SINGAPORE, Feb 9, 2022 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - VIZZIO Technologies, a Singapore-based technology company specialized in creating and virtualizing digital realities, today announced a three-year partnership with the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) to launch a new Centre of Excellence - the Universal Omniverse Experience Centre - at ITE College Central. The Centre, which will leverage next-generation technologies including AI-powered Geo-Spatial, 3D virtualization and Digital Twin solutions, will deliver training programs to students and adult learners.(Left) Mr Suresh Natarajan, Principal of ITE College Central, and Dr Jon Li, CEO and Founder of Vizzio Technologies Pte Ltd."As Singapore continues to advance its Smart Nation agenda, we need to prepare our students, adult learners and wider business community with the deep tech skills they need for future employability and decision-making. Together with VIZZIO, we are delivering a holistic curriculum, integrating education and real-world applications of 3D technologies to demonstrate the power of spatial data for industrial and smart city projects. Leveraging these emerging technologies, we are excited for what the future holds as we continue to foster Singapore's deep-tech talent and unlock new opportunities to spur innovation and digitalization," said Mr. Suresh Natarajan, Principal, ITE College Central.As part of the MOU, VIZZIO will focus on training ITE students, ITE students, ITE lecturers and adult learners in 3D modelling and visualisation including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Building Information Modelling (BIM), Unreal Game Engine and Mixed and Virtual Reality (MR/VR). The courses are targeted at addressing three key pillars: Manpower Capability, SME Digitalization and Go-Green:1. Boost Manpower Capability by Enhancing Teaching and LearningVIZZIO will provide ITE with advisory services to support the development of a new multi-disciplinary curriculum for students as part of a revamped Game & Immersive Applications course. The curriculum will cover areas including built environment visualization and immersive geospatial applications to further enhance employability resilience and future readiness of ITE students.VIZZIO will also support ITE's ambitions to drive digital education with the creation of an Avatar Teacher, with a humanized face and text-based technology support. The Avatars will be embedded into PowerPoint presentations and learning applications to provide ITE staff with support in delivering a more immersive and interactive learning experience.Under the partnership, VIZZIO is also a sponsor for the ITE Work-Study Diploma (WSDip) that aims to develop and nurture the next generation of Singapore thinkers with real life work experience. Students can also apply for internship placements at Vizzio and have the opportunity to work and learn from the best in developing their professional skills for the future.For adult learners looking at sharpening their deep tech knowledge and skills, VIZZO will co-develop and co-deliver training courses under ITE's Continuing Education and Training (CET) framework. ITE staff will also benefit from industry attachments to upgrade their skills. These opportunities will afford students, adult learners and staff exposure to latest industry trends and practices.2. Drive SME digitalization in SingaporeVIZZIO and ITE will also jointly design and curate short courses on geo-spatial technologies for adult learners and the industry. By creating an edu-industry community platform, this will provide opportunities for lifelong learning, workforce adaptability by co-creating with industry and help SMEs digitalize their operations.3. Foster Smart Learning, Smart WorkingIntegrating live video streaming and BIM (Building Information Modelling) technologies, VIZZIO and ITE will explore a Smart Building GIS (geographic information system) solution. This will help promote a digital ecosystem within the industry as students and SMEs can better visualize data, taking the theoretical to practical and measuring predictions or impacts more accurately and efficiently."3D technology is on course to become part of our everyday lives, from mapping the world around us to enabling us to experience entertainment in a whole new way. However, while 3D virtualization and Digital Twin technologies have been around for a while, they are typically complex, clunky, and expensive. At VIZZIO, we want to empower all users - from novices to digital experts - with easy and seamless access to these technologies," said Jon Li, CEO and Founder of VIZZIO. "We are thrilled to be partnering with forward-looking institutions like ITE who share our vision in bringing these technologies closer to students and the wider business community in Singapore and look forward to welcoming a new generation of talent to the world of 3D."About VIZZIO TechnologiesVIZZIO Technologies is a Singapore based, AI Modelling & Visualisation company that is on a mission to democratize and simplify 3D. Harnessing the power of 3D visualisation technologies, AI, machine learning processes, and EDGE-COMPUTING scanning hardware, VIZZIO offers an advanced yet easy-to-use platform, empowering users - from novices to digital experts across all industries - to access best-in-class 3D-as-a-Service offerings on demand, enabling anyone to co-create, virtualize and interact with digital realities. Vizzio has been spearheading the adoption of dimensionally accurate and immersive 3D capture & visualisations for