Ai Ling Ong

Update:GCE O Level A-Maths Topical Intensive Revision Programme

To All Parents & Students Who Contacted Me with the enquiries on the GCE O Level A-Maths Intensive Programme, I have to apologise sincerely as recently I have some major changes in my personal schedule which does not permit me to commit 100% for this June holidays. I have lost a large part of my contacts on my mobile phone due to the servicing of the handset so I was not able to personally notify all students and parents. Sorry for any inconvenience caused. For students who desperately need help in A-Maths still, I am looking into the possibility of conducting the same programme on every Sundays of July onwards.

Thank you for your interest.

School Holiday Programme Debate

With the start of the June holidays, there have been pretty much debate on the matter of schools getting students back for lessons. Much have been discussed. "School principals give yourselves a break"

In my humble opinion, I think that holiday classes are absolutely required for graduating students for example the students doing their O Levels. Having said that, I am not suggesting that schools take up all the entire school holidays for that purpose. Depending on the objectives of these holiday classes, having 1-2weeks of them is reasonable. Teachers can get a break too.

Being an educator myself, I understand the importance of recharging one's mind to be prepared for the remaining terms. So teachers deserve a break too but the fact that they are committing their break time to their students speak volume. So it was a little disheartening when I read with disappointment on how parents not see from the point of teachers and principals in this case.

As for other level of students, I feel that enrichment programmes can be introduced during this holidays but made on a non-compulsory basics, allowing parents and students to make their own decision. Holidays are meant to be of a balance of work and play. From the articles read in Strait Times Forum, it seems to be that some parents aren't too appreciative of the schools' good intention. But arrangements for such programme must be communicated in advance to the parents so that parents can plan for their overseas trip with their children.

Well, in terms of school holiday programmes, I want to acknowledge my fellow educators working real hard at making a difference in the students' life and the effort of the school in planning for the enrichment programmes.

Hmmm... perhaps we should have a term devoted to some sort of summer camps just like in USA. Being a camp counsellor in USA, I totally love the experience!

To Drop Or To Persevere On, Read the "Don't Quit" Poem

With the release of mid year exams, there are often only 2 scenarios : students are happy, students are unhappy.

I certainly want more happy students then unhappy but sometimes things are just reverse of what we want them.

Some schools might be using the mid year as a gauge to determine if students are able to handle the workload especially the graduating classes. From a school point of view, I understand where they are coming from.

Instead of focusing your energy on the many subjects you have on hand, why not drop the subject(s) which you have seemed to under-perform? Schools have their concern for their students. There is no right or wrong here. But before you decide to Drop or Perserve on with the subject(s), I have a major factor for you to consider:

Have you put in 100% effort and commitment for the subject(s)?

Many a times, examinations might not be reflecting the true potential of the students' capability. Unsatisfactory results could be due to so many many excuses! like "insufficient preparation as there wasn't enough time" (most often heard of excuse), "totally lack of interest in the subject", "teachers didn't teach well" (totally unjustifiable!), "cannot understand lots of things" (Why wait till eve of exams to realize that?), "totally unlucky"(hello! luck is 0.0001% in exams), "the papers are so tough"...

Are you truly not able to do satisfactorily for your subject or are you burdened by your own many excuses?

I have been in some of your shoes before. I have done badly for my subjects, really bad. But I was glad that I was NOT given the option to choose. I had only 1 route to take - Perserve On to ensure that I complete what I start on. This is the poem on a card my friend sent me when my road was uphill. This poem inspires me, I hope it makes a difference for you too.

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road your trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and its turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When they might have won, had they stuck it out.
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victors cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when your hardest hit,
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit!

Photo by Monica's Dad

Does Stubborness Earn You More Marks?

I was doing Factor, Remainder Theorem with one of my students. She's a brilliant girl but has yet to achieve the results she truly deserves. I think she knows the reasons clearly :-)

She likes to do things her way.

And I am totally fine with students having their own style. Afterall, my best method might not be their best method. However, if their style is not helping them in terms of scoring, time management..., this is where I step in to influence and get them to better understand how my strategy (usually a much shorter way as I am a lazy person :-)) might help them to understand and get the answer faster and easily.

I get them to buy my idea. And most of the time, my idea sells out :)

Today post will be on Identity covered with Factor-Remainder Theorem.

There are 2 main methods to solve the question. And for me, I choose the "lazy" method again. Simply because it is easy, fast and accurate!