tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post115962022409467381..comments2024-03-21T20:10:28.943+08:00Comments on EDUCATION IN MALAYSIA: Different perspective on Chinese educationUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1164873209123630492006-11-30T15:53:00.000+08:002006-11-30T15:53:00.000+08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1160020991668536252006-10-05T12:03:00.000+08:002006-10-05T12:03:00.000+08:00Thank you Richard, lesson learnt.For simpler numbe...Thank you Richard, lesson learnt.<BR/><BR/>For simpler numbers, you can use the method I presented.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1160014811031619732006-10-05T10:20:00.000+08:002006-10-05T10:20:00.000+08:00Hi hehe,Sorry it should read 10 kilos at 3.98 - 1 ...Hi hehe,<BR/><BR/>Sorry it should read 10 kilos at 3.98 - 1 kilo at(4.00 - 0.02) = 39.80 - 4.00 +.02 = RM 35.82.<BR/><BR/>Richard G.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1160014554218881562006-10-05T10:15:00.000+08:002006-10-05T10:15:00.000+08:00Hi hehe,The objective is to avoid complex multipli...Hi hehe,<BR/><BR/>The objective is to avoid complex multiplication. For example, it becomes complicated if you have to mentally calculate 9 kilos at RM 3.98.<BR/><BR/>Using the "mental abacus" method, you do this: 10 kilos at 3.98 - (4.00 +.02) = 39.80 - 4.00 + .02 = RM 35.82.<BR/><BR/>Have fun.<BR/><BR/>Richard G.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1159949673032902932006-10-04T16:14:00.000+08:002006-10-04T16:14:00.000+08:00I like the above "mental abacus". This is what I c...I like the above "mental abacus". This is what I called creativity.<BR/><BR/>Instead of using multiple of tens, and minus off the unwanted like the example by the anonymous above, we also can do this.<BR/><BR/>Break down the dollors and cents,<BR/>$3.2 = $3 + $0.2<BR/>9 x 3 = 27, 0.2 x 9 = 1.8<BR/>You add them together gets $28.8<BR/><BR/>Same results but faster for those who have difficulties with subtracting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1159871399224016012006-10-03T18:29:00.000+08:002006-10-03T18:29:00.000+08:00Kian Ming said: “In the article, Sabriah commented...Kian Ming said: “In the article, Sabriah commented that her daughter would do Math in her head and come up with the answer quickly (mental abacus).”<BR/><BR/>I wonder if any of you remember some years back Dr M attempted to introduce the learning of the Chinese Abacus (there are other types of abacus) in national schools. Like many such projects, it fizzled out after a year or 2.<BR/><BR/>If you have learned the abacus, you will know that you have to learn the complementary numbers that add up to 10 like 1 & 9, 2 & 8, 3 & 7 etc because that is how to operate the beads in the abacus.<BR/><BR/>For example if you want to add the following: 8 + 7 = ?, someone who has learned the abacus will do this 8 + (10 –3) = 18 –3 = 15. What we are taught in the national type schools is that we have to “know” that 8+7 =15 by counting our fingers.<BR/><BR/>Have you ever wondered how the Chinese fruit seller mentally calculate 9 kilos of fruits selling at 3.20 ringgit per kilo? <BR/><BR/>She will say 10 kilos cost 32 ringgit. She minus 1 kilo which is 3.20 ringgit which gives her 28.80 ringgit.<BR/><BR/>You draw your own conclusions – “mental abacus”.<BR/><BR/>Richard G.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1159797961354169362006-10-02T22:06:00.000+08:002006-10-02T22:06:00.000+08:00I have been following the discussions on this blog...I have been following the discussions on this blog quite regularly, and I can't help but comment that perspectives seem focus on stereotyping this group of people as hardworking and good in Maths etc and the other group as not. As a Chinese myself, I must say that this is not always the case. For example, upto 4% of the population are known to be dyslexic. Dyslexic students are normally intelligent children but they fare poorly in reading, writing and spelling. In fact, they may also have memory retention problem, hence they may not be able to follow fully the instructions given to solve Maths problem. On other hand, they may do better in solving puzzles, artwork or music. These children may have to struggle to be able to keep up with their peers academically - the situation is not helped by the amount of workload as they tend to tire easily by the end of the school day. <BR/><BR/>I mentioned only 4% of the population may be dyslexic but there may be a greater proportion who may be mildly dyslexic. Singapore's Ministor Mentor, Lee Kuan Yew is known to be mildly dyslexic. Besides dyslexia, I also did not mention other learning disabilites like attention deficit disorders among others. Do our educators take these facts into consideration when formulating a syllabus? Unfortunately, our education structure is divided physically into SKs and vernacular schools so much so that many 'uneducated' and even educated parents are not able to assess their children's learning ability/disability and have joined the bandwagon of sending them to tuition centres - further saping their emotional energy. Perhaps educators of this blog can dedicate a topic specially on learning disabilites - sorry for the long digression - this is my first posting here. IMHO, what I am trying to say is don't be blind to this other perspective in education, ie a child's psychological predisposition even though I believe I may be in the minority here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1159790947311709962006-10-02T20:09:00.000+08:002006-10-02T20:09:00.000+08:00sorry typo.. i mean,"If you are fast, then you wou...sorry typo.. i mean,<BR/><BR/>"If you are <B>fast</B>, then you would have time to explore and learn more things."