and wireless digital communication system (WiMAX), he said during the soft launch of the programme last week.

In a statement earlier, MDeC said it had been given the responsibility to accelerate the making of all schools smart, focusing on 50 rural schools.

“We are starting off with only two rural schools as these schools could face problems like power supply disruptions.

“The fact that we have initiated the programme in the schools will also help rectify and minimise other problems that may arise,’’ he said adding that the ministry will only extend it to the other schools when it was satisfied with the outcome.

Besides MDeC, which is the facilitator and coordinator for the smart school programme, more than 10 sponsors with sponsorship worth RM1.4mil, have agreed to the year-long project of upgrading the schools in terms of infrastructure, hardware and software, which will be implemented immediately. — Bernama

NEWS: More smart schools by 2011

CYBERJAYA: The Multimedia Development Corp (MDeC) is helping the Education Ministry to upgrade 50 rural and underserved schools into smart schools.

MDeC, which is custodian of the MSC Malaysia initiative, said upgrading work will be done in three phases beginning with 15 schools this year, 15 more next year and 20 in 2011. Its senior manager of smart schools, Dr Norrizan Razali, said the 50 schools located nationwide will be modelled after the country’s pioneer 88 smart schools.

MDeC will use a different approach to upgrade the rural schools to smart schools, Norrizan said.

“It will be a whole different challenge upgrading these 50 schools,” Norrizan told In.Tech in an interview recently. Unlike the first batch of smart schools, most of the rural schools are not high performing schools but she believes that ICT (information and communications technology) can help broaden the minds and improve the grades of students there.

“These schools don’t have the same kind of access to information like the first batch,” Norrizan said.

The task in the rural schools is to uplift the human capital in those schools and conduct leadership programmes to help teachers provide the benefits of ICT to their students.

“The main challenge here is in change management so we plan to sit down with the teachers and principals of the schools to enlighten them on smart schools, as well as how these will help improve the teaching and learning process,” said Norrizan.

She said MDeC and the Education Ministry will also take an inventory of the components that will need to be installed in the would-be smart schools.

MDeC and the ministry will also help the teaching faculty in each of the rural schools to optimise the ICT facilities given to them and will ensure that proper technical support is in place. “By the end of this project, MDeC also hopes to have a model to transform more rural schools into smart schools,” Norrizan said.

The upgrading of these schools, she said, gives MDeC a chance to get a hands-on approach to developing smart schools in Malaysia. Norrizan said that since the first 88 schools were transformed into smart schools between 2006 and 2008, there are now about 1,737 new smart schools in the country. “Most of them are not ranked as five-star smart schools because to get to that level, a school must use the IT facilities provided to innovate their teaching methods and I’m not talking about (just having) Powerpoint presentations,” she said.

She said the Education Ministry will help the lower-ranked smart schools improve on their IT usage so that they will eventually become five-star smart schools.

MDeC and the ministry continue to supervise the first 88 smart schools so that they can further improve themselves, Norizzan said.

Smart schools is one of the main thrusts of the Ninth Malaysia Plan, which was announced in 2005.

According to the plan, the Government is promoting the utilisation of ICT in schools to enhance the quality of education in the country.

NEWS: 5-star ratings for 30 more smart schools

Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein says five-star schools would be used as the benchmark

PUTRAJAYA: Another 30 smart schools nationwide will obtain "five-star" ranking by the year's end to take the total to 88.

Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said this would be done after the Multimedia Development Corporation upgraded technical facilities at the schools.

To date, 58 of the schools have already achieved the status, 29 others are ranked four-star while one is ranked three-star. The five-star schools, he said, would then be used as the benchmark to turn other government schools into "smart schools" by 2010.

Hishammuddin said the concept of "Pembestarian Sekolah" which focused on teaching and learning (as well as school management) mediated by information and communication technology, was the way to go for all other schools under the ministry.

Under ministry plans, 7,500 government schools will be ranked three-star, 2,000 four-star and 500 five-star by 2010. The ministry will hasten all ICT initiatives, including computer laboratories and web televisions, for the schools.
The schools would also be monitored under the Smart School Qualification Standard system to ensure they were on the right path to attaining excellence.

The ministry, Hishammuddin said, would also need to bridge the digital gap between urban, rural and remote schools.

