Computer Literacy – A Must for the Journey to Future
Information Technology – A key to all doors
With the dramatic development of science and technology in general and information technology in particular and thanks to its premium features, usability and a wide range of applications, information technology is an indispensable part of many sectors of life. Moreover, it also opens up opportunities to access the advanced knowledge of mankind, especially for young people whose time is mostly spent with the Internet and electronic devices. With the computer to be the center, from adults to teenagers and even primary school children begin to access and achieve rapid technological mastery. Students are now able to surf the Internet, download and upload data and create profiles on social networks. Some of them can even manage online businesses, hunt for scholarships to study abroad, find work and so on. However, young people still need to work harder to be able to effectively access and manage information on the Internet, and know how to utilize this technology in learning and working in the long term. The latest statistics from the Vietnam Institute of Educational Sciences shows that 37% of graduates cannot find work due to lack of social practice skills and 83% are rated by employers as lacking soft skills, including computer skills.
Therefore, students need to improve their skills thoroughly with the help of a systematic, scientific and continuous training program. This is also one of the goals of Vietnam Australia International School in equipping students with ICT skills throughout their studies from Kindergarten to High School level.
The effectiveness of a “technologized” learning environment
Taking advantage of the achievements in the field of advanced information technology in the world, especially in training programs in the UK, the information and communications technology (ICT) education program at Vietnam Australia International School is committed to the objective of maximizing the technology resources to expand learning opportunities for students such as providing them with better learning skills, inspiration and a habit of “thinking globally”.
The program is taught in English by specialized expat teachers. As early as kindergarten, students already have access to modern and friendly equipment and become familiar with the computer in 2 periods (approx. 1.5 hours) of fun learning lessons and early thinking development activities per week. For elementary school, the standard curriculum framework and textbooks of international ICDL Springboard, the subject focuses on the skills and knowledge of information technology to serve the goals of this level as well as preparing them for the next levels, such as the basic principles and methods to find information, evaluate and process data on Excel calculations; operating principles of automatic control devices; drawing simple models on the computer and so on. On the basis of knowledge and skills learned in the elementary curriculum, secondary school's ICT program is more advanced and in depth to help students apply the learned knowledge and skills to meet the requirements in their studies and real life, which results in the formation and development of the skills to access information, manage data, programme, explain, and present data in a scientific and accurate way.
In line with study programs in the classroom, the school also organizes regular competitions, games and technology applying activities for students of all levels. From online exchange programs with students in other schools (in the form of chatting through Skype, Yahoo Messenger, etc.) to robot design competition – Robocon – that requires creativity and great ability in applying technology; from simple designs on the computer to finished products; from "projects on paper" to the specific work such as budget allocation, modeling, testing, reporting, presenting and so on. All the above exciting activities both increase passion for technology and training soft skills for students effectively.
ICDL Certificate – An International academic bridge
Not only do VAS students have the advantage of learning thorough and diverse knowledge of technology, upon graduation, they also own international certificates of ICDL (International Computer Driving License) - the global standard ability in using computers recognized by many organizations worldwide including the United Nations, UNESCO, European Union, Ministry of Education and Training , the Government, multinational companies and corporations of 148 countries in the world. In particular, finishing grade 9, students will gain the ICDL Starter certificate and at the end of grade 11, they will own ICDL Full License issued by Springboard UK International. (In Vietnam, Vietnam Australia International School is the first high school to teach Information Technology curriculum of UK standards to help students get this International ICDL certificate.)
In the past two years, many high school graduates at Vietnam Australi International School have been contenders of ICDL certificates. Specifically, in 2011, 82.5% of secondary school students got ICDL certificates. Among them, 91% got good grades; 35 students achieved 90/100 points and six achieved absolute scores. In 2012, 82% of high school students got high scores among 537 registering for the exams. In particualr, 52 students got over 90/100 points and 7 of them achieved a perfect score of 100 points.
With this academic bridge and outstanding language skills, the young generations growing out of learning journeys at Vietnam Australia International School will have up-to-date information and confidently apply technologies in many different areas of modern life. This is a practical preparation for them to journey into future.
