Professor of Play?

Interesting marketing campaign by Lego

An Education Policy Advice

I agree with the NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND policy.

Leave them behind!


But......

Help them find shortcuts.

Young Entrepreneurs Program

Conducted the orientation session the first Young Entrepreneurs Program of CLi over the weekend.

beach Schooling

beach-schooling, unschooling, young entrepreneurs programs... all in one day.

Alternative education is alive and vibrant!

Introduction to Beach Schooling

Thoughts on kids and electronic learning tools

Here's a response to someone who asked us If kids use computer for learning -

When our kids were growing up, we did not have a TV (by choice) and and internet only for work. The kids grew up exploring their environment, learnt to communicate with one another and improved their skills to adapt and change above all grows their imagination. I regard electronic games as rigid limited but the limitation of their producers or developers. Moreover I am not a big fan of having kids stare at a screen to "learn". More so If your kids are very young.

So, do NOT let the ipad, mobile phones, etc to be your kids teachers (or nanny)

My experience shows that if we leave the kids alone without electronic stuff, they WILL find things to do. :-)

Don't worry parents.

 

Muhyddin has NOT fail our children and schools

The article above refers.

Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin did not fail our children nor our schools although he claimed that he cannot understand why the level of English language among our Malaysian student have declined. He cannot be blamed for the decisions, indecisions or inept decisions of his predecessors.

Our education system at best, is in transition, running on autopilot, lacking in direction.

Thoughts on Chinese Culture Appreciation

I was having breakfast yesterday when I was approached by a couple of young people in red uniform soliciting donations for and event, "9th National Secondary School Chinese Language Society Camp" organized by the Chinese Language Society of Universiti Malaya.

I had a little conversation with them (not exact words, but trying to share the essence of our discussion)

Have we forgotten our forgotten children? - The Malaysian Insider

We have forgotten our children, period.

How many times have we seen lavish spending to launch plans and blueprints with no real follow-through, no real goals and directions? It is also as if such event were only to glorify the principal stakeholders, where children and parents are unfortunately, not on the list. The half-heartedness of these efforts is so telling. I also get the impression that the whole-hearted, inspired teachers are trying their very best and have to up against strong odds to help educate their children.

The reality is that the people entrusted to preserve and to grow a rich heritage are not really interested to do so, or have no leadership in that direction. Even many of their own children are out of the system, overseas or in private educational institutions.

We really need to wake from this slumber and put our children's future some priority.

The good thing that is coming our of this is the some parents are taking things in their own hands and developing alternatively approaches from homeschooling to alternative schools.

Perhaps the silver lining really lies in the saying, "from adversity arises genius". Some gems may just arise from this seemingly hopeless situation.

Read the rest of the article
Have we forgotten our forgotten children? - The Malaysian Insider

2014 Reflection ...on Education

Some say we need to "reform education"

Some feel strongly that, reform is redundant. We need to  "transform education"

I think, we are too late to reform or transform, we need to "hack! our education"


We need drastic measures! "Hacking" is the only way for now.

Shifting Mindsets - This is What Education is About

I read this article , A School With No Teachers, Where Student Teach Themselves

It is really heartening to read initiatives such as the 42. Indeed, this is what we need for our children. I know there are many, many more alternative, inward looking initiatives.

For far too long, children have been spoon fed. It is time, they do what we are all naturally brought up to do, learn to learn!

The approach of the 42 can be daunting or even scary. This can be said for many other alternative approaches. It fundamentally redefines the entire concept of school, some thing may of us have been familiar with for a long time.  Such approaches totally reinvents the role of teachers  It is as if the ground we have been walking on has been removed. It is difficult to comprehend what to do and it is common that respond with fear and quickly seek for comfort, familiar ground. Some go to the extent of trying eliminate such alternate thinking adopting them as threats.