"We are hoping that more schools can attain the five-, four- and three-star status by 2012," he said after launching the book Malaysia: From Traditional to Smart Schools -- The Malaysian Education Odyssey at his office yesterday.

On the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English, he said any change would be made from Year One.

Hishammuddin said a win-win decision should be the only answer to the debate on the use of English in the teaching of Science and Mathematics as the ministry did not want students to be left out due to their poor command of the language.

NEWS: Get Smart

Some rural smart schools in Sarawak are making lots of headway with ICT in the classroom.

WHAT image comes to mind when you think of kampung (village) schools? An old rickety fan, rows of wooden chairs and tables, and wide-eyed children in front of a blackboard, perhaps?

Ah, but for some smart schools in the rural areas and towns of Sarawak, you could not be more wrong.

From interactive whiteboards to organising information databases on the computer, the Education Ministry’s smart school initiative has brought ICT skills to the previously uninitiated, prompting them to engage in innovative ways of using technology in the classroom. This has helped to narrow the digital gap between urban and rural students.

A teacher using an interactive whiteboard to teach Science at SM Sains Kuching, Sarawak.

Last month, ministry officials and Multimedia Development Corporation (MDEC) staff visited three Sarawak schools — SMK Bahasa Malaysia (SMK BM) Saratok, SM Sains Kuching and Kolej Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah (KDPAHA) — as part of the Smart School Qualification Standards (SSQS) monitoring exercise.

Smart schools, first introduced in 1999, differ from regular schools in several ways. For one thing, a part of their teaching and learning uses digital content and ICT hardware. Then, students are provided with facilities such as web-based TV while teachers are given software like the Web School Management System (WSMS) and Learning Content Management System (LCMS) for organising administrative detail.

With the SSQS, all 88 smart schools are ranked from one to five, according to criteria such as ICT utilisation, human capital, applications and technology infrastructure.

The visit to the Sarawak schools proved to be as much an eye-opening experience as a monitoring exercise.

Diverse experiences

SMK BM Saratok uses the government-provided SchoolNet and Streamyx to offer Internet access to students, who often conduct research for projects and submit assignments online.

“The computer labs are open every day, from 2pm to 5pm,” says Form Six student Lydia Luta. “I come three times a week if I have work to do.”

The school’s Briged Bestari member and Form Four student Muhd Norhelmi Ahmad, 16, explains that the special brigade not only maintains the computers in the school but also teaches fellow students ICT use during assembly as well as engages in community work.

Awang Alyster (right) with the robot he created.

“We bring in primary pupils during the school holidays to learn ICT and use our facilities,” he says, adding that soon, there may be an online forum for students and teachers to communicate with each other.

Over at SM Sains Kuching, principal Salbiah Seman talked about how her school applied ICT in every aspect, even in teaching physical education and running its cooperative retail shop.

Form Five student Josepha Awing, 17, says using interactive whiteboards, doing online research and making powerpoint presentations are normal practices in the school.

“We make use of computers and LCD screens for all our subjects. Right now, I’m researching the challenges of Vision 2020 for Moral Education,” she says. “We have to compile the information in a scrapbook.”

KDPAHA has a vibrant ICT culture. It often holds exhibitions showcasing students’ work with IT and conducts workshops for teachers and students. It even has an IT song that is sung every assembly — complete with action.

“The students produce VCDs of their school’s rugby game and other co-curricular activities to sell to their peers,” says principal Johara Zen. “They also hold video-making competitions between sports houses.”

Students like Awang Alyster Awang Kasumar, 16, took part in robotic competitions, exhibiting robots they constructed and programmed using computer software. “In future, I want to make robots that are beneficial to humans,” he says, showing off his robot at the school’s IT fair.

Despite all these positive efforts, there are a number of problems. SMK BM Saratok principal Rahim Ibas pointed out that there are often blackouts after a rainstorm and the surge of voltage sometimes spoils the computers.

For KDPAHA, the cost of maintaining the equipment hinders them from fully utilising the facilities provided.

“Currently, 14 of our 32 LCD projectors are not usable because the bulbs have fused and it costs RM2,000 to replace each bulb. Replacing 14 would mean we have to spend RM28,000,” explains Johara.

"Most schools will be made smart by 2010, but in phases" - DR NORRIZAN RAZALI

Another concern brought up by the principals was balancing their school’s image.

