Kuala Lumpur school to test social media as teaching platform

I wrote about tablets as eventual replacement for heavy text books quite some time ago.

While the idea seems far-fetched and may not be favoured by many parents, a government-aided school in Kuala Lumpur has recently taken the first step towards testing social media as teaching platform. The tool they use is none other than tablet computer, or simply known as tablet.

What this means is that, there will be more and more tablets in schools and people will start coming up with innovative ways to maximise the usage of this popular gadget. St. Mary's started with social media, but with time, ideas will be pouring in, including replacing heavy text books with tablets.



New Ninetology tablets for the school students at St Mary's Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Computerworld


Malaysia's first social media platform dedicated to education

Malaysian secondary school St Mary's KL will pilot Malaysia's first social media platform, which is dedicated to education, according to EduNation Programme founder.

The government-aided mission school in Kuala Lumpur, which has been handed with 46 tablets by Asean mobile solutions firm Ninetology Marketing, has 1,243 students with the support of 65 teachers, said the school principal Goh Hai Bee


Rational behind the pilot test

"Technology advancement moves at a rapid pace. Students' exposure and hands-on knowledge about the world of Internet and digital media, is critical. In today's new work environment, high IT knowledge and the know-how of using digital media should not be limited only for those studying IT as a career option.

All of our children need strong skills in IT. From doctors to engineers, lawyers and teachers; we all need these skills. Our children, who in the future will look for employment, will need to, for example, apply for jobs online."
- Goh Hai Bee, St. Mary's school principal.


The EduNation Programme

The school Alumni Club's initiative to bring EduNation and Ninetology to the school has made the EduNation Programme a reality. The programme is expected to expose students to a new pedagogical approach using technology for teaching and learning.

Teaching videos for Mathematics, Science, Economics, Accounting and languages such as English and Bahasa Malaysia as well as an online exercise and test paper can now be conducted on a social media platform so that participating students will be able to practise their comprehension on subjects and concepts.

The idea behind the EduNation Programme is to enable any student in need of academic assistance to be connected to parents, teachers, volunteers and fellow students to receive free real time tuition powered by the Malaysian Community.

EduNation Programme aims to complement the Malaysian Education system. By putting the entire Malaysian school syllabus online, free for all, we will empower every Malaysian regardless of their economic status to excel in school.


TheGreenMechanics: Tablets and other mobile devices, and technology related to such invention are not going to fade away, so we may as well put them to good use in the education industry, such as the EduNation Programme.


Reference

Taiwan Varsity Offers GREEN Course

This piece of information should be a cause for cheer because one can now get certified via proper or dedicated trainings in the emerging alternatives on renewable energy and energy efficient products.

Then again, to be honest I am not really sure if I should leap for joy or sit disappointed reading the news as we have some world class universities in Malaysia and yet we have to depend on others to learn technology that is already in existence -and in wide scale - in our country. 

I have a lecturer friend at UMS and I know he is actively researching in the field of renewable energy but that is a totally different thing. What is being research and developed, and what is being taught at school or uni are two separate issues. Syllabus and modules on green technology should be available in at least a couple of varsities to cater for the current and future needs in the RE initiatives. Remember, Prime Minister Najib pledged 40% carbon footprint reduction in Malaysia by 2020.

Harnessing energy from the sun? Shot with Nikkor 18-200 | 18mm | ISO 200 | f/14 | 1/160sec |

If we don't prepare the current generation of student with the necessary educational background, then I believe we have missed out one point in trying to make Malaysia a major hub in production of RE equipment. Note that Malaysia is third behind China and Germany in solar PV panel manufacturing. 

Awareness campaign alone is not sufficient. Fiscal and monetary incentives are good but it only encourage foreign investment per see, and the goal to transfer knowledge is only at the industry/application level. Foreign investors must be 'forced' to transfer the knowledge through the higher learning institutions, too.

