Teach Less, Learn More

[Chenonceau]

Funx3:

Chenonceau,

U No Need to Send Petition, Just Send your Write-Up to MOE, Endorsed by the KSP Parents Here Will DO.
Am Sure People in Power Cannot Ignore or Dismiss Constructive FeedBack Like Yours ....
:celebrate: :celebrate:

MayBe Will Ask U Join them and Stand for Election, Some More ....

I so busy trying to keep my son out of ITE... cannot look after me and mine... how to look after voters. What if get flamed too. Yucks! Pwee!

How about I take some time and collate all the thoughts I put up in this thread... and start a new thread... then KSP parents just go in under their nicks and indicate support? Also, I need to rewrite some parts so it's more respectful and more constructive. Some parts I wrote a bit EMO lah...

But before that, lemme go ask ChiefKiasu for permission. Dun wanna be a troublemaker.

[smurf]

No need to paiseh lah, chenonceau. You really write very well.

[Funx3]

Chenonceau:

Funx3:

Chenonceau,

U No Need to Send Petition, Just Send your Write-Up to MOE, Endorsed by the KSP Parents Here Will DO.
Am Sure People in Power Cannot Ignore or Dismiss Constructive FeedBack Like Yours ....
:celebrate: :celebrate:

MayBe Will Ask U Join them and Stand for Election, Some More ....

I so busy trying to keep my son out of ITE... cannot look after me and mine... how to look after voters. What if get flamed too. Yucks! Pwee!

How about I take some time and collate all the thoughts I put up in this thread... and start a new thread... then KSP parents just go in under their nicks and indicate support? Also, I need to rewrite some parts so it's more respectful and more constructive. Some parts I wrote a bit EMO lah...

But before that, lemme go ask ChiefKiasu for permission. Dun wanna be a troublemaker.

Yeah Go Do So. I'll Definitely Be Amongst the 1st Parents to Endorse it.
About the Emo Part, Think A Lot KSP R Much More EeeeeeeeeeeeMo than U!
Ha Ha ....

[Vevey]

insider:

There are so many ‘planners’ in MOE, most if not all should be qualified and of course we will question why they can be so ‘senseless’ to test so much.


I put myself in the planners’ shoes for a switch of roles.

There are textbooks – these are the supposedly standard that kids should attain by the end of a level (be it P1 or P2 etc). MOE does not have the intention that parents will send their kids for tuition or enrichment and teachers should be able to cover the content comfortably, adequately, and meaningfully.

Children who can master all concepts listed in the textbooks are considered reach ‘age appropriate’ stage meant for the general average kids, meaning based on this amount of content, the bell curve should be there that some will pass with flying colours and some will fail and the average makes up the bulk.

But parents send for tuition and enrichment, etc.

So the bell curve skewed very much to the right with a large proportion of the cohort attaining the 90s and the 100.

In order to ‘rectify’ the bell curve back to its ‘original shape’ (coz kids are so ‘smart’), deeper concepts within the content will have to be added. Such added concepts are never the intention of MOE coz the time allowed for teaching are only meant to cover what are mentioned in the textbooks.

Teachers ended with hot potatoes in their hands coz many children have already pre-mastered the concepts meant to be covered and lessons become boring and majority get 90s or 100. BUT the concepts still need to be taught for those who have no external support. They are torn. I believe most feel as helpless as parents and over time, they become disillusioned about what their role is in the life of young children (and therefore I believe form one of the main reasons for high turnover rate in the teaching profession).

In conclusion, exam papers will definitely cover more than what are shown in the textbooks or covered by teachers. Teachers’ job is to cover the textbooks and additional deeper concepts that are not meant to be covered may be covered during ‘remedial’ classes or parents have to coach or send for tuition/enrichment.

We already have entered a vicious cycle and the original culprits were the more affluent parents. I don’t see how can MOE rectify the situation coz they cannot do magic to multiply so that there are 48 hours in a day nor they can ‘control’ parents’ hearts…

PS:
I feel as long as a child knows the concepts mentioned in the textbooks, the child cognitively is sound. As to how much additional concepts parents want their children to grasp to cope with TOP schools' exam standard = how much pressure and stress that the family has to go through.
When a child cannot grasp deeper concepts outside of the textbooks, it is not the fault of the child coz those concepts are not age-appropriate to begin with. That's why my position of always seeking for balance to see cognitively where my children really are vs the system and will not scold my kids if they can't fit into a system when the system is a flawed one.

:goodpost:
While I think it is good to 举一反三 (loosely translated: think of 3 examples/applications based on concept learnt) when learning/teaching a new concept/theory to ensure a proper understanding, it would b v stressful & counter-productive to kids & parents if non age-appropriate materials are crammed just so as to do better in an exam. A balanced approach needs to b striked & always remember the law of marginal returns.

