MALAYSIAN SMART SCHOOL

Introduction

     The Malaysian Smart School is a learning institution that has been systematically reinvented in terms of teaching-learning practices and school management in order to prepare children for the Information age. Smart School had become one of the flagship of the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) that will carry out in 2000. Early in 1996, the Ministry of Education was created laws of Smart School concept. There was teaching and learning based on creative thinking. Technology as an important component in Smart School concept when Smart School project exists as one of the application that are part of the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC). There are five important objectives in Smart School which are development of individual (intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual), create an opportunities to enhance individual strengths and abilities, democratizing education, increasing involvement of stakeholders, and produce a thinking and technology literate workforce.

Smart School Initiatives on Teaching and Learning Components

     In 1996, Malaysia identified that information and communication technology (ICT) as the one foundation towards the more advance country. In declare this goals, the government also acknowledged that such a transition will require a workforce capable of exploiting ICT to create new economic opportunities. In order to develop this talent, the government announced under Eight Malaysia Plan (RMK 8) the need to re-engineer the country’ education system align it with its Vision 2020. The Smart School Flagship was one of the seven applications identified under Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) initiative.

             

     The Ministry of Education (MoE) planned the Smart School concept based on a critical look at the creative teaching and learning processes.  Technology is seen as an enabler and will become important guiding principle of Smart Schools. As consequent, the Smart School operates based on the Teaching Learning Concept related to Smart School Curriculum, Pedagogy, Assessment and Teaching Learning Materials.

Smart Schools Curriculum

     For the first Teaching Learning Concept is related to Smart School Curriculum. The Smart Schools Curriculum designed according to the best practices of other successful Smart Schools before. The element in this curriculum will enable the education system to achieve the goals of National Philosophy of Education. There are few characteristics of curriculum designed. Firstly, it designed to help students achieve overall and balanced development.  This means The Smart Schools curriculum will focus on all development of students appropriate for the Information Age such as communication, cognitive, affective and physical. For example in cognitive development, students acquiring knowledge. So, they will focus on searching, generating and using knowledge with emphasis on problem solving and creativity.

 Next, the characteristic curriculum is integrating of knowledge, skills, values and correct use of language across the curriculum. Integrating of knowledge means student will became knowledge. For example, the student gets the knowledge from problem solving. In this curriculum, student will have the skill of creative and critical thinking skill, personal skills, social skills and information technology skills. In this curriculum also, student can built the value of self reliance, respect each other, love, freedom and others. 

Besides, intended learning outcomes explicitly stated for different level abilities, ensuring all student gain equal access to quality learning and allowing for self-paced learning across grades. The curriculum will reflect vertical integration to allow high fliers to surf through their schooling years, without being kept apart from their peers, in virtual express classes. For example, each subject is divided into learning area which is included many different level. For the first level, student listen to selected texts and respond to wh question. Second level, student will give idea, information and respond to variety of texts. Last level, student will give their views and opinion. 

 The curriculum will reflect horizontal integration which features multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches. A multidisciplinary approaches is one in which two or three subject areas are combined in a single learning area that focuses on a theme, issue, problem, topic or concept. Whereas, the interdisciplinary approach combines all subject areas to focus the full array of disciplines on theme, issues, problem , topic or concept.

Pedagogy

      For the second Teaching Learning Concept is pedagogy. The characteristics in pedagogy are appropriate mix of learning strategies to ensure mastery of basic competencies and promotion of holistic development likes encouragement of learning activities to promote creativity and experimentation. The innovative methods of teaching that can make learning experience interesting are the process, modes and tasks. The process of learning involves specific learning goal that will achieve every day. Another characteristic that can makes classroom atmosphere of Smart School interesting, we need to creating an atmosphere of respect. Besides, we need to establish a culture for learning which is important of balance between process and content in learning student pride in work.

