Sugata Mitra’s new experiments in self-teaching
A must-watch 17 minute TED Talk. Fascinating!
Some of my key learning points:
- Kids are born to be self-directed and collaborative learners.
- The existing education system could have squandered this nature.
- Technology can rekindle this lost nature.
- The role of educators has shifted.
- Leveraging technology can indeed improve test scores without drill and practice.
Link to Dr Mitra’s Hole in the Wall project: http://www.hole-in-the-wall.com/
The 21st Century Parent
I wished there are more parents like Ms Pearlyn Koh. Truly the 21st Century Parent.
Source: The Straits Times 1st June 2010.
A tale of two parents
Source: The Straits Times 31st May 2010
The 20th Century parent vs. the 21st Century parent. Whose children will benefit?
“Strong Fundamentals for Future Learning” – Key Directions for the Future of Primary Education
From Ministry of Education Singapore Press Releases:
Retain the strong fundamentals of our education system but place greater emphasis on the development of lifeskills and values to ensure that pupils are well prepared for the future, recommends the Primary Education Review and Implementation (PERI) Committee which shared its preliminary recommendations today.
2 key highlights of this review: A more holistic lower primary (Primary 1 and 2) assessment and moving all primary schools to single-session by 2016.
Singapore still top in science
From The Straits Times:
SINGAPORE has retained its top position in a worldwide study of young students’ performances in science, but fallen to second and third position for Primary 4 and Secondary 2 respectively in mathematics.
The results of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, which involved more than 400,000 Grade 4 and 8 students – aged 10 and 14 respectively – across 59 global education systems, were released yesterday.
Great news for educators and students in Singapore. I was wondering what are Singapore students’ positions in languages and ICT skills. Any studies?
Music and Life
Very wise words by Alan Watts. Amazingly, this speech was made 70s (?), yet it is still so true today.
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