Singapore's Educational Model | Singapore Maths Tuition

More national examinations in Singapore are now being conducted electronically

July 23, 2023 by Maths Statistics Science Tutor

23rd July 2023

In Singapore, more national examinations are now being conducted electronically, doing away with the need for physical writing of scripts and the usage of pen and paper. To date, 60 GCE examination papers are now in electronic mode.

Student competencies such as critical and inventive thinking are better assessed through e-exams with the use of multimedia, as compared with pen-and-paper examinations.

In 2021, the introduction of the Personalised Digital Learning Programme ensured that every secondary school student owned a school-prescribed personal learning device (PLD). This necessitated a shift in the way lessons are designed and enacted, so that students would make use of their PLDs in their classroom learning.

Each e-exam mode has innovative features that provide an engaging examination experience. For some examinations, it will also be easier for candidates to edit and organise their responses. They can make use of the editing features – cut, copy and paste functions – and not have to worry about untidy cancellations or illegible handwriting.

The use of multimedia allows questions to be set with authentic and real-life contexts, which test important disciplinary knowledge and skills. It would be difficult to set similar questions in a pen-and-paper format.

E-exams make assessments more accessible for students with disabilities. One example is candidates who require larger font sizes due to their visual impairment. This can be facilitated through the use of zoom and text-to-speech software in e-exams.

Such exams also boost efficiency, by removing certain administrative processes in paper-based examinations. These include printing question papers, transporting them to and from examination venues, and collecting and counting them at the end of an examination.

Technical issues, such as Internet connectivity problems or computer glitches, can disrupt the examination experience. To address this, there are resiliency features to safeguard examination candidates’ responses. One of these is an automatic save function at multiple locations, including candidates’ laptops and the government cloud, during the e-exams. If there is a disruption, candidates’ responses can be restored easily. Should there be a network or power failure, candidates can continue their examination on laptops with battery packs.

How tuition can help students excel in the International Baccalaureate’s Math Exploration project

September 12, 2022 by Maths Statistics Science Tutor

From the Editorial Team
12th September 2022

The International Baccalaureate allows students to take subjects at Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL). In particular, students choosing to undertake the IB curriculum need to decide whether to take the Mathematics subject at HL or SL. A major component of the IB curriculum for Mathematics is the written report titled the “Math Exploration”.

In both the HL and SL curriculum, there is a Math Exploration which students must write. The Math Exploration consists of an original report where students must choose a topic of interest, undertake research on the topic, solve the problem presented in the thesis statement and formulate a conclusion. The Math Exploration will contain workings in a demonstration of the solving of the problem in the thesis statement and is not purely theoretical.

Furthermore, a critical aspect of the Math Exploration is an explanation as to why the student has chosen the topic. This section requires creativity as the answer that “I chose this topic to finish my Math Exploration” is unacceptable. The student must reach further and explain the underlying implications of the Math Exploration in the real world.

An example of a Math Exploration topic is the exploration of how encryption keys are created and decrypted by the recipient using a formula. A student would need to explain his/her interest in encryption keys and the current situation where hacking into personal data is becoming increasingly common. As such, more complex encryption keys are required to keep people’s data safe. The student would need to demonstrate how encryption keys are created and then decoded upon reaching the intended recipient of the data, and conclude that as time passes and computers get more and more sophisticated, more complex formulas are needed to encrypt and decrypt pieces of data.

Turning to the subject of this article, tuition could assist in the choosing of a topic and the explanation in the Math Exploration as the tutor would have a macro view of Mathematics as a whole and would be able to recommend good ideas for the student to undertake. As tutors will have a university-level knowledge of the subject, they would be able to assist the student in where to look during the research process and tidy up the workings used in the proving of the thesis statement. A tutor could help the student craft the section on why the student is interested in a particular topic by teaching the student about the real-life implications and uses of a particular formula or area of Mathematics.

As the IB curriculum requires independent research, some may wonder about the effectiveness of tutors in crafting these written assignments as tutors are usually found to help students drill with exam questions. The role of a tutor as a guide in the field of Mathematics to undertake research is perhaps, less thought of. However, IB tutors must assist students in writing such independent research assignments if they require help, as often, such writing assignments are new to students who have not experienced the Integrated Programme (IP) which prepares students for the IB programme. Students who have undertaken O Levels are accustomed to preparing for a major exam using past questions and have a lot to learn about writing a report and conducting research.

As such, tuition centres preparing their students for the IB programme ought to make the necessary arrangements for their tutors to assist their students in crafting a well-researched and succinct Math Exploration.

The importance of soft skills in Singapore’s education system

September 2, 2022 by Maths Statistics Science Tutor

From the Editorial Team
2nd September 2022

Although the Singaporean education system ranks highly among its counterparts all around the world, there are some things which are necessary in navigating the real world, but are difficult to be taught.