Assessment 

     The scope of assessment in Smart School is holistic in that it covers not only achievement but also readiness, progress and aptitude. Such an approach will give various information regarding the student’s learning style and abilities. For example, the assessment system will be on-line. On–line assessment means that the items for smart assessment will be stored in a computerized item bank and be made available to users on terminals through networking. The integration of technology as a tool to facilitate assessment will create a climate where assessment can be provided for each student virtually on demand. With item banks and networking, teachers, students, assessment workers can engage in assessment activities whenever they are ready. Assessment will be conducted in various forms which is classroom assessment, school based assessment and centralized assessment because to allow different demonstrations of strengths, abilities and knowledge.

Teaching-Learning Materials 

     The Smart School teaching-learning materials will be designed to fully support the new teaching- learning strategies. Firstly, the teaching-learning materials are cost effective, as well as cosmetically and technically adequate. Secondly, the teaching-learning more cognitively challenging, attractive motivates students to learn and encourages active participant. Besides, conceptual selection and evaluation guidelines for teaching learning materials will cover five main criteria. Teaching and learning materials will be acquired from a wide range of source, and will no longer be limited by resources with schools. In addition to libraries, homes, government departments and others sources include internet. Teaching-learning materials will accommodates students different needs and abilities resulting in fuller realization of students capabilities and potential. Student also takes responsibility for managing and directing their own learning. 

Technology Enablers

     Technology alone will not make a Smart School. Whereas, by improving teaching-learning strategies, management and administrative processes, and capable, well-trained personnel with enthusiasm can help materialize the Smart School goals. With the introduction of Information Communication Technology (ICT), the process of transforming the existing schools into Smart Schools can be expedited. ICT was implemented in the Smart School in order to make the lessons more interesting, relevant, and meaningful. At the same time, ICT will help to bring the world into the classroom and ICT help to improve information technology. Consequently, a nation-wide system of Smart Schools will depend on advanced ICT at the school, district, state, and national levels. Some of the technology that can be found in Smart School might include the classrooms, library/media centre, and computer laboratory. The classrooms were provided with multimedia courseware and presentation facilities, and e-mail or groupware for collaborative work. Besides, the library/media centre were also provided with database centre for multimedia courseware, and network resources like access to the internet. The computer laboratory can be used for teaching, such as computer studies as a subject, and readily accessible multimedia and audio-visual equipment.

Progress of Smart Schools

     The Smart School Flagship is one of the few initiatives in the region that incorporates strategic planning elements into its implementation Roadmap. The milestones for the Smart School Flagship has four waves. The four waves of the Smart School implementation plan are Wave 1 which is known as The Pilot (1999-2002), Wave 2 known as The Post-Pilot (2002-2005), Wave 3 known as Making All School Smart (2005-2010), and Wave 4 known as Consolidate and Stabilise (2010-2020). 

In order to implement the Pilot project, a smart partnership was forged between the Ministry of Education (MoE), Telekon Smart School Sdn Bhd (TSS), and Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC), ensuring involvement from both the central and state level. The Smart School implementation comprises two phases, that is, a Pilot Project phase and a broad roll-out phase. There are eighty-seven (87) Pilot schools were involved in the Pilot Project phase which tested three models of technology, that is a computer laboratory model (Level B), a limited classroom model (Level B+), and a full classroom model (Level A). In the original Implementation Plan, the Ministry of Education would use the findings of the Pilot Project to prepare a Master Plan to ensure that all schools in the country become smart schools in the stages, by the year 2010. Whereas, in the broad roll-out phase, the Government of Malaysia is expected to play the role of architect and driver for the Smart School project in the ways to prepare the guidelines and provide the basic amenities to schools according to their individual needs. Second way is actively encourage all schools to become Smart Schools on their own initiative by using their own financial resources and expertise. 

