Use of ICT and Smart Table in the Saudi Arabian Primary school Education System
Focus Topic
Recent developments in the field of technology have enabled many schools to adopt new ways of providing education, hoping to better reach the student and enhance the learning process. The use of ICT, particularly the Smart Table, in the learning process, has encouraged many students to reach their potential, due to the efficiencies characterized by it. Many countries, among them Australia and Saudi Arabia, adopted Smart Table and ICT, in order to improvetheir education systems. The focus was from early primary schooling,since smart tables were integrated in the system.The point of this topic will be to compare educational technology innovation, with a focus on interactive tables, between Saudi Arabia and Australian schools, hoping to better explain how successful they have been within the educational systems of both countries.
Smart Table Definition
Smart Table is a multi-touch, interactive learning centre, designed with primary pupils in mind. The computer application offers students the opportunity to interact, discuss and shareinformation, as they are involved in the learningprocess with their teachers. Students are able to collaborate and discuss,thusenhancing their knowledge on the subject matter, in the digital perspective. Because of this, students have the opportunity to explore digital lessons, form teams,as well as participating in educational games, as they work together searching for relevant solutions to problems affecting their lives. This can include such topics as teambuilding, communication, and problem solving skill sets. How these tools are implemented in Saudi Arabia, mostly due to technological constraints, is very different from how it is implemented in Australia.
Key problem in existing system
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not have a proper technological infrastructure for primary schools. Because of this, the primary level of the education system is not very efficient.Therefore, the focus of this study centers on understanding the nature of education system adopted by the Saudi Arabia in relation to Australia, with regards to their similarities and differences in implemented the same educational tool. ICT has provento be effective in many countries.However, it has failed in other countries, and therefore, Saudi Arabia can be illustrated as a model for being one country to test its effectiveness. Saudi Arabia is one of the countries, among many, which have adopted ICT and Smart Tables in their education system to improve students’ learning processes. The Smart Tables, and other ICT tools, utilized within their private school institutions in Saudi Arabia, have a direct correlation with improving student performance in the long run. Unfortunately, Smart Tables are only utilized within the private educational system. Regional and public school systems in Saudi Arabia currently do not have the basic infrastructure to implement ICT systems, much less Smart Tables. Consequently, students in public schools and isolated villages miss out on the opportunities and benefits derived from this advanced technology ( Bingimlas, 2009). However, some private schools in Al-Riyadh city use smart education solutions in their curriculums, aimed at promoting learning methods, to make the educational experience more engaging for teachers and students (Alberta, 2012). Australia has the benefit of better success and infrastructure within the public system, making implementation of Smart Tables more feasible for its students.
Different countries have adopted different education systems, whichsuits their interests. These systems continue to change over time, in pursuit of pedagogy, to meet the needs of the people, as well as improve the performances of the students and the education system (Ghavifekr, Hussin&Ghani, 2010).Since 1980, Australia has adopted the use of Information Communication Technology within their public school sector (Gerry, 2008). With only a small percentage of public school students who have adopted the Smart Table technology, the majority of Australian schools have implemented basic ICT systems to assist in improving students learning capabilities. This has greatly contributed to the success of the student’sengagement and academic performance (Bate, 2010).The adoption of this technology has resulted in improved performance of the students, createdmore fun in lesson planning, and is efficient as an interactive modeling book. It has allowed for customizing lessons to specific each student (Electro Board, 2013).
Research Questions:
This research aims to create a strategic framework to enable teachers, in the primary education system of Saudi Arabia, to make more effective use of current ICT approach in the local school environment.
To achieve this, several related questions will need to be answered, including:
- What is the significance of the adoption and implementation of ICT and SMART Table?
- How can Students benefit from a SMART Table?
- How can ICT and SMART Tables improve the performance of students?
- How does SMART Table lead to the growth and development of the economy of Saudi Arabia?
- What are the advantages of SMART Table in the context of education sector in Saudi Arabia, and how this compares to Australia?
- How does SMART Table function to enhance the performance of students and teachers?
- What are the influences of technology on the education system in Saudi Arabia, compared to how it has influenced the Australian system?
- Is ICT and Smart Table an ideal interactive center for students and teachers?
Success Criteria:
This project/study will be considered successful if implementable solutions for the use of ICT &Smart Table based technologies to improve the primary level educational system, with special reference to Saudi Arabia, are described in a strategic framework. An examination of Australia’s success will be included, as well as a projected expectation of success with implementing a similar system in Saudi Arabia.(Electro Board, 2013).
The most likely deliverables of this project are:
- A report on what kind of technology is currently used in KSA primary schools, and what is the knowledge and skill level of the teachers?
- A brief report on the infrastructure problem in KSA.
- A document suggesting minimum knowledge and skill level required for teachers.
- A suggestion for a minimum technology requirement.
- An implementation plan for selected technology and refresher courses for teachers.
Justification:
Undertaking a study on the use of ICT, particularly Smart Table, in the Saudi Arabian education system, will be important in different ways, in order to helpgain a deeper understanding of the system. By exploring the research questions, the study will identify the significance of adopting and implementing Smart Table and ICT in the Saudi system. Teachers and students are the major stakeholders in the education system, which is why this study will detail how they can continue to benefit from the new technology.
