27 July 2021

One effective study technique is to tackle a topic for 25 to 35 minutes with no distractions, before taking a five- to 10-minute break to do something enjoyable like playing computer games. The process can be repeated throughout the study period.

Splitting a subject into smaller topics can make it feel less intimidating. Such an approach builds confidence and allows students to grasp the subject in bite-sized chunks.

Regular revision of a few hours each week also goes a long way to reducing the exam preparation stress, and allows for better retention of material learnt. Problem areas are also identified early.

Institute of Mental Health psychologist Chan Hui Yu suggests that parents develop a “growth mindset” in their children – or a belief that a person’s capabilities and talents can be improved over time with practice. Strategies include praising children specifically for their efforts instead of results.

27 July 2021

Institute of Technical Education students now have the option of taking on a lighter study load and giving themselves more time to complete their courses.

ITE will also identify students who need more support early based on their class participation, engagement levels and assessment performance.

Earlier in April, the Ministry of Education said that ITE students will have their route to advanced certification cut from four years to three starting next year, with 16 courses.

MOE also said 80 per cent of all courses offered by ITE are expected to shift to the new three-year Higher Nitec framework by 2024, and all courses will shift by 2026.

15 July 2021

Extrinsic motivators for students to study can be tangible incentives such as a new toy or getting a pet. But intangible rewards like praise, and disincentives such as punishment, are more important.

Dr Kit Phey Ling, a senior lecturer in psychology and child and human development from the National Institute of Education (NIE), said extrinsic motivators can be effective in getting children to study for a test in the short term. However, this does not encourage good study habits, school engagement or academic goal-setting in the long run.

In contrast to extrinsic motivation, intrinsic motivation comes from within, when one does something without expecting a reward – but simply because it is interesting or enjoyable.

Dr Kit said that children who are intrinsically motivated tend to set study goals for themselves, are more engaged during lessons and try to learn about topics that they are interested in.

14 July 2021

Second Minister for Education Maliki Osman has completed six months of community engagements to promote better teaching of life skills at the polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education.

Students today need more integration of life skills such as conflict management, resilience and cross-cultural understanding in their curriculum, in order to better prepare them for the complex and rapidly evolving working world.

Dr Maliki’s review of ITE and polytechnic education began in January this year, and has involved around 1,200 students, alumni, educators, parents and employers. The last of these sessions was held last Saturday.

In April, Dr Maliki, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, said that students at the ITE will have their route to advanced certification shortened from four years to three. ITE students also have two industry attachment stints instead of one to strengthen their capabilities.

13 July 2021

English teacher Moritza Lim once assisted a student, Alice (not her real name), who had run away from home due to family issues.

In the three weeks that Alice was missing, Ms Lim was in constant contact with her parents. The police eventually managed to find Alice.

Ms Lim also works with students with long-term absenteeism. To tackle this, she reaches out to the students and their parents to remind them of the importance of school. On exam days, she would give the students morning wake-up calls and their parents daily reminders on which paper their child was taking.

Ms Lim was one of six recipients of the Outstanding Youth in Education Award (OYEA) at the National Institute of Education (NIE) Teachers’ Investiture Ceremony. Second Minister for Education Maliki Osman, who was the guest of honour, advised the teachers to embrace lifelong learning and to embrace the challenge of dealing with complex issues like race relations and sexuality education.

12 July 2021

Ngee Ann Polytechnic is planning to create an independent whistle-blowing service for staff, students, parents and members of the public who wish to lodge complaint against its employees.

The polytechnic is looking for an external vendor to operate the service, which aims to “provide a channel to raise concerns in confidence and to receive feedback on any action taken”.

When operational, whistle-blowers will be able to call a telephone hotline number, which will be manned from Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 6pm. There will also be a dedicated e-mail address.

09 July 2021

Some students have found a new way of studying – streaming themselves online or tuning in to study videos. This activity is meant to replace face to face study sessions at cafes or libraries with friends.

Dr Brian Lee, head of the Communication Programme at the School of Humanities and Behavioural Sciences, Singapore University of Social Sciences, describes this as the Hawthorne effect – the tendency to work harder and perform better when one knows one is being observed.

There are study platforms like Britain-based StudyStream which allows users aged 16 and above from all over the world to enter video study rooms and stream themselves studying for free. These video calls are akin to a physical space such as the library.

Students have also turned to “Study With Me” videos on YouTube, which showcase the creators studying for hours.