Some will embrace the change. Takes them by the horn, as it were. In doing so, activate a change in consciousness. They see change as necessary, for the betterment of their lives and the lives of future generations. Some found courage motivated by the fact that their children have been bullied or abuse, or have special learning needs that the mainstream schools cannot provide. They have found that schools have to be examination orientated, lost its true meaning and lost its bearing on developing the whole child. Many parents sees the necessity of such actions born out of a dire need that see their children get good education where the mainstream schooling environment have failed them. 

There are those who see a slightly bigger picture that the schooling system as a political-corporation process of domination and control. Indeed schools have become a place where young impressionable minds are being dumb-down and "brainwashed". Forced to think in a particular way or to accept that a certain thinking is right. Minds becomes more closed than open. One only need to see how history is being taught (or not being taught) at all. Or how subjects like moral, civic-consciousness embedded with nationalistic ideals are being drummed into minds of kids. Corporations, on the other hand would mold children's minds to consume and buy, buy and buy! The underlining message is that happiness arises when we have things, positions, status etc.  The political-corporation control of schools is a deadly combination.

What if we are out of mainstreams schooling and make a mistake? My answer:

 "Correct it! Education Is a process . It is a process that you can be in control. If you choose to."

Education is about changing our minds and altering our consciousness. To do this, we need to overcome our own barriers of fear, complacency rough about by our own conditioning. Real learning comes from breaking our of our minds, to find ourselves, our real potentials.

What do all these?  Ultimately, it is about happiness and wanting happiness for our children. We tend to forget it as we try to pin happiness to be able to "survive" in society and complicate ourselves with schools, curriculum, examinations, jobs. career, etc.  Happiness is about finding oneself and being at peace. The more opportunity we allow our children (and ourselves), the better the opportunity for them to be happy.

CLiCers: Trying not to get schooling in the way of education

(Check out our initiative, CLiC from Learning Beyond Schooling, our own learning process with our children and the community)

Education Is NOT The Same As Schooling

I wrote about Problem of our Education System: My Take where I shared the need to separate education from schooling and that the there need to be an Ministry of Schooling, while the Ministry of Education takes on a very different role.  No government (perhaps maybe one or two Scandinavian countries who might try  something different) will ever make it happen because it is not in their interest to do so. Moreover, it is too much work!

Anyway, this video that will help you appreciate why schooling does not equals to education.

Problem of our Education System: My Take

Here's a quick take on the woes and complain about the education system and what we could do.

Rename "Ministry of Education" (MOE) to "Ministry of schools" (MOS)

I think the Ministry is doing an excellent job trying to improve the school system. Credit  needs to be given for the efforts in trying to improve the qualities of teachers, liberate and improve standardized testing, improving infrastructure of our schools, etc as described in the Education Blueprint launched earlier this year.  Whatever their intentions or motivation may be and as long as it is done with the true intent of helping children, we should support them. They should continue to do just that - improve schools, innovate it, take the best processes and technologies available and bring them into the schooling system.

Acknowledge that the education process does not happen only in schools

Having said that, we also need to recognize that the family, the community and society at large, play an equal, if not, more important role in the education process of the  child. We need to acknowledge this wholistic aspect of education. Perhaps this is why an "education" ministry finds it so challenging to compress the education process into schools. Our children can truly benefit from their communities' cultural and spiritual values. Such values are gradually being eroded in a consumeristic and increasingly profit-driven society.  Education is about the preservation and expoliation of culture and its inherent values. We must allow the family and community to decide how to best do this, even if it means parents choosing to opt out from the formal schooling system of the MOS.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) Role

The MOE needs to acknowledge the diversity of influences that contributes to the education of the whole child. Balancing and supporting all such aspects must be the function of education. Hence, there may still be a need for a Ministry of Education. Their scope needs to include all these other approaches and influences and offer assistance and support to children and families on a much wider educational landscapes beyond conventional schooling.  In my opinion too, the education  of children must move beyond standardized testings and academic achievements and progress towards a caring mindset and the holistic practice of social, environmental and economics of  sustainability. Admittedly, this is a huge task indeed!

I believe this can only be achieved if an open-minded and inclusive attitude is adopted. It requires more then just mindset change. It is an entirely new shift - a mindshift!