Singapore's leading government agencies and companies including Singapore Civil Defense Force (SCDF), Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech), National University of Singapore (NUS) and SMRT Corporation (SMRT) as well as Singapore based companies such as Capita Land, SATS, StarHub, DP Architects among others. For more information, please visit https://vizzio.ai/About Institute of Technical EducationThe Institute of Technical Education (ITE) was established as a post-secondary institution in 1992, under the Ministry of Education. ITE is a principal provider of career and technical education and a key developer of national skills certification and standards skilling Singapore for the future economy. It offers three key programmes - (1) Pre-Employment Training for youths after secondary education (2) Continuing Education and Training for adult learners and (3) Industry-Based and Work-Study Programmes with employers. Under its 'One ITE System, Three Colleges' Governance Model, ITE has three Colleges - ITE College Central, ITE College East and ITE College West. For more information, please visit https://www.ite.edu.sgMedia Contacts:The Hoffman Agency on behalf of VIZZIO TechnologiesEmail: VizzioSG@hoffman.comITEJailani Nathan, Manager, Corporate & Media RelationsEmail: Jailani_Nathan@ite.edu.sg Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)
SINGAPORE, Feb 9, 2022 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - VIZZIO Technologies, a Singapore-based technology company specialized in creating and virtualizing digital realities, today announced a three-year partnership with the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) to launch a new Centre of Excellence - the Universal Omniverse Experience Centre - at ITE College Central. The Centre, which will leverage next-generation technologies including AI-powered Geo-Spatial, 3D virtualization and Digital Twin solutions, will deliver training programs to students and adult learners.(Left) Mr Suresh Natarajan, Principal of ITE College Central, and Dr Jon Li, CEO and Founder of Vizzio Technologies Pte Ltd."As Singapore continues to advance its Smart Nation agenda, we need to prepare our students, adult learners and wider business community with the deep tech skills they need for future employability and decision-making. Together with VIZZIO, we are delivering a holistic curriculum, integrating education and real-world applications of 3D technologies to demonstrate the power of spatial data for industrial and smart city projects. Leveraging these emerging technologies, we are excited for what the future holds as we continue to foster Singapore's deep-tech talent and unlock new opportunities to spur innovation and digitalization," said Mr. Suresh Natarajan, Principal, ITE College Central.As part of the MOU, VIZZIO will focus on training ITE students, ITE students, ITE lecturers and adult learners in 3D modelling and visualisation including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Building Information Modelling (BIM), Unreal Game Engine and Mixed and Virtual Reality (MR/VR). The courses are targeted at addressing three key pillars: Manpower Capability, SME Digitalization and Go-Green:1. Boost Manpower Capability by Enhancing Teaching and LearningVIZZIO will provide ITE with advisory services to support the development of a new multi-disciplinary curriculum for students as part of a revamped Game & Immersive Applications course. The curriculum will cover areas including built environment visualization and immersive geospatial applications to further enhance employability resilience and future readiness of ITE students.VIZZIO will also support ITE's ambitions to drive digital education with the creation of an Avatar Teacher, with a humanized face and text-based technology support. The Avatars will be embedded into PowerPoint presentations and learning applications to provide ITE staff with support in delivering a more immersive and interactive learning experience.Under the partnership, VIZZIO is also a sponsor for the ITE Work-Study Diploma (WSDip) that aims to develop and nurture the next generation of Singapore thinkers with real life work experience. Students can also apply for internship placements at Vizzio and have the opportunity to work and learn from the best in developing their professional skills for the future.For adult learners looking at sharpening their deep tech knowledge and skills, VIZZO will co-develop and co-deliver training courses under ITE's Continuing Education and Training (CET) framework. ITE staff will also benefit from industry attachments to upgrade their skills. These opportunities will afford students, adult learners and staff exposure to latest industry trends and practices.2. Drive SME digitalization in Singapore VIZZIO and ITE will also jointly design and curate short courses on geo-spatial technologies for adult learners and the industry. By creating an edu-industry community platform, this will provide opportunities for lifelong learning, workforce adaptability by co-creating with industry and help SMEs digitalize their operations.3. Foster Smart Learning, Smart WorkingIntegrating live video streaming and BIM (Building Information Modelling) technologies, VIZZIO and ITE will explore a Smart Building GIS (geographic information system) solution. This will help promote a digital ecosystem within the industry as students and SMEs can better visualize data, taking the theoretical to practical and measuring predictions or impacts more accurately and efficiently."3D technology is on course