Networking Group - JCs General

[iRabbit]

Dino\" post_id=\"2099417\" time=\"1677654471\" user_id=\"6726:

Based on the responses so far, it seems like the majority of you welcome the changes? Sorry for this noob qn cos my kid is not jc yet so trying to understand as much as I can. Tks

Generally speaking, any change to reduce academic stress is a good thing, except for those kids who are thriving the existing scheme I guess.

Something I still don't understand. So the 4th content-based subject has to be a H1 instead of H2? Then more free time to smell the roses?

[zac's mum]

iRabbit\" post_id=\"2099423\" time=\"1677655380\" user_id=\"51587:

What do you mean by 'non-academically top kids'?

Kids like mine who are on O level track and will enter JC via JAE (presumably mid to lower tier JC). They all want a chance to enter local U as well. Such kids may not get RP90, but RP70 plus X factor may be within reach?

[sushi88]

The current changes are to ease the rat race. Everyone who wants to be in the race shall get to race to the local universities at least. In the past only 2 universities to race for locally, now we will have the 7th one by 2024. So more kids would be able to qualify for the universities in time to come. They also drop the line between Express and Normal in the Secondary graduation certificate, merging back into one common qualification.

[laughingcat]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2099414\" time=\"1677654265\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2099414 time=1677654265 user_id=53606]
Because the current JC1 kids have already chosen their subject combis and also possibly started on their PW?[/quote]

The selection of the project has yet to be started. Soon.

Even if started, so what? The grading can change immediately without impacting the entry at all.

[zac's mum]

sushi88\" post_id=\"2099425\" time=\"1677655619\" user_id=\"100857:

Am I the only one who see the value of PW and MT? Let's put MT aside first and talk about PW first, MT another day.

If our minds are just set on grades alone and nothing else, then the conclusion is a waste of time.

In a child's school life, there are many important aspects for them such as social interaction(not everyone is an extrovert to find activities for themselves) in an academic project setting, team cooperation and it best simulates or mimicks the working teaming in the working world. Why is it still graded as pass or fail? If it is totally ungraded, nobody would want to participate. And after Covid plus the internet age, everyone is so comfy and cozy behind the keyboard and screen everyday. Debate, quarrel and dealing with riders are all part and parcel of growing up. Interacting with teachers on a project basis is also different when in a classroom setting. Also, the topics discussed in PW are useful, even understanding other groups' projects can be interesting.

It's really not about the grades which is why it can be dropped to pass or fail, please appreciate MOE's objectives behind PW.

I have nothing against PW per se. I agree with u it is a good subject to have.

But not in JC1 which is a transition year. Given that A level prep runway is only 2 years, PW wastes a lot of time which could be better spent on studying the heavy content subjects (or at least laying good foundation).

Do projects in Sec 1-4, I have no protest with that.

[sharonkhoo]

sushi88\" post_id=\"2099425\" time=\"1677655619\" user_id=\"100857:

Am I the only one who see the value of PW and MT? Let's put MT aside first and talk about PW first...

I thought like you until my kids did PW! In theory, it's all good, but in practice, with teachers and students just gunning for a sure 'A' or 'B' (depending on the student), it was a totally formulaic exercise. Creativity and thinking was unimportant and anything risky was immediately rejected; what mattered was ticking all the right boxes to get that grade. PW teachers knew what would be considered favourably, so that's what they told the kids to aim for. So I'm glad PW is now Pass/Fail - and I hope they can also make it less formulaic. Otherwise it's a waste of time.

[doodbug]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2099430\" time=\"1677655961\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2099430 time=1677655961 user_id=53606]
Kids like mine who are on O level track and will enter JC via JAE (presumably mid to lower tier JC). They all want a chance to enter local U as well. Such kids may not get RP90, but RP70 plus X factor may be within reach?[/quote]

oh dear it's a misconception that you need RP90 or close to it to enter university.

There are many courses in the local universities today, the RP requirements are in the 70s range.

[sushi88]

iRabbit\" post_id=\"2099429\" time=\"1677655923\" user_id=\"51587:

Generally speaking, any change to reduce academic stress is a good thing, except for those kids who are thriving the existing scheme I guess.

Something I still don't understand. So the 4th content-based subject has to be a H1 instead of H2? Then more free time to smell the roses?

Yes, meaning one can expand one's knowledge with a 4th H1 subject and at the same time know that it is not critical to the grades that he/she can go and enjoy the non-academic pursuits as well.

[sushi88]

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2099434\" time=\"1677656265\" user_id=\"28674:

I thought like you until my kids did PW! In theory, it's all good, but in practice, with teachers and students just gunning for a sure 'A' or 'B' (depending on the student), it was a totally formulaic exercise. Creativity and thinking was unimportant and anything risky was immediately rejected; what mattered was ticking all the right boxes to get that grade. PW teachers knew what would be considered favourably, so that's what they told the kids to aim for. So I'm glad PW is now Pass/Fail - and I hope they can also make it less formulaic. Otherwise it's a waste of time.

Isn't this similar to what we see in the working world? In the working world, we find risk taking is also frowned upon in some situations and then gotta learn how to weigh what is at stake. I feel that nothing is lost. It's great that the kids have contributed in creativity and thinking during the brainstorming and they also learned to appreciate that the teachers have another objective in mind to help them obtain grades. In other words, they have gone through the creative thinking process, except not the full scope was not submitted for grading, that was what I saw. What we need to understand about PW is that it drives many other objectives, so high creativity is not one of them unlike in competitions.

[iRabbit]

newbieks\" post_id=\"2099339\" time=\"1677645811\" user_id=\"178749:

If only take 3H2, still need constrasting subject?

But agree that most will still think taking 4H2 is safer, but really need to weigh against the time needed.

To differentiate, more will want to take H3??

In essence, in one move, ministry is reducing stress for majority of the JC students. However, for aspiring top students, they can take the H3 route if they feel that the new load is too light for them. Win-win for all parties.