Your remarks on your sg education system experience
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Hello friends,
Based on your experience, being a product of the education system, could you comment how sg education system compares with foreign western ones?
which is more stressful?
which is more value-added?
which truely develops a person more than just knowing how to score points?
which develops a person to be more well-rounded?
which system produce more vocal students and more opinionated new generation?
which produce more innovative, creative people? -
sg education system is based more on spoon feeding and is thus easier.
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Singapore education system is not aimed at training intelligence or to develop people with critical thinking or analytical skills.
It is more aimed at motivating people to memorise useless facts or learn useless skills such as A.Maths etc. -
Why Sg always claim its education rank among the best in the world? How about United States and Japan? There are many College and Uni in these countries hardly shout out they are the best in the world?
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If that's the case, shouldn't Singapore's economy be on the downfall? LOLOLOL @ YOU.Originally posted by Poh Ah Pak:Singapore education system is not aimed at training intelligence or to develop people with critical thinking or analytical skills.
It is more aimed at motivating people to memorise useless facts or learn useless skills such as A.Maths etc. -
well my criticism on the recent educational reforms is that it has too much
psuedo critical thinking skills like "classifying","comparing", "generating" etc.
They forgot critical thinking is also about an attitude where one does not readily accept facts at face value.
While exams questions have become harder, it only gives a false sense of security that Singaporeans are more thinking than other countries. If they think they can change the unquestioning attitudes of Singaporeans with harder exam questions, they are seriously delusional. Exam taking is merely an acquired technique. Nurturing critical thinkers requires a change in the environment as well as a change in syllabus and teaching techniques.
When would be the day when Singapore can boast to have scientist, inventors, entrepreneurs like Finland or Denmark? Probably never, if we keep comparing ourselves with Indonesia or Malaysia and live in the deluded belief that our education system is world number 1. -
This little summary of what a good education system should be is worth more than all the powerful speeches about our talents, achievements and success.Originally posted by kilua:well my criticism on the recent educational reforms is that it has too much
psuedo critical thinking skills like "classifying","comparing", "generating" etc.
They forgot critical thinking is also about an attitude where one does not readily accept facts at face value.
While exams questions have become harder, it only gives a false sense of security that Singaporeans are more thinking than other countries. If they think they can change the unquestioning attitudes of Singaporeans with harder exam questions, they are seriously delusional. Exam taking is merely an acquired technique. Nurturing critical thinkers requires a change in the environment as well as a change in syllabus and teaching techniques.
When would be the day when Singapore can boast to have scientist, inventors, entrepreneurs like Finland or Denmark? Probably never, if we keep comparing ourselves with Indonesia or Malaysia and live in the deluded belief that our education system is world number 1.
US best brains are going on making breakthroughs in science and technology spinning new products and services while our system keeps giving senicure million-dollar jobs to those who are sitting pretty and congratulating themselves for riding the tide and taking credit without much real substance. -
I am working overseas. I also did my degrees in Australia.Originally posted by reddressman:Hello friends,
Based on your experience, being a product of the education system, could you comment how sg education system compares with foreign western ones?
which is more stressful?
which is more value-added?
which truely develops a person more than just knowing how to score points?
which develops a person to be more well-rounded?
which system produce more vocal students and more opinionated new generation?
which produce more innovative, creative people?
The Singaporean education system has its own merits and flaws , like every education system. It is based on rote learning. The only problem I have with it is that you can't argue against text books because apparently some teachers/lecturers , in my day, hold it up as the gold standard - just like PAP's policies. I never did well in such a system. I like to argue against conventional ideas.
I would say that the Australian system produce more vocal and opinionated generations. We are encouraged to present arguments. Copy from the textbook straight and you won't do well. I had some friends who did well in the Singaporean system but couldn't think out of what the textbooks tell them. In Australia, they actually encourage us to openly criticise the government's policies.
What is lacking in the Australian system is actually in abundance in the Singaporean system. For example ,in mathematics, you have alot of Singaporeans doing well because maths tend to stick to long established formulas.However anything to do with formulating a new theory, you don't see many Singaporeans with the ability to do so.
Critical thinking is seriously lacking in Singapore but it is a systematic problem which stems from the long-entrenched meritocracy and political system. -
10 years of rote-learning, 3 years of PBL.
Rote-learning side, basically nothing can go wrong if you do your part and memorize. But it also means that you are taught to be one zombie.
PBL, on the other hand, is the direct opposite. It asks you to question, it's a test of your basics, your understanding.
It has no boundaries, you can argue whatever you've learnt and apply it to prove so.
