Safe to Learn Online?

The purpose of creating social networking websites (e.g. facebook, twitter, etc.) and online chat rooms is to link people from all around the world together and enhance communications (e.g. exchanging ideas, understanding others’ cultures, etc.). However, it seems that a lot of people have forgotten the original usefulness of online medias. Instead, the widespread use of social networking website has encouraged the phenomenon of cyber bullying.

According to the i-SAFE foundation, over 50% of teens have been bullied online and more than 1 in 3 young people have experienced cyber threats online. The alarming numbers have triggered debates on whether educators should encourage students’ participation in online learning.

Some people argue that limiting students’ access to the Internet can prevent cyber bullying. However, this is not an effective means to tackle the problem, rather we should be educating young people about the right way to use online platforms. This is because the use of information and communication technologies is inevitable in the 21^st century.

Other than educating students properly using online media, it is also crucial for educators to choose a safe online platform to engaging students in online learning. Here the some tips of choosing a safe online learning platform:

1.     Networking population: it is a must to find out which other groups of people the online platform is open to. Can adults access the whole site? Which adults?

2.     Monitoring content: the online community should moderate the content of the forums regularly, and allow teachers to moderate their own students’ content.

3.     User guidelines: the online learning platform should provide user guidelines and assistance to teachers regarding the rules for using the learning platforms

We are a protected and moderated online learning community. To find out more, follow us on twitter and join our Facebook page.

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Technology Shapes the Way We Learn

The widespread use of Internet and electronic gadgets has created us a lot of learning opportunities. Living in the age of technology, ICT has brought us to an era to transform the way we teach and learn. As an educator, it is the duty for us to ensure all the students have access to tools that they need to catch up with today’s technology.

Students of the 21^st century are surrounded by technology. In a kindergarten in Provo, the primary learning resources are no longer chalkboards and worksheets, but iPads, laptop computers and smart boards. With the use of Internet, these tools help students to learn and connect with the outside world.   

In addition, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra spotted the increasing importance of technology in education. She planned to give out free tablet computers to all primary school students to help students engage in technology and learning.

With the evidence of transforming our traditional learning resources, we believe Internet and technology are powerful tools for teaching and learning, which can bring positive impact when successfully integrated into the school curriculum.

We are dedicated to provide students an online learning community alongside the provision of the electronic gadgets by schools and governments. We aim to enhance students’ engagement and their critical and creative thinking skills.

We do not intent to replace traditional teaching and learning methodologies. However, we recognized the raising power of technology, which is a useful instructional tool to couple with traditional learning.


To find out more, follow us on twitter and join our Facebook page.

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Education 2.0

Web 2.0 shows us that technology has heralded a step change in what we can do online. In the early 2000s, many people see Internet as an information giving technology. With the rise of Internet users and social networking sites, the pattern of web activity shifted to the era of “web 2.0” from “web 1.0”.

Web 2.0 applications are built in forms of user-driven communication, creation and collaboration. Today, we both receive information online and actively engage in discussions and activities. The concept of web 2.0 not only encourages business and governments, but also educators to adopt new strategies in service delivery/ teaching and learning. That is why we always hear e-banking, e-government, e-learning and e-teaching.

From Generation Y onwards, web 2.0 tools are powerful resources in assisting teaching and learning, particularly online educational platforms for students to discuss and share ideas on issues. Web 2.0 facilitates learners’ experience and their sense of “globalness”, which lead us to the period of education 2.0.

Online discussion platforms support communication and collaboration. Learners are allowed to build a community outside classrooms and create their own materials (e.g. articles, photos, videos, etc.) for publication. They are also allowed to ask questions and learn from online information worldwide.

Education 2.0 is taking learning out of classrooms. It plays an important role of leading to a collaborative and knowledge sharing network in the future.


Our online educational community is inspired by the emergence of education 2.0. To find out more, follow us on twitter and join our Facebook page.

Follow @rafikionline

Anti-Bullying Week (14-18 November 2011)

Anti-Bullying Week starts from today.

Bullying has been a growing social phenomenon, particularly in schools. A lot of school kids become the targets of bullying. They experience different forms of bullying such as verbal harassment, physical assault, etc., which is detrimental to the well-being and development of young people.

With increasing used of technology, cyber/online bullying has become a prevailing social problem. Examples include threatening or embarrassing someone through emailing, sending chatroom messages, setting up profiles on social media platforms to make fun of someone, etc.

As an online educational community, we are concerned about the personal development of young people who have experienced online bullying. Technology is supposed to link everyone around the world together, enhance cultural understanding and facilitate discussions. We aim to create a peaceful platform for young people to positively interact with each other.

If you see online bullying happens or you are one of the victims, report it!

To support anti-bullying, check http://social.bullying.co.uk.

Follow us on twitter and join our Facebook page.

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