wat do you think is lacking...
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"Butterfly effect"
The things we see now is the result of past actions. Our future will depends on wat we will do now. It really teaches me about cause and effect and make me think twice about any actions tat I will do. -
so wat implications has this on the subject matter?Originally posted by stupidissmart:"Butterfly effect"
The things we see now is the result of past actions. Our future will depends on wat we will do now. It really teaches me about cause and effect and make me think twice about any actions tat I will do.
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Juz watch the entire National Day Rally.Originally posted by [ Neo ]:I get where you are heading. Guess I might have not been exactly clear in my earlier post. Apologize for that.
Anyway back to the topic proper, I was actually thinking along the line that if the current screening process could have been improved upon, then we might not even have the current pool size of ‘less-academically-inclined’ students.
For all we know, it could be well be a matter of sufficient time for the effective communication of understanding currently allowed in the existing examination structure and duration which may be inaccurately classifying students into the above mentioned categories.
Regardless of that particular concern for the moment, I believe the main interest that you are looking forward for discussion would be whether we should have an alternate system that in theory, is supposed to be better and more effective in maximizing the full talent and potential of these ‘Less-Academically-Inclined’ (herein after referred to as ‘LAI’) students.
The notion if implemented, would probably come as something similar like the recent Sports or Art Schools? Except that this alternate system will cater mainly for LAI Students of course.
Ideally, the allowing of more time and slowing of teaching pace should be something which can be viewed as beneficial to the LAI students.
However, taking into considerations that this will actually be something which involves even more drastic and significant of an even more in-depth form of ‘Streaming’ for the students, my personal view is that it would probably be better if we remain as of the current path – which is to continue having all EM1, EM2 and EM3 students housed under a single school AND to gradually do away with the untimely streaming process at the primary school level.
If we are truly sincere in making proper improvements to the general Education System, then we should strive along this paradigm shift with the reminder to keep the level of unnecessary stress level low and to maximize real learning under a more generous and flexible pace, WITHOUT compromise to invisible but important concerns such as taking into account how an identified LAI student may view or be viewed upon by his /her immediate surrounding environment.
To do this, a possible arrangement could be to introduce and extend flexi-learning hours in schools after the official school hours.
To do this, participating schools should first have a single session which officially should end by 1300hr.
With one hour of break allowed for meal and relaxing, Flexi-learning time can commence after 1400hr with a DIFFERENT teacher who is not responsible for the normal classroom time teaching of the subjects to the particular class of students.
A ideal Flexi-learning class can be grouped according to subjects, and the students in it made up of the various classrooms from the same level.
Apart from promoting lateral interaction opportunities, the self confidence of students could be raised when stigmas about EM1 students being extremely smart and EM3 students being lousy in studies can also be corrected more easily thru the students’ efforts in communications as well. In a way, parents can also sigh a breath of relief when they know that their children will no longer need to be tagged with a very distinctive and perceptional disadvantage of being publicly declared a ‘LAI’ student, i.e. EM3.
Having a teacher who does not teaches the levelsÂ’ normal classes also helps to ensure that inherent skeptics or perspectives about a studentÂ’s can be more effectively minimized to a level where the occurrence of teacher biasness can be better controlled.
In implementation, the Flexi-Learning class should be made open to walk-in volunteers so as to convey clear that such classes are not remedial in nature, but rather, a more in-depth and relaxed alternate pace of learning opportunity. For identified LAI students however, they should be involved under as a compulsory practice.
The concept of Flexi-Learning does not only apply merely to academic related areas. Alternatively, variety of non-examinable but personal improving course could also be introduced to students under this mechanism.
For the Science avid, more complex and non-curriculum covered areas such as basic botany could be introduced earlier to interested takers who need not fear learning as a phenomena which will ALWAYS come to be associated with an examination at the end of the course.
While the above in mention only covers Operational concerns, we do need to take into account that there will still be an Administrative burden which existing teachers in schools are unlikely to carry on in additional to their already packed spectrum of duties.
