Friday, October 1, 2010

Timeline

This blog is the production of a group of teachers working collaboratively to deepen their understanding on the initiatives in Sinagpore's education system, the Mathematics Curriculum, and the impacts on teaching and learning.

Based on the research from various sources, they drew up a timeline for the different initiatives which were implemented from 1997 to present.



The above timeline shows some of the major initiatives that have direct impact on the teaching and learning of Mathematics.

IT Master Plan

Impact on the teaching and learning of Mathematics

Background

IT Master Plan 1 (Press Release) dated 28 April 1997
IT Master Plan 2 (Press Release) dated 10 July 2002
IT Master Plan 3 (Press Release) dated 5 August 2008

TSLN



NE

National Education



SEED






Teach Less Learn More (TLLM)

Impact of Teaching and Learning in Mathematics


Background



Teach Less Learn More

LSM

Impact on Teaching and Learning of Mathematics


Subject-Based Banding

Impact on the teaching and learning of Mathematics


Background

Press Release dated 28 Sep 2006

PERI

Impact on Teaching and Learning of Mathematics



To prepare our students to thrive in a fast-changing and globalised future, the Primary Education and Implementation (PERI ) committee recommended the following :


(1) Balancing knowledge with skills and values


(2) Investing in a quality teaching force


(3) Enhancing infrastructure





Conclusion using PETALS

Developing the Whole Child


The PETALS Framework is the engine that drives all the initiatives to ensure that education of the child is holistic.
During the course of synthesising our electronic package, we found that all the initiatives fall nicely into the PETALS framework. There is a high co-relation between the Mathematics curriculum and the domain of learning content in the PETALS framework.

Implications for Mathematics Teaching in Schools
1. Develop students' thinking skills and encourage curiosity and critical thinking so that students ask more searching questions.
2. Develop students' learning skills by focusing more on process of learning, to build confidcence and capacity in our students and less on the product ( e.g., self-reflection skills, self-regulated learning ).
3. Help students to learn effectively and efficiently by providing effective opportunities for students to be engaged in doing project work and other meaningful tasks that can help students to develop these skills.
4. Developing students' spirit of pursuing knowledge / truth and lifelong learning.
5. Ensure that all students participate in and contribute to the teaching and learning process ( cooperative learning strategies, in-class activity / discussion etc )
6. Foster a spirit of innovation and enterprise ( dare to try, dare to fail and dare to be different ).
7. Foster students' passion for improvement by nurturing positive dispositions among students towards mathematics.
8. Help students to achieve understanding of essential concepts and ideas, and not only to dispense information.