In line with the IT Master Plan for Education, there is a need to investigate how IT can be integrated fully into the school curriculum.

Teacher training plays a vital role in the successful implementation of the IT Master Plan. As part of the Initial Teacher Training programme, the School of Education (SOE) conducts training in the use of IT, especially in the integration of IT into the school curriculum. In the IT Foundation and Elective courses conducted by the Instructional Science Division, trainee teachers, in collaboration with faculty members, produce IT instructional materials. We call these computer-based instructional materials microLESSONS.

The microLESSONS are focused IT-based instructional components that are developed to teach specific objectives within a lesson. The microLESSONS could consist of instructional activities, simulations, games, problem-solving activities, mother-tongue materials, and teacher-presentation materials. They are developed to fit the instructional needs of teachers and students and their production is based on sound Instructional Design principles.

Teachers have problems locating commercially developed materials that are suitable to our schools' curriculum and thus there is a need to produce our own materials. In this project, the microLESSONS will be developed, evaluated, selected and compiled into a resource for school teachers and will be categorised into subject areas and into primary, secondary and JC levels. This R & D project will help to fill the need for locally produced instructional materials.

1. To develop guidelines for microLESSONS development.

2. To conduct training sessions on microLESSONS development.

3. To design and develop evaluative tools for selection.

4. To conduct evaluation and selection of microLESSONS.

5. To produce prototype microLESSONS.

6. To test prototypes for quality.

7. To evaluate the effectiveness of the microLESSONS in schools.

The microLESSONS project started in 1998 as an NIE funded research project (RP4/98 PW). A number of samples of microLESSONS were brought before various presentations and exhibitions and the response from teachers were very positive. In early 1999, NIE produced a sample microLESSONS CD-ROM and response from teachers and trainee teachers was good. In Jan 2000, Ednovation approached NIE expressing interest in distributing microLESSONS to schools and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed on 16 February 2000. In the MOU, Ednovation will provide further financial and technical support to develop the microLESSONS.

Principal Investigator
Dr Philip Wong, Head/Division of Instructional Science (e-mail: skpwong@nie.edu.sg)

Collaborators/Other Key Team Members
Faculty staff from Division of Instructional Science: namely, Dr. Jackie Hsu Jing-Fong, Dr Cheung Wing Sum, Dr Michael Williams, Dr David Hung, Dr Victor Chen, Dr Angela Wong, Dr Steven Coombs, Dr Hu Chun, Mr Lim Cher Ping, Ms Shanti Divaharan, Mr Sebastian Loh, Mrs Tee Siew Lian, Ms Chua Guat Kheng, and many part-time tutors in our courses.

Division of Instructional Science
National Institute of Education
1 Nanyang Walk
Singapore 637616
Republic of Singapore