USM Technology capable of helping school children learn

The ‘I-Teacher’ was produced after three years of research by Prof. Hanafi Atan, a lecturer from the School of Distance Education, USM. The ‘I-Teacher’ is expected to be marketed through collaboration with e-Educator Sdn. Bhd and Kenshido International Sdn. Bhd, two companies involved in education technology.

The internet-based product is equipped with software that is in accordance with the syllabus of the Ministry of Education. In addition, it is supported by interactive animation, elements of avatar guidance, slide shows and monitoring of the student’s progress.

Currently, the ‘I-Teacher’ has been designed to help students in Forms 4 and 5 prepare for the Sijil Peperiksaan Malaysia.

The ‘I-Teacher’ and ‘SCORE-A’, another educational product by Kenshido International Sdn. Bhd., were launched by the Governor of Penang, T.Y.T. Tun Dato’ Seri Utama (Dr.) Hj. Abdul Rahman bin Hj. Abbas. During his speech, he said that the launching of innovative products by any university for the benefit of society is always eagerly awaited.

”Furthermore, it involves educational products for school students. As we all know, education for adolescents is an important aspect in the development of the nation. As such, this is a great success,” he said.

He also said that the style of learning has to be reexamined and adapted to the current needs, requirements and environment of students in the ICT era.

“There is a new generation known as ‘Digital Natives’, born in the late ‘70s and who have grown up in an environment that is technologically developed. Any product or service that is offered must take into account the need to fulfill the requirements of these ‘Digital Natives’,” he added.

Meanwhile, Prof. Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs) representing the Vice-Chancellor of USM said that the university has always given importance to efforts towards developing research products for commercialization.

“USM for example, has channelled research funding such as the ‘Research University’ Research Grant, Short-Term Research Grant, Incentive Grant and others to enable these efforts to be carried out. The Ministry of Higher Education too has been very helpful in this aspect.The commercialisation of research products is a KPI that has to be achieved so that funds can be channelled to academic staff. The development of the ‘I-Teacher’ through a research grant from USM and the Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation is an achievement that we are very proud of,” he said.

The launching ceremony also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between USM and e-Educator Sdn. Bhd as well as a MoU between e-Educator Sdn. Bhd and Kenshido International Sdn. Bhd.

Also present at the event were Assoc. Prof. Habibah Hj. Lateh, Dean of the School of Distance Education; Mr. Jason Kok, President and Group Chief Executive Officer of Kenshido International Sdn. Bhd; and En. Abdul Shukor, Director of e-Educator Sdn. Bhd.