20th national conference on school science & mathematics

เสวนาว�ชาการ งานประช มว�ชาการว�ทยาศาสตร� คณิ�ตศาสตร�ใน โรงเร�ยนคร��งท�� 20

Sustainable Development of Science and Mathematics in School

ประสบการณิ�จากประเทศส�งคโปร�

Yeap Ban HarMarshall Cavendish Institute

Singapore

banhar@sg.marshallcavendish.com

Introduction

Both educational achievement and economic performance was poor in 1960s when Singapore first became a nation.

There has been big improvement in both education and economy since then. Today, Singapore is generally successful in both.

Source: Statistics Singapore http://www.singstat.gov.sg

1 2 3 4 5 60

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

40,000

Per Capita GDP in USD at Current Market Prices

1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2009

516

34 537

Source: Statistics Singapore http://www.singstat.gov.sg

Education System

In 1997, the Thinking Schools, Learning Nation philosophy was introduced.

Today, thinking and problem solving remain important focus of the education system.

Education System

Education system is constantly reviewed for improvement.

Science & Mathematics Curriculum

Mathematics curriculum focuses on problem solving.Science curriculum focuses on inquiry.

Textbooks

Textbooks are written to reflect the demands of the curriculum and based on learning theories.

Ateneo de Manila Grade School, The Philippines

Primary Mathematics Standards Edition (United States of America)

CPA Approach

National Institute of Education, Singapore

Spiral Approach

Pensar sin Limites (Chile)

Spiral Approach

Pensar sin Limites (Chile)

Spiral Approach

Pensar sin Limites (Chile)

Spiral Approach Pensar sin Limites (Chile)

Maths Champion (Indonesia)

National Tests

National test items requires higher-order thinking.

For example, in mathematics, tedious computation is not emphasized. Instead problem solving is important. In science, process skills are

tested significantly.

Examples from Grade 6 National Examination

Mathematics

Example from Grade 6 National Examination

Science

Teacher Education (Pre-Service)

A uniform systematic pre-service teacher education.

Grades 11 – 12 teachers are specialists.Grades 7 – 10 teachers are semi-specialists, trained in two subjects.

Grades 1 – 6 teachers are generalists. However, they receive substantial mathematics and science education.

National Institute of Education, Singapore

Performance of Future Primary TeachersMathematics Content Knowledge

Performance of Future Primary TeachersMathematics Pedagogical Content Knowledge

Performance of Future Lower Secondary TeachersMathematics Content Knowledge

Performance of Future Lower Secondary TeachersMathematics Content Knowledge

Professional Development (In-Service)

There is provision for 100 hours of professional development a year. Schools are expected to form Professional Learning Communities

(PLC).

Many schools do Lesson Study.

Da Qiao Primary School, Singapore

North Vista Primary School, Singapore

CHIF Our Lady of Good Counsel, Singapore

New pedagogies are introduced in the teaching and learning process as a result of lesson study.

Fuchun Primary School, Singapore

เสวนาว�ชาการ งานประช มว�ชาการว�ทยาศาสตร� คณิ�ตศาสตร�ใน โรงเร�ยนคร��งท�� 20

Sustainable Development of Science and Mathematics in School

ประสบการณิ�จากประเทศส�งคโปร�

Presentation is available at www.banhar.com