Education has a critical role in the society. By cultivating future generations who will be able to express their individuality and creativity, this improves society in general. However, this goal is often buried under the people in the nation obsessive pursuit to raise test scores. This is an indicator of improvement of the education system. There are many problems in education. These are the main improvements that people feel needs to be taken: Improving existing public school system by increasing national standards, improving the existing school system by providing adequate funding, as well as challenging the existing school system by offering other choices. One of the best ways to meet the ultimate objective of the education reform is by reforming the public school system by creating student-centered schools, solving the problem of the teacher-centered traditional school system that imposes a standardized curriculum on students which is believed to be the underlying problem. Students are cultivating a capacity to think, enabling them to handle real-life situations.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Blog task 2
To what Sir Ken Robinson said about education, I entirely agree with it.
The modern world isn’t like what it was before, where in Singapore it isstill conservative and having the Chinese values and doing the best in whatever you can. The fact is that working hard won’t get you far, it is working smart that will. The old stories of working hard and getting a good job in some good company of your choice isn’t the truth anymore. This fact is no longer true due to modernization and a change in the global culture.
Kids are getting smarter and smarter with each passing generation. In the past, they would ask “Is this the correct way to do this question?” or say “It’s all right, I will redo it to understand it better”. As of now, the present, we will ask “What is the point of studying biology when we are going to be working in the financing aspect?” or “What’s the point of school when we just waste 12 years of our life getting ready for tests and exams and in the end not learning anything useful to our future job scope at all?” This is the inherent difference between the current and past pupils.
We do not see the purpose of school. That is true.
But why?
Is it because school is useless? No it is not, or else why would the oh-so-successful government still make it compulsory for the citizens in Singapore to go through primary school?
Is it because the pupils are lazy? No it is not, or else why would pupils still go to school and still bear the brunt of scolding and the piles and piles of homework that teachers often give?
Is it because we are forced to go to school? No it is not, we have rights to defy our parents (but it not that I am advocating students to go against their parents) and we have the rights to speech and freedom and act.
Actually there is no one obvious answer to why we do not see the purpose of school and education. It is a mixture of small, small answers.
The current system in Singapore and all over the world hasn’t had a major remodelling since like the Stone Age? For Singapore, although the government has done very impressively in our one-path studying way which is going though PSLE, O-Level and A-Levels, but what the government has to do is create alternate and better paths for which students are able to go as well. The government has done fabulously with creating ITE, Polytechnics and many other alternate choices.
But what they have to do is to persuade and debunk the myth that it’s the end if they follow the other path, because it is as good or not even better for the student’s future career.
Blog task 1
Alienating millions of kids who don’t see purpose of school
The usual story work hard, college, work, however, its no longer a guarantee
Marginalized ourselves
The current system designed, structured for different age in the intellectual culture of enlightenment, industrialization period
Many brilliant people think their not because they are considered non-smart
Economic and intellectual model is chaos
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
July 13 Online Learning
David Orr. He proposed the 6 new principles for education. I agree fully about the six principles that he has proposed.
Firstly it would be “The goal of education is not mastery of subject matter, but of one person”. This is one of the most important ideology of the whole education is necessary in Singapore. As we start off as children, as small and innocent Primary 1s, we start to realize that this is our path, and that education is our life for the next 12 years. As we continue on, progressing from Primary 1 to 2 and the on to 3, we realize that we are just chasing the perfect score of 100%, or in other words, absolute numbers which determine whether we would be scolded by our parents or not. As we start to grow up, we then start to listen to our parents who start to become philosophers, or trying to be, who talk about how education changes our lifetime. As we start to mature, we then understand that learning Mathematics is not just about the formulas, but about your analytical skills, and your logical thinking. The same applies to Chemistry or Biology experiments, it teaches us how to be procedural, and how to do things in a step by step process. By understanding the topic or subject at hand, you understand yourself even better, understanding your character and personality and this is the ultimate aim of education.
Why do we learn new things everyday? Why do we bother to attend school? It all boils down to the hunger for knowledge. We learn in order to gain new knowledge and why so? It is for your future, our kindergarten teachers say. It is for your own good, our parents remark. It is for your own use, our teachers say. They all make sense and they all possess one common characteristic. That it requires responsibility to know how to use it in order for it to be beneficial to us and our future. Mr Orr has also touched on this topic, when he said : “knowledge carries with it the responsibility to see that it is well used in the world”. We learn knowledge not for ourselves, as the exact opposite of it is engraved in our minds due to the myths that we grew up with. We have to use it for the greater good and not to be selfish. An example of a person being irresponsible with the knowledge he owns would be the Fukushima Nuclear plant disaster as well as the Chernobyl incident. Both are similar in a sense that these were possible because of the knowledge created in science for which no one was ultimately responsible. With knowledge, comes great power and with it, comes great responsibility.
