Universities In Singapore: Address The Research-Teaching Conundrum

Progressive plans to expand the university by the Ministry of Education (MOE) - in the news report, "Building Bridges, finding niches" (29 October 2011) by Mr. Tan Weizhen) - his good intentions and very important. But if our teachers and administrators remain abroad in search of inspiration and improvements, they are obliged to inform the inherent research training, puzzles that plagued our local high schools, and introduction of relevant amendments to the ever growing concern for solving .

Too much emphasis on research and Ranking?

Recently, local universities, such as the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU), provided that their advertising efforts almost solely on their performance in various ranking exercises, and also of having world-class research faculties in the house. Unfortunately, these pedantic concentrations not only ignored the importance of developing good teaching or pedagogical frameworks of the institutions, but also override the need to mold the students outside their lonely academic or scholastic dimensions.
Although the alleged disproportionate emphasis on research has led to anecdotal feelings about the alleged decline in the quality of teaching, as a result of diffuse approach and focuses misplaced. The conflict between research and teaching is certainly not limited to the landscape in Singapore, USA, noted that while the research university model, improved doctoral courses and strengthen the school resolved through writings and publications, students tend to the losing end. Reduction of teaching load for tenure track faculty meant that inexperienced students - even some who find it difficult to communicate fluently in English - more learned, learning outcomes can be accidentally compromised, because external factors from the research products are not necessarily to the benefit comes across the board .

The next step forward

If an accident on the research angle is allowed to manifest itself, the consequences may be harmful in the long term.

With this paradigm shift will usher in new changes in the status quo to help our universities to continue international education games.
In the near future, it would be constructive for the MOE to create viable feedback channels - such as focus group discussions, qualitative sessions, etc. - for current students to articulate perspectives on the above research. Management of the quantitative studies, through representative student associations, the government would one meter from the current challenges and to explore aspects that require more attention or involvement.

On a larger scale, will Singapore be possible to emulate the French plan to form clusters in different institutions, in the sense that the respective research and educational colleges are made clear and explicit, without loss of quality. In this sense, parents and potential students able to make more informed decisions about the kind of education trail and the model is most suitable for themselves. This adaptation and specialization to stakeholders to understand the different comparative advantages, to make good choices and the level of productivity.
Transparency and clarity are important considerations, as dissatisfaction with the research angle is allowed to manifest itself, the ramifications be harmful in the long term.

Career Guidance in the Singapore Education System Seem Lacking

After his education in Singapore since 1998 (secondary 3), and after once been a teacher in training under the Ministry of Education in Singapore, I think one of the many shortcomings of the education system of Singapore is that it is a good career / missing guidance for education students.

Well, I suppose you could argue that the education itself, what is missing, but an oversight (or indifference) of the Ministry of Education in the thought that people know what you want, and will be happy with the choices they made on the age of 16. But believe me when I compare the education of the Ministry of Education.For those not familiar with the education system in Singapore.

At the age of 16 or 17 years, after taking the GCE O-level, the student must choose whether he / she wants to go to the Polytechnic, where he / she has a degree in a specialized area (eg, Engineering, Business, Accounting , mass communication, Nursing, Biomedical Sciences, Information Technology, etc.) or to study in the first study for the GCE levels or International Baccalaureate diploma. The GCE A Levels and the IB diploma program are essentially similar - students choose a number of topics, from a group of subjects available, such as Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, History, literature, geography, economics, etc. In other words, words Everything is quite common, and students are not limited to any particular field.

What worries me is when most students opt for the route Polytechnic. In fact, I'm all for the idea of ​​an HBO school, because I personally feel that the other route is a waste of time (after the experienced). But this applies only if the student knows, at the age of 16 or 17, what he or she is interested and wants his / her career to build.Which brings me to my point that the lack of career / education guidance or counseling in our educational system. Students go to the colleges, the choice of courses that have very little idea, and just discovered they hate the course. While some may leave and re-application of the course to another course more, ultimately perpetuating that mistake, and pursue careers in fields that do not want.

Therefore it is necessary that students have a clear idea of ​​what they ask, what options they have and the different types of careers that would need to follow a certain course given.

