Integrated Programme (IP)

[wonderm]

cascada:

I've heard some parents with children in IP schools said that teachers in IP schools do not teach much. One even said it is because teachers see the students in IP schools as 'higher calibre', so they are expected to get what was taught in a short time. Most of the learning were left to the students themselves.

Is this true? Do the students feel helpless?

Most students in IP schools are able to cope well with different teaching style, which requires more independent learning. From what I see, the teachers do teach, even though they may seem to be \"facilitating\" discussions rather than \"teaching\".

[longreach]

During the teacher-parents meeting. One teacher mentioned that their teaching method instill a lot on critical thinking and investigating work. Could be quite different from other sec school where some may focus on teaching students how to pass exams.

[cascada]

Thanks, wonderm & longreach.


I’m worry cos I keep hearing comments such as "Teachers in IP schools don’t teach".

wonderm, you mentioned that some of these teachers are more like facilitators. I’d think that facilitation is a good learning method when applied on people with some personal experiences. It may be a useful way to deliver certain subjects but I believe some subjects still need to be taught and not facilitated.

I have friends with kids in IP schools who are not doing well although their pri academic results were consistently above average. Whereas those with kids in usual sec schools seemed to be doing well in their recent tests. I wonder is it the subject delivery method or the syllabus that resulted in this difference.

DS1 is in P6 this year and hopes to get into IP school, but I’ve my own reservation from all the hearsay.

My concern is when a P6 transits to S1 and is in IP, he will definitely need time to adjust to a rather different method of teaching. And if the teachers in IP schools are leaving it to him to sink or swim, then the level of stress will be very intense.

[wonderm]

cascada:

Thanks, wonderm & longreach.


wonderm, you mentioned that some of these teachers are more like facilitators. I'd think that facilitation is a good learning method when applied on people with some personal experiences. It may be a useful way to deliver certain subjects but I believe some subjects still need to be taught and not facilitated.

Just to clarify, I don't mean the teachers only facilitate. There are times where they facilitate discussions among students, there are times they teach of course. On the other hand, I understand your concern. While most students who make it to IP school should be able to adapt and cope with the teaching style, there may be some who find it difficult and prefer the traditional teaching.

[cascada]

Thanks for your clarification, wonderm.

[ningy]

Saw in another thread that students fr some IP sch don’t really need to buy all the text books 'cos the teachers don’t teach according to textbooks but have their own lecture notes. may be for some subjects only. well if the teachers don’t teach then we as parents need to catch up and guide them – more stress for us . now the P6 maths is already very difficult… always direct DD1 to my DH 'cos if i can’t solve the math problem, very malu leh !

[phankao]

ningy:

Saw in another thread that students fr some IP sch don't really need to buy all the text books 'cos the teachers don't teach according to textbooks but have their own lecture notes. may be for some subjects only. well if the teachers don't teach then we as parents need to catch up and guide them -- more stress for us . now the P6 maths is already very difficult... always direct DD1 to my DH 'cos if i can't solve the math problem, very malu leh !

If really have to do this, won't that child not be suitable for IP?

[mathsparks]

agree with phankao. I dont coach my boy (except occasionally for chinese), and neither am i going to re-learn all the subjects just to coach him. Though I can tutor him Maths, he doesn’t need my help at all.


So, ningy, if the child makes it to an ip school, don’t worry if the teacher is teaching anot, or the parents need to teach, the child can definitely cope.

But for some parents who follow their kids too closely in primary school, I think you would be expected to do so till yr child can be on auto-pilot.

Having said so much, I, like any other parent, also worry if my son is coping well.

[wonderm]

mathsparks:

agree with phankao. I dont coach my boy (except occasionally for chinese), and neither am i going to re-learn all the subjects just to coach him. Though I can tutor him Maths, he doesn't need my help at all.


So, ningy, if the child makes it to an ip school, don't worry if the teacher is teaching anot, or the parents need to teach, the child can definitely cope.

But for some parents who follow their kids too closely in primary school, I think you would be expected to do so till yr child can be on auto-pilot.

Having said so much, I, like any other parent, also worry if my son is coping well.

Agree with mathsparks. My son only appraoches me for clarification or consultation for very difficult questions/concepts. The teachers are very responsible too, provide them with sufficient learning materials and guidance.

[phankao]

phankao:

ningy:

Saw in another thread that students fr some IP sch don't really need to buy all the text books 'cos the teachers don't teach according to textbooks but have their own lecture notes. may be for some subjects only. well if the teachers don't teach then we as parents need to catch up and guide them -- more stress for us . now the P6 maths is already very difficult... always direct DD1 to my DH 'cos if i can't solve the math problem, very malu leh !

If really have to do this, won't that child not be suitable for IP?

By the way, when I told my boy about this, he said the same thing as what I did above.

Then i recalled how a mom of one of my boy's schoolmate was complaining about how she had difficulty helping her daughter do research on one of their projects, then told my boy about it, and then about what the parents shared here about helping ... then he said \"wah, parents all help their kids with their projects and research, ah? No wonder some of them do very well in their projects lah!!! I do ALL by myself, leh!\".