Reflection on BDS (MOE) Teaching InternshiP WEEK 2

Renee Yeo Zhi Hui

4 July - 8 July 2022

What is an ideal classroom?

Going into the new week, I had kept the question in my mind, of what makes an ideal classroom. During this week at Bedok South Secondary, I have observed the technology involvement that changes the way we used to learn as students and how the teachers’ way of teaching the students has changed during the pandemic. I feel that technological advancement in the learning and teaching process has a positive impact on today’s classroom. Before when covid hits, as a student we are very used to learning in physical classrooms, and having Teachers in the physical classroom settings, it seemed that it was the best way for students to learn best in physical classrooms as Teachers were able to track the student's progress in the classroom in the past. Ever since the pandemic, it pushes everyone in various industries to take the step toward the digitalised world. And the involvement of digital educational tools in the classroom has definitely changed over the years as compared to my years in secondary school as a student.

As the pandemic caused the classroom settings to change, and adapt to the new norm which is online home-based learning. Students are required to stay home once every two weeks in BDS to complete their lessons online from home via the new educational tool, known as SLS, Student Learning Space by MOE's key initiatives to transform the learning experiences of Singaporean students through the purposeful use of technology to enable students to engage in different learning modes, including self-directed and collaborative learning. During this day, school staff is given the freedom for today to choose the workplace, whether they want to work from home or to be in the school to conduct their lessons online. Safe space provided, since last year started. This new routine and BDS continued Home-Based Learning (HBL) into their timetable since then. On this HBL day, staff are required to not just teach from where they are, and as well as hold discussions during this day, there are different objectives to hit. In this week’s HBL I joined the Aesthetics department and attended the meeting to review the past semester, and recap, some breakthroughs that they have observed in the classroom. This provides new knowledge and makes sure there are some improvements compared to the past semester and sets some new goals for the next, making sure that the students can strive on the academic side.

Apart from SLS, I have noticed that each student and teacher possessed i-pad which is a prescribed personal learning device (PDL) in the classrooms. Allows students and teachers to link to the classroom’s projector and Apple TV to showcase their works on it as the standardisation of hardware and software would create a positive learning environment for all. They use it in various lessons, to create paperless learning experiences while it is still engaging in learning settings.

This week of observations shows the new ideal classroom setting in school. A new educational tool, SLS allows the students to be more discipline and initiative in their own learnings, allowing them to have the option to learn while not in class and to improve in their academics. It transforms teaching and learning and also encourages collaboration works between teachers and students. By promoting collaboration across classrooms and schools, the SLS also acts as a shared online platform for all teachers to use, adapt, and share new pedagogies. Having the shared resources among all, and the involvement of digital aids creates this enriched learning space for all that creates the new ideal classroom.