An Education Monologue

Here is a thought we shared on our FB page

"Most of the friends I know are college kids and they complain that college is too stressful with too much work and exams. When I ask them why they chose to go to college, their reply is: 'College is my second option (or third?) because I cannot take the risk with my first option - which is actually what I really want to do but my parents will not like it.' And I'm thinking What? They go through life with all these back-up plans that they are not happy with, so what's the point? And the working ones are not happy with their jobs either because they do the same things day in and day out just to please their bosses and have no time to really do what they really like, like dance! 

I can never live a life of a robot. I want to be a great dancer, guitarist and singer! I will work very hard to get the skills I need. Life is too short - we should just follow our hearts and be happy doing what we do!"

Join us in our discussion on alternative education and learning, Learning Beyond Schooling, HERE

Why your 8-year-old should be coding

When the medium of communication was sound, we learn language and communicate through speech. We learn pronunciation, intonation, diction, etc. Kids sang song like "a is for apple a... a... a..." to help them develop the skills.

When the medium of communication was a piece of paper, we learn to write. We were taught to hold a pen, translate the sounds of our speech into symbols we call characters (or strokes). Automation was happening and it began with the typewriter. Not everyone had a typewriter, so kids continued to learn to write. Obvious learning to read was synonymous to writing.

When paper was enhanced with the digital medium, children were then taught to type - computers were began to be placed in schools (mostly urban schools). Along with that other tools such using a mouse, draw and use applications like spreadsheet and art. It was still a mostly stand-alone unconnected world. Now we could, speak, write and read and use these skills on a computer.

Today when the internet drives social media with a strong mobile presence, the tools we use to communicate are evolving - times will be different. Coding may be a necessary skills (although still very much in its infancy) otherwise our communication will be limited.

Yet, as all these are happening, we still retain speaking and writing skills.

We are evolving!

Why your 8-year-old should be coding | VentureBeat

GE13: Thoughts and Reflection

http://beyond-buddhism.blogspot.com/p/buddhists-to-polls.html

Tsu Koon says best to ignore inciters of religious rows

I do not agree with Dr Koh that we should merely ignore inciters.

It is not a matter of giving such people further publicity, we NEED to hear voices of peace, reconciliation and to a great extent, sensibility. Keep quiet and ignoring such loud voices of hatred, is in a way condoning them.

As Minister in charge of unity, it is not only your duty, it is also your responsibility be the voice of moderation that encourages reconciliation  As a minister in the government of the day, you have some control over the media, why not only bring but encourage voices of peace and harmony. Why remain quiet and discuss internally only? Sadly, when it matters most to hear your voice, nothing come out except for excuses!

I personally feel that to bring about harmony it is also important to move beyond tolerance to appreciation and understanding, We need much more engagement and activities to be  done right from schools to the government offices. We also need legislation and possibly new laws that governs us towards that direction. We need to see an action plan, not just excuses.

Yes, we won third in the world interfaith harmony week 2013. I think you deserve some credit but it is critical to know that interfaith harmony is not about winning prizes, it is about how people feel. Right now - I think there is still a lot more that needs to be done.

Main - Malaysia - Tsu Koon says best to ignore inciters of religious rows @ Thu Mar 28 2013