NEWS of the discontinuation of FROG Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) by the Education Ministry was welcomed by
teachers and students.
Growing up with parents who were teachers, and going through the Malaysian education system as a student and now as an educator, I have experienced first-hand how the system has changed.
I believe change is a natural process. An ever-changing environment pushes us to adapt as we move along in life.
The government’s decision to stop using FROG VLE was brought about by the changing e-learning environment that requires a more viable and reliable source for e-education.
This provides a chance for us to move forward towards a 21st century education.
FROG VLE had many shortcomings. It was a great challenge to implement the iBestariNet project to provide Internet coverage in schools and to ensure the FROG VLE application was available, especially in rural areas in Sabah and Sarawak.
Since the project’s inception in 2011, many parties have been forced to grapple with e-learning and get used to digital technology whether they liked it or not.
For some, it was a challenge to keep up with the ever-changing education environment.
But I believe this is a good thing as many students are digital natives who live and breathe technology.
When I started my career, I was one of the teachers who were involved in Computer in Education programmes in the early 1990s. Then came FROG VLE.
Then, in the name of progress and more effective teaching and learning, Google Classroom was introduced.
I think more changes will be in store for educators as we move on to the next phase of education with Google Classroom.
But what those changes will look like remains to be seen.
At the university level, I have tried using Google Classroom and it looks interesting.
It can definitely be a powerful tool for enhancing education.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR SOO KUM YOKE
Academy of Language Studies, UiTM Negri Sembilan