Q&A - PSLE Science

[tianzhu]

Nebbermind:

BTW, the answer shd be (2), right?

Hi

Option (3) is the answer.

Best wishes

[Nebbermind]

oops! missed (B)

[tianzhu]

Hi


An interesting letter in ST forum today.

Best wishes

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_583436.html
Exam setters

'Do they realise that their questions require much more in-depth knowledge than what is printed in the textbooks?'
MADAM THE AI HWA: 'It is a matter of interest to find out whether exam setters of the Primary School Leaving Examination are aware of the quality of printed matter in Primary 4, 5 and 6 textbooks when they set their exam papers. Do they realise that their questions require much more in-depth knowledge than what is printed in the textbooks? In my experience as a science teacher, I have noticed that more often than not, answers to puzzling questions pertaining to physics and biology require knowledge covered in Secondary 1 and 2 science textbooks as well. Would the relevant authorities care to comment?'

[verxs]

tianzhu:

Hi


An interesting letter in ST forum today.

Best wishes

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_583436.html
Exam setters

'Do they realise that their questions require much more in-depth knowledge than what is printed in the textbooks?'
MADAM THE AI HWA: 'It is a matter of interest to find out whether exam setters of the Primary School Leaving Examination are aware of the quality of printed matter in Primary 4, 5 and 6 textbooks when they set their exam papers. Do they realise that their questions require much more in-depth knowledge than what is printed in the textbooks? In my experience as a science teacher, I have noticed that more often than not, answers to puzzling questions pertaining to physics and biology require knowledge covered in Secondary 1 and 2 science textbooks as well. Would the relevant authorities care to comment?'

Unfortunately many schools are doing this as they try to \"emulate\" the PSLE questions. The idea many have, including some teachers is to purposely ask questions that students have no knowledge of.

This however, is NOT true for PSLE questions. It is true that the subject matter in the question may not be in the Science Syllabus (e.g concepts of Centre of Gravity, laws of buoyancy, newton's law of motion, etc) but these knowledge of the concepts are given in the question itself. Hence, here the students are not tested on the subject matter anymore (because it will be unfair!) but the skills required to answer them (e.g understanding graphical representations/graphs/tables, analytical skills, investigation skills, etc) which are well within the syllabus.

This is why when we teach students we don't just focus on the concepts required by the syllabus but to also identify strategies to tackle questions similar to that in PSLE. Just my 2 cents worth. So far many students have benefited from this approach.

[atutor2001]

[quote]....

This however, is NOT true for PSLE questions. It is true that the subject matter in the question may not be in the Science Syllabus (e.g concepts of Centre of Gravity, laws of buoyancy, newton's law of motion, etc) but these knowledge of the concepts are given in the question itself. .......[/quote]Students who are weak in English usually \"died\" in such question. It is near impossible for them to comprehend the information given not because of their lack of processing skill, but their inadequacy in English. They are able to do questions covered in the syllabus because there are teachers and parents to explain to them in simpler terms. Sometimes I wonder whether do such questions achieve its objective of testing analytical or processing skill when a huge proportion of the students do not even understand the information given due to language problem. Maybe future questions can be set in Singlish to be fairer :lol:

[verxs]

atutor2001:

[quote]....

This however, is NOT true for PSLE questions. It is true that the subject matter in the question may not be in the Science Syllabus (e.g concepts of Centre of Gravity, laws of buoyancy, newton's law of motion, etc) but these knowledge of the concepts are given in the question itself. .......

Students who are weak in English usually \"died\" in such question. It is near impossible for them to comprehend the information given not because of their lack of processing skill, but their inadequacy in English.[/quote]I used to believe that too but many foreigners with similar problems in language do not display problems answering these questions. I'm sure there's a way around it. Similar to how some students have problems with language but still excel in problem sums in maths.

[verxs]

Singlish?! haha…it might probably help some of them!

[atutor2001]

verxs:

.....


I used to believe that too but many foreigners with similar problems in language do not display problems answering these questions. I'm sure there's a way around it. Similar to how some students have problems with language but still excel in problem sums in maths.

My impression of foreign students are :

1. very hard working
2. memorises dictionary
3. can comprehend well
4. difficulty in expressing in writing or verbally

On the other hand, local kids are simply bo chiap. Immediate reaction when they faced such question. : \"Dou no what they are talking about?\"

[verxs]

That is true too. So does this mean the real problem is the state of mind of our local children? Too pampered?

[atutor2001]

verxs:

That is true too. So does this mean the real problem is the state of mind of our local children? Too pampered?

Fully agreed. I have 10 over nephews & nieces of around the same age. Only 3 make it to JC. They are all intelligent kids but only interested in playing, boy friend/girl friend issues, chasing idols......