Teaching Values in the Classroom

didactics value in the ClassroomReplace an empty mind with an open unitaryMalcolm Forbes simple credit above explains one important aspect of article of belief method which is that of broadening the mind. This could be one project of culture simply non the only one. A intention could differ from one society to another or even from one clock time period to another. I shall illustrate this using the contrast between Singapores commandment system of the past and present.In the 1800s under the British colonial rule, teaching method was present to beat the neighborly structure more efficient through vernacular schools. Later in the post-war period (1950s), schools were re-established to ensure societal progress on the road to self-governance. From 1960s onwards, education was seen as an essential tool for sort outing the technical skills and competencies demand to construction a more industrialized Singapore. Education was thus necessary to gain employment and perchance alleviate the family economic status. In the ripe 1970s however, there was a change proposed by late Dr. Goh Keng Swee to embrace a more efficiency-driven education where the aim was to cater to the different elateing abilities of the students to make them learn at their own pace. The present education system however has evolved to be more holistic that prepares one to be a more globalised citizen. This ultimately links to globalised stage business opportunities. It open fire be clearly seen that the get of education has changed from that of improving literacy rate and getting a stable job to that of gaining the 21st century value, fellowship and expertise to work in a contemporary globalised world.Purpose of EducationThe purpose of education does not fork over to be the same for each somebody beca procedure it ultimately depends on what one gains from the education he receives. In my view, the purpose of education is to acquire knowledge, values and skills of the 21st cent ury that would prepare one to face the challenges of a contemporary globalised world of today and to motivate one to pursue life-long learning. buttocks Deweys PhilosophyThis purpose which is largely relevant to the current Singapores con text edition and time frame has been closelyly derived from John Deweys ism of education. John Dewey, a famous philosopher and educational theorist, believed that education is a march that should enhance the quality of life. He conceived an cost to education that would equip individuals with the skills and outlook that he believed were necessary for taking on the hardships and possibilities of life and thereby for structure a better world.He introduced the melodic theme of an informal educational approach whereby the teachers would centre on the curriculum, instructional settings and the physical setting of the learning experience. Hence, teachers could select and come up with innovative learning activities that would stimulate the students t o process and apply their curriculum means in more creative and original ways.John Dewey to a fault states that education involves reconstruction of a students prior understanding and knowledge as he/she asks new questions and explores other perceptions of the like. This makes education a transformative process where one does not gain new knowledge but kind of expands on his existing one. This transformation would continue so long as new knowledge and information is spy and learnt.His theories therefore suggest that education has to be practical, engaging and transformational on top of just knowledge acquisition. Since his philosophy is more in line with Singapores educational system and cultural context, I have used it as a foundation for developing my purpose of education.Positive Implications StudentsThe educational purpose does have its implications on two the teaching and learning community inSingapore, in particular to teachers and students in Singapore schools. The purpo se piece of ass be split into two components, firstly the acquiring of 21st century competencies for a globalised world and second the motivation for life-long learning.The former would allow students to become global players on an international platform. This would open the doors for better job prospects in the near future and thus render them internationally employable since job expectations have change magnitude tremendously to include social communication, information technology, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.The latter would make individuals active learners as they are more independent of their learning process and entrust not depend on the teachers for spoon-feeding information. then when they are encouraged to find out for themselves, it will become a quest for knowledge.How is this implied?The Ministry of Education (MOE) has shifted its localise to adapt a more holistic educational approach by introducing the 21st century competencies and want outcomes f ramework which illustrates the skills and values that an individual would possess later completing his education in Singapore. My main cogitate would be the inner red ring which represents the socio-emotional values that students will develop together with their core values and the outer orange ring which represents the 21st century skills that the students will gain. These are similar to the purpose that I have pointed out above which is that of acquiring the knowledge, values and skills of the 21st century.Schools have therefore revamped their teaching styles and approaches so as to equip students with these competencies. With the implementation of the Teach Less, Learn More policy in 2004, teachers have taken one step back from the traditional teaching approach and started taking the role of a facilitator in the schoolroom. For instance, there have been project works being introduced as part of the course curriculum as it enhances students knowledge and enables them to acquir e skills like collaboration, communication and independent learning. They would likewise be making links crossways different disciplines and applying the knowledge without just memorising the facts and figures for regurgitation during examinations.Knowledge AspectA simple example would be the Integrated Project Work (IPW) that has been initiated in Bukit Merah Secondary School. It is a group project assignment for the rase secondhand students which integrates tether different subjects together namely English, Science and Humanities such that the students use the centre from their Science and Humanities and their language power of English to come up with a project idea based on the task assigned. The final marks would then be split equally