No one can claim to have all the answers to all the problems faced by the current schooling system but I am positively concerned about my children's future in this rapidly changing world of ours. And I have a vision.

Is change possible?

When we choose to complain without creating solutions to problems, it is called unproductive criticism. Guess what? Each day that we complain instead of doing something proactive is a day wasted. Each month that we moan and groan at its problems is a month wasted. Before you know it, our children have gone through the entire system that we are against. It is like applying handiplast strategies and quick fixes, such extra tution, extra classes and extra whatever money can buy.

I believe that change must happen from the grassroots - parents like you and I who are deeply concerned about our children's education, and their children to come.

Change is possible when we are committed, when we see the bigger picture and deal with the smaller problems. It is possible when we are not afraid to question, comment or discuss. We need a whole new thinking process and this can only be done individually as well as collaboratively.

The question I want to pose to critics is: what are YOU doing about it? Is it sufficient just to hit the "repost" or "share" button for articles from Sir Ken Robinson or titles that have catchy phrases like "reform, not just transfrom", and just wait for a response? 

The choice is in your hand. It is entirely up you!

I am thinking about getting together and discuss deeply about this, we need to act. Interested? Drop me a note! Thank you.

Different views

Different views, a photo by Lord Taipan on Flickr.

Parents and children always have deferring perspective of things………

Allowing children the time and space to have their own views helps mold a strong individuals.

Parenting not easy.

Kids!

Kids!, a photo by Lord Taipan on Flickr.

Children in their innocence have always inspired me.

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

Higher Education: Where Got Crisis?

By Fahmi Reza

Picked this up from from LoyarBurok.com 

Watch PopIN’s Minister of Higher Education YB Fahmi Reza’s slideshow presentation and the video of his address on the crisis of Higher Education in Malaysia recorded during PopIN PopOUT 3: PM PM! event at Central Market Annexe, on 12 June 2010. He takes us through the shift in access to higher education in Malaysia from colonial days to the recent 10th Malaysia Plan – to illustrate how the Government is going against Article 12 of the Federal Constitution.

Sir Ken Robinson: Bring on the learning revolution!

IT'S ABOUT PASSION - WHAT EXCITES OUR SPIRIT AND OUR ENERGY.

So,

What are you doing about it - waiting for the revolution or BE part of it?

Goalpoast Moving Problem Solving Strategy

It would be really easier if our Honourable Minister and the Cabinet make know clearly the criteria for the award of the scholarships. Cutting down the number of subjects, does not bring us any nearer to any clarity and understanding how the problems can be solved. What is so difficult to let us know know the selection and award criteria openly and in a transparent manner so that students can work towards achieving them. One cannot just move the goalpost anytime they choose to, for the benefit of the few.

I shake my head in despair the manner in which our minister solves problems. I am truly doubtful if he can undertake any serious reform of improvement to our education system other than mere talk and shoot from the hip policies. If we wait any longer another two generations of our future generations will be screwed (if not already).

Better buck-up and look ahead to the future - for ALL Malaysian.

Government ponders limit on number of SPM subjects
Source: NST.COM.MY
By Hamidah Atan

2009/05/22

PUTRAJAYA: The number of subjects each student can take in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination may be limited to put an end to issues pertaining to the awarding of Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships. Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also the education minister, said yesterday the ministry felt strongly that the number of subjects should be streamlined to resolve the perennial problem.

He said the cabinet had discussed the matter twice and that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak would chair a special meeting to discuss related issues next week.

Barisan Nasional component party leaders are expected to attend the meeting.

"The meeting will deliberate further ideas and proposals with regard to fairer and equitable distribution of scholarships," said Muhyiddin, who is also BN deputy chairman and Umno deputy president.

He was speaking after meeting Puteri Umno chief Datuk Rosnah Rashid Shirlin and committee members of the movement at his office.

There have been allegations of unfair distribution of scholarships by the PSD.