Too much emphasis has been placed on academic results at the expense of other aspects of the kids' development. But at the end of the day (or at the end of the kids' lives), r good results really matter that much?

That is for us parents to answer & act accordingly instead of just following the herd.

A different matter if the kids themselves r interested to find out more. E.g. a relative used to be so fascinated w our old uni textbks on econs, finance, chemical engineering etc that we gave them to him even tho he was only in lower sec then. DH was skeptical then but now the teenager is embarking on A*STAR overseas scholarship & wants to b a researcher. However, how many kids can do that w/o pulling out their hair & teeth?

Perhaps my \"contrarian\" (is there a silent majority not speaking up here? ) view is rooted since the day we couldn't bare to abort DS1 even tho tests shown that he might b a Down Syndrome baby. Fortunately, he is not 1 & seems to b healthy & quite smart so far, but the experience taught us to b contented w our kids as they are, in terms of academic results.

We want them to have a balanced, happy & healthy childhood, for as long as possible. That, has to be fiercely guarded.

[Brenda10]

Hifive:

Brenda10:

Hi mummies, how often your kid does use this program at home? DD said they use it in school to practice the CL Oral Test and there is 10 exercise.

Hi Brenda10

My DS also uses it for his CL Oral Test and CL exercises (done both in school and at home). During this time when the SA1 is near, I saw him doing it more often especially as homework for weekend.

Hi Hifive

Yes, same here and we will try to cover the exercise that is not done in the school for preparation of next week Oral.

Thank you and good luck. :celebrate:

[Funx3]

Vevey:

We want them to have a balanced, happy & healthy childhood, for as long as possible. That, has to be fiercely guarded.

I Endorse this Sentiment Whole Hearted-ly!
ALL my Kids R always the Subject of ENVY of their ClassMates - Coz Mummy Never Forced them to GO for Tuition, Cramming, ....

Just Being Able to Perform within their Age Group Limit, and put in their Best Effort, is GOOD Enough for this Mummy. They R Always Free to Explore and Pursue Their Personal Interest. And Have Time to DO So.
Guess Not Many Kids Got this Opportunities. Unless their Parents Manage the Expectations and Accept the Reality of Not Every Kid R Make out to Be A* Students. Going to A Neighbourhood School is Not So Bad too ....

Have Seen Worse in Neighbouring Countries', even if the Kids R in the TOP Schools ....

[Chenonceau]

insider:

That's why my position of always seeking for balance to see cognitively where my children really are vs the system and will not scold my kids if they can't fit into a system when the system is a flawed one.

Why not use respectful civic dialogue to try and enhance the system so that it is no longer flawed? Rather than make lone contrarian decisions that our kids will have to live with?

After all... if I tell my son that it's ok to fail (and don't help him to do anything about it)... and he ends up in ITE because he is too demoralized to climb out of his rut... then HE will have to spend the rest of his life with an ITE cert competing with cheaper Foreign Talent.

This issue is not just about herd mentality. It is force majeure. It is a natural force of psychological nature and the whole populace gets carried along with it. Only another force with enough leverage can turn this tide of what I shall call \"academic inflation\". Individual parents can make contrarian choices but... all you will sacrifice are your own children in this psychological tsunami of more, more and more learning. Lone contrarian decisions will drown in the tide of tuition and parent coaching.

Contrarian, I denied my daughter tutoring up to this year - 'A' level year. She coped. With tuition, she could have been even better. Who knows? But hey... need to enjoy life too eh? Contrarian, I rejected the chance to train my son for Math Olympiad. I even refused to send my son for GEP screening. I was contrarian till last week (signed my son up for Chinese tuition). I was contrarian till 5 weeks ago when my son failed his practice exam at 25/60. I can't be contrarian to the point where my son gets hurt. I dun need them to be way up top. But I must help them if they fail.

If we think it is a bad system, we can't just make our own contrarian choice, we need to assess if the problem is widespread and suggest constructive steps that all will benefit from.

Vevey:

Perhaps my \"contrarian\" (is there a silent majority not speaking up here? ) view is rooted since the day we couldn't bare to abort DS1 even tho tests shown that he might b a Down Syndrome baby.

The thing is... I dunno if I am one of the few facing this problem or if it is a widespread problem. Ummm... if there is truly a silent majority, then it is not worth my effort to collate thoughts and put up a case. It'll take time... and really, my son can manage. We've figured out our way without compromising joy and love and family solidarity.

So people... let me know if you want it done, yeah?