Lastly there are many common characteristics amongst all the subjects that make them so similar yet so different. They are all environmentally related. Well a simple example would be like Mathematics and Geography. Mathematics is essential in our daily lives and by learning trigonometry, it allows us to calculate how short Bukit Timah hill is or by using differentiation, able to find the difference between two objects. Geography not only allows us to read maps if we are lost in the jungle but also know how it is related to economics with the demand and supply curve when studying about distribution of food. All the subjects are all related in one way or another, directly or indirectly, obvious or not obvious, to the environment and everything around us that revolves. It is the core of the point of education.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Analysing Arguments
Monday, May 23, 2011
Leaders -- Born and bred
Are leaders born or bred? There are three theories surrounding this myth. The Great Man Theory, where leaders are born; The Trait theory, where leaders possess several traits since birth and are bred to be a leaders; The Behavioral Theory where leaders are bred. There are no leaders who are exactly similar, as they have different traits. The most common traits are trust, motivation, clarity, action, encouragement, decisiveness, resilience and the likes. Though these are traits that most leaders possess, however their presence alone does not make them good leaders. The thing to this is that people need to know who the leaders are instead of judging them solely based on their actions. A good example that epitomizes this would be a born racehorse being sent to a workhouse instead of racing, thus not being able to race. This will backfire and there may be conflicts as it is being bred. Leaders need to realize this instead of being told.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
General Elections -- Cost of living
General Elections – cost of living
Firstly, we have the topic of the cost of living. There are many people that believe the cost of living is directly proportionate to the standard of living. As the standard of living improves, the cost will inadvertently increase as well. That is one misconception that most Singaporean have and this is epitomized in the Peoples’ Action Party Facebook Page whereby few people commented on PM Lee’s status, mixing up the cost of living and the standard of living.
Now what is causing the constantly increasing cost of living? There are many pertinent problems that has caused this issue that is implanted in many Singaporean’s minds. First up, we have the inflation in the global economy. The Singapore dollar is getting stronger and stronger against the US Dollar, which is the mark for comparison in this global market. Why? The US economy has obviously not been able to recover from its economic slump ever since 2008. This has caused the Singaporean dollar to become stronger and therefore this has caused the cost of living to rise.
With the cause of it out, what are the effects you may ask. Well housing has increased. GST is going to increase, apparently. Birth rate is going to decline. Well, well, well, what do we have here? Unhappy Singaporeans… as always. The government has done well in the global market, making Singapore currency more valuable and making it stronger than ever. However has the government ever thought about what will happen to the Singaporeans who are affected, in which all Singaporeans are affected. What will happen from now on? Coffee will constantly increase in prices, and there are no more 70cents kopi-o. HDB flats will constantly increase in prices, with 5 room flats being around 500,000 at this current moment.
Birth rate will also be affected. As the cost of living rises, who gives a d*mn about giving birth when they can’t even survive and lead a luxurious life on their own by their own salaries and by their own abilities and capabilities. Thus I empathise with them. Even though the government has provided various incentives for the people to give birth and have babies, however it will not be beneficial for the people to have children in the long run. Money and financing is not the only benefit in which the government can aim towards to do.
Thus what everyone was looking out for in the GE 2011 was mainly about the cost of living and how the government was going to solve it. Looks like the PAP has gone back to government again. Sighs Everyone please work harder and earn more money cos the government ain’t gonna help you solve ya problem :D
Monday, April 25, 2011
LEADERS AND TRAITS :D:D
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Key Attributes and Contributions by Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma was a servant leader, willingly sacrificing his own benefits for others. He dedicated his life to helping others, and despite the punishments that was given to him, like repeated imprisonment, his devotion to helping others never wavered. He never placed himself before others and never desired for personal benefits. He was also able to inspire other people to fight for freedom even though how bad the situation was and he led by example in the fight for freedom. He believed in non-violent means of showing their fight for freedom, such as non-violent riots, and this exemplified the caring and kind side of him. By these kinds of non-violent means of fighting and rioting, he did not want those who believed in him and freedom to be hurt or injured, and this epitomized the kindness and care he had for those under him. He also went to some other extreme means to show his devotion to the fight for freedom.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Transactional, Transformational, Transcendental Leadership
There are three main types of leadership.