"One of the most common questions is why some who scored, say 14 As, were given the scholarships but some who got 19 As were not. The view is that the ministry should streamline the number of subjects.

"Why should you take up to 20 subjects? Some of the subjects are not even taught in schools but they learned them in tuition centres. I have nothing against these people but it has created other issues in terms of consistency."

He said students in boarding schools were told to take certain subjects but those outside could sit for as many subjects as they liked.

The problem arose when people started comparing the results of these students, he said.

"There are other considerations as well. One of the things my ministry is looking into is whether there is a need to limit the number of subjects so that everyone, whether they are in boarding or normal schools, can take the same number of subjects, like what we did before. We did not go for the number of As."

Muhyiddin said the PSD had a strong basis for awarding scholarships.

"It has to take into account socially-disadvantaged students in remote areas as well as those in premier schools.

"If you don't take into consideration those socially-disadvantaged students, they will not get the scholarships. But if you start comparing, this will create dissatisfaction.

"We acknowledge the grouses and we will discuss this in the meeting."

He said a study would also be carried out.

MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong recently criticised the PSD on the issue.

Dr Wee, who is also the deputy education minister, said MCA Youth had requested MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and three other MCA ministers to refer the matter to the cabinet.

This was to ascertain the procedure and criteria for awarding scholarships to students to study overseas, he had said.

Gerakan Youth secretary-general Dr Dominic Lau had said his party was willing to offer help to students who were rejected by the PSD.

He said the PSD should consider reviewing the applications of students who were turned down to give them a chance to pursue their studies overseas. If they were rejected, he said, an explanation should be given to them.

One School for One Language, One Race, One Nation?

Satu Sekolah untuk Satu Bahasa, Satu Bangsa, Satu Negara! 

Very soon, we will be robots, walking, dressing, speaking and thinking (if thinking is allowed by then) in exactly the same way. This may happen if we have this 1sekolah a reality. Is this way we envision Malaysia to be? A land of just robots? Killing the very roots of our culture - the culture of diversity? We have grown as a nation appreciating the diversity of our cultures and languages.

This is the new initiative by someone who calls himself "Kijang Mas" whose blog is named "Demi Negara". This person does not even have the guts to make himself public and apparently does not even reside in Malaysia and who so convinently blames the vernacular schools for the disunity in our community.  He obviously failded to see that issue of (dis)unity is not merely a product of schools. We need to see the big picture, the policies in schools, who put those policies there in the first place. What are our leaders and politicians doing about unity and how are they treating each other. We have not got it right. Here I agree with Khoo Kay Peng:

The proponents of 1Sekolah cannot even be truthful about the main problem of disunity and racial disharmony. Why blame the Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools when it was obvious that some UMNO politicians had started the racial blame game? Did you hear any students or teachers from the vernacular schools doing the same? Why is Rockybru keeping his golden silence when a vernacular newspaper, Utusan Melayu, from his media group is keeping up with the tradition of racial flaming?

It is disappointing to see a group of 'pro-unity' bloggers parotting the same rhetoric to cause even more disunity.

Calling the vernacular schools as a cancer and a cause of our society's destruction is both shameful and dishonest. These schools had produced some of the finest leaders for the country. Many of MIC, MCA and UMNO leaders came from vernacular schools.

I am glad that Education Minister Muhyiddin rejects campaign to abolish vernacular schools.

However, we must bear in mind that while racial appreciation and social integration are key elements in the maturity of our nation, it has to begin from the top. Our political leaders must throw away racist mentality and truly work towards one Bangsa Malaysia. This Bangsa can arise from appreciation of the fact that different cultures can exists with understanding and respect.  

Let's not forget that our mission (according to the Ministry of Education) is:

To develop a world-class quality education system which will realise the full potential of the individual and fulfill the aspiration of the Malaysian nation. 

Note: Realize the full potential of the individual - for the sake of our children, there needs to be a balance. We need to also be ahead of the curve in terms of the educational strategies and development world-wide. Each time we fight, our children gets left behind. Let's focus on improving the overall standard of education for the sake of our children.