Sunday, 26 May 2013

Experience in going through the education system

By Crispin Sng


Singapore's schooling system is generally stated to be of world-class benchmarks, drawing the likes of college students everywhere in the world to carry out their time at college right here, including people from the world's strongest economies.

Anyone know the strengths relating to the education system. On this post, I endeavor to take a look at the side effects of our education system, or just formal education in general.

GOING BY THE BOOKS?

Our education system sits individuals into a mold, forming us to be homogenous in our cognitive patterns. Its mainly because every pupil needs to take the exams, supposedly to distill what we have learned over the course of the year.

The issue with exams is it makes everyone think in a particular unvarying fashion.

Not long ago, I was taking part in this particular tutorial session. Prior to it, I've come out with my very own set of solutions for that tutorial we have been informed to carry out.

While the instructor was presenting the "correct" tutorial solutions to all of us, I identified that one of his answers contradicts mine.

I brought up my hand and challenged the validity of his solutions. He had taken the time to clarify to me the explanation regarding his answers and I genuinely appreciate his dedication.

Nonetheless, even though I absolutely grasp where he's coming from, I'm nevertheless convinced that mine is the correct solution based on my understanding of the question.

He then told me that my answer will never be taken in the examinations as being right.

Not wanting to give up my scores, I gave in. Progressively, I realized that I've to "adapt" in order to perform extremely well in the examinations.

The adaptation entails following what the instructors tell you as the right response and continue to keep providing the "correct" solutions in exams, even when it signifies curbing my personal thoughts.

Therefore, we will one way or another infer that a person who frequently scores very well in examinations as having the ability to adapt well and quickly.

I used to commit to memory "best answers" from textbooks and deliver them word for word in examinations. That method has made me a high scorer but simultaneously contributed to me to become not confident in voicing my personal view because I regarded it lousy to the standard answers offered within the textbook by industry experts.

Later on, I recognized that what I'm doing is actually adverse to my psychological well-being. I usually do not dare to bring up my creative ideas in group meetings, seminars or networking events as i was so terrified of being wrong.

Thanks to that, i saw a great number of opportunities passed me through and ending up in the hands of those who are generally a lot more expressive. I came to uncover this destructive practice of mine and I instantly curtailed it.

Gradually but definitely, I am learning to create my own strong voice by challenging conventional wisdom on a regular basis. I felt like our curriculum must genuinely prepare individuals to be people who are comfortable with their own views, as opposed to going by the books.




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