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1159790736356636132006-10-02T20:05:00.000+08:002006-10-02T20:05:00.000+08:00二二四 said,"二二四,四四十六du-a da-rab du-a em-pat [8]er er...二二四 said,<BR/><BR/>"二二四,四四十六<BR/><BR/>du-a da-rab du-a em-pat [8]<BR/>er er shi [3]<BR/><BR/>That is more than 100% faster recital."<BR/><BR/>Not the language, not the number of syllable it is read. It is the teacher's quality and creativity.<BR/><BR/>If you just memorise the figures, it is even faster. No need to read er er shi. When you see 2x2. Imediately relate to 4. If the teachers are not creative, the students have to be.<BR/><BR/>Everything we learn, we must learn the concept, once we understand the concept then we must speed up because speed is a winning factor.<BR/><BR/>If you are slow, then you would have time to explore and learn more things.<BR/><BR/>If you are slow, by the time you got a good grasp of linear algebras, I'm already approaching mastering calculus.<BR/><BR/>If you are fast, you always have EXTRA TIME to explore new things and exercise your creativity.<BR/><BR/>If you are slow, you only have enough time to learn what is taught, that's all.<BR/><BR/>Speed is a winning factor!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1159752113815380732006-10-02T09:21:00.000+08:002006-10-02T09:21:00.000+08:00e=mc^2????no no no .. now, it's e=mc^3 .... inflat...e=mc^2????<BR/>no no no .. now, it's e=mc^3 .... inflation :(Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1159695012756720782006-10-01T17:30:00.000+08:002006-10-01T17:30:00.000+08:00you are wrong! my teacher in form four discovered ...you are wrong! my teacher in form four discovered the equation e=mc2.<BR/>his name mr mak from sultan abdul samad pjAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1159689977039396232006-10-01T16:06:00.000+08:002006-10-01T16:06:00.000+08:00To nerd, E=mc^2 was derived using Lorentz Transfor...To nerd, <BR/>E=mc^2 was derived using Lorentz Transformation, which falls under linear algebra.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1159688682141296122006-10-01T15:44:00.000+08:002006-10-01T15:44:00.000+08:00"why do we Malaysians always have to think based o..."why do we Malaysians always have to think based on skin colour?" Good point. I wonder, how many like me cringe when words like "chinese maths", etc, etc. appear. <BR/><BR/>another point, *back to the topic* what is more important in education, good maths, or good problem-solving. I'm not even sure rote-learning works even in Chinese language schools anymore.YT Kuahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12922664246915351758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1159680117192159472006-10-01T13:21:00.000+08:002006-10-01T13:21:00.000+08:00Not trying to be racist or what, but there is a fu...Not trying to be racist or what, but there is a funny myth.<BR/><BR/>You see... When a Chinese student didn't do well in Math exam, other people will look at him in a strange way as if he had just committed a crime or something bad.<BR/><BR/>But when non-Chinese student didn't do well in Math exam, people will think "oh, that's normal"..<BR/><BR/>As they say, traditionally, Chinese students always do well in Maths, regardless whether they went to Chinese medium school or national schools. Even at national schools, just go to their Hari Anugerah Cemerlang and you would notice that the top student in Maths is usually a Chinese.<BR/><BR/>Thus, it's not surprising that Chinese students usually dominate Math subjects. And those students are kind and are willing to help their friends. Yes, this happens even in premier schools like MBS and VI. But there are some Malay students who simply don't appreciate it and branded those kind souls as arrogant or 'showing-off'. But if it's their Malay friend who is kindly teaching them Maths, they will appreciate it. What's the difference? <BR/><BR/>My point here is: why do we Malaysians always have to think based on skin colour?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1159676871024984552006-10-01T12:27:00.000+08:002006-10-01T12:27:00.000+08:00sorry, some grammar errors above if you can spot i...sorry, some grammar errors above if you can spot it.:)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1159676806438879402006-10-01T12:26:00.000+08:002006-10-01T12:26:00.000+08:00Chinese are good in maths is because they are hard...Chinese are good in maths is because they are hardworking and love rote learning systme. Practice, practice and more practice. They practice all possible ways of solving the maths question until all possible way the examination asked, they memorized the way.<BR/><BR/>They lacked creativity and language, because maths use different part of the brains.<BR/>That is why chinese make good mathematicians or scientists due to their training in logic by mathematics.<BR/><BR/>Also, from early start maths is very important to chinese esp dealing with money and business. You cannot be good business man if you dont know how to count.<BR/><BR/>You need to know good mathematics to cheat money in business. So chinese all born into this world on abacus! he heAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1159676719414532042006-10-01T12:25:00.000+08:002006-10-01T12:25:00.000+08:00I second the viewpoint by ong shien jin. Being abl...I second the viewpoint by ong shien jin. Being able to do arithmetic fast is totally different from mathematics problem solver. Doing mathematics involves understanding the formulas and concepts behind it, especially when we go on to the higher level of mathematics in tertiary level, which comprise many branches such as linear or abstract algebra, calculus, probablity and statistics or even higher standard like math inductions and numerical analysis. These branches require a lot of thinking and creativity whereby arithmetic doesn't necessarily help while we have calculators at our disposal. I truly salute those mathematcians who have invented the formulas which we learn today. <BR/>Anyway, does anyone knows the famous E=mc^2 formula fall into which category/branch?