“We feel tension because we’re trying to be a smart school and also achieve good exam results,” Rahim says. “People tend to say, ‘Your school is supposed to be a smart school, why don’t the students do well?’”

Ready for challenges

Nevertheless, the general response has been encouraging. If everything goes well, all 10,000 schools in the country will be “smart” by the year 2010.

“All schools will be made smart by 2010, but in phases,” says (MDEC) smart school senior manager Dr Norrizan Razali.

“Most are ready in terms of infrastructure, as digital content for Maths and Science and resources like SchoolNet are available.”

Although 1,737 schools have been identified by the ministry as being at various levels of “smart school readiness”, more remains to be done, she adds.

“Perhaps some are not ready in terms of ICT utilisation and human capital, so coaching will be focused on these two aspects.”

By “coaching”, Dr Norrizan means monitoring and advisory help from educationists from tertiary institutions and the ministry’s Technology Education Division officers. Smart schools currently have 18 coaches from universities and 21 from the ministry in a system implemented on a trial basis last year.

One such KDPAHA coach, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak lecturer Norazila Abdul Aziz, explains her role.

“I visit the school once a month and also correspond with them by phone or email,” she says. “I meet with teachers, give tips on how ICT can be included in lessons and make sure they document their ICT usage.

“If they raise problems, I suggest strategies to overcome them. I also raise them up during focus meetings in Kuala Lumpur every month, where we discuss problems and best practices.”

Dr Norrizan adds that coaches also identify the training that needs to be provided by the ministry or MDEC. Of course, she admits, the challenge is how to engage enough coaches for 10,000 schools.

But she believes that there is a bigger purpose for smart schools.

“It’s an effort to create a culture for the world of work, and talent for a knowledge economy,” Dr Norrizan says.

“ICT is used to enhance interest in the field itself as a career, and also to improve the students’ lives.”

RESOURCES: Welcome to the MSC Malaysia's Smart School Flagship Application

Welcome to the MSC Malaysia's Smart School Flagship Application

NEWS: 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.

1. Increasing Usage and Adoption in terms of Utilisation

1. 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 survery, 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.

2. Programme Management of Enhancement and Deployment of Technology
   The Centralised 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 programme it is envisaged that by January 2008, all 88 smart schools will have their own CSDs.

3. Study of Bandwith requirement.
   A study of bandwith requirement was also carried out in all 88 smartshcools and the programme is approaching its completion in November 2008.

2. Increase usage and adoption in terms of Human Capital

1. Develop and execute international conference
   The Smart School International Conference (SSIC) was organised 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 galvanised, for the benefit of the smartschool program.

2. Develop and conduct professional development programs for smartschools
   

   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, Maths, Science, History, Islamic Education & Geography

   For the year 2008 a target of 880 teachers to be empowered by this program has been set.

3. Intergrated Content for Smartshcool

1. Deployment of new applications

   Cashless Environment
   47 smartschools is envisage to be operating in a cashless environment. This new application will commence in December 2007

   MSC Interactive Content Proof-of-Concept Pilot Programme
   A pilot program for an MSC Interactive Content Proof-of-Concept was developed and run in 4 selected Primary Schools. The development of the content was completed in May 2007 and deployed to the schools in November 2007. This pilot programme involves 3 titles for primary Year 1 Mathermatics.

2. e-materials titles uploaded into LCMS
   268 e-materials titles were uploaded into the LCMS. This programme achieved complete deployment in all 88 flagship smartschools in September 2007. The materials are for the following subjects: English Language, Bahasa Melayu, Civic & Nationality, Moral Education, Geography, Public Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Technology Engineering, Electronic and Electric Engineering, Engineering Drawing, Visual Art Education, History, Physic, Chemistry, Biology, Additional Mathematic, Islamic Education

3. Web-based School Management System (WSMS) and Learning Content Management System
   These applications were successfully deployed to all the 88 smartschools.

4. Web TV
   A contract was awarded to Zeal Hi-Tech for the supply and commissioning of web TVs to all 88 smartschools. By March 2008, all 88 smartshcools are expected to web tvs up and running.

4. Upgrading of Infrastructure

1. 3498 pcs will be acquired by December 2007 to empower all 88 smartschools.