Term 1 Week 8: Singapore Education System

The following article is adapted from "Education in Sinapore", Wikepedia.

Critics of the education system, including many parents, state that the education system is too specialised, rigid, and elitist. Often, these criticisms state that there is little emphasis on creative thinking, unlike education systems in other societies, such as those in the United States.

Those defending the current education system cite that Singaporean students have regularly ranked top when competing in international Science and Mathematics competitions and assessments. Detractors to the education system would state that this is more an indication of students' skills of using rote to prepare for a certain style of competition or examination, than their ability to think critically.

Recently, significant changes implemented by the Ministry of Education have introduced a greater focus on creative and critical thinking, and on learning for life-long skills rather than simply learning to excel in examinations.

There have also been complaints about excessive educational streaming at a young age. A popular local film, I Not Stupid, highlights the competitiveness of the system and social stigma that students struggling with studies have to face.

Supporters of the system assert that providing differentiated curriculum according to streams since the late 1970s have allowed students with different abilities and learning styles to develop, and sustain an interest in their studies, since its introduction in the late 1970s. This ability-driven education has since been a key feature behind Singapore's success in education, and was responsible for bringing drop-out rates down sharply.

In recent years, while streaming still exists, various refinements to the policy have been made. There is now greater flexibility for students to cross over different streams or take subjects in other streams, which alleviates somewhat the stigma attached to being in any single stream. Furthermore, the government is now starting to experiment with ability-banding in other ways - such as subject-based banding in Primary Schools instead of banding by overall academic performance.

Questions to help u in your reflections:

1) How much do u agree with the article, both the postive & negative?
2) What do u think are the strengths of our education system?
3) What do u think are the weaknesses of our education system?
4) Why are Singaporeans doing so well in International Competitions, i.e. TIMSS etc.? Is it due to our rigorous education system? (See TIMSS results - Math & Science)
5) What do u like/dislike about our education system?
6) Besides examinations, how else do u think the ministry could assess the student's learning?
7) How do we explain the influx of foreign students to Singapore to pursue their studies despite the many criticism about Singapore Education System? How do we also explain why some countries/states are imitating Singapore Education System?

Hope to read interesting and thought-provoking responses from u soon! =D

Term 1 Week 7: Activities Outside School

Many pupils are involved in lessons/activities outside school. They include tuition, piano, swimming, ballet, enrichment classes, religious lessons and so on. There are just too many activities for me to list them.

For this week's journal writing, I would like you to reflect on your involvement in all the activities outside school.

To help you with your writing, I have listed some questions below:

1. What are the activities you are involved in outside school from Monday to Sunday?
2. How many days do you spend on these activities in one week?
3. How many hours do you spend in each of these activities?
4. Why are you involved in these activities?
5. Do you think these activities are necessary for you? If 'Yes', how have these activities help you? If 'No', why are you taking part in these activities?
6. Do you think these activities affect your school work/studies? If so, how?
7. Do you feel stressed with all these activities? Explain.
8. In your opinion, do you think pupils should be involved in outside school activities? Why?

From now on, I'll be visiting your blogs at random. If u find the note, "Here to look look see see =D" in your tagboard or comments column, that means I was there "to look look see see =D" of course! =D

Sail Away - 2 Feb 2009

Scenario

You and groupmates have just survived an air crash but are now stranded on a deserted island.

The bad news is due to global warming which resulted in melting icebergs and rising sea level, this island is fast sinking! =O


Task

Your task is to design a raft using the materials found on the island and sail for higher ground.


Materials (found so far)

1) 1 x Corrugated board (Plank)
2) 4 x Wooden cork (Barrels)
3) 4 x Straws (Bamboo poles)
4) 4 x Satay stick (Wooden poles)
5) 1 x Construction paper (Canvas)
6) Candle
7) Glue (Ropes for tying)


Requirements

1) Stay buoyant throughout the journey.
2) Move in the desired direction.
3) All passengers must remain alive.

Congratulations to S.O.S. led by Yong Le, and comprised of Ian, Aravind & Kenneth, for clinching the Best in Design! =D

Reminder

Each group to bring:

1) Bubble wrap
2) Styrofoam
3) Straws
4) Permanent marker (fine tip)
5) Old Newspapers
6) Scissors
7) String/Threads
8) Used plastic bags
9) Ice cream sticks (optional)

on 16 Feb 2009, Monday, for the supplementary class.

Like-As Man (Activity on Similes)

Introduction

The Goony Tunes Comic Book Company is developing a new line of grammar-based super hero comic books. The first in the new series is going to be Like-As Man.

They have hired your Advertising Development Team to help them design an advertisement campaign for this new, exciting, and grammatically correct super hero.

Task

Your task is to design an advertising campaign for Like-As Man in the form of a poster. The poster should be visually interesting, descriptive, and convince millions of kids to spend their money on the new Goony Tunes comic book called "The Adventures of Like-As Man".

Process & Resources

Your team will create a poster describing the attributes of Like-As Man. The Goony Tunes Company is requesting that you use at least 5 similes in your description of Like-As Man. Your poster should also include a super-heroic image of Like-As Man that will be developed by your Design Team.

Your finished poster can be a butcher paper poster, a poster board, or an electronically-created poster made with a program such as PowerPoint, Word, or Publisher.

Students will work in groups of 4 with the following roles and responsibilities:

Design Team – (2 team members) Create an image of Like-As Man. You can use paper, pencil, crayons, markers. You can also use the Paint program on your computer. If your end result poster is made with a computer program such as Publisher, and if you created your Like-As Man with paper and markers, your team will also be responsible to scan your image so that it can be inserted electronically. Your team will not be creating the actual finished poster for the Goony Tunes Company---just the picture of Like-As Man that will be a part of the poster.

Research Team - (2 team members) Visit websites and look at examples of similes and write a definition of what a simile is. Use as many of the websites listed in the Resource section as you need in order to figure out what a simile is.


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Once the Design Team and the Research Team have completed their tasks, the 2 teams should combine themselves to become a 4-member Production Team.

Production Team responsibilities:

1. Decide on at least 5 descriptive words that best fit your superhero.

2. Write similes with your descriptive words. The 2 members of the former Research Team will need to teach the former 2 members of the Design Team about similes before this part of the process can begin.

3. Create the finished poster that will become part of the official Goony Tunes advertising campaign for Like-As Man. The poster should contain the image of Like-As man that team members created as well as at least 5 similes describing Like-As Man.

Evaluation

Teams will be graded with the Superhero Rubric.

I will be back on 16 Feb 2009, Monday, for the evaluation.

Meanwhile, have fun with your superhero! =D

Note: This activity is to be carried out during the comp lab session on 10 Feb 2009, Tuesday.