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This session explores how Educational Technology (EdTech) can support learning across different stages of education, from preschool to grade-level classrooms and mathematics instruction. The discussion will highlight how technology can enhance play-based exploration in early childhood, support differentiated learning and engagement in school settings, and help students visualise and solve complex mathematical problems. Drawing on practical classroom examples and research on AI in teacher training, the panel will also examine the challenges of integrating technology effectively. Central to the discussion is the role of teacher preparation in ensuring that EdTech is used thoughtfully to support meaningful learning for students of all ages.
Principal Educational Therapist & Educational Advisor, RETA Fellow
SINGAPORE
HANI ZOHRA MUHAMAD
PRINCIPAL EDUCATIONAL THERAPIST AND EDUCATIONAL ADVISOR
RETA FELLOW
DYSLEXIA ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE
Hani Zohra Muhamad is a Principal Educational Therapist and an Educational Advisor. She has been teaching at the Dyslexia Association of Singapore for close to twenty years. Hani contributes to the training and mentoring of new educational therapists, guides colleagues with classroom management and challenges students. She holds a Master's Degree in Education (Special Education) from Nanyang Technological University (NIE-NTU) and a Cambridge International Diploma for Teachers and Trainers (Dyslexia). Hani is a Fellow member of the Register of Educational Therapists Asia (RETA).
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Educator & AI Advocate
SINGAPORE
GHAZALI BIN ABDUL WAHAB
I'm an enthusiastic educator with a passion for leveraging AI to drive career growth and enhance learning experiences. With over 25 years of experience in the education sector, I've taught English Language and Literature to diverse student populations across 6 different schools. My current interest is in the use of AI for teaching. I'm always on the lookout for new tools and platforms that can help me make my lessons more interactive and engaging. Whether it's using chatbots to provide personalised feedback or using various AI tools to create exciting storylines to motivate my students, I'm constantly looking to push the boundaries of what's possible in education. I love being on the cutting edge of pedagogy. It's what has sustained my enthusiasm for teaching these past 2 decades.
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Educator & Edu Tech Teacher
SINGAPORE
QUAH LI ZHEN
I’m a primary school educator and instructional leader in educational technology, and my work is grounded very much in classroom practice. I work closely with both students and teachers to use technology in ways that support diverse learning needs, especially for learners who benefit from clearer structure, visualisation, and timely feedback.
In my school, I design and implement digital literacy and ICT programmes that help personalise learning, surface misconceptions, and build confidence, particularly in Mathematics. I also support teachers in integrating platforms like the Student Learning Space and AI-enabled tools in thoughtful, age-appropriate ways, so technology becomes a support rather than a shortcut.
What guides my work is a strong belief that in an AI-transformed world, teachers play an even more important role in helping students make sense of information, develop good judgement, and preserve the uniquely human aspects of learning, such as empathy, perseverance, and collaboration. My focus has always been on keeping technology human-centred, values-driven, and inclusive.
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Educational Technology & Lead Educational Therapist, RETA Fellow
SINGAPORE
SOOFRINA BINTE MUBARAK
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY
LEAD EDUCATIONAL THERAPIST
RETA FELLOW
Soofrina joined the Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS) in 2012 and currently serves as Assistant Director overseeing Educational Technologies integration in the English Language & Literacy Division. Also a Lead Educational Therapist with the Main Literacy Programme (MLP), she combines her classroom expertise with a passion for technology to enhance teaching and learning for students with dyslexia.
She has spearheaded the development of innovative AI-powered tools such as the MLP Curriculum Crafter (MCC) and the ELL Student Report Writer, which reduce teacher workload while supporting individualised learning. Soofrina is also leading the DAS journey into AI-driven learning platforms as well as automation and augmentation using robotic processes.
Her commitment to professional growth is well supported by DAS, which sponsored her postgraduate studies in Instructional Design and Technology at NIE (completed in 2021) and her ongoing Diploma in Software Engineering. She is also a Google Certified Educator (Level 2) and a frequent conference presenter, sharing insights on inclusive education and educational technologies locally and internationally.
Guided by her belief that technology, when thoughtfully applied, can make learning more inclusive and empowering, Soofrina continues to inspire her colleagues and students by bridging education and innovation.
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Lead Educational Therapist, RETA Fellow
SINGAPORE
WEE WINNIE
MATHS PROGRAMME CORE TEAM MEMBER
LEAD EDUCATIONAL THERAPIST
RETA FELLOW
Winnie is a Lead Educational Therapist and a core team member of the Math Programme at the Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS) and an Associate Fellow of the Register of Educational Therapists Asia (RETA). Since 2012, she has worked with students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and other learning differences, helping them build confidence and competence in literacy and mathematics. She believes that with the right strategies and support, every learner can develop a strong understanding of math and a love for problem-solving.
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Lead Educational Therapist, RETA Fellow
SINGAPORE
WENG YIYAO
PRESCHOOL PROGRAMME MANAGER
LEAD EDUCATIONAL THERAPIST
RETA FELLOW
Yiyao is a Lead Educational Therapist and Preschool Programme Manager with the Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS). Since 2014, she has worked with preschoolers and school –aged students with dyslexia and other specific learning differences. She believes in empowering and equipping learners with the skills to overcome their challenges. Yiyao is also an associate fellow of the Register of Educational Therapists Asia (RETA).
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From Play to Problem-Solving: Integrating Educational Technology Across Preschool, Grade-Level Classrooms, and Mathematics
The use of Educational Technology (EdTech) is reshaping learning across diverse contexts. This paper compares how technology functions in preschool, grade-level classrooms, and mathematics instruction, with emphasis on practical applications for teachers and insights from recent research on AI in teacher training.
In preschool education, technology is most effective when it supports play-based exploration. Digital storybooks, touchscreen games, and creative apps help build literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional skills. The key challenge is ensuring technology enhances rather than replaces active play and peer interaction.
In elementary and secondary classrooms, EdTech broadens opportunities for differentiated instruction, collaboration, and accessibility. Platforms such as gamified systems, learning management tools, and AI-powered assistants support lesson planning, assessments, and student engagement. Yet meaningful integration depends heavily on teacher readiness. A German study on AI literacy revealed that structured training significantly increased teachers’ confidence, willingness, and preparedness to use AI tools, highlighting professional development as critical for successful adoption.
In mathematics instruction, digital technologies provide unique advantages by making abstract concepts tangible. Virtual manipulatives, dynamic geometry software, and AI-driven tutoring systems enable students to visualise, test, and refine problem-solving strategies. However, teachers must balance technology use with critical thinking and guided practice to avoid oversimplification.
This panel discussion will highlight how EdTech adoption varies across these learning contexts, comparing successes and challenges. Ultimately, the dialogue will emphasise that teacher preparation remains the cornerstone of meaningful technology integration for learners of all ages.
KEYWORDS: Educational Technology, Preschool, Maths