Transactional leadership only benefits oneself who makes the decisions. The lack of trust is a prevalent trait in such leadership. It is similar to dictatorship where the population is controlled and “trouble makers” who do not follow societal norms will be ousted out of society.
Transformational leadership refers to leadership where everyone is a leader and views are listened to. A high level of trust amongst the people is prevalent. Although so, there is still a person in charge who makes the final decision. Transformational leadership also includes many forms of leadership to be applied at different times.
Transcendent leadership is leadership where everyone’s views are accepted an considered and applied as well. It is based on group agreements and consent and there are no followers. However, associates are present and they make everyone feel that they are equally important in making decisions and a common status to maintain the stability in society.
Link: http://www.leadershipreview.org/2006spring/Article3.pdf
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Science and Arts : Similarities and Differences
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Similarities between social and physical sciences
Science itself has many different levels to it, having disciplines of science brings about sub disciplines of it. However there are two overarching aspects, which is social and physical sciences, the invisible and the empirical respectively. It is hard to accept social sciences because they do not have any empirical evidence, and instead based on examples and case studies of various countries. Other than these two aspects, the author also questions the purpose of science as a whole, which is whether science is used to provide information to the people for the betterment of lives or is the purpose of science used to discount all information that does not fit into the criteria of science which is to be empirical and have evidence for the claim made. The author also states that social science is qualitative while physical science is quantitative research. The author also points out difference between social and physical, one asking questions and the other doing experiments.
Transhumanism: The most dangerous idea?
A term prevalent yet controversial? Transhumanism is the answer. Transhumanism, like science and technology as a general topic, can be used for it benefits or its cons. However, with that said, the concept of transhumanism is not void, it is present and prevailing. Transhumanism can be controlled and manipulated to either help oneself be more advanced or help others. It’s a subject of one or the society, whether one is selfish or not. Transhumanism has been prevalent since the early ages, through communication devices, lifestyle changes, and lifestyle choices and being bound to the earth, instead of “flying”. The more idealistic view of looking at transhumanism would be that it would aid the world, aid in eradicating poverty, aid in eradicating disability, aid in removing sadness, akin to the rabbits being captured and put back into the magician’s hat. Instead of us warring with one another due to transhumanism, let us look at the brighter and better side of it.
Singularity: Kurzweil on 2045, When Humans, Machines Merge" by Lev Grossman
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Immoral Advances : Is science out of control?
Science and technology undoubtedly has improved our lives, but there are many controversies over science and technology. Most of the controversies surround unethical and immoral thinking as well as purposes for their own works. However, in the present world, there are still many scientists that consider science to be morally neutral. They feel that they should not pass any judgement on others’ works as science and technology is not subjective and affects everyone. Therefore they feel that scientific illiteracy means that the scientist has a moral judgment towards the topic that he or she is working on. However, if scientists want to tackle these immoral and unethical judgements on people’s works, the scientists need to understand more, and condemn less. Scientific knowledge should be based on knowledge alone and not by passing moral or emotional biasness on others' works. The concept that repugnance is a reliable moral guide should be challenged to make justifications for people’s initial intuitions of right.
Science for Humanity!!!! :D:D
Science and Technology in this aspect solves stuff. Problems are found and problems are solved. The importance of science is epitomised in this case where science benefits humanity. Hexayurt, a good example, solves the lack of affordable yet comfortable housing for citizens of poorer countries. It has materials that are cheap which cost $100 altogether, and is considered as sustainable living. Another example is Green Charcoal, where wood biomass energy is found as an alternative energy for sustainable living in the future. Science and technology has allowed us to find many new things and continuous research to find new alternative things ranging from housing to alternative energies. This shows that science can bring about linkages between both reality and the scientific world, being the source of problems as well as the source of solutions respectively. It is able to solve most urgent problems and also provide sustainable differences to the current solutions to the problems. Science can bring us benefits…
Thank you!!!!!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
1st: Science and Ethics by Alan E. Donant
Article: http://www.theosophy-nw.org/theosnw/science/sc-aed.htm
Paul’s Wheel of Reasoning:
Question at Issue: Which is more important than the other, Science or Ethics?