to become part of our everyday lives, from mapping the world around us to enabling us to experience entertainment in a whole new way. However, while 3D virtualization and Digital Twin technologies have been around for a while, they are typically complex, clunky, and expensive. At VIZZIO, we want to empower all users – from novices to digital experts – with easy and seamless access to these technologies," said Jon Li, CEO and Founder of VIZZIO. "We are thrilled to be partnering with forward-looking institutions like ITE who share our vision in bringing these technologies closer to students and the wider business community in Singapore and look forward to welcoming a new generation of talent to the world of 3D."About VIZZIO TechnologiesVIZZIO Technologies is a Singapore based, AI Modelling & Visualisation company that is on a mission to democratize and simplify 3D. Harnessing the power of 3D visualisation technologies, AI, machine learning processes, and EDGE-COMPUTING scanning hardware, VIZZIO offers an advanced yet easy-to-use platform, empowering users – from novices to digital experts across all industries – to access best-in-class 3D-as-a-Service offerings on demand, enabling anyone to co-create, virtualize and interact with digital realities. Vizzio has been spearheading the adoption of dimensionally accurate and immersive 3D capture & visualisations for Singapore's leading government agencies and companies including Singapore Civil Defense Force (SCDF), Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech), National University of Singapore (NUS) and SMRT Corporation (SMRT) as well as Singapore based companies such as Capita Land, SATS, StarHub, DP Architects among others. For more information, please visit https://vizzio.ai/About Institute of Technical EducationThe Institute of Technical Education (ITE) was established as a post-secondary institution in 1992, under the Ministry of Education. ITE is a principal provider of career and technical education and a key developer of national skills certification and standards skilling Singapore for the future economy. It offers three key programmes - (1) Pre-Employment Training for youths after secondary education (2) Continuing Education and Training for adult learners and (3) Industry-Based and Work-Study Programmes with employers. Under its 'One ITE System, Three Colleges' Governance Model, ITE has three Colleges - ITE College Central, ITE College East and ITE College West. For more information, please visit https://www.ite.edu.sgMedia Contacts: The Hoffman Agency on behalf of VIZZIO TechnologiesEmail: VizzioSG@hoffman.comITEJailani Nathan, Manager, Corporate & Media RelationsEmail: Jailani_Nathan@ite.edu.sg Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)
Make teaching meaningful with online tools Ms Shoba Chandran aims to sway those who perceive online learning or teaching as tedious compared to face-to-face classes. Online teaching offers opportunities and advantages, she says, for both adult learners and educators. And this will be so even after the Covid-19 pandemic. For learners, there's convenience, shorter classes and information can be provided in easily digestible bite-sized chunks, says Ms Chandran, an adjunct adult educator with the Institute for Adult Learning (IAL). “When learning from home, one doesn’t need to rush from work to the training venue, and then home." She teaches the Facilitate Technology-Enabled Learning module of the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) Advanced Certificate in Learning and Performance (ACLP) programme. The online module lasts 27 hours over seven to eight weeks. "Online classes are usually shorter. Having smaller segments of learning over a longer period of time minimises learners being overwhelmed with new information in one sitting,” says Ms Chandran, who is in her 40s. The IAL is an autonomous institute under the Singapore University of Social Sciences. It provides training and upskilling opportunities for adult educators, and undertakes applied research for the development of training and adult education (TAE). For educators, she says, the ability to teach online has become vital. “My module equips trainers with the skills and knowledge to deliver online programmes. "This skill has become essential, especially since the start of the Covid-19 crisis, whether the trainer is an aspiring one or a 20-year veteran in the learning and development space.” For her classes, Ms Chandran pairs each lesson with the introduction of a relevant digital tool to expand her learners’ options when they are preparing their own online courses. One lesson looks at the challenges that online learners may face, including fear of complicated software. She teaches trainers how to use Google Jamboard, a free and simple tool that looks and works like a whiteboard for students to sketch ideas and solve problems collaboratively. What does the future hold for internet-based learning? Ms Chandran feels that Singaporeans, many of whom have experienced online learning because of the pandemic, are taking to the new medium and she is optimistic about the future of online learning. “There is no doubt that there are many things we cannot replicate online yet. Personally, I miss the opportunities for trainers and learners to get to know one another socially before class, during breaks and after class. But I think the advantages of learning online balance out its limitations.” I miss the opportunities for trainers and learners to get to know one another socially… But I think the advantages of learning online