Courtesy of the Editorial Board

IT Education

Q. How do you personally use IT for education?
A: Right at this moment, there is not much I can use. There are no Internet or network connections in the classrooms. There is no broadband access in the school. Searching for educational materials on the net is too time consuming if done at school. So far, I only use my own notebook to go with the video projectors as a means of IT education here. However, I think a lot more can be improved.

Q. How can IT be used for other subjects?
A: Actually the Internet contains a lot of information for every subject. Yet teachers seldom have the time and opportunity to search for them and organize them into useful teaching materials. E.g. For Chemistry, there are 3-D diagrams showing atomic structures of molecules. For Biology, you can even dissect a frog virtually. There are even Chinese poems on the net.
If there is sufficient time, teachers can create their own multi-media teaching materials using the resources from the net. For the ideal case, students can do their self-study as a supplement to classroom teaching.

Q. Do you think IT will completely replace existing methods of teaching?
A : I guess the world is ever changing, so should be the ways of teaching. Yet, I would use the term "upgrade" current teaching methods rather than "replacing".

Q. What are the advantages of using IT?
A: IT should make learning more fun if it is properly used. Like other methods of teaching, this goal is not easily realized. Preparing the materials requires trial and error in order to suit the students most appropriately. For the ideal, IT will promote "discovery learning" and transform much of the so called "boring" items into "lively" ones.

Q. Any difficulties when using IT for teaching? How do you overcome them?
A: Actually there are lots of difficulties. I think HK is far behind other Asian countries in employing this method of teaching. The planning of the government is quite poor in promoting IT in HK. Most of the teachers receive insufficient help in development of this area.
Up to present, I can't see any good future plans that can help to solve these problems. The government's policy still relies on the teachers themselves to develop their materials. As I have mentioned before, it is not quite possible given their existing knowledge or tight schedule.

Q. Any advice you can give to others in IT education?
A: I guess team work is a good way to make things more effective.

E-Commerce

Q. Have you ever used the net to conduct business of any kind?
A: Well, depends on how you define "conduct business". I have done quite a number of transactions through the net buying things and bidding on items. The first time I engaged in online bidding was 4 years ago. Over the years, I have ordered DVDs, books, kids' stuffs for my BB, etc.

Q. What are the advantage and disadvantages of using the net for business?
A: It is very convenient. You don't have to go out and walk around. All you need is a credit card and there are lots of varieties or shops to choose from. Shopping around is made more convenient. As for the down side, as nearly all transactions are done by credit card, being "hacked" is always a worry.

Q. What does IT bring to the economy?
A: I guess it makes shopping and doing business easier and less costly. Many companies now don't require a big store at a high priced area to attract customers. All they need is a large warehouse or alike and a well structured ordering system together with an update website .

Q. Anything you would like to share in using E-Commerce on the net?
A: I would say security is the most important issue. Before conducting business with a particular firm, check their creditability with your friends. Buying things on the net MAYBE cheaper but not always. Don't forget the transportation cost and the warranty matter when ordering from overseas.