I am really glad to have resigned from teaching in 1994! At that time, teachers only had to worry about keying in marks of students into the computer, and being computer-phobic, I received a lot of help from my kind computer-savy colleagues.

What happens to the personal touch in teaching? If computers can replace, why, the Ministry of Education will save a lot of $$$$ putting robot teachers in the classroom and students will be delighted for definitely there will be no nagging and coercing to work harder. On the other hand, there will also be no shoulders to cry on and no voice to say, "Keep it up, well done!" We will gradually end up with a nation of "robotic people" who do things mechanically and are devoid of emotion!!

On the more practical side, is the school expecting every student to have computers and internet access at home? What happens to poor students who can't afford?

An ex-colleague once asked me, "So how is your life as a property agent?" "Great, working less hours and earning more than the school principal!" Frankly, income aside, I find that by working smart and hard as an agent, it frees my time to think more analytically and creatively. In fact, as an overseas graduate, I found the school system stifling. I taught English and Literature in a lively and innovative way and my teaching style initially was questioned by my superiors! Now, it seems the government is encouraging creativity and the spirit of enterprise in our nation!

I am not totally against e-learning. As in everything else, it must have its limits and the human touch must always prevail in every situation.

I am really glad to have resigned from teaching in 1994! At that time, teachers only had to worry about keying in marks of students into the computer, and being computer-phobic, I received a lot of help from my kind computer-savy colleagues.

What happens to the personal touch in teaching? If computers can replace, why, the Ministry of Education will save a lot of $$$$ putting robot teachers in the classroom and students will be delighted for definitely there will be no nagging and coercing to work harder. On the other hand, there will also be no shoulders to cry on and no voice to say, "Keep it up, well done!" We will gradually end up with a nation of "robotic people" who do things mechanically and are devoid of emotion!!

On the more practical side, is the school expecting every student to have computers and internet access at home? What happens to poor students who can't afford?

An ex-colleague once asked me, "So how is your life as a property agent?" "Great, working less hours and earning more than the school principal!" Frankly, income aside, I find that by working smart and hard as an agent, it frees my time to think more analytically and creatively. In fact, as an overseas graduate, I found the school system stifling. I taught English and Literature in a lively and innovative way and my teaching style initially was questioned by my superiors! Now, it seems the government is encouraging creativity and the spirit of enterprise in our nation!

I am not totally against e-learning. As in everything else, it must have its limits and the human touch must always prevail in every situation.