SINGAPORE — As Singapore moves to introduce more technology into schools, it’s worth remembering that it’s the teachers who will make the difference with how they harness it, Education Minister Heng Swee Keat said today (Jan 26).

“Ultimately it is about how we use technology to bring out the heart of education,” Mr Heng wrote in a post on Facebook page this morning (Jan 26).

He noted that Singapore will have an integrated online learning portal for all primary and secondary school students by 2016, which he described it as “a most invigorating prospect”, but stressed that it’s ultimately the teachers who make the difference.

Mr Heng highlighted Christchurch Secondary teacher Christopher Chee for his initiative. Mr Chee contacted Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School professors when he read about how they are using flipped classrooms for team-based learning, and applied the approach to his Normal (Technical) students at Christchurch.

“Christopher studied up the system, and got his students to watch an online video on math concepts at home and adopted team-based learning in class. To his surprise, the students were so engaged that they stayed beyond school hours to learn more!” wrote Mr Heng.

He added: “Yes technology matters, but teachers matter most of all. Our technological advances are to help our teachers do an even better job.

“If our teachers continue to use technology with such gutsiness, I am excited for the great learning opportunities that will open up for our children.” CHANNEL NEWSASIA