Is GEP really necessary?
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Trapwithin:
Er... but IQ tests can definitely be prep. Easily. Just do and do and do lots of IQ tests. There are standard ways of doing IQ tests, just like GA tests.
I do not think GEP is required to let a gifted child excel, have seen many gifted kids that excel extremely well in University though they were not in GEP. However, GEP does provide interesting curriculum for gifted kids to keep their minds stretched and stimulate their thinking.2ppaamm:
Are high ability classes good enough or do the gifted students need to be in GEP to excel? This is something I have been debating within myself the last 2 days.
On one hand, I think that GEP is not very healthy, given all the prep classes and hence many students are not even gifted but hardworking, and the elitism. But on the other hand, my own son loved and can connect with his GEP classmates much better than in lower primary.
Quite torn about it. You see, those very hardworking or prep'ed ones, they will excel in any academic setting. But for those like my son, without the GEP classes, not sure where he will find his close friends.
IMHO, almost all GEP Prep classes .. are marketing gimick. They filtered their intake and displayed the success rate based on the GEP Screening Test rather than Selection Test, which is the top 10% of the cohort. GA papers in GEP selection Test are similar to IQ test though not totally. GA cannot be prep or drill like most IQ Test. You either see the question and understand or you don't.
The only part that can probably be prep are the EL and Maths paper which contribute to 50% of the Selection Test. Yet these papers are benchmark way beyond the kids level. With such elevated level, the kids themselves will need to have the ability to understand these higher level concept. Not all kids can handle concepts or principles beyond their level.
So technically, you can't really prep for GEP.
Just as IQ Test cannot really be prep, so GEP Selection Test is the same.
While it is agreed that you cannot gear a child who is at the bottom of the class to a GEP level, preparations can definitely help differentiate and give an edge to who passed the screening test get through. Those who prep will certainly have an edge over those who didn't. -
2ppaamm:
Interesting thought .. IQ Test can be prep .... I know some question are quite similar but some patterns are hard to replicate. Will need to check that out.Er... but IQ tests can definitely be prep. Easily. Just do and do and do lots of IQ tests. There are standard ways of doing IQ tests, just like GA tests.
While it is agreed that you cannot gear a child who is at the bottom of the class to a GEP level, preparations can definitely help differentiate and give an edge to who passed the screening test get through. Those who prep will certainly have an edge over those who didn't.
But if IQ Test can be prep then ... actually the easy way to get into GEP is to train and train for IQ Test and get the psychologist to do the IQ Test and use that to get into GEP instead of going through the GEP Tests.
As for getting cleared screening test, it does has its edge. Many use that as a platform to get into HA classes in their respective school or transfer to their school of choice. -
Recently CNA has a show "Beautiful Minds" based on child prodigy. A korean middle age man recalled the stress of being labelled gifted. He finally choose a simple life of living in a small town, still contributing to the country but at a scale he is happy with.
I think the ranking, the current level of stress etc are unneccessary at young age. Children should just enjoy their childhood, enjoy learning. I can understand gifted children and other special needs children (ADHD, autistic etc) will behave differently. I think the society as a whole should recognise that it is normal to have diversity and learn to live with each other. Instead of segregating them, we can help them to fit in. I like the concept I read about Finland education system that the first six year of education serve as a equalizing tool for the society.
Gifted children will have their own free time to explore their particular area of interest. Currently, they have to take a curriculum that is catering to all gifted that might not in particularly fit them. -
lots of these stress are created by parents and piled on the kids
kids by themselves just enjoy the learning process at whichever level that could move at their speed
lots of these talks on stress, pressure etc etc are just parental pride
okay let the stones fly ....
:siam: :siam: -
verykiasu2010:
Parents play a part, system also plays a part mah ... chicken or egg issue ... poor childrenlots of these stress are created by parents and piled on the kids
kids by themselves just enjoy the earning process at whichever level that could move at their speed
lots of these talks on stress, pressure etc etc are just parental pride
okay let the stones fly .... :siam: :siam: -
verykiasu2010:
I agree adults make the kids' life difficultlots of these stress are created by parents and piled on the kids
kids by themselves just enjoy the earning process at whichever level that could move at their speed
lots of these talks on stress, pressure etc etc are just parental pride
okay let the stones fly .... :siam: :siam: -
kaka:
the system creates different avenues for different ability
Parents play a part, system also pay a part mah ... poor childrenverykiasu2010:
lots of these stress are created by parents and piled on the kids
kids by themselves just enjoy the earning process at whichever level that could move at their speed
lots of these talks on stress, pressure etc etc are just parental pride
okay let the stones fly .... :siam: :siam:
the system provides choices
choices are made by parents -
verykiasu2010:
These choices are creating issues .... :siam:
the system creates different avenues for different ability
the system provides choices
choices are made by parents -
kaka:
blame the kids being too smart
These choices are creating issues .... :siam:verykiasu2010:
the system creates different avenues for different ability
the system provides choices
choices are made by parents
blame the kids being too slow
pointing one finger forward and forgot four fingers pointing backward to the parents -
kaka:
don't lay the egg. no issue :evil: :evil:
Parents play a part, system also plays a part mah ... chicken or egg issue ... poor childrenverykiasu2010:
lots of these stress are created by parents and piled on the kids
kids by themselves just enjoy the earning process at whichever level that could move at their speed
lots of these talks on stress, pressure etc etc are just parental pride
okay let the stones fly .... :siam: :siam:
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