Evaluation of Teaching

Thought for today.

"Education is what survives when what has been learnt has been forgotten".

B.F. Skinner.(Education in 1984)

Recent newspaper reports on the teaching of Science and Mathematics in Chinese schools, have generated interesting feedback from readers and concerned parties. The Ministry of Education is interested to know the magic formula used in these schools. The Director-General of education has been directed to investigate into this. He is going to identify the "good" schools to study the teaching and learning approaches used and will implement these best practices next year.

What are some of these appropriate approaches which will be identified by the officers in their study? Some views expressed in the newspaper include rote memory of multiplication tables, detailed and clear explanations by the teachers, and a lot of homework and practice. But the most relevant are the views expressed by a Mathematics teacher Ms Cheah Yin Hong ...." I teach them how to connect Mathematics to their daily lives and how to apply it. " She also added that more research must be done by the Ministry before emulating the methods used in Chinese schools. An important consideration adds Ms Cheah ..."Is our teaching just different from the aspect of the mother tongue? Does the language affect the students' ability to focus and absorb the knowledge?"

In a recent workshop on the evaluation of teaching and effective teaching practices, particpants emphasized two important issues. The first is the need to select teaching approaches and activities based on the learning outcomes instead of focus on just the topic to be taught. Ms Koshila from TAR College shared that getting students hands-on and with close monitoring her students have no problems achieving the learning outcomes. Ms Cheng Wei Fong, also from TAR college emphasized that giving students feedback on their performance have enabled them to improve.

Secondly, to ensure that the learning outcomes are achieved, teachers are encouraged to use cognitive strategies to maximise learning on the part of the students. Ms Sheila from UCS Institute Excecutive, Sarawak explained that some of these strategies include spatial strategies, mnemonics, analogy, and advanced organisers. Twinkle Anak Bati added that rehearsal activities, such as role play, simulation, and group work will increase learning.

Some food for thought on the teaching of Science and mathematices include investigating into the appropriate teaching methods to use and more importantly is the monitoring of what really goes on in the classroom,. We cannot fault the manufacturer of a fast car if the driver does not know how to drive it properly!!!

Turtle management centre, Segari, Perak

Thought for today.

"Conservation is a state of harmony between men and land."

Aldo Leopold. (A Sand County Almanac)

From the exit of Changkat Jering Toll plaza, a pleasant drive for about 50 Km southwards along the coastal road will bring one to the Turtle Management Centre, in Segari, Perak

This centre is the initiative of the Fisheries Department for the purpose to protect maritime turtles from threats of extinction. So there is a turtle hatchery where the hatchlings are released when they are big and strong enough to fend for themselves in the open sea. Tourists will be able to see several tanks where the hatchlings and small turles in the various stages of development are kept. One can also see large turtles swimming in some man made ponds. There is also a small tourist centre with informative posters and a few specimens.

Apparently this coastal area, called Pasir Panjang Segari is a suitable nesting area for these maritime turtles. The nesting season is all year round with the peak season being between March to July.

This is an interesting place to visit and tourist can later adjourned or lunch in the restaurants in Lumut or Pantai Remis.

Sai Baba's 84th birthday celebration

Baba's thought for today.

"My birthday is the date when Divinity

Blossoms in your heart."

On November 23rd many devotees gathered in the hall of The Legend Inn, Taiping to celebrate the 84th birthday of Sai Baba.

The organising commitee did a good job of decorating the altar, complete with a three tier birthday cake, and a few others, lovingly made by the devotees themselves. Many devotees also made floral offerings.

With the usual opening prayers followed by an hour long "bajan sesssion then the "arati", everyone adjourned for a delicious vegetarian dinner. It was a joyous occassion for meeting up and exchanging news.

Multi intelligence

Thought for today.

"They know enough who know how to learn"

-Henry Brooks Adams. (The educaton of Henry Adams)

The UPSR results hace been announced and the Ministry of Education has proudly highlighted that the results have improved slightly, with rural schools performing better than last year. At the same time it was noted that an aptitude test for gauging thinking skills and problem solving skills, which was introduced last year showed disappointing results. Post mortem into the reasons for this will definitely useful.

This new subject is a positive move a holistic education. We often hear the relevant authorities take pride in announcing schools' achivements in terms of academic results. Rarely has there been mention of students abilities and achievements in the other areas of development. Are we giving scant regard to the students' other strengths as explained Howard Gardner's Theory of Multi intelligences discussed in his book "Frames of Mind" 1983? Giving due consideration to these many aspects of human intelligence will be helpful in understanding learning styles, personality and behaviour in education and thus promoting skills in critical thinking and problem solving.

