BEIJING, Dec. 26 -- Yew Chung students this year piloted the IGCSE Cambridge Examination (CIE) for information and communication technology (ICT).

    The scheme was initiated by Cambridge International Examinations who invited Yew Chung International School Center to participate.

    Yew Chung was the only school in China to trial the electronic submission of practical ICT papers and was another first for the school following from a previous testing of the ICT system in November 2006.

    The pilot project for China was first conducted last May when the school's Geography Department successfully completed a similar test.

    So Polson (Cambridge coordinator) and Paul Arbon (ICT subject area leader) decided this would be a good opportunity to try out the new initiative.

    All students were impressed by the new format and had to save each step in a particular way so that the files would be accepted by the Cambridge Examination Board. The students still had to print out their work as they would have to do in a normal examination.

    Miki Mahundi was on hand in the IT Department in case of any technical problems that may have occurred during the examination.

    The advantages of sending files electronically were numerous and included: showing colors in Web pages and PowerPoint presentations, formulas in Microsoft Excel, including special features that do not come out in printed form like animations in PowerPoint. The test also provides a backup or extra copy if the original printout was damaged or lost.

    If the Pilot proves a success, it is expected that other subjects like mathematics and biology will be trialed.

    The school appreciate the assistance of Udoka Ogbue (product manager for the University of Cambridge International Examinations) for her help and support during the Pilot Trial. She was on hand for any specific problems and with advice to make the project a success.

    (Source: Shanghai Daily)