[cantbearit2]

Chenonceau:

insider:

That's why my position of always seeking for balance to see cognitively where my children really are vs the system and will not scold my kids if they can't fit into a system when the system is a flawed one.

Why not use respectful civic dialogue to try and enhance the system so that it is no longer flawed? Rather than make lone contrarian decisions that our kids will have to live with?

After all... if I tell my son that it's ok to fail (and don't help him to do anything about it)... and he ends up in ITE because he is too demoralized to climb out of his rut... then HE will have to spend the rest of his life with an ITE cert competing with cheaper Foreign Talent.

This issue is not just about herd mentality. It is force majeure. It is a natural force of psychological nature and the whole populace gets carried along with it. Only another force with enough leverage can turn this tide of what I shall call \"academic inflation\". Individual parents can make contrarian choices but... all you will sacrifice are your own children in this psychological tsunami of more, more and more learning. Lone contrarian decisions will drown in the tide of tuition and parent coaching.

Contrarian, I denied my daughter tutoring up to last year. She coped. With tuition, she could have been even better. Who knows? But hey... need to enjoy life too eh? Contrarian, I rejected the chance to train my son for Math Olympiad. I was contrarian till last week (signed my son up for Chinese tuition). I was contrarian till 5 weeks ago when my son failed his practice exam at 25/60. I can't be contrarian to the point where my son gets hurt. I dun need them to be way up top. But I must help them if they fail.

If we think it is a bad system, we can't just make our own contrarian choice, we need to assess if the problem is widespread and suggest constructive steps that all will benefit from.

Vevey:

Perhaps my \"contrarian\" (is there a silent majority not speaking up here? ) view is rooted since the day we couldn't bare to abort DS1 even tho tests shown that he might b a Down Syndrome baby.

Ummm... if there is truly a silent majority, then it is not worth my effort to collate thoughts and put up a case. It'll take time... and really, my son can manage. So people... let me know if you want it done.

Hi Chenonceau,
Fr wat i have read so far, if my English din fail me, e vocal majority will still prefer u 2 put up a case for us. Pleeease.... start up the thread 2 get things gg (of course wif chief's permission).

[Funx3]

cantbearit2:

Chenonceau:

[quote=\"insider\"]That's why my position of always seeking for balance to see cognitively where my children really are vs the system and will not scold my kids if they can't fit into a system when the system is a flawed one.

Why not use respectful civic dialogue to try and enhance the system so that it is no longer flawed? Rather than make lone contrarian decisions that our kids will have to live with?

After all... if I tell my son that it's ok to fail (and don't help him to do anything about it)... and he ends up in ITE because he is too demoralized to climb out of his rut... then HE will have to spend the rest of his life with an ITE cert competing with cheaper Foreign Talent.

This issue is not just about herd mentality. It is force majeure. It is a natural force of psychological nature and the whole populace gets carried along with it. Only another force with enough leverage can turn this tide of what I shall call \"academic inflation\". Individual parents can make contrarian choices but... all you will sacrifice are your own children in this psychological tsunami of more, more and more learning. Lone contrarian decisions will drown in the tide of tuition and parent coaching.

Contrarian, I denied my daughter tutoring up to last year. She coped. With tuition, she could have been even better. Who knows? But hey... need to enjoy life too eh? Contrarian, I rejected the chance to train my son for Math Olympiad. I was contrarian till last week (signed my son up for Chinese tuition). I was contrarian till 5 weeks ago when my son failed his practice exam at 25/60. I can't be contrarian to the point where my son gets hurt. I dun need them to be way up top. But I must help them if they fail.

If we think it is a bad system, we can't just make our own contrarian choice, we need to assess if the problem is widespread and suggest constructive steps that all will benefit from.

Vevey:

Perhaps my \"contrarian\" (is there a silent majority not speaking up here? ) view is rooted since the day we couldn't bare to abort DS1 even tho tests shown that he might b a Down Syndrome baby.

Ummm... if there is truly a silent majority, then it is not worth my effort to collate thoughts and put up a case. It'll take time... and really, my son can manage. So people... let me know if you want it done.

Hi Chenonceau,
Fr wat i have read so far, if my English din fail me, e vocal majority will still prefer u 2 put up a case for us. Pleeease.... start up the thread 2 get things gg (of course wif chief's permission).[/quote]Hi Chenonceau,
I Second the Motion.
A \"Flawed\" System that Needs to Be Addressed and Rectified Need a Passionate \"VOICE\" to Represent Us ....
And I'm Pretty Sure U R the One ....
:celebrate: :celebrate:

[smurf]

Hee...chenonceau...you 无路可走了. So many people vote for u...