Hence this is just a note to acknowledge that in order for the Flexi-Learning alternative to be introduced or even work, consideration and re-design of existing systems in place will also have to be tweaked along for the fine tuning of the entire concept.
At last, they are finally willing to place more emphasis on (i) actual REAL LEARNING, (ii) reducing on the current syllabus and (iii) pursuing a modular approach in addition to non-core subjects.
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Recently. just met a friend in NTU, he is my secondary friend in normal stream, and yep, both of us are from the normal stream (there was no normal technical then).
I work hard and jump to express stream while in sec 2, then to poly, Army then Uni.
He on the other end, work through from Sec1 to Sec 5, then to ITE, Army, Poly and now University.
So normal streams students have the potential just that we are abit slow, that doesn't mean we are stupid. I think it is just pure determination to strive
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wow! but the 2 of u must be the rare ones...Originally posted by octega:Recently. just met a friend in NTU, he is my secondary friend in normal stream, and yep, both of us are from the normal stream (there was no normal technical then).
I work hard and jump to express stream while in sec 2, then to poly, Army then Uni.
He on the other end, work through from Sec1 to Sec 5, then to ITE, Army, Poly and now University.
So normal streams students have the potential just that we are abit slow, that doesn't mean we are stupid. I think it is just pure determination to strive
could the system have offered more opportunities for ppl like u or the normal stream? -
You know, the real problem which goes down long term may not lie primarily with the System.Originally posted by wuming78:wow! but the 2 of u must be the rare ones...
could the system have offered more opportunities for ppl like u or the normal stream?
Rather, there is this heavier concern on who society will interprete on the capability and potential of the new generations who will be educated under the new Modular System.
While Otega and his friend had succeed and made good thru their determination and perseverance, the subjects that that is being reflected in their result transcripts looks no much difference from ours.
Under the Modular System just announce however, we may expect students from the new generation to have transcripts which will differ, probably rather distinctively apart from one another.
If society does make comparison - which we can be sure that it will, how thus will the new pressures interfere with the intended success of the original goal?
Will a new form of Rat Race surface, this time with the number of modules taken in school being a benchmark, or subjective valuation of 'more important' module being weighted against another 'less important' module? -
I do admit, that when I jump over to express stream, I couldn't handle the maths, too chim already, I had to spend double the time on itOriginally posted by wuming78:wow! but the 2 of u must be the rare ones...
could the system have offered more opportunities for ppl like u or the normal stream?
I am not sure about now, but the opportunity Window should be extended to Sec 3 and 4. Not just only in Sec 1 and 2 and there must be Classes for these types of students or Potential Students who can make the switch, be it remedial lessons to catch up after the swtich or some classes to boost them to switch.
I do admit, Normal stream is cater for slower learning students (like myself) but if the students themselves can double the effort to catch up to balance the tip, why not? -
But I thought I hear that this Window which you are refering to does exist for both Primary school from Pri 5 after EM streamings and secondary schools in Sec 3 and 4??Originally posted by octega:I do admit, that when I jump over to express stream, I couldn't handle the maths, too chim already, I had to spend double the time on it
I am not sure about now, but the opportunity Window should be extended to Sec 3 and 4. Not just only in Sec 1 and 2 and there must be Classes for these types of students or Potential Students who can make the switch, be it remedial lessons to catch up after the swtich or some classes to boost them to switch.
I do admit, Normal stream is cater for slower learning students (like myself) but if the students themselves can double the effort to catch up to balance the tip, why not?
I think they even have a graphical path of the EM stream switch on the MOE website. -
The current education system has its flaws but I think reforms will be better than demolition. Having a bad education is better than having no education.Originally posted by pikamaster:actually, i personally believe that our education system needs to be torn down and reconstructed from scratch. in it, we have far too many colonial constructs and "traditions" that need to be removed.
for one, the streaming system needs to be destroyed. In place of that, we could have more elective programmes. for these programmes, admission should be freely open. That way, everyoen gets to benefit.
guess that's all, in a nutshell.
pikamaster
If you have ever memtored students from EM3 streams you will know how far some of them are behind in their studies and how hard it is for them to cope. For some of these students the only way for them to go further is to concentrate on a fewer core subjects.
