Singapore Maths Tuition - University and JC

Individual and small group maths tuition in Singapore - University and Junior College

Writing a Good Reflection Piece in the IB Programme

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From the Editor’s Desk
8th May 2023

Students taking the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme will encounter reflections in nearly all aspects of their course. For example, students must write reflections during the entire process of writing their Extended Essay, after undertaking their presentation for Theory of Knowledge, and for their compulsory Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) portfolio. Writing reflections is an integral skill which IB students need to score the maximum number of points.

The objective of writing a reflection is not to test a student’s knowledge of a particular subject, but rather to prove that the student has earnestly attempted the activity by allowing the student to share some of the learning points he/she has taken away from his/her attempt.

The following guiding questions or format can be used for writing reflections:

I. What was the activity or project I attempted to undertake?
II. What objective did I have in mind when attempting the task?
III. Did I achieve my objective? Why or why not?
IV. What positive experiences did I have from this activity?
V. What negative experiences did I have from this activity?
VI. After the conclusion of the activity, what are the key learning points I took away?

The above format can be applied generally to all the aforementioned projects which require reflections. Students who are lost or stumped as to what to write can pick several (or all) of the guiding questions and craft their reflection in their own words. Students should remember that writing reflections is highly different from writing an academic essay, and they should draw on their own personal experiences instead of citing sources.

Admittedly, it requires some creativity to write reflections as they are more of a personal anecdote rather than a well-researched essay. However, these guiding questions can help students who lack the time to be creative in their approach to quickly and succinctly write reflection essays which will no doubt impress their respective readers.

Ministry of Education to instruct schools on how to properly use AI tools to enhance the learning experience

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8th May 2023

The Singapore Ministry of Education is training teachers to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT to augment the learning experience. Education Minister Chan Chun Sing has mentioned that professional educator discussion groups are exploring the use of these AI tools as well.

Mr Chan compares ChatGPT to a math calculator, stating that it can only be beneficial for learning if students have a strong grasp of basic concepts and thinking abilities. Consequently, the Ministry of Education aims to teach students how to responsibly use AI tools.

The Education Minister emphasized that students will continue to learn fundamental concepts without becoming overly dependent on such tools, similar to how calculators haven’t eliminated the need to comprehend basic math operations. Additionally, students will learn how AI tools function and develop the ability to critically evaluate the responses from these tools, which may be inaccurate or biased, for precision and impartiality.

Mr Chan also pointed out that certain skills, like self-directed and collaborative learning and inventive thinking, cannot be easily replaced by technology. Instead, these skills are developed through leadership positions, interdisciplinary projects, and hands-on learning experiences.

New undergraduates at Singapore Management University will be required to be versed in environmental sustainability

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8th May 2023

New undergraduates at Singapore Management University will be required to attain an intermediate mastery of sustainability before graduation by completing at least one course in the field. This is part of an effort to prepare students for jobs that do not yet exist but could enter the growing field.

Since the green economy is set to grow very significantly over the coming years, both in Singapore and the rest of the world, there will be many new job opportunities for students as well as new skills that they need to develop in order to be able to take advantage of them. A report released by SkillsFuture Singapore in 2022 found that demand for workers with skills in the digital, green and caregiving spheres has surged over the past four years.

Another 2022 report by consultancy Bain Company and investment firm Temasek found that green investment has picked up regionally, with South-east Asia getting US$15 billion (S$20 billion) in cumulative investments since 2020, with the majority going to renewables and the built environment. The report also found that entrepreneurial efforts are focusing on building and scaling sustainable solutions, especially in the energy and agri-food sectors.

How to make the best use of tuition classes

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From the Editor’s Desk
6th March 2023

Taking tuition classes for help with school subjects is a common practice amongst Singaporean students. However, there are some students who make the best use of tuition classes so that they can maximise their time (and possibly save money). This article will provide tips on how students can maximise their time with their tutors so that they can achieve the best results in their subjects.

1. Come with genuine questions about revision which you have undertaken yourself

Students should first do some preliminary revision and try to go over a topic themselves before coming to their tuition teacher. This method is more effective that letting the tuition teacher teach a topic from scratch, as the student will have areas in their understanding which lack that the tuition teacher does not know about.

2. Attempt and mark past year papers first and ask about the mistakes you have made

Furthermore, students should attempt and mark their past year papers before coming to the tuition class to revise their mistakes. This way, students can address their mistakes directly instead of wasting time doing the papers during the class itself. Tutors can better get a sense of which mistakes students are more prone to making and tailor their revision to those mistakes.

