Reflection 3

30th September 2010

Finally, it is time for some real work. I was so excited when I posted my findings on the wetpaint.com wiki page created by Kong. One of the good things that has come out of all this is that every day I am learning something new. Cool isn’t? We discussed what we should put together for the e-package. It was interesting to piece all the jigsaw pieces to get the big picture of all the initiatives and its impact on the teaching and learning of Maths. No matter how advanced technology is, it still feels good to meet the members face to face to hold some good heart to heart discussion and that’s what we did today. It helped to allay our fears and apprehension and it was reassuring to find strength in numbers. We sorted what the missing elements in our search were and decided to further our probe into those initiatives. Some of you may wonder what is the relevance of NE on the teaching and learning of Mathematics. To understand that, we as teachers must belief in the philosophy behind the initiative. WE ARE THE KEY TO THE SUCCESS OF THE INITIATIVE.
National Education is part of a holistic education.
“It is an exercise to develop instincts that become part of the
psyche of every child. It must engender a shared sense of
nationhood, an understanding of how our past is relevant to our
present and future. It must appeal to both heart and mind.”
Goh Chok Tong (then PM of Singapore)
Teacher's Day Rally Speech, 8 Sept 1996
So let’s get this in the right perspective.
1. NE is a requirement
2. NE should be integrated into mathematics teaching
3. Mathematics concepts/contents/topics can be introduced using Singapore
context
4. Provide authentic problems/real-life problems from Singapore society
5. Instill thinking & co-operative learning and self-regulated
learning
6. Be a role model

Now, I feel passionately charged about the infusion of NE across the curriculum.