Students often choose courses based on the following factors:

1. Not knowing what they want

2. Options for friends3. Selection of parents4. Ministry options (such as the Ministry of Education actively promote the life sciences, everyone rushed to the course. Ditto Info-Tech courses)5. Not having an option due to lower-than-stellar results on the O

And sometimes hate students to complete their studies because:

1. They knew that the course would look like2. They were not aware of the career choices (most of that study life sciences I never thought that I would end up in the lab every day watching cells grow or something)

3. They received only a general description of what the course is about, but not in depth information from the various modules (materials should be given to the students to read, instead of just an overview of the brochures faculty)In that case it painfully clear that the students career / education guidance is lacking, especially after O-level is very general, very general and A-Levels (these roads are the name of the General Certificate of Education GCE for a reason too), because after these tests is to choose the specialties of colleges and universities, which affect their future career.

Of course, a certain discipline to the work force is not entirely impossible, but not the point of education to be equipped with the skills and knowledge to efficiently implement and efficiency of a work in the future? Would not it be a waste of resources to train an engineer, but that he / she goes to another job completely separate?

The remedy for this, maybe it reduce or minimize errors in the decision making stage, and I feel it can be done through the right career / educational guidance.ETA: As I write this, it is also clear to me that it might be better for career guidance are provided by a party that is neutral, not directly related to or influenced by the Ministry of Education. But I am good in both directions (outside of the Ministry of Education, preferably the first), provided that is not provided by the school that the student is considering, for obvious reasons not exactly going to be impartial .

Tuition Fees become too much of a burdern

When it comes to getting a college education most people can agree that the costs can be staggering at best. Even the least expensive colleges in the country can add up to more than four or five years, creating crippling debt for those who do not meet some of the best support programs as well as the stock market.
The problem is that the traditional older student too much money to get financial assistance without need-based and very little to get scholarships for students as needed. Also among those who have access to competitive and tough, and there is no guarantee. Enter your student loan. There are all kinds of student loans and, unfortunately, is the increased costs associated with participation in universities and the growing need to succeed in college education in this country is increasingly difficult to get the price , which is associated with a higher salary.
There are three types of loans, which are commonly found in students. They are federal student loans and federal loans and private student loans. Each loan type has advantages and disadvantages that are unique to this loan. Below I give some information about each type of loan and to whom they benefit.
Student Loans. There are three different types of student loans: subsidized loans, tax free, and Perkins.
Perkins loans are available only for students who have demonstrated financial need. These loans are available at an interest rate of 5% and is available for graduates and students. Perkins loans extended through the University to participate in, and returns to the university, as opposed to other student loans, which are returned to the lender.
Subsidized student loans are loans where the interest is deferred graduation or you no longer entitled to a student. What this means is that although you are responsible for repaying the loan after graduation rates, these loans do not begin until you start repaying six months after graduation diploma or if you cease to be a university student at least half time. You must be based on your income to obtain student loans. While the needs requirements for these loans is not as serious as is required to Perkins loan, you will still be entitled to receive.
Subsidized student loans do not require qualification as required. You must be a student enrolled at least half the time to get a subsidized student loan. The good news, however, for those who do not need to be based on other options of student loans is that this type of loan is available to all eligible students, regardless of need. Interest rate loans should, however, will immediately begin to benefit from the, so they are truly to be added over time.
PLUS loans are loans taken out by parents of students who need money for education spending. The maximum number that can be borrowed at a price reduced by the presence of financial aid programs have already been received. The repayment of these loans begins 60 days after the loan is dispersed and the repayment period of up to 10 years.
You can reduce the cost of education, the government recognizes as eligible for college expenses and you can choose the path of private student loans and not rely solely on funding from the federal government for your student loan to cover the source. These loans require that you qualify to receive a credit instead they are depending on your needs and should be used for educational purposes. These loans, in particular, really need to make sure you read the fine print that companies offer different conditions and different variety of extras. You should really take time and compare prices and options for taking in the private student loan, and this should be done as a last resort.
Student loans can make a difference, many University students and to be trained and you can reduce the high cost of higher wages. This is why you should treat them with respect and to take too light.

