Problem Based Learning , as practiced in Republic Poly , is pioneered and used extensively at McMaster University , Canada . The defining characteristics of PBL are 1) Learning is driven by challenging , open-ended problems . 2) Students work in small collaborative groups . 3) Teachers take on the role of "facilitators' in learning . 4) Presentation and Q&A .
Is it really effective ? Its supposed objective is cultivating vocal , opinionated and critical thinking minds . I'd say RP is a farce because it failed in their objective . The underlying reasons in which I say so is because Singaporeans' education is based on rote-learning , from primary school till secondary school and other polys and JCs . This PBL way of learning will only work effectively we are brought up learning the same way . I think PBL should be infused into our learning process at the early stages of our lives .
As a student here , I know . Students have to conform to the same routine everyday , 8.5 hours per day . During presentation , students simply regurgitate ( semantically?) . They also lacked inquisitiveness as substantiated by not asking enough questions ( quality ones ) .
Why ? Because technology is so advanced , information can be disseminated by just a click of the mouse . Presentation slides are spread through MSN , it helps students to save the time to do research and brainstorm . Secondly , the timetable is so tedious everyday . For the 8.5 hours spent in school , it is little wonder why students are not asking enough questions during presentation , the last program of the day because of lethargy . And because there is no industry attachment , it is not value-added .
I'm not fully against PBL because it also teaches students to wake up their ideas . There are many ways to analyze a problem . One will have to balance his own sets of ideas and beliefs with other reasons . Maybe I will give another evaluation when I graduate .
Regards
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Republic Polytechnic : A deviation from the traditional
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6 comments:
Hilmi
E35G
While it is undeniable that RP holds some unwholesome features, i think as a newly created poly that has a unique way of approach to learning, time becomes a key determinant towards a more salubrious RP.
Like any other poly, when they are just being constructed, adversities will surely loom. But as time elapsed and when new measures and rules begin to kick in, all those problems were minimized if not eliminated.
As my own observation attested, I agree to the pernicious approach of plagiarism. Copying literally from other people’s presentation remains rampant and additionally students just smoked through the entire power point slides, having limited knowledge on the topic. The most worrying side is that those students still gets a good grade. It just reflects their instilled value of hypocrisy. If this persists ceaselessly without putting a cessation to it, then it’s going to be damaging to both the guilty and RP.
I believe with great intensity that if RP continues to scrutinize those looming problem, RP’s image will be boosted and glorified.
As long as the internet is accessible to everyone , there is no way RP can inhibit the spreading of ppts .
Maryam
Hi,
I feel that what you said is true, but I don't think there's much things that RP can do to stop the circulation of ppt.History will always repeat itself unless they do something effective about it.
And anyway, if you remember, that is what RP is all about. Self-directed learning. If they really want to learn, then they will work very hard to achieve what they want to learn. They don't bother about those who just go through the motion.
As for those who just copy and paste all the time, but still get good grades,I'm sure they still have done something to get that 'A'.
And even so, how much useful skills they learn in RP will show how well they would be in their working life after they graduate. So, I feel that it really depends on each individual on how they want to learn. The PBL system will be really effective for those who are really keen on learning.
Sri here!
Anyway, i think i agree with you. its like when u are in school some people in your own grp wont do anything at all but still credited for the presentation itself just because that person knows the way to bootlick the facilitators.
I can also state that when in school independent learning does not apply to most of us because as we forever CP CP without doing any research at all.
ah ya ya...true3
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