for the three subjects. No doubt IT skills would also come into play during the research stage where internet is the main alternative and the presentation stage where PowerPoint, video and other visual aids would be used. IPW has also been u sed in North View Primary School as well as Republic Polytechnic.Skills Aspectanother(prenominal) MOE initiative would be Information Communication Technology (ICT) in schools. I would use my own secondary school, Crescent Girls School (CGS) as an example. It was one of the first schools to introduce Mobile Learning (m-learning) through the use of tablet PCs in 2003. These PCs replaced the normal textbooks used by students as digital textbooks came into play and specialised package applications were installed as additional learning tools for Mathematics, English, Art and Geography. For instance, when preparing for our Oral Examinations, we recorded ourselves reading out a text and uploaded it as a podcast in our schools web portal. Our English teacher then gave us her comments for improvement after hearing it. This method increased the efficiency as it could be done outside curriculum time with no individual consultations with the teacher while also making preparations for exams mo re fun. Group discussions were further facilitated by the portable PCs. These Tablet PCs allowed students to easily obtain information, expand their learning environment, find resources for innovative ideas and think critically.Values AspectLastly, I will look at the Social Emotional Learning programmes that are in place in schools. Compulsory Community Involvement Programmes (CIP) and Service-Learning initiatives allow students to gain awareness of their community and perchance the global environment. They can hone their core values such as graciousness, courtesy, integrity, care and concern which square up an individual. Values like resilience, perseverance and confidence which are needed to overcome the challenges ahead are also instilled and developed via workshops. Just focusing on the skills and knowledge alone does not guarantee success so one must not ignore the values that shape a person.These 3 aspects help to explain how my purpose has actually been achieved through som e policies and pedagogies being effectively carried out in the local schools.1) oppose Implication StudentsStressOn the other hand, there is the stress factor. As students have to learn the content as well as develop their other areas to face the globalised world, they would undoubtedly encounter the pressure of meet deadlines and studying for their examinations. I believe that more time has to be set aside for revision for exams as these grades are clearly reflected in our academic certificates. When projects are assigned, more time should be allocated to prepare for the presentations and but it has to be ensured that they do not clash with other deadlines and exam dates. Proper organization is of the essence here. scorn studying attitudeSecondly, pushing the potential of students at a young age could possibly make them hate studying. An example would be the introduction of Science in Primary 1. Although this move was to allow students to gain an exposure before being formally taught the subject in Primary 3, it would only confuse students specially since they have only stepped out of kindergarten into a new territory, the Primary School. Being bombarded with new information at this age could terrify them. I feel that it is better to familiarise them with the foundational subjects such as English, Mathematics and vex Tongue first and let them get a grip on these first.2) Positive Implication Teachers rise for creativityMoving on, the next level of the school fraternity is the teachers. My purpose of education would give teachers the liberty to conduct their lessons in a more interesting and engaging way that is more effective for the students learning. Teachers can retain their formal role as an educator by imparting content knowledge but deviate from the conventional teaching method of reading from and writing on whiteboards to encouraging role-play and debates in the classroom setting. Thus, teachers come up with innovative indirect teaching approa ches that will largely boost their own creativity and originality in planning lessons. It would give them the opportunity for trial-and-error as they try out new ideas to fall in out better to their students.Professional DevelopmentAs teachers motivate their students to be life-long learners, they themselves are motivated in the process to learn as they teach. This brings about professional development on the teachers part which can be seen as another positive implication as the former principal of CGS, Mrs Lee Bee Yann once mentioned that Teachers have become more confident and reflective practitioners when asked about the impact of m-learning on teachers. The teaching career would also seem more fulfilling and rewarding as they teach students important life skills infused with content knowledge rather than just English, Mathematics and Science alone.3) Negative Implication TeachersStressTrying to mould each individual to acquire the required 21st century competencies and motive them to be independent learners can be seen as not an easy task since each individual differs in their own set of strengths and weaknesses. This may go to stress of a different kind that relates to the question of How to teach as creatively as feasible yet ensuring that the student gains the necessary skills out of it?Attending educational forums overseas could help teachers see how teaching is done in other schools on a worldwide scale and implement them in their schools. similarly via cooperative learning, ideas can be shared among colleagues. Moreover it will not seem to be a daunting task once the psychological behaviour of students are understood and their motivational factors are determine as these would aid in getting them to acquire the knowledge and skills while shaping their values.ConclusionThe purpose of education, which I derived from John Deweys philosophy, is that of acquiring knowledge, skills and values of the 21st century that would prepare one to face the chal lenges of a contemporary globalised world of today and that of being motivated to pursue life-long learning. However, the purpose has both positive and controvert implications for the teachers and students in Singapore Schools but there are possible suggested solutions which can minimize the negative effects.My purpose may not be the only purpose of education. As I mentioned earlier different individuals will have their own purpose depending on their future goals. It may be subjective but most definitely not wrong.