Lesson 3

Todays lesson was very good. My group was tasked to read up and explore on Knowledge Building and Problem Based Learning.

Knowledge based learning is a very interesting concept and should it be implemented in any class successfully, it would certainy be very beneficial to the students.

I think the main ingredients of such a class to be possible would be a good students with a teacher that comes up with creative ways to have engaged the students into a "want to learn" attitude.

With such a foundation set up, the learning process will be self driven and through.

I wonder how I can create such an environment in my class.

Feasible?

AS i read thru the case study...it was really impressive. I wished that I had such lessons when i was in secondary school. I will definitely have been a better learner.

Yet thinking back again to my contract teaching days, are such lessons really a reality? My CCA occupies me 3 days till 6 pm. Other days are spent on the frequent school trips to Science Centre other Centres of learning and after school tuition to those kids who are slower in class.

If based on such a load, it will really be a choice between personal time or work. Undoubtedly there are "positive" examples that will always be cited during Staff meetings as to how much that individual has done for the school, but is this really the quality of life that MOE wishes for its teachers to lead?

Ultimately of course the solution is for a larger work force. Yet at the same time, before we achieve that, we have to stop the outflow of existing teachers who has decided that they are losing their souls to the job.

Day 1, and there was light

K: What I already KNOW

Growing up in the local education system, we are so used to MP1 form of teaching. Teachers will think of methods to impart their knowledge to us, and we, just sit at our little desks and try to absorb as much as possible. I know that the Ministry is trying to shift these form of teaching into a more pro-active MP2 style. Seems like a long way before things will be in place. But the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and here we are, at that first step.

W: What I want to LEARN

I want to learn how to effectively engage my students into a MP2 style of teaching. Having done 4 months of contract teaching at Assumption English School, I forsee this change having to go thru a very tough changing curve from the current system. And this resistance coming from both students and teachers.

L: What I LEARN this week.

I learnt that there has been more than just a single step being made by the Ministry and that I must read up more to catch up on what I have missed.

Q: What questions I still have

Is this change really possible or really feasible? Are our teachers and students ready for such a change?