Beyond the writing in Singapore

Comment "good writing is more than getting the 'A' (9 June 2011) by Mr. Chew Hui Min made the sharp observation that the memorization and regurgitation of the heart - especially the language of instruction - you useful useful short-term trials but could have potential ramifications. lasting episodes of "cram" the interest of students studying in the tooth in the long run, irritate and creativity due to the repeated need to follow a fixed model of response and expression.
In the general context of language teaching in Singapore, it seems a disproportionate importance is placed on writing and thus reading, listening and speaking are overlooked.
Exposing students to the stock phrases for compositions, however, is not necessarily the use of non-constructive and active role of familiarity with the phrase can build vocabulary, increase the level of expression, and increase Understand literary terms by creating metaphors and word games . Line eyes turned when the student grows to be solely dependent on them, do not have the ability to use them with wisdom and skill, not knowledge in content or writing related measures in its examination. The expression language itself - even if superficially, built by the common phrase - has a bit, if the user is not the process of thinking about knowledge of crane.
In the general context of language teaching in Singapore, it seems a disproportionate importance is placed on writing and thus reading, listening and speaking are overlooked. Of course, students can easily feel disabled in presentations, or even pieces of research vis-à-vis the interaction of the conversation simply because they have the ability to apply what they learned.
Emphasis on writing looks very impressive based on the fact that the leading candidate for the standardized exams test your linguistic skills, especially through writing. Unfortunately, the ability of listening, reading skills and oratorios that are important to the general understanding and practical application of language. Through various channels, and only involving multiple forms of interaction and focus, the teaching-learning to be more attractive and productive for students and educators. So, instead of the convenience of the status quo, teaching in educational institutions should be adapted creatively to reflect the above aspects.
Perhaps, if the other students and parents become more aware of the real value of language learning is the way of learning and not the end result itself, they have fewer problems and often continue to produce notes based on examinations. More important, parents and teachers focus on the success of students who do most of their language

