Transcript Presentation - Schools Online

Mathematics Matters
Name: Lee Ngan Hoe
Title: Singapore’s achievement in
international benchmarking studies
– Some Insight and Reflections
#MathsMatters
Source: Singapore Department of Statistics - http://www.singstat.gov.sg/
Founded in : 1819
Gained independence in : 1965
People : Mainly migrants
National Language : Malay
Official /Working Language : English
Context
The Singapore Mathematics Curriculum –
Basically a national curriculum:
Textbooks must be approved before being
adopted in schools.
•
•
The Ministry of Education Primary Mathematics
Syllabus Document (Year of implementation – 2007)
(http://www.moe.edu.sg/education/syllabuses/sciences
/files/maths-primary-2007.pdf)
The Ministry of Education Primary Mathematics
Syllabus Document (Year of implementation – 2013)
(http://www.moe.edu.sg/education/syllabuses/sciences
/files/maths-primary-2013.pdf)
• Framework – What to address?
• Approaches – How to address?
The Framework for the Singapore Mathematics Curriculum,
developed in 1990, for example, survived, with minor modification,
the major curriculum review for the 2000 syllabuses which took into
account the three new Initiatives. One of the key reasons for the
Framework’s survival is its rigour and robustness in presenting the
philosophy and principles underlying decisions made about what
mathematics education should equip our students with.
Lee, N.H. (2008a). Nation Building Initiative: Impact on Singapore Mathematics
Curriculum. In Niss, M. (Ed.) 10th International Congress on Mathematical
Education Proceedings (CD). Copenhagen: Roskilde University.
Mathematical knowledge
Sense-making
Facts
Procedures
Applications
Performance
Connection
Automaticity
Fluency
Flexibility
Problem Solving
Teaching for Problem Solving
Teaching of Problem Solving
Teaching through Problem Solving
Promotion Of
Effectiveness
Efficiency
Elegance
Each topic is revisited and introduced in increasing depth from one level to the
next to enable students to consolidate the concepts and skills learned and to
develop these concept and skills further.
It is not just about representing an idea in different forms, it is about connecting
the various representation to make sense of the mathematics to be learnt
• Eclectic approach towards teaching and
learning of mathematics in a centralised
system
• Consistency-based and integrated approach
towards curriculum changes
• Value on education and mathematics
• Exposure to eclecticism, striking for balance,
strive for unity
• Size
• East or West?
Advantages
In
International Benchmarking Studies
• Every school is a good school concept:
Raising the average
• National examinations
Are
International Benchmarking Studies
Useful?
What have we gained?
• Economically
• Educationally
Education is embedded in a social
context. Curriculum development
should be approached from a
integrative rather than additive manner.
International benchmark studies is but
just one way to better understand the
gaps that exist in curriculum, teaching
and learning. A balanced and holistic
approach is needed for curriculum
development.
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