Singapore Institute of Technology
The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) is Singapore’s university of applied learning. SIT's vision is to be a leader in innovative learning by integrating learning, industry and community. Its mission is to nurture and develop individuals who build on their interests and talents to impact society in meaningful ways.
Since its establishment as autonomous university in 2014, SIT has embarked on Technology-enhanced Learning (TEL) in our teaching and learning practices. In 2019, we implemented a university-wide initiative to ensure all faculty members at SIT can utilise elements and best practices of remote teaching and learning.
SIT has its Applied Learning and Innovation Grant (ALIGN) to promote effective applied learning, adoption of education technology and innovation for teaching and learning at SIT. We also support grassroots initiatives and sharing amongst faculty through Communities of Practice and Lunchtime Seminars.
Across the different initiatives and practices, we continue to seek the voice of students in the design and implementation of TEL projects.
SIT's Technology-enhanced Learning (TEL) Framework and Philosophy
Technology has always been integral to teaching and learning at SIT. The COVID-19 pandemic escalated the use of technology for business continuity but the intention to focus on achieving effective learning outcomes remains our focus. Our applied learning educational philosophy affirms the use of technological approaches where there is a potential benefit to our instructors to achieve their pedagogical goals and improve the quality of learning. As such, every instructor in SIT should be equipped with the essential capabilities in using technology to teach.
SIT’s TEL framework aims to clarify the key areas where our instructors (and students) can act on to enhance learning outcomes. There are currently four themes in the TEL framework – Online Video Lesson, Online Synchronous Lesson, Asynchronous Online Discussion, and Online Assessments and Feedback:
The framework also lays out 3 tiers of technology usage, presented in order of their innovation and potential transformation of learning experiences – Tier 1 (Essential) involves the use of the basic tools such as the Learning Management System (LMS) for essential teaching needs, Tier 2 (Transformational) leverages on established technologies to improve learning, while Tier 3 (Frontier) experiments with new disruptive technologies that potentially creates meaningful possibilities for teaching and learning. In the TEL projects we describe here, we will refer to these tiers.
Self-learning and Workshops
We conduct hands-on workshops and provide learning resources to support faculty in building their pedagogical and technical skills to teach online.
Developing Capabilities through Learning Together
To facilitate organisational learning, regular sessions are organised for faculty to share experiences on TEL, as well as learn from external experts and practitioners. SIT’s TEL Community of Practice (COP) on Microsoft Teams serves as a platform to facilitate faculty participation.
Grants and Projects
Efforts to make a positive difference in students’ learning have seen faculty embark on TEL projects. Some of these projects involve interdisciplinary teams of faculty working together, and in various ways supported by expertise and funding from the Centre for Learning Environment & Assessment Development (CoLEAD).
| A selection of TEL projects: |
VR Bioreactor [TEL Tier 3]
A customised VR learning experience to interact with bioreactors for cell culture before actual lab practical. In this video, team members share about why and how this project is developed.
This is a project supported by the MOE Tertiary Research Fund.
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AdventureLearn [TEL Tier 2]
Gamified micro-learning platform for the holistic development of students in key areas such as resilience and learning approaches. In this brochure for students, you can find out more about how this initiative attempts to address their learning needs.
This is a project supported by the MOE Tertiary Research Fund. More info: https://www.singaporetech.edu.sg/colead/collaborations/student-resources/adventureLEARN
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Computational Thinking Quest [TEL Tier 2]
A gamified course built on adaptive learning principles.
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Virtual Pharmaceutical Plant [TEL Tier 3]
A virtual model of a vaccine manufacturing plant that students can “visit” for resources and data.
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A financial market simulation game [TEL Tier 2]
A simulation game where students role-play as investment bankers
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A simulation and e-learning package [TEL Tier 2]
An e-learning package for engineering students to conduct virtual wind tunnel experiments
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Tailored Solutions for Specific Teaching Needs
SIT supports its academic staff in terms of infrastructure and hardware to cater for specific needs that arise from a variety of teaching and learning approaches.
Applied and collaborative learning environments (ACE) with computer-on-wheels (COWs).
Green room studio for professional video productions.
Light board for those who prefer to write and explain.
Catchbox for engaging students in class discussions.
Self-recording studio for doing a video lesson that can be shared quickly.
Applied Educational Research
The effectiveness of technology in different settings and forms still needs to be studied, so there is much room for applied and action research to inform the use of technology in teaching and learning. To this end, academic staff are encouraged to evaluate the use of various TEL resources with the support of the CoLEAD team and colleagues from Communications & Information Technology Division.