Job Discussion Forums

[Mark-O]

In an attempt to give everyone a break from the mud-slinging and handbag-swinging, I'm going to do something novel: ask a question related to pedagogy!

One aspect of modern teaching that excites me is the use of ICT in the classroom. From your experiences, how prevalent is ICT as a genuine resource for NETs in Hong Kong? Do many schools boast an ICT suite and/or interactive whiteboards? In your opinion, how receptive are schools in Hong Kong to this notion of teaching?

[Please could we abstain from exercising any personal vendettas in this post; I'm trying to elicit genuine opinions and thoughts - thanks.]

[Ludwig]

I would not think that all too many EMB NETs would have access to interactive whiteboards, though I have been told that all ESF schools have them as standard now. I used one for the first time only recently - I began a thread on the topic (there is a great reply there from a chap in Korea) - and they are an exciting resource with a potential that, to my mind, is yet to be fully realised.

Most, if not all, schools in HK will tend to have a computer suite. Even fairly standard government schools typically have a relatively elaborate in school I.T. network and many have mini TV studios, too. I.T. is taken quite seriously here and it is certainly promoted by the EMB and other such controlling bodies, and, of course, industry.

There is still a great deal of chalk and blackboard in HK though, even at (traditional) up-market (and dear) 'establishment' schools!

It is difficult to answer your question as to how "receptive" schools in Hong Kong are to this notion of teaching. The pool of schools in HK harbours great internal variation. In general, however, I think it would be fair to say that the vast majority of institutions and establishments are very open to new ideas and approaches. Indeed, they can very often expect and demand such innovations from teachers. When I was a NET, some years ago now, it was rare for a teacher not to at least use PP in most lessons. Indeed, the school in which I worked had two guys whose soul duty was to lumber laptops and LCD projectors from classroom to classroom for eight or ten hours a day, five days a week.

[foster]

we have an LCD projector in each classroom, but we would have to connect the laptop ourselves if we chose to use it.

We have the MMLC room with 40 (often) working computers. We have the old-fashioned overhead projectors.

I think my schoool is open to the idea that we should use technology, however, I do not think my co-workers are comfy enough with it to use it. I like it, I use it when I can. It's good for me.

Whiteboards would be wonderful. I hate chalk. Interactive white boards...humm....I dunno.

[once again]

What does ITC mean?

[subwoofer]

^ I Teach Chinese?

[ChrisRose]

About 4 years ago I was teaching at a PLK school.

The computer teacher got a $4,000,000 grant from the QEF.

The jammy *beep* had 2. Yes not 1 but 2, and everything else he could think of.

In my humble opinion, subject to putting in the prep. time they can be useful, they can display scanned images, video. WHilst much the sme was as a LCD, you can pull out your magnetic coloud pens and highlight.

Now here is the question, what is the cost benifit ratio of a ICT vs a whiteboard with LCD? WIht a hite board you can still use BlueTac, magnetic holders to put up visual aides etc.

Sinc this thread is on shinny, high tech stuff I would like to post a warning.
Don't buy cheap visualisers!

Cheap visualisers with low resolution piss me off. You have to rescale anything you print out, else the projected image is reduced to the resolution of the visulizer, meaning bulky , choppy text that doesn't fit the screen.

I think OHT's while easily avialable have had there day. LCD projectors are gettign cheaper, but visualiser are mostly low quality, as for ICT's what is the current price?