Purpose: To show the overemphasis on Science as well as the advancements, which lead to the lack of emphasis on Ethics. To show how both Science and Ethics are different in nature and the equilibrium is easily affected
Evidence / Data: 1) Invisible phenomena are an accepted arena of science, and the unseen 90% of the matter in the cosmos and the 90% of an iceberg below the surface suggest that the invisible is at least equal in importance to the visible
2) The Star Wars series presents two metaphors for future human potential: Luke Skywalker and his father, Darth Vader. The son emphasizes the mystical path where the forces of nature are used with a sense of service to others; the father emphasizes the path of applied technology accompanied by selfish gratification for power.
Assumptions: The fact that there is Oneness in everything we do
POV: One that believes that science is everything and uses moral jargon
Concepts: Consciousness, Oneness of science, Togetherness of science and ethics, How science and ethics affect each other differently
Implications: Science will be affected negatively by the uprising of ethical and moral judgement
Inferences: What the writer is trying to tell us is that science and technology is currently advancing quickly and that it would be harmful to humans in the long run. However at the current moment, it is rather beneficial for us humans if we do not look at it from a moral / ethical point of view. We also need to consolidate the science and technology as well as psychology and spirituality, in order to see them as one united force and then able to use that force to help the world, be it in the long term or the short term.
Great civilizations are measured by their material progress, altruism and compassion. Science and Technology brings us benefits and harms. A sense of ethics from science as a discipline is created. There are many things we do not see. As consciousness and the understanding of phenomena are explored, consciousness and matter will be seen together.
Cause and effect is important. We must see that science and moral is one united force. Moral is essential compared to science. The human mind approaches meaning in many ways. In their lower expressions these three -- science, philosophy, and spirituality -- can all be divisive and dogmatic; in their purity of expression all three can lead toward truth and have the capacity to uncover and encourage a universal ethic. A synergy combined benefiting humanity may far exceed any one discipline alone. Science can see its role as an agent for the material betterment of society or for the far-reaching betterment of humanity and all nature.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Singapore Budget 2011 - Views?
For example, there will be an increase in the amount of Medisave top-up for this year. it will be different for each age group, such as 45-49 years old getting $300 and an increase for the Medisave top-up for each age group. There will also be a smaller tax income, which is known as Personal Tax Income Rebate which will rebate about 20% of the tax income and will be capped at $2,000
Another important measure to increase the birth rate and also to allow the citizens in Singapore who have children who are 6 years old or below is the fact that the government will be providing these households with money that will range from $300-$400 depending on their annual value of their house in 2010. This will allow the family to use the money for the child's education and medical expenses.
I believe that this measure that has been implemented will increase the birth rate of Singaporeans but it will be minimal. this is because for one child to only get $300, it will not be enough. Just with the giving birth of the child would either take a large chunk out of the $300 or even finish it off. Including the medical expenses of the baby or the child, it will have already cost more than just the $300 given. Thus most families would not be willing to give birth to babies just because of the Baby Bonus and this scheme on top that.
Another important measure is the Reduction of the Personal Income Taxes which is under the subject of Rewarding Hardworking Singaporeans. For this scheme, the government has made careful calculations in this scheme, as shown by the table below from this link:http://www.singaporebudget.gov.sg/budget_2011/key_initiatives/families.html
The government has allowed more buffer in the income salary for each Singaporeans. As the majority of Singaporeans are the working class, it will benefit them and this will also benefit the family as they will have more money to spend and due to the increasingly high cost of living in Singapore, it will prove to be beneficial in the long run of the family. For each range of chargeable income, the middle-paid family will benefit the most,with the largest percentage decrease in their taxes. Thus it is a snowball effect as with more money to spend on the family, it will be beneficial to the economy of Singapore as there will be more free money flowing in the market and the economy of Singapore, thus attracting more investors to the market of Singapore and thus helping Singapore in the long run too.
As many would agree, the education sector of every country plays the most essential role amongst others like healthcare and military. Education is the only way in which future leaders in different sectors of Singapore will be able to be nurtured and trained well. Thus the government recognised this fact and has pumped more money into helping the education sector. An analogy of this would be a youth team in a soccer team. Instead of buying ready made talents to the football club it is much more beneficial in monetary terms. This will allow the football club to be able to nurture their own leaders and soccer players. Thus the government is doing all it can to be able to help the education aspect of Singapore, such as the Ministry of Education Financial Assistance Scheme for SPED Schools, and theEnhanced Bursaries for Polytechnic and University Students. However it must not only be the students and the young to benefit. The Singapore Government is also doing its best to help the elderly to allow them to enjoy the last best years of their lives by providing them with financial assistance.
Thus overall, the citizens of Singapore are pretty pleased with the Government as no one is left out of the caring of their welfare.