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1159659829837600512006-10-01T07:43:00.000+08:002006-10-01T07:43:00.000+08:00Wanting to correct a common misperception (that is...Wanting to correct a common misperception (that is embedded in this article, but orthogonal to the main points):<BR/><BR/>Being able to do arithmetic quickly (or in one's head) is not necessary for being good in maths, which at a higher level involves much more creative problem solving and visualization skills.<BR/><BR/>Having said this, the way of teaching maths in our country, for both Chinese & national schools, is in need for serious revamp if we want to produce graduates capable of leveraging technology in the future. This is because a good foundation in mathematical logical thinking & problem solving is crucial in understanding modern science and technology.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1159651954697133822006-10-01T05:32:00.000+08:002006-10-01T05:32:00.000+08:00k last post, gosh this is becoming a habit, my las...k last post, gosh this is becoming a habit, my last comment bout sap and china trade was my attempt at some humour ( seems to feeble. Just a simple enginnering undergrad offering my views so dont hate me ok.Husain Zamanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612516069907750503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1159650642496259892006-10-01T05:10:00.000+08:002006-10-01T05:10:00.000+08:00Husain - no, SAP schools do not have trade with Ch...Husain - no, SAP schools do not have trade with China as their main objective, as with compulsory mother tongue education in ALL schools, a grasp of basic Mandarin among the Chinese is guaranteed. <BR/><BR/>See <BR/><BR/>http://www.moe.gov.sg/corporate/contactonline/2005/Issue15/glossary/glossary.htm<BR/><BR/>and <BR/><BR/>en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Assistance_Plan <BR/><BR/>The Wikipedia entry gives a rather concise treatment of the concept.<BR/><BR/>For the record - I do not agree with the SAP concept, in the same way as I do not agree with the way certain types of schools are sidelined in Malaysia. Let there be many kinds of school, with their own ethos and values, but with a common, secular national curriculum! After all, this is what you see in the States, the UK, Singapore - all of which have much better educational outcomes than we do (although the UK is slipping behind, to be honest).<BR/><BR/>There may be some substance to the fact that Mandarin, having fewer syllables per word than Malay, encourages faster mathematical problem-solving. However, as someone who isn't too bad at Mathematics but has been educated in English and Malay, and whose Mandarin is limited to 5th language status, I have come to the conclusion that language is hardly the barrier some people make it out to be.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1159648285432676422006-10-01T04:31:00.000+08:002006-10-01T04:31:00.000+08:00Unlikely, highly unlikely for her to get into an i...Unlikely, highly unlikely for her to get into an independent school. <BR/><BR/>It is obvious, isn't it? How can one expect to be enrolled in a chinese independent school if one has a grade 'C' in UPSR chinese? She may not even be qualified to sit for the admission test, IIRC.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1159639459771186872006-10-01T02:04:00.000+08:002006-10-01T02:04:00.000+08:00I am on Husain's side in that I do not believe the...I am on Husain's side in that I do not believe the language has anything to do with mathematical prowess. I think it has more to do with the training(syllabus), and then practice, practice, practice. I have work with many different nationalities all over the world and I would never judge anyone's mathematical ability based on what language they speak (although the level of maths involved at work is different from that required in everyday life).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1159638682688499362006-10-01T01:51:00.000+08:002006-10-01T01:51:00.000+08:00aww the point that i was trying to make(unsuccessf...aww the point that i was trying to make(unsuccessfully it seems) was that singapore tries to make sure that most of its students go through a reasonably good common education. Sure like chris said, theres the SAP but thats only for the academically talented ones, and even in the SAPs mathematics is taught in English. Just to be a cynic here, the SAPs are not devoted to the propagation of chinese culture they are devoted to producing people who can do business with China comfortably.Husain Zamanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612516069907750503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1159636961639911682006-10-01T01:22:00.000+08:002006-10-01T01:22:00.000+08:00Actually there are a few schools in Singapore devo...Actually there are a few schools in Singapore devoted to the propagation of Chinese culture - the Special Assistance Plan or SAP schools. So Husain's statement isn't totally accurate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1159634118002396562006-10-01T00:35:00.000+08:002006-10-01T00:35:00.000+08:00i hear the same thing from my Penagjian Am teacher...i hear the same thing from my Penagjian Am teacher few years back.<BR/><BR/>二二四,四四十六<BR/><BR/>du-a da-rab du-a em-pat [8]<BR/>er er shi [3]<BR/><BR/>That is more than 100% faster recital.<BR/><BR/>Possibly that's why Chinese school student learn Math faster. No scientific support, just an observation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com