Networking Group - JCs General

[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.

[iRabbit]

sushi88\" post_id=\"2099436\" time=\"1677656312\" user_id=\"100857:

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.

I'll tell my kid to use the free time to learn how to swallow sword and breathe fire, to impress the panel of judges in whatever he may pursue.

[zac's mum]

iRabbit\" post_id=\"2099440\" time=\"1677657268\" user_id=\"51587:

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.

For the top students, do take note of the changes to KI.

[iRabbit]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2099442\" time=\"1677657606\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2099442 time=1677657606 user_id=53606]
For the top students, do take note of the changes to KI.[/quote]

What changes? KI is really a double-edged sword.

[doodbug]

iRabbit\" post_id=\"2099443\" time=\"1677657741\" user_id=\"51587:

What changes? KI is really a double-edged sword.

It can no longer be taken in lieu of GP.

[sushi88]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2099433\" time=\"1677656225\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2099433 time=1677656225 user_id=53606]
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.[/quote]

Precisely, JC1 is a transition year and JC life is a short 2 years, it would be good to foster good working relationship with a group of friends in the course of doing PW. Think positively about it and build better friendships in a team. What I noticed was that even when 2 personalities could not get along at first, they would try to get along well and complete the project with a common goal in mind. It is an essential skill to develop. This is definitely superior to the \"cancel\" culture some cliques have. Actually PW is good for JAEs, they assimilate faster into existing cliques. MOE always thinks ahead.