Towards an E-Enabled Campus Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) is an early adopter of technology. The Polytechnic uses technology strategically to e-enable the campus, and enhance learning and teaching. Students are able to access NP e-learning and e-services directly from the NP Student Home page.
E-learning makes education accessible to students anytime, anywhere, 24-7. It also empowers students to take charge, and be more engaged, in their learning experiences. With e-learning, our students enjoy an even more flexible, independent and self-paced learning environment.
E-Learning an Integral Part of Campus Culture
Besides a high-speed network, students also have wireless access in the campus. With their latest Centrino-based notebooks, they can connect to any of the 1,000 wireless access points throughout the whole campus. The NP culture is distinctive as it has a vibrant out-of-class student community.
Currently, about 95 per cent of the modules already have a Web presence. With the large pool of notebook student users, there has been a marked increase in access to on-line course materials. Average monthly access to our on-line modules has leapt dramatically from over 4 million page-hits in AY2002/2003 to over 80 million page-hits in AY2005/2006.
Key E-Learning Initiatives
NP has been proactively integrating technology into teaching and learning since 1999 through the key initiatives outlined below:
- Mobile eLearning (MeL)
NP is the first polytechnic in Singapore to encourage students to have their own notebooks, under its Mobile e-Learning (MeL) initiative.
Mobile computing facilitates learning any place, any time. Students can wire up and study, interact, participate in on-line discussions, access Internet resources, submit assignments and access Internet laboratories from campus or their homes.
With MeL, both students and staff are free to view the contents of all the modules in the campus’ e-learning system, including those in other Schools and Divisions.
This “open viewing” feature is also useful for students in selecting their modules. They can view the module contents in advance and therefore make more informed decisions.
- E-Portfolios
Students can tap into the latest MeL technology to create their own e-portfolios on selected assignments and projects. This provides an avenue for them to share and keep a journal of their activities and achievements. The e-portfolios also serve as “ready resumes” as prospective employers can be invited to view them on the MeL Blackboard platform via the Internet.
- Business Simulation Games
Students get to play interactive, Net-accessible business simulation games, which allow them to operate their own virtual companies in a competitive environment that simulates the real world. They can make business decisions, ranging from price, production, investment, R&D, and promotion to market research.
Lifestyle Library
The popular Lifestyle Library leverages on wireless, digital and cable platforms to deliver high quality data, sound and video services to inspire, motivate and enrich the students' learning experiences.
Radio Frequency Identification Technology (RFID) is used to ensure quick and easy loans and returns. Students may also surf the Internet and access campus network resources from their laptops anywhere in the Library as the premises is configured for wireless access.
Users also have free and full access to a broad spectrum of information resources in print, media and electronic formats. A range of electronic databases covering over 10,000 electronic journal publications worldwide provide students with full-text information on developments and technology updates, accessible both on and off-campus.
Students also have access to SuperSearch, an integrated search engine which enables quick and convenient searches concurrently across a range of databases of interest. A virtual "Ask A Librarian" service enables students to link up with Reference Librarians through their laptops from any location on campus for immediate assistance with their information needs.
Last Updated: 25 April 06