balance out its limitations. MS SHOBA CHANDRAN Adds the founder and chief facilitator of Innovation Matrix, a consultancy that specialises in innovation, train-the-trainer programmes and instructional design: “I believe we are warming up to online learning, and it can be fun, engaging and meaningful for all.” Engage by adapting, redesigning Creating a great online course is a skill that can be enhanced, says Ms Eunice Lim, 48, an adjunct adult educator with IAL who teaches its WSQ ACLP, WSQ Diploma in Design and Development of Learning for Performance and WSQ Workplace Learning Facilitator programmes. Ms Lim believes that empathy and engagement help when conducting lessons online. PHOTO: THARM SOOK WAI The key: Adapt and redesign. “It is not just about using the same content and activities that you planned for face-to-face delivery and doing it online,” says the educator, who has been conducting most of her sessions online since the pandemic began last year. It is not just about using the same content and activities that you planned for face-to-face delivery and doing it online. MS EUNICE LIM She, too, has redesigned her classes. "When I’m using Zoom, I make the most of its features, including chat, reactions, polls and annotations, to keep my students engaged. I also use other tech aids, such as Google’s collaboration tools, for more effective interaction between learners and me. "In virtual classes, learners can be easily distracted, and you may not be able to observe what they are doing behind the screen. So you have to include more frequent activities and engagement throughout the class." “I also get the learners to interact through ice-breaker activities, and encourage them to share and chat with one another during class. Giving them this social space helps them feel connected and learn better.” But pivoting to a new form of teaching is more than tailoring lessons to the online medium. Empathy and patience are also crucial, she says. “Some adult learners may not be digital natives, so giving them assurance and support is key. I try to provide sufficient additional handouts to ensure that everyone is following the lesson. “Some people also may not have conducive spaces to learn at home, and may face domestic interruptions. Taking such interruptions in your stride and even saying ‘hi’ to their children or pets can make them feel less stressed.” Adapting to online teaching, and coaching others to do the same, has been challenging, she concedes. But it has also been rewarding. Ms Lim tells of a student who attended her module on technology-enabled learning before Covid-19 struck, and became a star educator despite his initial doubts about his ability to teach online. “He told me that he couldn’t imagine what he would do if he needed to conduct lessons online,” recounts Ms Lim, who is also managing director of RE Training & Consultancy, which helps small and medium enterprises and training providers in different sectors implement workplace learning solutions and other learning programmes. More on this topic Related Story More adults leaning into online learning Related Story Adult educators go back to school to learn to be better trainers “But when the pandemic hit, he applied what he learnt, and was even voted trainer of the year in his organisation. “That was one of the best gifts that an adult educator like myself can get.” Expand by tapping social media With online tools, adult educators can reach out to a global market for their courses, says Mr Steven Koh, 53, a TAE veteran with over 25 years’ experience teaching local and overseas students. “Social media has become an important tool for those in the TAE industry to boost demand and tap on new opportunities,” says Mr Koh, who teaches an IAL continuing development programme called Social Media 101 for Coaching, Training and Education Businesses. Mr Koh runs a 4,600-strong Facebook group that promotes lifelong learning and the “kampung” spirit. PHOTO: THARM SOOK WAI His one-day programme covers lessons for firms to create an effective social media presence, including how to develop structured content plans and engage prospective clients. The content of social media posts should be interesting, thought-provoking, current and informative. “Having no content is better than having poor quality content,” he says. However, it is important to post content in a respectful manner. “Having proper social media etiquette is critical. This means always being polite and professional, avoiding bragging or complaining about other firms, respecting alternative views and being supportive and encouraging,” he explains. Mr Koh, who also heads training and consultancy firm Trillion Training, is harnessing the power of social media to promote discussions about digitalisation, learning resources and other topics. He set up a Facebook group in 2015 named Community of Learning to facilitate sharing of knowledge and best practices among trainers. It has about 4,600 members. “Besides learning online socially, we also organise offline events and learning seminars for members to meet and learn together. During the pandemic, we have hosted regular online chats,” he says. “In this day and age, social media skills are critical for both business and life. I hope that through IAL and Community of Learning, more adult educators can learn how to use social media in the right way to expand their possibilities online and globally.” Institute’s initiatives spur innovation In 2017, Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) was looking for a way to assess its staff’s communications