To what extent do you agree with the issues that the student has raised here? Point out some issues of agreement and possible contention.
I agree to an extent with the issues that the student, Janelle, has raised her. She makes two main points about our current Singaporean education system- the disturbingly large role that rote memorization plays and the redundancy of moral education.
On the issue of the large amount of memorization, I find it completely senseless. Firstly, a content-based examination creates a culture of memorization. But students memorizing large amounts of specific information serves no purpose because we can always refer to the internet or other information sources.
I feel that the main reason why many students are unhappy is because the education system has not evolved to suit the needs of the 21st century. In the past, rote memorization was undoubtedly a savior to the many poorer but hard working students who wanted the quickest way to escape poverty and have a better life by getting a good education. However, this system has outlived it's purpose because Singaporean students now of days are (usually) hailing from more financially stable families, better equipped to tackle higher-order or "thinking" questions and generally exposed to a wider range of education possibilities. Thus, students definitely find "regurgitating" answers in an exam tiresome and wasteful.
Civics and moral education, in my opinion, should not even be taught in schools. It is the duty of the parents to properly educate their children on proper manners. To have a correct moral view and respect for others should have been inculcated before the child even goes to school. Although many parents are often very busy at work, I still feel that they have the obligation to raise their child correctly so that he may treat others will respect and not disdain.
Examine her tone and attitude in this letter. Do you think it’s a well-crafted letter with the appropriate tone?
I do think that she was using a very serious and formal tone in the beginning of her letter. However towards the end she lost her "neutral" tone and her letter became moved towards being more personal and emotionally fueled. Overall, the letter is very well crafted.
If you should write a letter to Minister of Education, what are some issues you would raise? Remember- your intention is to make the system better for society’s betterment via CONSTRUCTIVE ideas.
I would raise the point that we could possibly have "open-book" tests and examinations. This way, we reduce the amount of time spent cramming the texts into our brains and instead increase the time we spend honing skills such as the presentation of our work. Furthermore, this would force exams to move towards testing actual understanding of the topic and not how much we remember.
7 comments:
Hey Sean, For the point about the open-book test... erm, does it really help for all students? For students who sit all day at home playing computer but due to the open book test, they get an A1. Compared to the students spending time revising... is it fair this way?
Just to answer Yu Xiang's point, an open book test would encompass another set of questions which are different from the usual ones we now take. I believe it will not just ask simple questions which answers can be found in the book, or else, like you said, it would be horribly pointless.
Yes Sean! I was just wondering how should we handle this situation and you mentioned open book test! Good suggestion. Currently I am still pondering the effectiveness of it and how much it would affect our education. Thanks!
Jack Tan 2O307
Perhaps the teachers might like to set open book tests that are more skill-based such as R&R or inference questions because the ultimate purpose of education is to allow students to develop skills like comprehension skills, analytical skills, critical thinking skills that can be applied in the future (the knowledge will most probably be of no use after a few years).
Anyway, I like your answer to the second question.
Perhaps we could consider having more application questions. This ensures that the student really learns, unlike the questions that the current system throws at us - those of which require only memory work. For the suggestion on having an open book test, would it not still lead to pupils who are more capable of memorising efficiently having the unfair upper-hand?
Hi sean! Good analysis you have there! However, I feel that the Civics and Moral education should be given by the teachers as well. As you said, the parents of a child are very busy at work, in the current fast-paced society. Therefore, if your stand is that they should raise their child correctly on their own by imparting all the moral values to them, I feel that the job may not be really well done. In the case of teachers, they are able to do so as the Civics and Moral Education period is a time specially allocated to the teachers to teach the student and thus, giving the teachers opportunity to impart these values to the kid. Also, I like your post that we have an open-book test for students so that the real objective of tests- to test for understanding, would be met, and the school life of students would not be so heavy as well, as they focus on what is being taught in class and not just busy taking down notes. Thanks!
I agree how the education system is flawed. It is always about memorising,memorising and MORE MEMORISING. It is enough to make any one break down. What is the point of all these memorising. How can we apply what we memorised to everyday life and into the future. 1 example is from the movie "The Three Idiots". Look at 'Silencer'. He memorise all day long. But he do not really know the meaning. In the end, what happened. Memorising can lead you a small way. But my point here is that just knowing the theory is not enough. We must learn to apply it.
Ng Qiyuan 2o319
Hi Sean. Nice work. Basically everything is well done, only on thing I do not agree with you. You mentioned that civics and moral education should not even be taught in school. We cannot ensure that all parents have the proper values in them and what they teach their children may be wrong too. Thus, I feel that itis important for school to cultivate students' civics and moral values. Anyway, thank you for the hard work.
- Goh Arnold
Post a Comment