3. Do not be afraid to ask about any concepts you do not have a solid foundation in

Students should bear in mind that tutors are there not to question knowledge but to help build an understanding of different concepts. If there are concepts where students do not understand the full extent of knowledge required for the exam, they should ask their tutor to explain it from the beginning. Students should be humble and honest about what they do not know and what gaps there are in their knowledge.

To conclude, it is important for students to make full use of their tuition classes. It is entirely possible for a student to undertake years of tuition and yet still not learn a substantial amount about their subjects. However, a student who is diligent and knows how to maximise the utility of their tutor’s time will be served well.

Schools in Singapore are rapidly gearing up for full Subject-Based Banding

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6th March 2023

Secondary schools in Singapore are rapidly gearing up for full subject-based banding. With full SBB in secondary schools, students will have greater flexibility to study more subjects at different levels that suit their interests, aptitudes and learning needs. Students can better leverage their strengths and enjoy learning at a pace suited to their needs.

Starting with the 2024 Secondary 1 cohort, the Ministry of Education will post Primary 6 pupils to secondary schools in three posting groups – 1, 2 and 3 – mapped to the Primary School Leaving Examination score ranges for Normal (Technical), Normal (Academic) and Express courses, respectively. This is meant to ensure that schools admit students with diverse strengths, and students continue to have access to a wide range of schools.

Under full SBB, eligible students will have the flexibility to take certain subjects at a more demanding level. At the end of secondary school, students will receive a common certificate, the Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC), which reflects their different subject combinations and levels. From 2027, the SEC will replace the separate Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education, for O and N levels.

Schools to be established in newer estates to meet growing demand

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6th March 2023

New MOE schools will be set up in or relocated to newer estates such as Tengah and Punggol to meet growing educational demand in those precincts.

The Ministry of Education said that it will open or move another four mainstream schools in the western and north-eastern regions of Singapore from 2026. A new secondary school in Sengkang is expected to begin operations in 2026, followed by the relocation of Bukit View Primary School, currently in Bukit Batok East, to Bukit Batok West, in 2027.

A new primary school will open in Tengah, tentatively in 2028. And two years later, the relocated Anglo-Chinese School (Primary) in Tengah will begin operations.

International Baccalaureate students in Singapore will be permitted use of ChatGPT in completing assignments

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6th March 2023

International Baccalaureate students in Singapore will be permitted the use of ChatGPT in completing their assignments, but any content generated by ChatGPT should be credited and appropriately referenced.

An International Baccalaureate spokesman said that the IB will not ban the use of artificial intelligence software, and that it is more sensible to adapt and teach students how to use these new tools ethically.

If students use AI technology to produce content, they are still expected to submit authentic work that represents their individual abilities.

To avoid plagiarism, students must credit the software in the body of the text and appropriately reference it in the bibliography.

The surprising utility of attempting drill or repetitive questions when learning Mathematics

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From the Editor’s Desk
18th Jan 2023

When studying Mathematics, it is not enough to do practice questions from the textbook or understand the concepts in theory. It is imperative that a student drills with past questions before their examinations, as this will help them identify the pattern which is prevalent in these questions to score well for the subject.

Students should perform these practice exam papers and time themselves so that they are sure that they can finish answering the questions in time. It is important that students simulate the actual examination as much as possible, as they will be used to exam conditions. Students who are more used to examination conditions will be less likely to panic when they sit for their actual exams.

Alternatively, if students want to revise a particular topic, they could obtain a book which sorts the past examination questions by topic. If a student is weak in a certain topic, they should focus on revising that topic and understanding the relevant concepts for the topic. For example, if the student needs help with translating graphs, they could do all the past year questions for the topic and check with their teacher or tutor if they are unsure about their work.

Aside from doing the questions as practice, students should mark the questions according to the answer scheme. It is not enough to merely do the questions; students must find out why the answers they have given are right or wrong. Students must take the initiative to find out the reason for their mistakes and how they can improve themselves. At times, the mistakes made by students are due to their carelessness, and at other times, the mistakes made are due to the student’s lack of understanding. By knowing the cause of the mistake, students will be able to improve themselves.

Email Address

ngejaysuss@gmail.com

Handphone Number

9724-0163 (Mr Ng)

Academic Qualifications

Ph.D. in Mathematics;
B.Sc. First Class Honours in Mathematics