skills, especially when dealing with “tricky” interpersonal situations. Seeking a solution, TTSH took part in the InnovPlus Challenge. The challenge is organised by the Institute for Adult Learning (IAL)'s innovation arm inlab. The solution sought to scale the teaching of the engagement tools from just 70 a month to about 10,000 employees within 18 months, and allow the learners to practise using a realistic simulation with personalised feedback. The initiative, run twice a year, offers grants of up to $200,000 to successful proposals that advance continuing education and training through leveraging innovation. TTSH used its awarded grant from the challenge to partner VisionarySchoolmen (VSM), a capabilities development training firm, to develop a program using artificial intelligence to teach staff to empathise better with patients and their relatives. One part of the program was to evaluate its staff’s tone of voice, words and facial expressions during video-based simulations of confrontations with patients’ loved ones, with the goal of helping them to improve. Since then, other organisations have trialled or adopted VSM’s program, with some modifications. Among them was Singapore Airlines, which aimed to train cabin crew on making in-flight announcements, and the Civil Service College to coach front-line service agents. Besides the InnovPlus Challenge, inlab has created other initiatives to empower TAE professionals and enterprises. These include InnovJam, a grant competition for learning solutions that includes masterclasses and mentorship for participating teams; InnovLogue, a series of bi-monthly seminars and panel discussions; and InnovBite, which provides bite-sized learning sessions. Last year, IAL also launched its first five-year strategic roadmap to enable a future-ready workforce through TAE education. This includes focusing on upskilling TAE practitioners and enterprises through learning innovation, and conducting research on digital innovations and their impact on learning and collecting data to track progress of the TAE landscape. To learn more about IAL’s programmes for adult educators, click here. 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SINGAPORE - The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) will generally reject rehabilitative sentences for adult offenders who commit certain sexual and hurt offences, unless there are exceptional facts, such as if the offender has an intellectual disability. Examples of such offences include voyeurism, outrage of modesty, and voluntarily causing hurt against a vulnerable victim. Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said this in Parliament on Friday (March 5), following a review of the sentencing framework for hurt and sexual offences conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of Law (MinLaw). "The need for proportionate punishment and deterrence must take precedence over rehabilitation," said Mr Shanmugam, who was speaking during a ministerial statement on the review announced last July. In response to media queries, MHA and MinLaw said that the AGC has generally objected to rehabilitative sentences for adult offenders who commit certain sexual and hurt offences. "With this review, AGC will depart even less from this position," said the ministries. "The review is also intended to reassure the public that we treat cases involving sexual and hurt offences very seriously, and take a tough stance against such offenders," the ministries added. The review came after public unhappiness over rehabilitative sentences that had been meted out to those convicted of sexual or hurt offences in recent years, with some feeling that the sentences had been too lenient. The offenders include National University of Singapore (NUS) dentistry student Yin Zi Qin, who received a community-based sentence last July for attacking his former girlfriend in May 2019. He tried to strangle her and pressed his thumb against her eye, causing it to bleed. He will not have a criminal record after completing his sentence, which included a short detention order of 12 days and 80 hours of community service. In community-based sentences, instead of being sent to prison for long periods, criminals can be ordered to seek treatment for their issues, do community service, or report to a centre daily for counselling and rehabilitation. Even as the the AGC reviews its position on such offences, due consideration must be given to exceptional circumstances, said Mr Shanmugam. More on this topic Related Story S'pore set to raise penalties for sex crimes, offender's qualifications shouldn't matter: Shanmugam Related Story Were they let off easy? 3 sex crime cases that sparked public debate, review Citing an example of a first-time adult offender with an intellectual disability who touches a woman, he said: "It may, in certain circumstances, better serve the public interest to impose a rehabilitative sentence with appropriate conditions, to reduce the likelihood of future reoffending, rather than to impose an imprisonment term." In a case where an offender is found to be suffering from a treatable psychiatric condition that contributed to the offence, for example, a mandatory treatment order (MTO) may be appropriate, he said. Offenders may be given MTO undergo treatment for their mental condition in lieu of jail time. More on this topic Related Story Molestation cases in S'pore on the rise, average of 1,190 a year between 2016 and 2020 Related Story MHA, MinLaw to publish guide on sentencing to educate public on criminal justice system