Digitalization of school timing system (clocks)

Contributed by ANG JOO LIAK

Current Situation:

All classrooms and other venues have analogue clocks. 1. During graded assessments like WAs and Exams, the clock is placed on the teacher's desk and projected on the screen with LCD project for 1 to 2 hours for each paper, using up unnecessary power and lifespan of projector lamp. 2. The clocks are not precisely synchronized across all classrooms. 3. The analogues clocks are not precise due to parallax error in the alignment of the minute and second hands - teachers need to check carefully. 4. Clock batteries (AA) have to be replaced maybe every semester. Students/staff have to remove the clock from high up the wall, exchange AA battery at Infrastructure department to replace the battery and put back the clock.

Improvement:

Align with the school's direction of digitalization by implementing a digital school-wide timing system. Advantages: 1. Timing is shown clearly at centre of classroom during assessments. No wastage of LCD projector lamp power and extend its lifespan without need to project an analogue clock on the whiteboard. 2. All digital clocks would be internet synchronized all the time, so all papers can start and end together at all venues. 3. No parallax error reading the time due to hands of an analogue clock. 4. No need to replace batteries. Save manhours in checking and replacing batteries. Save cost of AA batteries (about $0.80 each) for all classrooms and venues (at least 80) per semester.