Expert urges teachers, parents to use internet to interest students

KUALA LUMPUR: Teachers and parents alike should keep abreast of the times by using the internet to pique students' interest in their education.
Educational psychologist Dr Alice Wilder told reporters at the Leaps of Knowledge Conference 2014, which was organised by FrogAsia Sdn Bhd, yesterday that it was high time technology be incorporated into education.
She credited the internet as being the boon of the 21st century.
"Technology and children nowadays are inseparable. We can use this to our advantage by bringing technology into the classrooms," Walker said.
"We are building on a child's basic instinct which is curiosity. The internet holds such a fascination to them and we shall harness this in a positive way."
Deputy Education Minister II P. Kamalanathan said in his opening speech that the conference is an opportunity to realise that change begins with teachers and parents themselves.
Quoting Leo Tolstoy, he said: "Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself."
FrogAsia executive director Lou Yeoh said the time was ripe for a change with the rise of social media.
"We want to help today's educators be part of the momentum of change that will reshape education in Malaysia for years to come. We are extremely happy with the turn out of more than 1,000 parents and educators for today's conference and the stories shared are a reminder of how far we have gone since first conference last year," Lou said.
"We no longer need to send hundreds of teachers to thousands of schools. The impact of technology is far reaching. One teacher alone can connect with thousands via Frog's online platform," she added.