China and
the US have produced some of the best brains, but it could be
S'pore's education system that tops them all
April 25,
2007
WHO has had the better education system: the US or China?
And where does Singapore stand in the debate between creative
learning and rote learning?
The US has been known for its focus on creative learning -
producing a riotous array of creative thinkers, from investors to
entrepreneurs.
China, on the other hand, has long taken the more knowledge-based
approach to learning, with an emphasis on rote learning. By and
large, the Chinese have taken the world by storm with the likes of
IT experts and engineers.
But, as mentioned in a recent report by the LA Times, both systems
are well on their way to becoming outdated.
The report noted that China started to revamp its education system
in the 1990s to introduce more creative and critical thinking in
the classroom.
In the US, schools have been urged to adopt a more structured,
Asia-influenced math syllabus for younger students.
For more than a decade, both countries have been quietly studying
and integrating each other's strengths into their school
systems.
The result, while encouraging, has thrown up a few surprises.
Assistant Professor Zhang Baohui, from the National Institute of
Education (NIE), has taught science in China and the US at the
equivalent of the lower-secondary level.
His research into both systems at the teaching and learning levels
has shown that teachers in China take stock and acknowledge the
need to move towards a bigger emphasis on creative thinking.
On the other hand, educators in the US are scrutinising flaws in
their system.
'You cannot erect a tall building without laying a strong
foundation first. That foundation necessarily comes from
knowledge-based learning,' he told The New Paper.
But Assoc Prof Zhang said it was hard to generalise, especially
since reforms to education has blurred the lines.
'Usually, people have the impression that western education places
an emphasis on self expression, while in China, it's about how much
you know.
'It's actually difficult to generalise, because both countries are
big, and you can find a range in both,' he said.
Still, he believes that Singapore lies somewhere near the
middle.
While it is also going through an educational reform of its own, it
is well on its way to becoming bigger and better.
'While working with Singapore students on a computer-based science
learning project, I found that they have both US and China in them.
The emphasis is still on knowledge, but the government has been
very encouraging of inquiry-based learning, and integrating more
technology-led learning tools into schools.
'There is no doubt that students from Singapore perform very well
at the international level when compared to students from other
countries.'
There are still a lot of changes to be made here, but Assoc Prof
Zhang is 'optimistic'.
One of the changes he would like to see is in the students'
mindsets.
Believe it or not, the brightest students here have surprised
academics by showing the most resistance to creative-based learning
in all three countries.
'Not all students welcome open-ended learning, especially the high
achievers who are used to listening and following. These students
are not willing to take the risk because they are afraid to lose
their advantage,' he said.
Students who get high grades in conventional exams may not do as
well as low achievers, who may well hand in higher quality work
when working, say, on computer models to minimise water pollution
by manipulating variables, he observed.
'Problem-solving tests understanding and creativity, which cannot
always be learnt using conventional techniques that high achievers
are used to.'