Its sad but its the reality. Streaming is there for a reason. The problem lies not just in the system but also in society's attitude towards slower learners and late bloomers. We have got to change the mindset of society as well, not just the system. -
Not sure though about now, (it has been 8 years since my sec school days) but in my time, for secondary normal stream students, we can only jump to express stream in Sec 1 or 2.Originally posted by [ Neo ]:But I thought I hear that this Window which you are refering to does exist for both Primary school from Pri 5 after EM streamings and secondary schools in Sec 3 and 4??
I think they even have a graphical path of the EM stream switch on the MOE website.
Not sure about the EM thing though -
Once u are in "N' level, very slim chance to go Express. Practically nil.
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yup the jump is very big but it's still possible...i spend more time and just drop from A grade to B or C but still able to understand and pass...the main reason why i did not do well in to go jc(i just qualified for jc) was coz of the limited subject i am giving the choice to choose, i got no back up subject if i dun performan for any of my 6 sub.....due to the sch ranking thing... most sch control what sub u can take....Originally posted by octega:I do admit, that when I jump over to express stream, I couldn't handle the maths, too chim already, I had to spend double the time on it
I am not sure about now, but the opportunity Window should be extended to Sec 3 and 4. Not just only in Sec 1 and 2 and there must be Classes for these types of students or Potential Students who can make the switch, be it remedial lessons to catch up after the swtich or some classes to boost them to switch.
I do admit, Normal stream is cater for slower learning students (like myself) but if the students themselves can double the effort to catch up to balance the tip, why not?
the opportunity window should be extended for sec 3 and 4 too....my personal experience was.....1) as a late starter..i may not have wake up in sec 1 or 2 to know the important of studying 2) sec 1 and 2 are usually taking alot of general sub..like arts, home econ, social studies, and most of the humanities sub like history, geo and lit, so for a student to score and average of 70-75% is very very hard and unfair too....like mi.. i hate arts and social studies.. usually got 50% only....that mean.. for my favorite sub like math and sciences i have to get 90% not that easy right? but once u in sec 3... u will be doing most of the sub that u enjoy more... so the chances of u scoring for ur average % is alot higher...i improved about 15% on average % from sec 2 to 3 due to that...and i was working part time then... so it's not that i study alot harder actually..
I agreed that we need a normal stream, slow starters are not stupid.. i got a classmate who never win mi in studies... but he is now very success in his career and earning alot more than mi now...while my frens from express are struggling now...and i really dun understand the need of having a Normal(tech) stream....why force them go through 4yrs of sec sch when they are not giving a chance to do their Os....just send them to ITE and learn a specialised skill or Normal(a) stream so they can still make it if they are late starters...
my 2 cents worth...
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Learning is a life long journey. If you have done badly in the past doesnt mean you would not do well in future. . I've classmates in poly who are from ITE. Being older and more mature they are more hardworking and put in more efforts in their studies and their results are better than other students. End of the day its up to the individuals.Originally posted by gerrykoh:Once u are in "N' level, very slim chance to go Express. Practically nil. -
FUN is the missing element in our education systemOriginally posted by wuming78:in the education system for students who are not in the express / special stream?
from primary school all the way to ITE (if they get into poly eventually, they would haf in a sense "joined" those who were in express).
wat do you think could be done to improve the education for this group of youngsters? wat do they want from education?
and any other related comments are welcomed too.
with exams set as the goals .... all the FUN in learning
is "murdered" right at the start
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the system's changing but not the mindset of the society. that makes it hard for the people who go through the new system as in the end, the society won't regard them.
