臺灣教育科技展 (一) / EdTech Taiwan (Part 1)

今年的資訊月，以「數位領航 資安聯防」為主題，攜手百餘家資通訊業者展出，三大主題展區包含了數位科技、資安防詐及樂齡樂園，展場並結合臺灣教育科技展，所以，除了傳統的資訊領域外，特別把老人及小孩的需求與資訊科技做一個串聯，在台灣的高齡社會中，長者生活支援與健康照護需求日益增加，廣泛及適當的應用資訊科技可以紓解看顧資源，有些長者，其實更希望和社會接軌，現代手機與軟體設計多是從年輕族群的角度出發，未考慮到數位能力較弱的高齡者，導致長者在使用困難後直接放棄，所以，政府也著手加強高齡者的數位能力，也希望能改善數位落差的情況。

「十年樹木，百年樹人」，這句話深刻地揭示了教育的重要性和長期性。教育就像種樹，需要耐心和時間，才能看到成果。然而，隨著科技的發展，教育的方式和方法正在發生變化，很明顯地，科技為教育帶來了許多便利，例如，網路教育使得學習不再受地點和時間的限制，人們可以隨時隨地學習新的知識和技能，此外，科技也使得教學方式更加多元和客製化，教師可以利用多媒體和互動軟體來豐富教學內容，提高學生的學習興趣和效率。

當我在展場外頭時，就看到很多學生往展場方向前進，看起來，有些團體是由老師帶隊，讓我覺得有些好奇，雖然是教育科技展，但為什麼會有那麼多學生對這展覽感興趣嗎？進到展覽會場後，裡頭真的蠻多學生的，最近最火熱的議題 AI 也是教育科技展的主軸，有好幾家廠商，主打的是利用 AI 工具來輔助教學，例如，某家小學師生在英語教學資源中心的安排下，在寒假期間學習如何用影像與英語說故事，包含影片拍攝與剪輯、並使用時下最夯的 ChatGPT 協助英語腳本撰寫、並且走訪嘉義公園的實作拍攝及產出最終的成果發表，共同為他們的寒假寫下充實又精彩的學習紀錄，天啊！我小學時的寒假頂多就是去外地旅行，寫一個旅行紀錄罷了，他們現在就有能力做出一個影音作品，還是英文的，假如我們的下一代都是那麼優秀，我可能會提早失業。

其實我沒想到，在這裡也看得到桌遊，在這裡展覽的新天鵝堡和栢龍玩具都是叫得出名號的桌遊業者，桌遊又稱桌上遊戲 (boardgame or table game) 除了是一種流行的遊戲方式之外，也常常被視為一種教具，自從一○八課綱推出後，不少單位或組織紛紛挖掘出桌遊教育的潛力，我也常常用它，作為輔助講解的工具，桌遊能幫助提升專注力 、訓練邏輯思維、改善溝通技巧、訓練應變能力，拿我最常用的矮人礦坑，它就可以提升專注力、訓練邏輯思維及改善溝通技巧，我用從前從前，來練習英文口語能力，很多桌遊加上變種規則，就能做出跨幅度的應用，我的朋友 PM 里長伯，就常拿市面桌遊或自製桌遊，來引導專案管理思維。

This year's Information Month, themed "Digital Leadership, Cybersecurity Collaboration," brought together over a hundred IT companies for the exhibition. The three main exhibition areas included Digital Technology, Cybersecurity and Anti-Fraud, and the Joyful Aging Park. The event also integrated with EdTech Exhibition. So, in addition to the traditional information sector, there's a special focus on connecting the needs of the elderly and children with information technology.

In Taiwan's aging society, the demand for elderly living support and health care is increasing. The widespread and appropriate use of information technology can help alleviate caregiving resources. Some elderly individuals prefer to stay connected with society, but smartphones and software designs often cater to younger demographics, neglecting those with weaker digital skills among the elderly. The government is working to enhance the digital skills of the elderly, hoping to improve the digital divide.

The saying "Ten years to grow trees, a hundred years to cultivate people" profoundly illustrates the importance and longevity of education. Education, like planting trees, requires patience and time to see results. However, with technological advancements, the methods and approaches to education are changing. Technology has brought many conveniences to education. For example, online education eliminates the constraints of location and time, allowing people to learn new knowledge and skills anytime, anywhere. Additionally, technology diversifies and customizes teaching methods. Teachers can use multimedia and interactive software to enrich teaching content, increasing students' interest and efficiency.

Outside the exhibition hall, I noticed many students heading towards the exhibition. It seemed like some groups were led by teachers, piquing my curiosity. Although it's an educational technology exhibition, why are so many students interested in it? Inside the exhibition hall, there were indeed many students. The hottest topic recently, AI, was a central focus of the educational technology exhibition. Several companies emphasized using AI tools or technology to assist teaching. For instance, a primary school arranged for students to learn how to tell stories in English using videos during the winter vacation. They utilized ChatGPT to assist in writing English scripts and created a video by filming and editing, showcasing the final results. It's amazing to see these students producing English video content during their winter break. When I was in primary school, my winter vacations were mostly about traveling and writing travel logs. If the next generation is so talented, I might become unemployed early.

Unexpectedly, I also saw board games here. New Swan Castle and Bai Long Toys, both well-known board game companies, were exhibiting. Board games, aside from being a popular form of entertainment, are often seen as educational tools. Since the introduction of the curriculum in 2019, many organizations have explored the potential of board game education. I often use them as supplementary tools for explanation. Board games can help improve concentration, train logical thinking, enhance communication skills, and develop adaptability. For example, my go-to game, Dwarven Mine, improves concentration, trains logical thinking, and enhances communication skills. I use the game "Once Upon a Time" to practice English oral skills. Many board games, with added variations to the rules, can have extensive applications. My friend, PM village chief, often uses commercial or homemade board games to guide project management thinking.