- an IT-based project for the young ones by the Computer Centre and the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems
|
A User-friendly
Flexi-IT
Approach
for Education
- an IT-based project for the young ones by the Computer Centre and the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems |
| Background
In 1997, the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems and the Computer Centre experimented with a new mode of teaching in the schools environment with the appropriate use of IT. This new approach aimed at enhancing teachers' IT training and students' learning. We were very honored to receive funding from the Quality Education Fund of the Hong Kong SAR Government in 1998. A User-friendly Flexi-IT Approach for Education (UFIA) was made possible as a result. This web-based learning system strengthens the communication among teachers, students and parents. Preparation was started in September of 1998. 13 pilot primary schools were recruited to join us in developing the course materials, which were already in use in these schools. The system went live in September 1999. Other than the 13 pilot schools, over 60 other primary schools who were eager to make use of IT in their teaching also joined the UFIA scheme in November 1999 and shared the work developed in the UFIA project. |
 |
| Objective
The objective of the project is to introduce a quality learning and teaching environment to the schools in Hong Kong based on the state-of-the-art web technologies (e.g. multimedia and world-wide web). This provides students with a flexible, effective and student-oriented learning environment in order to meet the goal of quality education. UFIA consists of 2 main parts: teachers' IT training and IT-Enabled Education. |
| Teachers' IT Training
In January 1999, teachers from the pilot schools underwent IT training provided by UFIA. The training was modular, flexible, self-paced and provided timely assessment and feedback. Over 500 teachers were trained in the first 6 months. Teachers could learn at their own pace depending on their capabilities and could take an assessment to help them understand their own knowledge level in terms of IT at anytime when they felt ready. The contents of the training included basic information technology knowledge, the usage of the Internet and multimedia. Besides giving lectures and practical labs to teachers, UFIA also provided a self-learning environment, hot-line service, email and bulletin boards to address teachers' difficulties or questions. |
 |
IT-Enabled Education
The main element of web-based learning is the courseware. After discussing with teachers and educators, the UFIA team decided to focus the pilot run between 1998 and 2000 at Primary 3 English, Chinese and Mathematics. The courseware was co-developed by over 150 pilot school teachers and the UFIA team. A lot of fun-filled interactive games were built in the contents to arouse students' interest and stimulate their thinking. In addition, web-based learning allows students to learn outside of their schools. They just need a computer which is hooked up to the Internet and they can review the lessons whenever necessary and at their own pace. Parents can also benefit from the UFIA system. They can easily access the course contents and monitor their children's progress; hence, they can participate more actively in educating their children. |
| Test Drive
In order to share our experience in making use of various Information Technologies in the UFIA project, a sample web site has been setup. Anyone interested to try out the fun-filled interactive courseware of the UFIA system is welcome to visit http://ufia.hku.hk:8900/public/sample3. A more detailed description of the UFIA project can be found on its homepage at http://ufia.hku.hk. |
 |
| If you have any comments or questions, please
feel free to contact the undersigned.
Fanny Chau
|