Less Teaching, More Learning?
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Donkey Kong:
... One day, there will be Higher Maths, Higher Science if we continue to be kiasu.... teachers only do simple problems.
Dear Donkey Kong, your over-generalisation of our teachers' efforts in teaching our children is giving the wrong impression of what is really happening in schools. I have personally come across totally dedicated teachers that really care and do many extra miles just to help their students manage their schoolwork. If anything, teachers are sandwiched between the official government policies set by MOE, highly expectant parents, and the need to help their schools achieve greater milestones. There is little left time over for themselves. Let us not add to their stress by demoralising them even as they try to help our kids. -
caroline3sg:
Wow!!!this sounds familiar.I also find that those supp and remedial classes are a waste of time.They just go through motion,at the end is the tutor is the one drilling them.My ds's teacher even best,they marked their own worksheets and even activity books!!!!I checked through them,some were marked wronly :x so they learn wrong thing too :stupid:last time our teachers were middle age type, all had passion.
now the teachers very young one, no children of their own, so not kan cheong if students don't do well. Don't tell me KPI. There are bound to have students who are good and some who are weak in the same class.
Even though they go to their respective band class, the teacher wouldn't be labelled as no good by Principal or MOE as the students are already labelled as weak. -
caroline3sg:
Agree that most teachers would think those who need remedial are those with weak foundation, so they tend to drill more on that. Most do not handle complex questions in remedial, unless they see majority of the students' weaknesses require them to conduct such remedial. Yes, you're right, no need to send your daughter to the remedial class and waste time.
my conclusion: teacher already have mind set that weak students can't handle complex question, so hands off. -
caroline3sg:
I don't quite agree with the outside tuition teacher's way of teaching Science. The child will lose interest in Science. I feel that learning the thinking process is more important than memorising standard answers. My girl's school teacher teaches them thinking skills in answering Science questions and I find it to be really useful. The teacher encourages the students to do mind maps and concept maps, but says these are not the only ways. She doesn't just dish out mind maps.
Only P6 Science teacher is good. She gave whole stack of mind maps for all topics (she did herself) for each of the students. However, it was outside tuition teacher that stresses the need to memorise standard answers which my girl hated / have difficulty. -
It’s actually very easy to say teach less, learn more, but to truly implement it takes up a lot of time in the classroom. The whole education system would have to be revamped: the syllabus, class size, teacher training, school set-up and resources etc etc. We may even have to do away with the PSLE and implement a whole new and different set of system for assessment.
Under the current immense pressure of students having to take the PSLE and the syllabus requirements, teach less, learn more is easier said than done. Many interpreted it the wrong way and I would say it’s not quite suitable for our current system.
I do see some positive changes recently in the teaching at the lower primary level. But reality sets in in the upper primary level and most teachers are compelled to just throw idealism out of the window. -
sunflower:
The outside science tuition teacher was formerly teaching catholic high. She is very confident that students under her can jump from C to A*. Actually not apple to apple comparison coz prelims is raw marks and PSLE is moderated score.
I don't quite agree with the outside tuition teacher's way of teaching Science. The child will lose interest in Science. I feel that learning the thinking process is more important than memorising standard answers. My girl's school teacher teaches them thinking skills in answering Science questions and I find it to be really useful. The teacher encourages the students to do mind maps and concept maps, but says these are not the only ways. She doesn't just dish out mind maps.caroline3sg:
Only P6 Science teacher is good. She gave whole stack of mind maps for all topics (she did herself) for each of the students. However, it was outside tuition teacher that stresses the need to memorise standard answers which my girl hated / have difficulty. -
sunflower:
Every year got irreponsible teachers. And Maths, the most difficult subject.
Very sad. I guess that's the difference between elite and neighbourhood schools. I think my girl's neighbourhood school's teachers are overworked.caroline3sg:
How to ask teacher? Basically no time. Teacher never teach, just give worksheets to students and the next day, teacher write answer on board and ask students to copy. Mind you, it is elite sch hor.
I think elite school's teachers should pull out those students with no tuition for extra classes. Perhaps your girl got an irresponsible teacher, unfortunately.
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[quote]I guess that's the difference between elite and neighbourhood schools. I think my girl's neighbourhood school's teachers are overworked.
[/quote]I find neighbourhood teachers spend too much time on files & worksheets management (ie my son's case). For my girl's case, all files were at home. Parents file the worksheets when completed & marked. -
kitty2:
Marking friend's worksheets / activity book is a skill (ie editing?), I heard, so that one would be mindful of what common mistakes people tend to make and learn from other people's mistakes.
Wow!!!this sounds familiar.I also find that those supp and remedial classes are a waste of time.They just go through motion,at the end is the tutor is the one drilling them.My ds's teacher even best,they marked their own worksheets and even activity books!!!!I checked through them,some were marked wronly :x so they learn wrong thing too :stupid:caroline3sg:
last time our teachers were middle age type, all had passion.
now the teachers very young one, no children of their own, so not kan cheong if students don't do well. Don't tell me KPI. There are bound to have students who are good and some who are weak in the same class.
Even though they go to their respective band class, the teacher wouldn't be labelled as no good by Principal or MOE as the students are already labelled as weak. -
caroline3sg:
I would very much prefer my girl's files to be kept at home so that we're more in the loop of what she has been doing in class and conduct necessary follow-up on school work.
I find neighbourhood teachers spend too much time on files & worksheets management (ie my son's case). For my girl's case, all files were at home. Parents file the worksheets when completed & marked.
Unfortunately, the teachers believe worksheets will be lost and not filed properly if kept at home.
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