Using technology in education matters, but using it in a way that brings out the heart of education is more important. Education Minister Heng Swee Keat said this in a posting on his Facebook page yesterday.

On the integrated online learning portal for all primary and secondary school students by 2016, he said that it would be "a most invigorating prospect", but stressed that it is not just about using technology more.

"Ultimately, it is about how we use technology to bring out the heart of education," he said.

He then cited the example of Christchurch Secondary teacher Christopher Chee.

Mr Chee had learnt from the news how professors at Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School are using flipped classrooms for team-based learning and contacted them to learn more about the system.

He then got his students to watch an online video on maths concepts at home and adopted team-based learning in class. He was surprised that they were so engaged that they stayed beyond school hours to learn more.

PRAISE

Mr Heng commended Mr Chee for daring to imagine new possibilities.

He said: "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."

Education Minister on use of technology in teaching

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