Teacher goes all out to improve pupils’ online learning skills
SIBU: A primary school teacher here has gone the extra mile to improve the online learning skills of his pupils by providing them with smartphones during their lessons.
Albert Tham, who teaches three classes at SJKC Sacred Heart Chinese, told The Borneo Post that he initially came up with the idea to utilise computers as an e-learning tool sometime last year for the pupils to improve their overall online learning skills.
“However not all families had computers at home, so I decided to get them to use smartphones instead. I went around collecting second-hand devices from friends and family members and managed to get 29 smartphones.
“I would let the pupils use the phones during lessons and after that, I would collect them back for my next class to use,” he said, adding that a total of 78 pupils are currently making use of the devices.
“If any of the phones broke down, I’d try to find new ones so that my pupils would have proper access to what they need,” he added.
Tham said he planned to extend his idea so that all pupils at SJKC Sacred Heart Chinese would eventually be able to use smartphones as a learning tool in class.
“That means finding more phones for the pupils to use,” he added.
Tham said when schools nationwide were closed in March this year following the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) to combat Covid-19, he realised that some of his pupils were unfamiliar with the concept of online learning and would give up when encountering any challenge or difficulty.
“That’s why I decided to try reinforcing their skills by using these devices as a platform for communications.
“Besides, I always believe that pupils should be given something to do rather than just playing games (on their mobile phones).”
Tham was happy that his pupils had shown improvement in their online learning skills, especially when it comes to using the devices responsibly.
“During the process of learning, no doubt there are some naughty pupils, but I will advise them to make sure that they use the devices with responsibility.”
I would let the pupils use the phones during lessons and after that, I would collect them back for my next class to use. If any of the phones broke down, I’d try to find new ones so that my pupils would have proper access to what they need. Albert Tham