In the past, the performances of Saudi Arabian students hasnot been optimal because of the challenges experienced in the educationsystem, resulting fromdiminished teacher-student interaction, as well as the quality of learning materials, in contrast to Australian students. This study will be important for identifying how Smart Table can improve the performances of students, despite these shortcomings within the system. The effectiveness of this system in improving student performance will be essential in providing further recommendations for the application of Smart Table within education systems in Australia. It is expected that results from this study will also be pivotal to improving student performance,if the data suggests a positive relationship, and thereby will provide an avenue to develop the education system of Saudi Arabia.
This study will also,hopefully, be important in giving recommendations for ensuring efficient application of Smart Table in improving teacher and student performancein the ability to present and grasp knowledge. By understanding what is best needed to improve the performance in the Saudi Arabian education system, the recommendations will be essential in delivering the best outcome for teaching practice.The increased competitiveness and globalization of the world has rendered certain economies to become unproductive. This has been because of the loss of theworkforce to other countries, as they produce competent graduates, as well as skilled personnel, who are able to compete in the international market. The growth of any economy starts with the training of personnel from schools, where they acquire technical knowledge. Therefore, this study is important in understanding how Smart Table leads to the growth of the economy in Saudi Arabia, by attempting to understand the connection between the Saudi Arabian economy, and the performance of its students.
In addition, this study will outline the advantages of Smart Table, in the context of the education sector in Saudi Arabia, as well as outlining perceived challenges characterized by the implementation of this technology. Smart Table is a new technology, adopted for the sake of education, as it promotes more interaction among students as well as teachers. The study will find how Smart Table functions to enhance the performance of students and teachers among the Saudi Arabian schools,through the promotion of engaging activities (Alenezi, Karim&Veloo, 2010).Current research supports the increased interaction between teachers and their students, when technology is used(Mosenson& Johnson, 2008). Similarly, it will identify the influences of technology on the education system of Saudi Arabia. Finally, it will prove whether Smart Table is an ideal interactive centre for students and teachers.
Recommendations:
The above factors detailing the importance of this study will be essential. It is important to in understand the core of this study, as it outlines the importance of integrating technology into the classroom. The conditions surrounding this study,and the perceived results of the Smart Table in the classroom when fully implemented, will also be a factor. The Saudi Arabia education system has not implemented technologies in their education system before Smart Table,and this study elaborates some of the perceived results, when the technology has beenfully implemented in a new environment. Because of this, the major importance of this study relies entirely on the efficacy of these outcomes in improving the performances of the Saudi Arabian education system.It will also be necessary to examine the social-cultural differences, as well as the economies of both countries, to determine if these factors would aid or hinder the implementation of more technology based educational curricula. The degree of teacher-student interaction has not been established in Saudi Arabia using this system; hence it will be important to look at that relationship as well. The variables involved between teachers and students will be an important factor in understanding how technology shapes the Saudi Arabian education system, as it would hold true in any education system.
Conclusion
This study will ensure that there are adequate recommendations for the implementation of Smart Table in promoting teacher student interactions, for the purpose of improving performances. It is hoped for that the recommendations of this study will be essential in improving the educational system in Saudi Arabia, by showing the success rate in the Australian system, to increase the skilled labor in the region, thus improving the overall condition of the country of the next several decades.Furthermore, this paper discusses the importance of integrating Smart Tables in the Saudi Arabia education system, by comparison to how Smart Tables have been implemented in Australia. Despite Saudi Arabia lackinginfrastructures to currently enable them implement Smart Tables in their education system, an examination of the similarities between Saudi Arabia and Australia’s educational systems should give an adequate approximation of the level of success Saudi Arabia could expect with Smart Tables, when compared to Australia. This study is essential in discussing how the situation can change, to enable both primary and secondary schools implementing Smart Table in their curriculum, to better serve students. The success of this study may show that ICT helps in improving performances, and will be helpful in implementing Smart Tables in Saudi Arabia in both private and public schools.
References
1-Alberta, C. (2012).IbnKhaldun School Named First SMART Showcase School in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Retrieved from:http:/smarttech.com/About+SMART/About+SMART/Newsroom/Media+releases/English
2- Alenezi, A, Karim, A, &Veloo, A (2010). An Empirical Investigation Into The Role OfArabian Governmental Universities.Turkish Online Journal Of Educational Technology.9 (4), pp. 22-34.
3- Bate, F. (2010). A bridge too far? Explaining beginning teachers use of ICT in Australian
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4-Bingimlas, K A (2009). Barriers to successful integration of ICT in Teaching and Learning
Environments: A review of literature. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education. 5 (3) pp. 235-245
5-Electro Board.(2013). Case Studies. Retrieved from:
https://www.electroboard.com.au/company/casestudies.aspx(March 18, 2013)
6-Enjoyment, Computer Anxiety, Computer Self-Efficacy And Internet Experience InCycle: A Qualitative Analysis’, Journal of Research & Reflections in Education (JRRE).5(2). pp. 83-104
7- Gerry, W. (2008). Digital Learning Research Teaching and Learning and Leadership.AustralianCouncil for Educational Research. 6 (1) p .2
8- Ghavifekr, S, Hussin, S, &Ghani, M.(2010). ‘The Process of Malaysian Smart School PolicyInfluencing The Students’ Intention To Use E-Learning: A Case Study From Saudi Arabia
9-Mosenson, A. B., & Johnson, J. M. (2008). Instructional strategies and resources: Exploring the use of technology. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences Education, 26 (3), pp. 17-35