Edward De Bono, a famous British psychologist, writer and expert on thinking, has this relevant quotation. "Many highly intelligent people are poor thinkers. Many people of average intelligence are skilled thinkers. The power of the car is separate from the way a car is driven"

So the move by the ministry in introducing the new subject to gauge the thinking and problem skills of the students is a move in the right direction. What remains to be seen is the implementation of appropriate teaching activities in schools to enable students to develop these skills. If students are guided in this direction they will be able to apply their own judgement and interpretation to adapt to situations and thus be able to make the best for themselves.

Snatch thieves

Thought for today.
"Every calamity is a spur and valuable hint"
-Ralph Waldo Emerson(Fate)

It was most unfortunate that I was a victim of a snatch thief. I was walking towards my car parked infront of the railway station in Taiping. As I sat on the drivers seat I placed my handbag which contained a wallet and a cell phone on the seat next to me. Before I could lock my car from the inside, someone opened the door. I thought that he was going to ask for directions but in a split second he grabbed my bag, uttered "sorry" and slammed the door. I jumped out of the car hoping to beg for my cards, but he had raced away on his fancy looking red motor bike.

As this was my first experience as a victim I was terribly shaken. Still I managed to drive straight to the police station to make a report. I was evry impressed with the "counter service" at the police station. The police officers on duty were very helpful...they allowed me to call my husband and also connected me to the banks to cancel the cards. I was relieved and thankful for I never thought that they would go out of their normal duties to help a victim!! Cheers to them!!

Everyone seems to have a story or two on their experiences or experiences of a friend or relative who have been unfortunate to have their bags or wallets snatched. This makes us wonder why all this is happening so frequently and openly. We can merely speculate on the reasons but what is important for us is to cope with this social problem. Friendly advice have included among the obvious- like not carry a handbag, lock the doors of your car, do not put your handbag on the passenger seat, etc-all measures amounting to being extra careful at our personal level. I suppose this is the best we can do and avoid being paranoid when we are in public places!! We have really lost our freedom and peace of mind in this unsafe envorinment.

Courage

Thought for today.
"Don't be afraid to go out on a limb.

That's where the fruit is."

Anonymous

In a recent workshop some interesting issues were discussed. In one senario enacted by Azmi Sharin and Ng See Teng, in a situation whereby the boss refused the project paper which was sub-standard, the 'Broken Record Technique of being assertive was practised. Of course, they were such good 'actors' and this brought a great deal of laughter and enjoyment. Hopefully with more practice, this form of interpersonal communication will become second nature to them.

Later, in a group discussion session, Helena Teo from Meridian Contracts Sdn Bhd, Amarjet AK John Gendi from Twin Tech College, Kota Kinabalu, and Mohd Haris from Menta Construction concluded that "character" is the some total of the traits of an individual that constitute who the person is as a unique person and one's personality is revealed through the way one behaviours and interact.

This was then followed by a short lecture on the Transactional Analysis Theory of Eric Berne. The practical application of analysing transactions based on the "three ego states" of Parent, Adult and Child does offer another perspective of what effective human communication involves.

It is hoped that the participants did have a fruitful time and will be brave enough to try out the new skills practised. Yes, "don't be afraid to go out on a limb. That's where the fruit is".

Work

Thought for today.

"Your work is to discover your work, and then with all your heart to give yourself to it"

-Buddha.

This group of Golden ladies must have followed this maxim all the years they served the government. They certainly must have with all their heart discharged the duties that had been assigned to them. For without this dedication it would have been difficult to be in service for more than thirty years.

Hence these retirement years are a time for living life, sharing and doing their little bit to make this a better world. The monthly lunch gatherings of the retirees of TMGS is a good occasion to share information regarding mutual friends, ex collegues, and family members. Sometimes getting away from the daily routine and meeting in different venues, trying different menus can be an exciting experience.

So yesterday saw yet another gathering of these retirees from TMGS for lunch at the Traders Hotel in Kamunting. There was still a great deal of talk on the 120th anniversary celebration of TMGS and the sharing of experiences in the school continues to delight everyone. The newspaper report of the anniversary event will bring make some nostalgia for those who missed the function.

It will be more meaningful if more will try to make the crowd for the next gathering on December 2nd, again in the Traders Hotel at 12.30pm.