There was once a case study done on the statistics, comparing Singapore's dengue fever situation with other countries. The main aim to be taught, to be critical of the statistics provided and to show how they could be manipulated to tell lies.
My team and I went through the unconventional way proving that Singapore's situation is better than other countries, argue our way out of it. We knew it was wrong anyway, but so long it showed that we understand, it's OK.
Scrap a B for that. That's how we played with statistics.
PBL also has no right or wrong answers. The way we played with statistics shows that.
The most important thing in PBL is the concepts. No concepts, no understanding, you basically will die in that environment. PBL is also very stressful for those who can't stand independent learning. It's a very highly independent learning system, requiring you to search for your own answers, understand it and apply it. Most of the time, you will find yourself staring at the most basic questions and have no answers to it.
In terms of well-rounded students, I'm not sure for PBL. In terms of more vocal and opinionated students, PBL will do that, unless you are the kind who won't change in a thousand years.
More innovate and creative people? PBL will do that too, although I have to say you need to have that creative element in you. I don't have that element, PBL way of learning won't change me into one. -
Meilin...Originally posted by Meilin86:Why Sg always claim its education rank among the best in the world? How about United States and Japan? There are many College and Uni in these countries hardly shout out they are the best in the world?
Sillypore wants to be number 1 in everything as its insecure and needs all these No.1 thingy to bolster its pathetic self confidence....as we all already know.....the education system(heck the whole entire system here) is geared towards churning out conforming, obedient little slaves or cogs to fit into the bigger wheel to serve the aspirations of the elite.
Look at Theresa Chew or Sim Wong Hoo.....they aren't highly educated...yet they succeeded. I always tell my friends that its the A grade students in school last time that end up working for the C grade students who are the true entrepreneurs....just look at the recent survey on undergrads questioning the need and reluctance to be entrepreneurs....I say just give them so called challenging jobs after they graduate and let them rot
Need we all say more.... kekeke
Big countries have achieved big things and they don't need to really shout about it...all the world will sit up and notice. Sillypore kinda reminds of a small breed dogs who love to bark and bark to make themselves heard...its like all bark and very little bite. Much bigger dogs tend to be quieter but wow, once they start barking or biting....better run away....The US, China and even Indonesia are much bigger dogs...oh well
So how's your emigration plans coming along.... -
PBL won't turn anyone into vocal or opinionated students . It will just turn anyone into a student who knows how to use statistics which prove their point. They won't see the whole picture. And statistics can be twisted either way. That is not critical thinking. That is just learning how to twist things.Originally posted by ndmmxiaomayi:10 years of rote-learning, 3 years of PBL.
Rote-learning side, basically nothing can go wrong if you do your part and memorize. But it also means that you are taught to be one zombie.
PBL, on the other hand, is the direct opposite. It asks you to question, it's a test of your basics, your understanding.
It has no boundaries, you can argue whatever you've learnt and apply it to prove so.
There was once a case study done on the statistics, comparing Singapore's dengue fever situation with other countries. The main aim to be taught, to be critical of the statistics provided and to show how they could be manipulated to tell lies.
My team and I went through the unconventional way proving that Singapore's situation is better than other countries, argue our way out of it. We knew it was wrong anyway, but so long it showed that we understand, it's OK.
Scrap a B for that. That's how we played with statistics.
PBL also has no right or wrong answers. The way we played with statistics shows that.
The most important thing in PBL is the concepts. No concepts, no understanding, you basically will die in that environment. PBL is also very stressful for those who can't stand independent learning. It's a very highly independent learning system, requiring you to search for your own answers, understand it and apply it. Most of the time, you will find yourself staring at the most basic questions and have no answers to it.
In terms of well-rounded students, I'm not sure for PBL. In terms of more vocal and opinionated students, PBL will do that, unless you are the kind who won't change in a thousand years.
More innovate and creative people? PBL will do that too, although I have to say you need to have that creative element in you. I don't have that element, PBL way of learning won't change me into one.
Critical thinking is different - you look at the whole picture which includes everything for and against , the negatives and the positives. Based on that , you argue your case and give your rationale why . -
Nah, PBL is not just about statistics and abusing it. That's just an example.Originally posted by fymk:PBL won't turn anyone into vocal or opinionated students . It will just turn anyone into a student who knows how to use statistics which prove their point. They won't see the whole picture. And statistics can be twisted either way. That is not critical thinking. That is just learning how to twist things.
Critical thinking is different - you look at the whole picture which includes everything for and against , the negatives and the positives. Based on that , you argue your case and give your rationale why .
