ITE College East students take hybrid learning to next level with Singapore's first smart classroom
Electronics engineering students at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College East have begun using a smart classroom that lets them view videos of lessons and present their work from home, among other features.
The smart classroom comes with a large interactive display that lecturers can use to share their teaching slides with students tuning in from home.
The display is also equipped with features to record lessons that students can view at any time.
The classroom, which has been operational since February, was officially opened on Friday (Aug 26). It comes with a camera that can be used to identify students and monitor their attendance.
In a ceremony on Friday at ITE's Simei campus, ITE College East principal Yek Tiew Ming and Mr Ben Mao, general manager of Hikvision Singapore, signed a deal that will focus on improving students' learning experience in the smart classroom and equip teachers with digital teaching tools.
Hikvision is a China-based video surveillance firm.
Students using the smart classroom can link their laptops to an interactive display, which doubles as a whiteboard, to answer questions and present their work.
Those attending class remotely can also use the display to answer questions and make presentations.
First-year Higher Nitec student Tony Tan, 18, said he uses the smart classroom twice a week for modules like digital applications.
He said: "It is very helpful because when the teachers connect their computers to the large display screen, we are able to access and view the learning materials easily on our laptop screens."
ITE College East electronics engineering head Pang Kem Peng said the Covid-19 pandemic drove home the importance of hybrid learning.
The smart classroom, she added, is an upgrade for hybrid learning.
She said: "We want to engage the students because previously, the teachers would just teach by looking at the slides without much interaction. But with this, they can engage more effectively."
Mr Mao said Hikvision and ITE came up with the concept to build Singapore's first smart classroom, named Classroom of the Future, about two years ago.
He said: "The challenge of developing such a prototype classroom was to ensure that the learning experience was not diminished or affected."
Hikvision, as part of the deal with ITE, will also offer internship opportunities to some 20 students at ITE College East and ITE College West.
Dr Yek said: "Our partnership with all the industry players whose technology and work practices are current and future oriented is important.
"We wish to continue to work with every company that will provide our students with internships and long-term opportunities."
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