School Guide

Immersive Education Opportunities at Sayfol International School

Published by SchoolAdvisor | Aug 17, 2021

Learning in a traditional classroom has been going on in many parts of the world just as it was centuries ago, probably since the days of Taxila. Teachers speak, and students listen. This is the reality for millions of students around the world, mostly in underdeveloped and developing countries where teachers are either not provided resources or training. Critics of this approach refer to it as ‘teacher-centered learning’. In recent years, however, with access to the internet and technology becoming affordable, remote and blended learning going more mainstream, teachers and students acclimated to new ways of learning. Students do not have to listen to the teacher teaching the life cycle of a plant anymore, they can now see it, and with this change, it suffices to say that learning is finally transforming.

Last year, with the pandemic raging, our teachers find themselves in front of screens, teaching Sayfolians (students of Sayfol International School, Kuala Lumpur) virtually. Our seamless transition towards virtual learning has helped many parents and students to cope and adapt to new ways of learning. With the given transition timeline and consistent exploration, our Academic team have helped our students engaged and reach their customised Academic goals through the integration of technology.

Using tech tools to teach is not exactly what teachers found challenging. It is not too complex to use programs such as Zoom, Google Meet, and Google Classroom. The real challenge was integrating technology to substitute, augment, modify and transform the learning experience and reach those Academic goals. Based on a conceptual tool to think about technology integration—and EdTech’s best uses— the SAMR model, integration of technology is much more than just playing a video for students or using a slideshow rather than a book. It’s about capturing our students’ attention through the distractions of other online platforms that they can run simultaneously while attending online classes. However, with the constant research and innovation in EdTech, Sayfol is able to invest in technologies that are currently assisting students to cope with this everlasting transition. 

Photo by Annie Spratt [Unsplash]

Companies like Google, Apple, and Microsoft are offering not only software but tech-integrated curriculums and resources for teachers. At Sayfol, we have jumped onto the bandwagon of these EdTech software in order to provide seamless activities during the school hours. This is a change that, in my view, has been long overdue. This has and will continue to change the way our Academic team teaches. Companies like Byju’s have created engaging ways to learn mathematics. And at the centre of all this is the very innate and human learning idea, visual learning. Books have long dominated the classrooms, making learning of subjects like math and physics sophisticated and creating the impression that only a few gifted (privileged) students can understand and excel in these subjects. This will change, as a result of the integration of technology in teaching and learning. 

The biggest opportunity here is that every student will now have a better chance at learning. And the most significant challenge here is whether or not teachers will be given the training and resources to exploit the true potential of technology. 

Come join us at our Academic Year 2021/2022 this August! For more Admissions enquiries, please contact one of our hotlines at +603 4256 8791, +603 4256 9541, +603 4256 8781, +6016 338 6106, +6014 758 9729 or email us at registrar@sayfol.edu.my and admissions@sayfol.edu.my. 

Written by Head of Department for Humanities, Mr Harwinder Singh

Banner photo by Beci Harmony [Unsplash]

###

School Advisor empowers parents to make the right choices with Malaysian schools and more! We provide a comprehensive list of the best international schools and private schools that offer preschool, American and British curriculums, International Baccalaureate, A-Levels and more that will satisfy your child’s academic and co-curricular growth.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to keep up with the latest news from us on education and parenting!