It is important for students to develop soft skills such as problem-solving, intellectual curiosity, and emotional intelligence. However, these aspects cannot necessarily be taught in school, in the traditional classroom setting.

The Singaporean education system has attempted to balance the need to develop soft skills by encouraging students to take up a host of Co-curricular Activities (CCA), ranging from creative arts, sports, and uniformed groups.

Furthermore, there are plenty of opportunities for students to develop their problem-solving skills and creativity in the myriad of competitions and external events schools in Singapore undoubtedly encourage their students to participate in.

By getting involved in activities outside studying, students will be able to build a diverse portfolio of experiences which bring out positive skills such as team management, coordinating their limited time and resources, and a curiosity to discover more about the world around them.

Students participating in such activities and opportunities should not merely view these events as a mandatory chore, necessary to boost their prospects for future universities or their resumes, but should strive to learn more from these experiences. The quality of curiosity is highly important in students being able to exercise their critical thinking skills, as only a curious student will have the motivation to find out why he or she is wrong or right, and how to better themselves.

In addition, parents should not view such activities as a hindrance to their schooling and development. They should encourage their children to pursue such activities as it is important for them to experience life outside academics and gain the necessary exposure to not only survive, but thrive.

Help smaller companies communicate their skills training needs to enable educational institutions to respond rapidly

May 14, 2022 by Maths Statistics Science Tutor

14 May 2022

Education Minister Chan Chun Sing has said that Singapore must innovate to help smaller companies communicate their skills training needs so that training institutions can respond quickly.

Mr Chan said SkillsFuture Singapore has plans to partner these organisations to identify skills that are in demand and to develop skills-based career pathways.

Mr Chan noted that many companies want to train their workers but do not know how to articulate this need. He said the National Centre of Excellence for Workplace Learning (Nace), which is led by Nanyang Polytechnic, has done much to strengthen support structures for workplace learning.

Last year, Nace also launched the National Workplace Learning Certification scheme, he added. It recognises progressive organisations that have structures and processes in place for good training practices at the workplace.

Singapore schools to remove mid-year examinations starting next year

March 17, 2022 by Maths Statistics Science Tutor

17 March 2022

Primary and Secondary Schools in Singapore will remove mid-year examinations next year, as part of an overall shift of focus away from academic grades and tests. This will free up about three weeks of curriculum time per level for teachers to use more varied and engaging ways of learning.

According to Education Minister Chan Chun Sing, this policy builds on earlier efforts to give students space to develop their interests, and to focus on their learning rather than on marks.

The removal of mid-year exams will give more space to developing life skills such as dealing with failure and adaptability. These include self-directed learning and developing 21st century competencies like knowledge, skills and values that students will need to thrive in the new economy and interconnected world.

Government to investigate how youths and students access and utilize mental health resources

February 25, 2022 by Maths Statistics Science Tutor

25 February 2022

The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the National Youth Council have commissioned a new study to investigate how youth navigate the mental health system.

The results of the study will be used to formulate policies to improve support for youth mental health and well-being.

The study will study how 30 young people search for mental health information and support from government agencies and community service providers. The participants will comprise young people in institutes of higher learning, those transitioning through life stages such as graduating from university or starting work, as well as young working adults between one and three years into their careers

It is hoped that mapping how youth navigate the mental health system can provide the Government with a better understanding of their lived experiences, including challenges in accessing mental health information, resources and services.

Singapore’s universities ramp up spending to assist needy students

February 16, 2022 by Maths Statistics Science Tutor

16 February 2022

The National University of Singapore plans to channel an extra $15 million a year, starting in 2022, to support undergraduates from needy families in their pursuit of further studies.

An NUS spokesman said that in a typical year, NUS spends about $17 million in the form of bursaries to support students from low-income families with their tuition fees, living and accommodation expenses as well as expenses for overseas exposure.

Taking care of their tuition fees fully will help to ease their worries about not being able to afford a degree course, or having to work while studying to pay off huge loans.

Other local universities have similar initiatives for less privileged students. In recent years, the Singapore University of Technology and Design has also launched a grant that guaranteed the same for undergraduates in need of help.

Healthy school start times are a long term investment in our students and youths

September 3, 2021 by Maths Statistics Science Tutor

03 September 2021

There has been much debate over whether we should allow Singapore’s public schools to start the school day later.

In Singapore, many secondary schools start at 7.30am, which often does not allow for adequate sleep.

Healthy school start times are a long-term investment for the common good. Wealthy parents may be inconvenienced by an early start time, but they have the option of taking their child to school by car.

Economically disadvantaged parents in Singapore are more likely to send their child to school by public transport, or rely on school bus operators who dictate pickup times. Consequently, many teenagers from such homes do not have adequate time for sleep or breakfast.

Efforts to help students go to bed earlier are important, but they have proven far less effective in improving sleep duration compared with delaying school start times.