What Singapore can learn from Poland

Stress and pressure are the most common complaints of people, when asked about the Singapore education system. The roots of the problems can not be the usual test and examination results, alone, on the contrary, increasing the pressure on the many consequences of the disproportionate expectations and assumptions related to academic performance evaluation. In other words, the students note that they will always pay a heavy price if they fail or are relatively low, relatively.
Although the Singapore education system is generally advocated a variety of important performances at the Olympics, students, research and international studies, the most sought Singapore's overseas - especially in Finland - the silver bullet.
Finland seems to be the most constructive comparison of Singapore and Finland in a huge emphasis on the mechanisms of education, extensive networks in place and reached the same level of scientific excellence. However, it was indicated that the Finnish colleagues have achieved this level of success is significantly lower stress levels, and where the actual processes of teaching and learning is a priority in the queue for shared outcomes and investing notes. It is interesting to reflect that Singapore can learn something about mechanisms of education in Finland?
Stakeholders in education
There was a proliferation of articles and commentaries appeared to welcome the Finnish education system in recent years, after the key people interested in all educational institutions - of culture, the Ministry and the schools, teachers, parents and students - and the crowd was sintetizei proposals in the above figure.
This is not surprising, there are considerable similarities between the two frames (Finland and Singapore, and South Korea, common sources of university education in the world). Education and knowledge is excellent, the Ministries of Education (MOE) work tirelessly to raise the status of teachers, education heavily subsidized (or free), and there are strong support for schools and teachers to fulfill its role and functions effectively.
So what Singapore can choose from these findings important? Of course, the value given the overwhelming pre-school education can be emulated, and the dependence of the lowest standardized tests (which manages the expectations of parents looking for answers and evidence they collected and enforced, and quickly turn away pedantic repetitive memorization techniques).
Improve early education
First, increase the quality of education in the kindergarten level through training of trainers, teachers, and strengthening education programs. The unpleasant truth is that the pre-school teachers often do not get the recognition they deserve, and the pedagogy of teaching and learning is often the most basic level is low. Language teaching should be another priority of education in different packages based on holistic learning and skills of the game are beginning to take center stage.
The unpleasant truth is that the pre-school teachers often do not get the recognition they deserve, and the pedagogy of teaching and learning is often the most basic level is low.
Second, the pre-school institutions should serve as leaders in the communications and conservações parents and teachers of their children, provides a basis for common work, and in the future.
Before enrolling in kindergarten or kindergarten, parents should also be given paternity or resources - a free public guided by the Ministry of Education - how teaching and learning at home. This can be a simple lesson plan to help the development of rhetorical speech or expression that you have read lists - in cooperation with the National Library Board (NLB) - of the readings.
A more general, larger grants may be awarded to low-income families, so children would not seriously injured from an early age. Essentially, the importance of early childhood education can not be neglected.
Moving away from exams
In the short term, the number of final exam or might be reduced gradually, as stopping the removal of management at year-end tests and a minimum of two students in selected schools and the development of the Integrated Programme (IP). MOE and the directors believe that standardized tests are the best way to understand, to evaluate their own skills, strategies should be implemented to break away from the traditional basis of written assessments.
Most graduates of the system can attest to the fact that despite the recurrent memory can increase a person's ability to produce information and knowledge (ACE exam required), applicability beyond the school is very questionable. My opinion is that the approaches to Singapore for education should be interdisciplinary, comprehensive, competency-based. While the measurements are essential, not only to be balanced (the "all" is based on a unique role), and a number of different (uniform classification throughout the year, including public speaking, research, presentation skills, writing activities as self-initiated).
My opinion is that the approaches to Singapore for education should be interdisciplinary, comprehensive, competency-based.
Finally, it would be useful to the government is gradually moving away from the inter-school rankings, which facilitates the harassing anxieties of schools learning differences, and substantially reorganize the parents' expectations (Interestingly, the schools to which the IP address is not listed does not jeopardize the overall performance.) instead of focusing on grades, statistics and key performance indicators (KPI), the choice institutions - primary or secondary - whether it is a prerequisite talents and interests of the child, as well as various niche school, geographical proximity, and so on.
The practice of adoption assessments Finnish schools, and encouraging support for a more accurate and very productive, because it allows the school administration, to establish standards of personalized reference (probably with their parents and teachers) rather than in comparison with other schools, for the simple fact that doing so. Things will change for better recognition can not be regarded as means to an end, students and schools.

Undo edits

How singapore education in future would look like?

Last Tuesday, along with four other persons and writer, I was invited to tea with the Ministry of Education (MOE) Senior State Secretary Miss Ann Sim be updated in the forthcoming plans of the Ministry, the same time, we had a useful dialogue with the shortcomings of the education landscape in Singapore. Besides the traditional discussions about the extreme levels of stress in the schools and the need to continue to empower parents and teachers and others, the discourse is based on two main objectives: firstly to improve preschool and special education, second, how the growth of students - in secondary education and higher level - will be made more general.

Thinking about teaching Pre-School and Special

Given the importance of early education and preparation for the parents in particular, the participants who bases on the acute need for Singaporeans to be more aware of the choices and resources available for development of their children. As a result of the changing curriculum and teaching in education and the increasing demands of the curricula and examinations in primary education, with a healthy lead may be useful for the development of students.

In combination with the perception that parents are more skilled expatriates in diversified maneuvers, feelings of dissatisfaction begins at the surface, there are calls to Singaporeans clearly defined advantage to Main A data registration process. This form of information asymmetry can not be allowed to manifest itself, gradually, the session must be configured to guide families through the various methods. Parents, at an earlier date, more effective and intensive coordinated.
Miss Sim Ann also shared about the efforts being introduced not only help in the education and rehabilitation of students with special needs, but also to the level of sensitivity and awareness among the people of Singapore to increase.
Miss Ann Sim also divided on the existing and future efforts - not only introduced to assist in education and rehabilitation of students with special needs, but also to the level of sensitivity and awareness of the increasing population of Singapore. Seem important for students in general to become more aware of the challenges their colleagues, and the development of the much-desired level of understanding and comprehension.