The 87 pilot schools are identified to act as the nucleus for the eventual roll-out of Smart School concepts, materials, skills, and technologies. This Pilot Project tested the Smart School Integrated Solution (SSIS) via a few components. First, the provision of ICT infrastructure and system. Second,  Teaching Learning Materials (TLMs) (1,494 courseware titles) and related print materials for Malay Language, English, Science and Mathematics. Third, a computerised Smart School Management System (SSMS) with the management of major school functions provided in modular form. Fourth, a Smart School Technology Infrastructure involving the use of computers and non-IT equipment, Local Area Network (LAN) and a Virtual Private Network (VPN) that connects the schools to the Ministry’s Data Centre and Help Desk. Fifth, support services in the form of centralised Help Desk and a data centre which can provide teaching-learning and management support for the schools. Sixth, related specialised services which form part of the SSIS such as systems  integration, project management, business process reengineering and change management to achieve a total solution to all the teaching-learning, management, and leadership functions of the school. Seventh, the provision of training for teachers, Principals, and School Heads in smart teaching and learning, the use of Smart School applications software, courseware, and ICT literacy. Training is also be imparted on how to utilise the LAN for TLM and the Help Desk when assistance is needed or a problem needs to be resolved. Eighth, the post of an ICT Coordinator for Smart Schools approved by the MoE and made available to assist teachers in the day-to-day operations of infrastructure and the dedicated software. The implementation phase, 1992-2002, was closely monitored by the parties concerned, i.e. the MoE, TSS, and MDeC. Issues were resolved at the steering committee and monitoring meetings attended by the three main players. 

            When the Pilot Project was successfully concluded in 2002, a consortium of evaluators made up of experts from the local universities was commissioned by the MoE/MDeC partners to conduct an evaluation of the project. This evaluation work began in April 2003 and a report of the findings was published in 2004. There are also a review by a MoE/TSS team of ‘Power Rangers’ and a benchmarking study. These serve to illustrate the current status of Smart Schools. 

Challengers in Smart Schools

       There are some problems and challenges that we must faced since the inception of Smart Schools in Malaysia.  As we know, to enable the smooth transition to Smart Schools, there are some policy changes must be applied.  These would be encompass schooling structure, training and personnel requirement and certification conditions.   As implementation of Smart School, there would be huge provision or budget to overcome the increasing of number of Smart School in Malaysia.  This has significant implications particularly on multimedia infrastructure deployment, training, learners and materials development.  

In multimedia infrastructure aspect, Smart School invariably demand a heavy investment on it.  The hardware would include computers and peripherals, video and voice conferencing equipment and the backbone telecommunication infrastructure.  The software will comprise word processors, spreadsheets, networking software, e-mail software.  Apart from that, Smart Schools will require the creation of interlinked national and local databases and resource centre to ensure it works properly.  The infrastructure is not incremental to the current information technology deployment but orders of magnitude higher.  The successful planning, installation and maintenance will require a radical change in approach.  This is essential to ensure the optimum utilization of the facilities, which otherwise could easily become an expensive high-tech means of doing more of the same.  Effective implementation of Smart School will require funding for the building of new schools with all its multimedia infrastructure, upgrading facilities in existing schools and teacher training institutions , and for the maintenance of new technology introduced.  We need to explored more on innovative methods to achieve the targeted budget such as private sector funding, corporate and community involvement, sponsorships and also wisely used of the excellent infrastructure after school hours.  

Besides that, the most critical aspect of training would be teacher training.  There needs to be a careful addition of intensive training and counseling to assist teachers adapt to the whole new environment.  This will be crucial in order to dispel the natural insecurity and fears of redundancy that will arise from this radical changes in teaching methodology and hence the teachers get the very important role in this case.  This training will have to devote considerable attention to changing the mindset of teachers, so that they will understand that Smart Schools must provide the best and good environment for self-directed and self-accesses learning of students in classrooms.  This would involve thoroughly renovate training programs, significant additional infrastructure and the mobilization of expertise, which includes both local and foreign.  While the teachers form the largest target group training, the challenges to train administrators, supervisors, technologist, and supporting staff becomes not really important. Teachers will now play the role of a guide on the side, thus doing away with their traditional way of teaching process.  Teachers will identify the real goals, define what the direction for their students, guide their progress towards these goals and then step back to allow the students to learn at their own step.  The teachers will give psychological support and encouragement and also periodically step in to check progress, giving strengths and efforts, identify weaknesses, and decide what kind of practice that their students needs.  In short term, teachers will be instrumental in creating conditions that will promote self-directed learning which is creative and not fully depend to teachers.  

