Curriculum Studies: Task 3: Reflective Essay

In recent decades, Malaysia has demonstrated strong commitment to improving learning

outcomes for its young people by making a number of very significant reforms to its school
curriculum. In an effort to develop the very best curriculum, Malaysia has implemented five
major curriculum reforms since it formally gained independence in 1957. In 2011, the curriculum
was again enhanced with an increased focus on important soft skills such as creativity,
innovation, entrepreneurship and ICT.
The Malaysian government through its Ministry of Education has allocated substantial
funds for ICT use in schools. Some of the investment was channeled directly by the government
through ICT initiatives such as Smart Schools, My School Net Project, School Access Centre,
Edu web and 1BestariNet.
Despite this strong commitment, a number of challenges need to be overcome to
support current curriculum reform efforts. These include challenges related to the impact of ICT
usage and implementation on the quality of teaching and learning. There are several issues that
are often associated in teaching use computer. Roslaini Anuar (2006) in his study claimed that
the circumstances in which the teaching is not effective due to the lack of preparation of
teachers to develop computer-aided teaching.
Zuraidah and Julia (2007) in the paper stated that phobia of computers among the
teachers led the constraints in the use of technology in teaching and learning. In addition there
are also problems in terms of hardware, software, attitudes of teachers and administrators, and
the infrastructural facilities that influence the effectiveness of the implementation in the
classroom.
Rapid technological development is seen from day to day in the field of education.
However, teachers are more comfortable using conventional methods in teaching and learning
and not apply the use of information technology in teaching and learning. Conventional teaching
method is still the main choice of teachers in the latest technology. The lack of trained teachers
in the field of computers is one of the reasons why the use of technology in teaching and
learning could not be utilized fully. Although computer training program and ICT courses that
have been given to teachers from time to time, but there are still many teachers are difficult to
master the skill and mastery of information technology are still low.
Along with the development of Information Technology in the field of education in
Malaysia, the teacher must master the skills of information technology. Among the information
technology skills to be mastered by teachers are the skills of data processing, build electronic

Curriculum Studies: Task 3: Reflective Essay

presentation, developing software, building a website and so on. To help facilitate the teachers
progress in ICT usage, the Ministry of Education should provide computerized teaching and
learning materials that are appropriate to the current education syllabus. For example they can
start pay more attention toward the advancement and provision of ICT facilities such as of
computerized teaching aids, software and courseware to encourage teachers to apply ICT in
teaching and learning. In addition, the ministry should ensure that the most advanced
technology in the education provided and maintained at each school to improve the quality of
teaching using ICT technology can be applied across the country more effectively. In order to
improve the quality of school education in the wizard, the MOE should explore the basic
education to produce skilled teachers in ICT to improve the quality of teachers in promoting
Malaysia's education as international education.
The rapid changing of ICT has brought a substantial impact on the country's education
system. It has also provides a new challenge for teachers to deliver their instruction. Therefore
with the growing demand of 21st century education - teachers should integrate ICT in their
teaching and learning activities. Teachers throughout the country should be actively involved
and take full advantage of the ICT initiatives introduced by the ministry to ensure those
initiatives achieved the stated goals.

Curriculum Studies: Task 3: Reflective Essay

Reference
Journals
Irfan Naufal Umara, A. S. (2015). Malaysian Teachers Levels Of ICT Integration And Its
Perceived. 7th World Conference on Educational Sciences, (WCES-2015), 05-07
February 2015, Novotel.
Roslaini Binti Anuar (2006). Factors Affecting the Use of Information Technology and
Communication Technology (ICT) in teaching and learning process among PPIPS
lecturer. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia: Bachelor thesis.
Zuraidah Abdullah, Julia Bujang (2007). Against Computer Problems Phobias Among Primary
School Teachers: A Case Study. Papers 1st International Malaysian Educational
Technology Convention, Senai Johor Bahru, 2nd-5th November.