Digital school bag has the same idea. All you need for learning (except water and lunch box) could be digitized and contained in a light-weight mobile digital device, with a A4 size screen. iPads or other tablets immediately appear as the de facto devices for such concept.
In Hong Kong, not many schools converted themselves into such learning environment. Fortunately, we worked with 2 primary schools which embrace such e-Bag concept and turned it into reality some years before. These two schools are:
- The Hong Kong Institute of Education Jockey Club Primary School (JCPS)
- C&MA Chui Chak Lam Memorial School (CCL)
- Real-time and 7x24 Multiple Feedback Loop - Learn from Others and Not Only from Teachers
- Self-directed Learning - Fit One's Own Need and Pace
- Seamless Learning - Learning Everywhere
- Early Adaptation to New Form of Economy - More Chance of Career Success
Students joining this e-Bag need to meet certain pre-requisites:
- Good academic results -Students need to get an average score of B for all subjects.
- Self-discipline - Students need to follow instruction of teachers and behave themselves.
- Financially ready - Parents need to buy a school specified computer and bear the extra cost incurred.
2. Subject Coverage
The e-Bag programme is implemented as class-based. In the e-Bag classes, all major subjects will use digital way of teaching. The subjects include:
- Chinese
- English
- Math
- General Studies
- Visual Art
- Music
3. Teaching Content
Since both schools are public sector schools, they are following the local curriculum required by the Education Bureau. Most teaching contents are from major publishers ( http://www.publishersglobal.com/directory/hong-kong/subject/education-publishers/ )
Like other schools, teachers will create their own teaching materials according to their students' interests and capabilities. However, unlike other schools without e-Bag, teachers in such 2 schools could create new learning activities and dispatch information more efficiently, thanks to the digital devices for each student.
4. Any Printed Textbook?
With publishers' consent, textbooks are scanned and the digital copies are kept in students' dedicated learning device. With Dyknow (http://www.dyknow.com) as the classroom and learning support system, in theory, there is no need for printed textbook. However, parents are not as high-tech as their children and they explicitly request for printed textbooks. So that parents can easily do revision with their children, and, hence, less stress for them. Textbooks in such schools are not for students but for parents.
5. Parent Talks
More parent-school communication is needed since the e-Bag programme is a collaborative project by nature. Parents, students, and teachers need to tune in before they can dance together. There are 3 key parent events through out an academic year.
- e-Bag Launch - In September, when students are just back to school, the e-Bag class will be trained to use their mobile learning device. This year, the two schools start using Lenovo Tablet2 for their primary 4 students. ( http://shopap.lenovo.com/hk/en/tablets/thinkpad/thinkpad-tablet-2/ ) This parent talk will brief them about the learning and teaching process at school using e-Bag, as well as advice for parents.
- e-Bag Open Class - In January, when students are adapted to e-Bag mode of learning, their parents will have a chance to see how their children learn at school. It is also serving as a promotion activity for next year's e-Bag programme. Parents of primary 3 students are invited to "feel" how such e-Bag creates value for their children.
- e-Bag Application Briefing - In June, it is almost the end of a school year. The school is going to recruit e-Bag students for next year. e-Bag a 3-year commitment starting from primary 4. Therefore, school will invite primary 3 students and their parents to "feel" and understand the programme details for next year.
6. Involvement of Parent-Teacher-Association (PTA)
PTA support is crucial to e-Bag's success. At the beginning, PTA shows strong commitment on e-Bag by carrying out fund-raising activity, so that school could upgrade infrastructure and acquire other resources to start e-Bag programme. On-going communication through PTA is important. PTA helps managing parents' perception and addressing feedback on e-Bag, which are the keys to a win-win situation among parents, students, and the school.
In addition, PTA offers additional financial support to underprivileged students if they are accepted to e-Bag class. This gives a fair learning opportunity to all students in the schools.
7. Hardware
Students' end devices are the key equipment for learning. This year, the two schools start using Lenovo Tablet2 for their primary 4 students. ( http://shopap.lenovo.com/hk/en/tablets/thinkpad/thinkpad-tablet-2/ ) With close relationship with Lenovo, we could offer the two schools a very competitive price.
The two schools got a special requirement on maintenance which is a strong differentiator for us, namely Accident Damage Protection (ADP). (http://www.lenovo.com/services_warranty/US/en/accidental-damage-protection.html ) Within a year, there is a quota for unintentional damage not covered by basic warranty. Unintentional damage means liquid spills, unintentional drops and bumps.
A server was installed and configured in order to support a new classroom management system called Dyknow. (http://www.dyknow.com)
8. Software
This tool could keep students engaged in learning activities and track their performance. This is a strong differentiator for the 2 schools in e-Learning and e-Teaching. This is the essential tool to integrate technology to teaching process. Without this tool being consistently used, it is hard to deliver extra benefits against traditional teaching approach.
Network upgrade was performed before the e-Bag launch. This included the enhancement of network backbone, upgrade of network switch, installation of Wifi Access Point, etc. For the classrooms of e-Bag classes, renovation work was performed in order to install additional power plugs.
10. School Administration
This programme requires tweaking of school's class allocation system. Traditionally, students are allocated to different classes according to their academic performance. However, in e-Bag programme, students can apply for entering the e-Bag class. The traditional allocation system needs to give priority to e-Bag.
This programme requires tweaking of school's class allocation system. Traditionally, students are allocated to different classes according to their academic performance. However, in e-Bag programme, students can apply for entering the e-Bag class. The traditional allocation system needs to give priority to e-Bag.
A typical e-Learning approach is adopted for non-e-Bag classes. Based on the learning and teaching activities in a subject, teachers may request student to bring a digital device (not limited to specific device) for a lesson or two.
12. Special Arrangement for Deprived Students
Underprivileged students are not deprived of the chance to enter e-Bag programme. Hong Kong Government offers help through the Internet Learning Support Programme ( http://www.gov.hk/tc/theme/ilearnathome/news/ ) and other financial aid through Student Financial Assistance (SFA) and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA).
WebOrganic is offering additional financial assistance through WebOrganic Fund ( http://www.weborganic.hk/Pages/ch_wo_fund.aspx ). Successful applicants may receive computers and free Internet service for free.
WebOrganic is offering additional financial assistance through WebOrganic Fund ( http://www.weborganic.hk/Pages/ch_wo_fund.aspx ). Successful applicants may receive computers and free Internet service for free.
Reference
- The Hong Kong Institute of Education Jockey Club Primary School (JCPS)
- C&MA Chui Chak Lam Memorial School (CCL)
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