Connexion 2009

Last friday I attended Connexion 2009 - it's a networking session for educators and National Education practitioners and the focus was on how new media and technology can be harnessed for National Engagement, especially among the younger generation of web and technology-savvy Singaporeans.

The full day event was held at Singapore Management University's Conference Hall 1 and the guest-of-honour for Connexion 2009 was the Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence, Dr. Ng Eng Hen.

Following the keynote address by the G.O.H. was an interesting presentation by Dr Michael Netzley, PhD, (Assistant Professor of Corporate Communication Practice, Singapore Management University) entitled: Chalkboards, Whiteboards, and now the Internet: How Gen Y is Ushering in an Age of Digital Learning. The topic was adequately covered with relevant examples, and I enjoyed listening to his casual and relaxed manner of presentation.

The next speaker was Mr Raoul Le Blond, Head, Digital Practice, Hill & Knowlton (SEA) Pte Ltd. His topic, Harnessing Social Media for National Engagement, gave a glimpse of how various organisations in both the private and public sectors are actively using new/social media to reach their target audiences.

After the presentations, a panel discussion including the presenters invited many questions and comments from the audience (mostly teachers) whose concerns ranged from inadequate technical training for teachers, manpower issues, tight budgets, students' general disinterest in National Education matters etc.

the panel members

break time!

After the lunch break, several schools presented and shared their New Media and Technology NE Best Practices. This was when I realised how progressive the primary schools are in tapping new media and technology to liven up their lessons. Pretty impressive indeed.

Although I'm not part of the National Education Committee at work, I decided to attend the seminar because I'd really like to learn more about the new media and its effectiveness in reaching out to the Gen-Yers.

I want, no, NEED to know what makes them tick. It dawned on me that we're dealing with a whole new generation of learners, a totally different group of people who're alien to the traditional teacher-centred "I-talk-you-listen" instructional mode of education. And the session was an eye-opening experience for me as I realise how backwards we are in our teaching methods.

Yes, I do take my role as an educator seriously. I've been in education sector for 8 years now and I'm constantly trying to improve my own teaching style to benefit my students. Perhaps I've got a personal agenda in hoping to unlock the secrets of engaging the younger generation, especially now that my firstborn has stepped into primary one and I want to help her with her studies.

Don't laugh now, but that's why I'm inspired to channel my spare energies (not much left these days) in setting up a "serious" blog to help my students understand the importance of effective communication and how good communication skills can help them even after they leave school.

I know, it sounds like an incredibly boring and thankless project, but I think this experiment and is worth a shot. Will definitely update on the progress and status of my little assignment and would appreciate your suggestions and comments too. :)

In the meantime, wish me luck!