For now, the only proper training is conducted via Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia (SEDA) which focuses on teaching industry players on how to get certified as implementer and install/commission RE equipment such as solar PV, mini hydro, bio gas and biomass. This is nothing more than trainings done by ASTRO on its appointed Astro Installers in the monopolised satellite TV industry in the country. The Installers know their stuff - installing, commissioning, troubleshooting, etc - but very few know about the technology behind the application.

Similarly, in a couple of years time, many so-called Solar PV certified installers would become well-versed with lighting up the rural area and make money from there but it just stop there. Technological advancement is from somewhere else, and this does not help us in terms of global competitiveness.

So there, give it a thought when you enroll for 'green' courses such as the one reported by The Star in the following article:

Green Course in Taiwan

The Star Online, Jan 8, 2012

KUN Shan University in Taiwan is offering a Solar and LED Illumination Technology course for Malaysians below the age of 40.

The tuition fee has been waived. MCA Vocational Education Development Committee chairman Tan Sri Dr Fong Chan Onn encouraged Malaysians to enrol in the course as the country needed trained technicians in the field with renewable energy becoming increasingly popular. Dr Fong, who is also chairman of the Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia, said the government was committed to reducing the nation’s carbon dioxide footprint by 40 percent in 2020.

“Switching to renewable energy is certainly a step towards achieving the goal,” he said in a statement on Friday.

With the passing of the Renewable Energy (RE) and Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Acts 2011, renewable energy would become a viable and sound long-term investment for companies, industries and individuals.

“We have abundant sunlight throughout the year, and should therefore fully utilise solar energy, which is green. The introduction of the Fit-in Tariff (FiT) system comes timely and would spur the demand for installations of solar panels nationwide,” said Dr Fong.

The FiT system is implemented following the passing of the RE and SEDA Acts 2011, obliging Distribution Licensees to buy from Feed-in Approval Holders the electricity produced from renewable resources, including solar energy. As the installation and maintenance of solar panels is an infant industry in the country, Malaysia is in dire need of experts in the area.

Hands-on training makes up the biggest chunk of the solar course offered by Kun Shan University, allowing students to familiarise themselves with the installation of solar panels during their two-year study in Taiwan.

This course is among the eight courses offered under the Malaysian Taiwan Skills Programme. Applications are now open and student intake is in March this year.

Students would also be exposed to the design of LED illumination system and applications, where they would acquire the skills to design flat display screen and LED lights meant for different purposes. Upon graduation, students can work in the industries of solar, LED illumination and LCD display manufacturing.

For enquiries, please call MCA Vocational Education Development Committee Secretariat at 03-2166 8211 or 03-2161 8044. The application deadline is Jan 17, 2012. [Note: This has definitely passed but there's no harm asking]

Tell Your Story

... I mean, Your Engineering Story.

SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE THEY WERE BORN TO BE AN ENGINEER

SOME PEOPLE HAD A DREAM TO BECOME AN ENGINEER

SOME PEOPLE WERE ADVISED TO BE AN ENGINEER

SOME PEOPLE WERE INSPIRED BY AN ENGINEER

SOME PEOPLE ARE AN ENGINEER IN HEART

WHAT IS YOUR ENGINEERING STORY?

This is an initiative by IEM (Sabah) to spice up this year's IEM annual dinner by making "Your Engineering Story" part of the event.

I wanted to append the full PDF brochure but it's not hyperlinked. Here is how you are going to do it:

This competition is called "My Engineering Story" and the chosen stories will be published in the IEM Sabah website and printed in the annual dinner souvenir book.

Objective: To collect amazing, inspiring real life stories and hence, motivate more people to love engineering. To provide a platform to all engineers to share their passion towards their living and loving in engineering. [Note: These are words from IEM. Interpret at your own pleasure.]

Simple rules:
1) The competition is divided into two categories, i.e. a) Students, and b) Engineers,
2) Three (3) winners will be selected from each category,
3) Each of the winners will receive RM500 cash.

