3.      Our school curriculum has evolved from the time when learning was described as "chalk and talk" -- which parents and educators in the audience can relate to -- to its present form where creative and critical thinking, and problem solving are now features of a typical lesson. Our pupils participate in inter-disciplinary project work requiring them to apply their thinking skills and creativity to come up with different solutions for the same problem. In the process, they also brush up on their communication skills and learn to work in teams. Schools have also developed and introduced innovative approaches to learning so as to ensure that pupils learn actively, think critically and identify and solve problems collaboratively.

4.      One example of innovative approaches to learning in schools is the Orchid Hybridisation Programme that some schools have started with the help of the National Institute of Education. Under this programme, our pupils engage in life-science projects, such as plant genetics and biotechnology, and have hands-on experience breeding new orchid hybrids. The programme develops not only their creativity and thinking skills, but also their communication and entrepreneurial skills. All the pupils who have successfully created orchid hybrids are encouraged to commercialise their hybrid through an international orchid auction. Through the entire programme, our pupils participate actively in learning beyond the physical confines of the classroom.

5.      Another innovative measure that schools have adopted is the setting up of the four cluster centres specialising in science and technology, which enable schools to pool together resources and collaborate on science projects in shared facilities. These cluster Science and Technology centres have dedicated laboratories and sophisticated equipment, such as a gene sequencer in the centre located at Victoria Junior College. Pupils are now able to carry out higher-end research projects and programmes. These were not possible in the past. These new approaches to learning effectively help to nurture our pupils to have an innovative spirit that ignites creativity and imagination.

Partnership with Industry Partners

6.      Many of the innovative approaches to learning in schools are possible because of the collaborations with industry partners. One example of such an approach was the Student's & Teacher's Workbench, which was piloted in 1995 to create an IT-rich teaching and learning environment in our schools. It was a collaborative effort of the Ministry of Education, the then National Computer Board and industry partners.

7.      One of the industry partners in the Student's & Teacher's Workbench project was Ednovation which was responsible for developing the software system. Through a series of refinements to the pilot system, Ednovation made further improvements and developed the client-server School2000 solution in 1997, the web-based School3000 solution in 1999 and finally, the SchoolDNA e-learning service of today. Today, Ednovation will be entering into a partnership with Pearson Broadband to combine the SchoolDNA technology with Pearson's huge broadband content offerings. This partnership will no doubt bring about a state-of-the-art e-learning service.

Training for teachers to be innovators

8.      I am sure you agree with me that innovative approaches in learning can only be implemented successfully with the commitment of innovative, dedicated and competent teachers in our schools. Our teachers are role models who inspire and nurture our pupils to be creative and analytical, and to work cooperatively in teams. The National Institute of Education has the onerous responsibility of ensuring that our teachers have the adequate support to teach our pupils effectively in this climate of continuous change.

9.      In order to develop exciting and innovative approaches to teaching and learning, and to establish itself as a world-class institute of higher learning, the National Institute of Education (NIE) has collaborated with various industry partners. These collaborations enable NIE to develop challenging and effective teaching and learning strategies.

10.    Ednovation is one of the industry partners that NIE collaborated with. By working in association with each other, NIE and Ednovation managed to translate the pedagogy know-how into IT products and services that can be implemented in schools. One project that is born of the collaboration is the microLESSON project, which promotes critical thinking and knowledge creation through student-centred lessons. I understand from the schools that the five instructional models that were developed for schools were very well received.

11.     I am happy to note that the success of the microLESSON project has paved the way for NIE and Ednovation to enter into a Joint Collaboration Framework to expedite future collaborations. Ednovation will contribute up to $3 million in cash and kind towards such collaborations over the next five years. Under this collaborative framework, both parties will work together on projects that promote critical thinking, cooperative learning and Life Sciences, which are key areas in our school curriculum.

Ednovation Award

12.     In addition, NIE and Ednovation will also organise annual "Innovations in Education" seminars. These seminars aim at sharing ideas and experiences on innovations in teaching and learning practices that are successfully implemented locally and overseas. World-renowned thought leaders, like Mr. Ian Jukes, the keynote speaker for today's seminar, will share their insights on how schools around the world are preparing themselves to meet the challenges of the new millennium. Teachers and principals will be able to showcase innovative practices in their schools and share the lessons learnt in successfully implementing such innovations.

13.     Ednovation will also introduce the "Ednovation Award". The aims of the award are two-fold. Firstly, it is to encourage and recognise the innovative teaching and learning practices among teachers, students and parents. Secondly, it is to encourage the translation of such ideas into plans that can be easily implemented and replicated across schools.

14.     The "Ednovation Award" is open to all teaching practitioners in schools and pre-schools as well as educators in the institutions of higher learning, who work closely with schools.

Conclusion

15.     In the face of new global challenges, we need a new mindset and new strategies to "think out of the box" and foster innovation. Let us gear ourselves up to constantly generate new and creative ideas. I wish you a

fruitful and exciting seminar.

¹ Isaac Asimov(1920-1992), Russian-born U.S. author