While twisting facts is one thing, being critical is another issue. That particular example also teaches students to wake up their idea. There are many ways to analyze it. One will have to balance his own set of ideas and beliefs and other reasons get his reason across.
On this part, I admitted that I've neglected it. -
Like Chihuahuas. They bark alot and are loud. They are unaware of their small size and want to assert their dominance. They think they are the rottweilers or great danes.Originally posted by Coquitlam:Big countries have achieved big things and they don't need to really shout about it...all the world will sit up and notice. Sillypore kinda reminds of a small breed dogs who love to bark and bark to make themselves heard...its like all bark and very little bite. Much bigger dogs tend to be quieter but wow, once they start barking or biting....better run away....The US, China and even Indonesia are much bigger dogs...oh well
So how's your emigration plans coming along....
The best they can do is to bite hands and ankles only, cannot crush bones. -
There isnt much of a choice for Singapore. In order to attract more pple to come to singapore and make it an education hub, biz hub, tourist hub, medical hub, tiny singapore has to keep barking in order to remain at the top.
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Way too much maths and science based IMO
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Many people, including the government, seem to belittle rote-learning. I think this is a mistake.Originally posted by ndmmxiaomayi:10 years of rote-learning, 3 years of PBL.
Rote-learning side, basically nothing can go wrong if you do your part and memorize. But it also means that you are taught to be one zombie.
PBL, on the other hand, is the direct opposite. It asks you to question, it's a test of your basics, your understanding.
In my opinion, rote-learning is about building your foundation. If you have no foundation, don't talk about thinking critically. -
Huh .. A.Maths is useless skills?Originally posted by Poh Ah Pak:Singapore education system is not aimed at training intelligence or to develop people with critical thinking or analytical skills.
It is more aimed at motivating people to memorise useless facts or learn useless skills such as A.Maths etc.
You mean other countries don't teach Maths?
Edit: if Maths is really so useless, I wonder why Biz courses have so much Maths in them. -
This is rubbish. There is a reason why the science and maths in SAT is no fight for stinkaporeans you know?Originally posted by HyuugaNeji:sg education system is based more on spoon feeding and is thus easier.
While SAT is no fight, the same cannot be said for our PSLE, Os and As. The common perception is that they are harder compared to years ago.
Edit: It can be said that the old Cambridge-set Os and As are of no kick, that's why MOE buay tahan take over the setting of the difficult questions. -
If we don't concentrate on maths and science, then how to have breakthroughs in science and technology? By relying on FTs?Originally posted by lpx88:Way too much maths and science based IMO -
Because we are indeed the best in the world?Originally posted by Meilin86:Why Sg always claim its education rank among the best in the world? How about United States and Japan? There are many College and Uni in these countries hardly shout out they are the best in the world?
All the rankings did not come from us. The gahman always quote from some *foreign* source.
For example, THES constantly give NUS top 20 rankings. You think THES is another subsidiary under Temasek? -
I observed that the only useful subject around speaker's corner is "philosophy".Originally posted by Icemoon:Huh .. A.Maths is useless skills?
You mean other countries don't teach Maths?
Edit: if Maths is really so useless, I wonder why Biz courses have so much Maths in them. -
Doesn't matter if the concentration is ON or OFF maths and science , what international breakthroughs in science and technology had come out of Singapore since the creative sound blaster?Originally posted by Icemoon:If we don't concentrate on maths and science, then how to have breakthroughs in science and technology? By relying on FTs?
Isn't the excuse for using FTs based on maintaining competitiveness in Singapore by controlling wage rise ? First world country third world pay for the minons. Well think about it this way, what makes you think that Singapore can prevent talented Singaporeans from taking up even more competitive wages overseas?
Yes , no rote learning means no foundation. However we are talking about Singapore, people are not taught or encouraged how to think critically or else Singapore would have more than a singular party. People are fed the ideology that without the current government , Singapore would collapse. 66.6% are fed that ideology and trust me , I met some people who truly believe that. -
only memorising will works , real life application dont works
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what about money management and accounting?Originally posted by kramnave:I observed that the only useful subject around speaker's corner is "philosophy". -
wow.. like that ppl have to write essay.. from Pre school all the way up to Uni level..Originally posted by reddressman:Hello friends,
Based on your experience, being a product of the education system, could you comment how sg education system compares with foreign western ones?
which is more stressful?
which is more value-added?
which truely develops a person more than just knowing how to score points?
which develops a person to be more well-rounded?
which system produce more vocal students and more opinionated new generation?
which produce more innovative, creative people?
or you are concern with Uni?
at different level, I believe answers will be different.