Comments on: Education in Singapore and Finland: a comparison Part 3 http://educononline.com/2009/09/13/education-in-singapore-and-finland-a-comparison-part-3/ Educational consultancy from Singapore for schools of international standards in Asia Thu, 17 May 2012 01:44:30 +0100 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Amran http://educononline.com/2009/09/13/education-in-singapore-and-finland-a-comparison-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-560 Amran Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:51:27 +0000 http://educononline.com/?p=2046#comment-560 Thanks, Markus for your input. I guess it is fair for me to say then that compared to Singapore, Finland is far from examinations-focused. In Singapore, we have at almost all levels (until recently even at 7 and 8 years old, that is Primary 1 and 2), twice yearly semestral examinations which are summative in nature. Thanks, Markus for your input. I guess it is fair for me to say then that compared to Singapore, Finland is far from examinations-focused. In Singapore, we have at almost all levels (until recently even at 7 and 8 years old, that is Primary 1 and 2), twice yearly semestral examinations which are summative in nature.

]]> By: Markus http://educononline.com/2009/09/13/education-in-singapore-and-finland-a-comparison-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-558 Markus Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:10:18 +0000 http://educononline.com/?p=2046#comment-558 And not all students will do matricular examinations, only those who go to general upper secondary schools. Vocational schools won't have such exams. And not all students will do matricular examinations, only those who go to general upper secondary schools. Vocational schools won’t have such exams.

]]> By: Miikka http://educononline.com/2009/09/13/education-in-singapore-and-finland-a-comparison-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-555 Miikka Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:41:16 +0000 http://educononline.com/?p=2046#comment-555 Yes Amran, the main national tests are at the end of the upper secondary school. The system is definitely not as active in ranking students as the Singapore one. But still the existence of the matriculation tests have an effect on how students act in school and how they are expected to perform. To clarify, the problem is more a cultural one: the schools are compared in the media, not as much by the government authorities. Some school was just criticized of giving tips to students on what kind of questions would be asked in the matriculation exams. Students themselves want summative assessment as do their parents. The comparisons between schools happen at the higher education level mostly. So the government here might have good will, many teachers also, but the nature of the learning culture changes quite slowly. My research was at the university level at two different institutions of music education. The students there do not seem to be ready for student centred learning and thus I am concerned of their prior education and exposure to a teacher centred, externally motivated learning. Yes Amran, the main national tests are at the end of the upper secondary school. The system is definitely not as active in ranking students as the Singapore one. But still the existence of the matriculation tests have an effect on how students act in school and how they are expected to perform. To clarify, the problem is more a cultural one: the schools are compared in the media, not as much by the government authorities. Some school was just criticized of giving tips to students on what kind of questions would be asked in the matriculation exams. Students themselves want summative assessment as do their parents. The comparisons between schools happen at the higher education level mostly.

So the government here might have good will, many teachers also, but the nature of the learning culture changes quite slowly. My research was at the university level at two different institutions of music education. The students there do not seem to be ready for student centred learning and thus I am concerned of their prior education and exposure to a teacher centred, externally motivated learning.

]]> By: Amran http://educononline.com/2009/09/13/education-in-singapore-and-finland-a-comparison-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-553 Amran Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:41:25 +0000 http://educononline.com/?p=2046#comment-553 Ok Miikka had a quick look at the link that you have provided. It seems that you have a matriculation test at the end of the upper secondary school (18 years old?) in Finland. In Singapore, we have a major national examination at 12 yrs old at the end of primary school, where you are ranked and streamed not to mentioned twice yearly semestral examinations . At the end of Secondary Two (14 years old), the school examinations is vital because there is further ranking and streaming of the students again. At the end of Secondary Four (16 years old) there is another major national examination where again streaming and ranking takes place. Then at 18 years (at JC2) there is another major national examinations which will serve as the entry point (or if you like matriculation examinations) to the universities for those who succeed. So is the number of high stakes examinations similar to that of Finland? Ok Miikka had a quick look at the link that you have provided. It seems that you have a matriculation test at the end of the upper secondary school (18 years old?) in Finland. In Singapore, we have a major national examination at 12 yrs old at the end of primary school, where you are ranked and streamed not to mentioned twice yearly semestral examinations . At the end of Secondary Two (14 years old), the school examinations is vital because there is further ranking and streaming of the students again. At the end of Secondary Four (16 years old) there is another major national examination where again streaming and ranking takes place. Then at 18 years (at JC2) there is another major national examinations which will serve as the entry point (or if you like matriculation examinations) to the universities for those who succeed. So is the number of high stakes examinations similar to that of Finland?

]]> By: Amran http://educononline.com/2009/09/13/education-in-singapore-and-finland-a-comparison-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-552 Amran Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:33:49 +0000 http://educononline.com/?p=2046#comment-552 Ok it works now minus the bracket. Ok it works now minus the bracket.

]]> By: Amran http://educononline.com/2009/09/13/education-in-singapore-and-finland-a-comparison-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-551 Amran Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:32:53 +0000 http://educononline.com/?p=2046#comment-551 Looks like a bad link, Miikka. Looks like a bad link, Miikka.

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