The value Tailor

The biggest argument that can be leveled against our current system of education is this: that the philosopher concentration in academics and performance evaluation, which itself is assumed that the old method of rote and regurgitation were not taken into account the total duration and requires students. GT, writer on thinking Fish tank (http://thethinkingfishtank.wordpress.com/), found in his relief stint teaching at a school district. He followed the Humanities education focuses on the content per se to increase skills, and complained about the poor dependence on Information Communication Technology (ICT), and how the project work will be rejected rather than adopted as a creative way to engagement .

Education and service can not expect the syllabi, pedagogical and teaching-learning techniques to a one-size-mail at all. Academic performance is not the only determining factor for the success of a student within the system.

Perhaps this is part of a cultural phenomenon that focused academic priority over all other school, even if settings are available for the pursuit of sport, art, people are reluctant to take leaps of faith in the study. Mr Soh Yi Da, a political science student at the National University of Singapore (NUS), has highlighted the possibility of extending the concept of school and vocational guidance (ECG) to parents and students to offer Learning more options than any bookish air, if this proposal is taken seriously, this is the beginning of something new.
Academic performance is not the only determining factor for the success of a student within the system.

Other items

A number of other discussions are: the possible need to revise and expand the involvement of the Community (CIP) and Service-Learning (SL) projects, the pros and cons of the Integrated Programme (IP), improving the education of bilingualism and language in Singapore, but also the problems of Singapore university (how to strike a balance between the standards of research and education, are not necessarily good researchers make good teachers or counselors).

***
A look ahead (guanyinmiao of reflections)

For the rest of the week will be two separate posts to look at two important issues raised by the Minister of Education Mr Heng Swee Keat during his speech at the annual workplan seminar Moe: If the new Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) program will suffice for the amount of education (also, what policies should be established and how it should be easier), and the need for students to more intensive.

An Education Roundtable segment also launched in the coming weeks. More details are given to individual pages for the effort and also seen a Facebook page set up in the near future. Let it stay tuned!

Undo edits

Online education would fit you?

We live in the information age. We are so accustomed to information at the speed of light is an expectation that immediate access to countless facts and figures with simple mouse clicks many of us simply disturbing. For this reason, it only makes sense that many people across the country and around the world embracing the concept of online learning and educational opportunities for every ounce of enthusiasm that they are there.
At the same time equal number of people worldwide who are desperately trying to cling to traditional methods of dealing with things. In fact, some people actually still play solitaire with a deck. For people who feel the information age to leave them to a certain extent, the chances are quite good that online learning may be the best option available to you.
Below are some questions that can help you narrow down if you really like to take some of the many online courses available to learn current information age.
1) Are you disciplined? This may seem a trivial problem as well because we all want to believe that we are disciplined to some extent. The problem is that when you're in the driver's seat of your own education you need to be slightly above the low level of control. You must be able to meet deadlines, take tests, and hold you accountable for learning the information you need to learn to pass the course. There is no one to blame but yourself if you fail to do well in your courses online and some people simply love to be in the driver's seat when it comes to motivating and pacing themselves and their teaching practices.2) How do you learn best? There are various methods to learn everything we retain information better than others. Online courses are reading intensive. If you have trouble keeping the information you read, you may need to find a training method or, alternatively, to seek solutions to help the teacher before moving into the learning environment.3) Do you have a genuine desire to succeed? The answer to this question is very important to determine whether online learning is in your best interest. There are many ways to achieve education and what you want. This is not the way to the masses, at least not yet. This type of learning, more than any other easy to stop apathy. If you decide on a homework study notes, and really learn the material is presented to you, then you really need not waste your time or time instructor to continuously make excuses. Online courses are largely self-trained, but have a limited time to learn the required material before going forward. The teacher is responsible for providing you with information and documents, but you are responsible for everything that happens from that point. Are you ready for this responsibility?
Whether you're a college student or first professional back to school after absences can learn online to open up new doors of opportunities for fun learning. You must be willing to go through the doors and take the information presented to you, but to succeed. It is my sincere hope that everyone reading this to consider carefully whether the lack of structure will provide many online courses that will help your learning and special educational needs before diving.