a. INTRODUCTION
Describe the approach/strategy used.
b. DEVELOPMENT
What were the challenges encountered during implementation?
What were the tactics employed to resolve the difficulties met?
What further improvements can be suggested?
c. PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
What new insights/discoveries have I made in relation to my role as a teacher?
How will I make use of this new knowledge in future?
What further information or knowledge should I seek to expand my knowledge in relation to this context?
Problem Solving Heuristics....Where are we now in PYSS?
ReplyDeleteIn PYSS, I believe that all of us definitely use heuristics in our problem solving skills. Just that we did not verbalize and state clearly in our classroom teaching. Using of the USER template can help to provide a platform for teachers to bring the students through the Problem Solving Heuristics.
According to Wikipedia, Heuristics is 'experience-based techniques for problem solving, learning, and discovery.' It states further that 'examples of this method include using a "rule of thumb", an educated guess, an intuitive judgment, or common sense.' If its 'common sense' then why is it difficult for our students to use. If its 'common sense' then why is it not easy to teach. I think its because 'common sense' comes with experience. thus the term 'experienced-based techniques'. Have we ever wondered why our students can't get it when is common sense ? May be its because its common sense to us ,with our vast experiences ,but not to them. So may be we need to enrich them with experiences , real life ones - Anisa
ReplyDeleteReflection for Term 1 Week 2 (T1W2)
ReplyDeleteToday we received the GCE ‘O’ level results. Disappointing. Need to look at what was done differently last year. The many tests that we had? Maybe the students have peaked earlier than expected. May be we need to diagnose if their basics are in place in sec 3. Maybe we need to be selective at Sec 4: Look at those students who are not doing well BUT WANT TO and those who do not care to. It seems to me that more work was done by the teachers than the students themselves. The teachers seemed to worry more than the students.
Performance in English, in particular, is worrying. If English is a priority, then English should be given priority in resources, timetabling, etc. Canteen talk surfaced that maybe there should be English everyday even if it’s for half an hour.
- Anisa
Reflections for T1W3
ReplyDeleteThere was a meeting with teacher-mentors and we were introduced to our mentees. Wondering whether we should do the mentoring differently next year. Instead of adopting whole classes, we should identify students from the whole level who are borderline cases and who with a little push , care and concern ,will perform 1 or 2 grades higher. Perhaps then we can break the 20 barrier.
- Anisa
This week, 2 of my Sec 3 pupils were caned for fighting . Both were caned before when they were in Sec 2. Talked to one of the boys after the caning. Asked him if he has improved in his 3 years in Ping Yi or has his stint in Ping Yi made him worse. He looked at me puzzled and I clarified that if Ping Yi does not make him a better person, he should seriously consider finding a school that does. I even said I would help him . He looked at me as he seriously considered my question. I could tell that he wants to say that Ping Yi is good for him BUT he is aware that his actions does not justify this. He wants to belong here.
ReplyDeleteOur students are a strange lot. They want to belong here BUT yet not showing the responsibility that comes with belonging. They know that Ping Yi is good for them BUT they are not showing the ‘ good’ they have learnt. They know the teachers work hard for them BUT they are not showing the results of that hard work….
Are we assuming that students automatically know how to behave because its 'common sense'? Perhaps it has to be explicitly said.
Reflections T1W5
ReplyDeleteI was with 312 when they hosted the senior citizens during the CNY celebrations. Many of the pupils, when they were in Sec 2 , were quite difficult to handle. But that day, they were responsible and attentive to the needs of the Senior Citizens. Both the FMs were busy with the concert performance and depended on a new teacher to handle the class. However, the pupils were given clear instructions and leaders were assigned. They were on task and did a wonderful job.
Two learning points :
1. Verbalising your appreciation, verbalising your pride in them is important and made a big difference (permanent or otherwise) in the way they conduct themselves and they way they look at themselves. This is the class that the Principal highlighted during assembly for helping MdmFarhani. I, then personally visited the class to tell them how proud I was.
2. Our kids are able to handle themselves well if they are given clear guidance and instructions. When they misbehave, is it due to our lack of clear instructions and guidance ?
Reflection for T1W6
ReplyDeleteAsking the right questions and analyzing answers given , especially if its incorrect , is an important part of teaching and learning. This is so apparent in Maths .
In one of my lessons with 301, a child gave an incorrect answer . This answer then becomes a point of discussion.’ Why do you think that answer is correct ?’,’ Can you give more examples to show that your method is correct’. Most students would rather keep quiet as it takes confidence and ‘thinking’ to answer the questions. Sometimes more learning takes place in a weaker class as more mistakes are made. We just need to encourage students to have the confidence to answer our questions and not be afraid to make mistakes.
One of the reasons why we need to stretch our better students. More challenging questions means more mistakes and more questions means more learning.
Anisa