Thread: Education system...

It depends on witch stage in learning you are on.

If it's age 7- 18 then critical thinking. I can tell for sure!!! I just changed from one system to another (from examination to critical) and I must say that it's much easier, much nicer and much more usefull to learn by critical thinking.
Because in real life, unless you become a mad scienist or something, you really need to develop society skills.
They are really important and you have to develop them from an early age.
And you have to learn how to learn in this age... If techers just push information in a childs brain, it'll do no good at all- they will forget that information if its tought like that 'till they really need it1

When it comes to high school; I tink it's time to work harder, and you have already developed all the skills and you have to learn by examination orientated system

Also examination orientated system should be used just before the exams- when techers review everything. As a person who has a short memory, I know that it makes no sence to study like you study in the examination orientated system throughout all year... I don't remember all the things!

Originally Posted by RayMe

Examination oriented :
Focuses more on reading and remembering facts and theories... restricts critical thinking on students since they can't give views and ideas much...and the learning are done by following text book...

Critical thinking :
Focuses on more discussions among students and teachers... Done slowly in the class and makes the students more open and promotes student's awareness in what they are learning...

Personally, I think the critical thinking is better. I find it easier to learn things when there are discussions and done in a slower manner. Examination oriented seems boring and when people are bored, they don't tend to learn as well as those who are engaged or interested in it. So I think Critical Thinking is better. [:

You need both but first you need to know the facts and theories before you can discuss them. Critical thinking without a solid grounding in facts and theories leads to opinionated ignorance

hmm a good opinion indeed...

Well malaysia's studying system is examination oriented mostly...from the age 7 - 19...
then...suddenly it's critical thinking oriented studies in the universities.. imagine what the students would feel like... :/ some would be in a lot of stress.. :/

Originally Posted by Arrianna

You need both but first you need to know the facts and theories before you can discuss them. Critical thinking without a solid grounding in facts and theories leads to opinionated ignorance.

I totally agree. You can not get rid of examinations or how else can you prove to others that you didn't just attend classes and not listen. In England for the English exams there was two written and one speaking and listen, which was a continual assessment during classes. I think it works really and not only did it get you to speak your opinion on things but be able discuss and help with being able to hold a debate with other people.

Also written exams I find have always helped me the most. It got me used to writing long answers and not write a simple " yes, I agree with the statement because it holds good grounds for a debate" but allowed me to get used to explain why. Much like what AO does here, It helps with being able to show your self in your writing and learn more about the English language.

Much like what AO does here, It helps with being able to show your self in your writing and learn more about the English language.

yea...thats one of the main reasons i chat and be here in AO ^^

I totally agree. You can not get rid of examinations or how else can you prove to others that you didn't just attend classes and not listen. In England for the English exams there was two written and one speaking and listen, which was a continual assessment during classes. I think it works really and not only did it get you to speak your opinion on things but be able discuss and help with being able to hold a debate with other people.

Thats interesting... in malaysia theres not much giving opinion much in class... the teaching system focuses more on facts...so in class we just hear the teacher brag about the lesson were taking and take notes... critical thinking is restricted... :/

Originally Posted by RayMe

Thats interesting... in malaysia theres not much giving opinion much in class... the teaching system focuses more on facts...so in class we just hear the teacher brag about the lesson were taking and take notes... critical thinking is restricted... :/

In England is part of the curriculum to discuss and debate within the class. If you can't hold a debate very well then it will help. I found it useful and even at home we would often debate about the discipline within the house hold..well my older brother and myself would.

It wasn't until I got to university where I was really able to explore my interests and being able to describe what I wanted to do and the reasons behind it really helped to really research into things more and although I wasn't really taught how to write essays that well, I still think that I could be dyslexic but most likely doubt it. But it never stopped me from trying. I did pass university after trying my best and I am glad I did pass and the school System in England is considered to be one of the best I think (will need to confirm it though).

In England is part of the curriculum to discuss and debate within the class. If you can't hold a debate very well then it will help. I found it useful and even at home we would often debate about the discipline within the house hold..well my older brother and myself would.

seems like a good way to train debating... too bad im not that kind of people who likes debating... i always keep my words simple when i talk i don't know why...i think i don't have the confidence in my english or so... i can't talk as fluent as i could with writing.. @.@

Hmm well the studying system in the university is different with the primary and secondary here though.. the same goes with colleges... they are more... western oriented...which i meant as using the systems used in the west...

The schools here actually uses British system but it is altered to be more..exam oriented... and we learn British - English... but i can speak in other types of english...(thx to watching movies and all) but i still can't speak much of Australian - English... hard to hear people speak in that.. thus i can't learn much of it except G'day mate and all

and another thing with education here.. that it is hard to choose what we want to learn... we have to get certain qualifications in order to learn something and they are done through exams...