Include the followings in your submission:
1) Full name, field of engineering, company name, phone number, and email address
2) Your "My Engineering Story" in word file.
3) Your story must be within 400 to 500 words.
4) Your photo or photo related to your story.


So, hit that keyboard of your computer and start writing.

Submit your article by 1st October 2011 to iemyessabah@gmail.com

IEM Sabah Branch can also be reached at Tel: 088-259122 (2 lines) Fax : 088-236749

SMK Nabalu construction yet to commence?

If you read the local newspapers the past couple of days - Daily Express, The Borneo Post - Where's your promise?, New Sabah Times - yesterday and today, chances are you will read one leader ticking off another to defend himself aka 'menegakkan benang yang basah', our way of saying 'I'm right and I stand by it'.

"Dr.Puad ticked off Masidi for labelling him as an outsider who made empty promises". Read more about it here.

The next day Datuk Masidi expressed his appreciation and welcomed Dr. Puad’s announcement that the construction of the SMK Nabalu would commence next month, but 'stood by what I've said' earlier.

When it comes to how the leaders administer the country, I don't normally care too much about 'who says what' and prefer to care more about 'what was accomplished'. I do not have too much interest in politics but I care and feel strongly about decisions made that affect the people in general, and especially if that happens near me. I think it is just natural to feel that way. I certainly don't look at our pemimpin-pemimpin handalan as outsiders. But if the action or the lack of it brings about difficulties in my daily routines then it is only fair that I have my say on a thing or two.


Should you (and I) make a fuss about this?

Education is the foundation of tomorrow's progressive, innovative and knowledgeable generation. Educating people can be done anywhere and anytime but a school is still the ideal place to do it efficiently.

People around Pekan Nabalu has been asking for a secondary school for a long time now; if I can recall correctly that happened during the tenure of the previous Tuaran MP, Mr. Yunof Maringking. I was still a student myself back then. Subsequent MP replaced him in Datuk Madius Tangau later and he was vocal enough in Parliment meetings to ensure the people's wishes, including this proposed school, are brought up to the attention of the cabinet. Both men hail from this area. I like Tangau's contemporary style, he connects well with the old and young generation. Maringking used to be more laid back but I enjoyed visiting his law firm office in Kota Kinabalu.

The current MP for Tuaran is Datuk Mojilip Bumburing.

Now that Datuk Masidi Manjun is the state minister entrusted with the responsibility to take care of educational issues in Sabah, it is only fair that he channels his effort in ensuring that the people of Nabalu get the appropriate education facilities such as school.

While I disagree with the utterance of the word 'outsider', I totally stand by him for his chili-hot outburst on the inaction of the Deputy Eduaction Minister. In fact I wouldn't even call it outburst; it was a mere gentle reminder.

Datuk Masidi Manjun talks to participants of the Worls Class Paragliding Event in Tamparuli, 2010

Deputy PM (cum Education Minister) approved the construction of SMK Nabalu in August 2009 for RM35mil and of course he will expect his deputy to do the necessary to get the job done. To be fair, about six to nine months is needed to take care of the financial and technicalities before the construction can actually go ahead. It has been almost 2 years now and any layman such as myself, would but can't help thinking some one is not doing his job, or some one is purposely delaying taking action. The next general election is now lurking and it add spices to the perception that leaders are only waking up when their terms are almost up.


Let's support a leader who is willing to 'make noise' for the Rakyat

So, come on Datuk Masidi! Don't let this guy stop you from doing your job. People can love or hate you but as long as you kick, hard-hit, bicker with, or tick off your peers in honest manner and with clear conscience I am totally with you. "Spank" them if you need to, I'm okay with that!

I like your style! I like leaders who speak up for the rakyat without fear or favour on issues that need attention.

Syabas!!

To sign off, let's share this. I like it, really.

"kalau pembinaan SMK Nabalu tidak bermula tahun hadapan tuan-tuan boleh penggal kepala saya" (if the SMK Nabalu construction does not start next year you all can chop off my head). - quote Daily Express, 6/7/2011 Front Page.