Next, for the challenges in aspect of learners is that learners attitude.  Nowadays, the students are not too active or passive in teaching and learning process.  They just listen to teachers and doing nothing unless hoping fully to the teachers.  Although teacher hold the responsibility of teaching process and in relation to technology applications, the student should also play an active role in determining the direction of their respective learning by virtue of the participation and activities.  The software that are created and designed to facilitate the students’ active, creative and critical engagement with the content which can help enhance the active construction and reconstruction of ideas and experiences of their understanding of the content presented.  Smart Schools will prepare the students to make a successful transition to the modern and more global environment.  The schools will nurture skills of creative problem-solving in the face of real situations, and the students will learn to make a right decisions and holding the responsibility for them.  Besides that, students also learn how to process and manipulate information.  They will trained to think creatively and critically and to reflect on what they have learned, as well as to transfer and apply knowledge from one disciplines to another and also to daily life.  Hence, students will need to be taught strategies to competently and selectively navigate for information.  Moreover, team effort, group collaboration, flexibility and competency in international languages will be emphasized. In Malaysia, the Smart Schools will also incorporate the innovative concept of the virtual express class.  The current system stretches the weak students and restricts the smartest.  The technology in the Smart Schools will help provide the flexibility to remove this stress in that system.  This will allow fast learners to complete the coursework and assessments sooner than the normal duration.  

Apart from that, in term of material there is a need to make available a rapid and sustainable supply of courseware in future and to have these constantly replenished and updated.  Courseware that we used has to be developed for all subjects in the curriculum and to provide for the higher fliers, the average and the slow students.  In this respect, maybe the greatest challenges will be to prepare courseware to the slower students.  This courseware will need to exhibit some features such as interactive, cognitively challenging, with self-assessment and built-in built-in checkpoints for the teachers inputs.  This will make easier to teachers to utilize the courseware well and enhance the learning and teaching process.       

Last but not least, the challenge that also we faced since the inception of Smart Schools in Malaysia is a administrator’s role as effective managers.  The successful implementation of Smart School will be depend of school administration through the use of technology.  This condition will help improve efficiency, remove redundancies and improve access to all concerned.  About the issues involvement of parents, this are clearly seen nowadays.  Most of parents are not really involved in this projects.  Most of them busy with their work so that they can upgrade their life and provide the better environment to their children.  Most of them think this Smart School program is the work for government as well as teachers.  Therefore, they just not too care about their children participation in Smart School program.  Networking will facilitate the involvement of parents and the community in school programs making them effective partners in their children’s education.  Students and teachers welfare needs can be more effectively met with constant monitoring.  Moreover, with school management computerized and on-line, the principals will be able to plan, manage and utilize both human and physical resources effectively.  

Smart Schools will provide a golden opportunity for the Ministry of Education to implement innovations to achieve the highest standards in education and become a global leader in the field. Obviously there is a need to learn from successful existing and ongoing projects around the world and then merge this learning with unique local requirements to create something that is beyond and more advanced. The challenges ahead is a great one, but the rewards will be just as great.

Conclusion

       The Smart School initiative can revolutionise learning in ways that are beyond our grasp today.  The Pilot and the Post-Pilot phases have helped in identifying weakness and corrective steps have been identified to correct these and enhance the strength.  Ensuring the successful implementation of the nationwide expansion of the Smart School will require certain move such as a long-term implementation plan for the period 2005-2020 will set performance targets that will have to be met by the major players.  The plan would have to get the approval and fully backing of the government in terms of its commitments to the goals of the Smart Schools.