Learning Tools

E-Maths Note : Algebraic Expansion

This is a topic some of which is learnt ever since Primary 6.

Through my years of coaching, I notice quite a handful of students form blocks when they dealt with this topic that starts with "A" and ends with "a".

Haha! Yes! It's Alegbra! I was introduced of this thing in Primary 6. It was the ONLY method my dad taught me to solve word problems then. I didn't understand what he was telling me.... totally huh? huh? huh?

Well, I am glad I figure out the x-es & y-es eventually. Many students tend to see algebra to be abstract. In fact, it can be explained in terms of apples, oranges, pears .... ( This is my ONLY drawing subject- basic fruits) Those who have the "good fortune" will know the level of drawing :-)

How to gain most?

first of all, we would love to thanks all those who have posted your comments, shared your thoughts, asked your questions :)

Keep them coming! we welcome all! Since O Level is coming by in 25 days time, we would love to continue to see this blog active. btw, did i mention that there are on average 100 of you viewing this blog daily? not a huge number but both me and sean are happy that there are people who visit this blog. and we will continue to provide you with tips to do well.

well, to ensure that you gain the most of out this, you yourself must participate! yeah participate is the key! ask all sorts of qns, answer qns the way u think is correct, just do it anyway! it is through participation that we can truly experience and learn at the maximum potential.

so when there are qns, have a pen and paper and work things out! see if your concepts and understanding are firm and clear.

keep the fire burning!

Cheers!

Kept getting F9s for all A-Math exams

Hi,

There is only a month left plus left to A-math O lvls yet i keep getting F9s for all the exams. How do i pass that subject? Have tried doing TYS and practice papers, unsuccessful as i kept getting stuck at all the questions.

Hi xxx,

Good to know that you take action to be better. Since we kept getting stuck at all questions, it might signify your skills and concepts understanding are not firm yet. What I suggest you to do is to look CAREFULLY and examine the questions which you could not continue, ask yourself what is it that you cannnot do.

Is it you dont understand what the qn is asking or you dont have the basic skills in handling the qns?
Well, I can help you but you need to show me 1 question which you have done but couldn't get the answer or couldn't move on.
I will highlight to you what is it that you are lacking.

Cheers,
alwaysLovely.

PS: Time is precious at this moment, get your teacher to help you out or a friend who you think you can trust to push you through this period.

Why no complete answers to qns post?

Question:Why no complete answers to qns post?

Answers:

1. Learning isn't about reading answers;they're about applying your knowledge to solve the questions.

2. We help students only when they take actions, regardless of the size of the action.Sending an email with the queries is an action taken. Sending qns with personal working is another massive action.

3. We believe that most of you will learn best by knowing yourself first. Knowing and recognising your strengths and weakness are important as you acknowledge them.

So if you want answers/solutions for the questions posted,take ACTION by showing us your working and we revert back to you with comments :)

No name will be published, we respect your privacy as much as our own.

Learning is NEVER about memorization

I was coaching this girl who was facing some challenges with a-math; she has never passed her a-math before but the interesting thing is that she was doing all right for her e-math. well, both are math subjects, what are reasons for the difference in performance?

i was curious... pretty curious....

my curiosity was killed one day!

I was asking her a simple qn and she couldnt answer not because she wasn't smart. in fact, she's a bright girl...

i was shocked to hear her reason "i didnt bring my a-math exercise book with me, everything is in there, now i can't remember!"

then i told her " you don't have to memorize anything as formulas that are needed for provided in the formulae sheet!" the rest is understanding basic concepts! yup UNDERSTANDING....

i know some of you are already objection! objection! let me prove it to you all.

now imagine in your sci papers, you are asked the question to state the colors of rainbow. if you have learnt this in an interesting manner you will remember for life.

allow me to share with you all a story of how the color of rainbow comes about,

once upon a time, in this place called york, there lived a poor young man. his uneducated dad wanted the family to get richer, richer and called his son richer richer with the hope that his son 'richer' can fulfil his wish...

this young man was very brave despite being poor. when his place was attacked by enemies, he was the rare few who stood out, ready to be part of the warrior team. as the place york was too poor to buy more weapons, 'richer' of york gave his best in the battle against his enemies but his attempt was in vain.

however, everyone remembers the richer of york as he was one brave man who fight so bravely that even the sky was touched by his courage and when the war ended, there was a heavy rain for 3 days 3 nights. on the 4th day, everyone saw the colours on the sky. it reminded them of the brave young man

Richer
Of
York
Gave
Battle
In
Vain

exactly like the colors of that phenomenon

Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Indigo
Violet

Imagine i've told this story using a PowerPoint presentation with visuals, audio and even kinestatics etc, wouldn't it be powerful in helping you all recall the colors of rainbow?

this is what many are paying to learn; super memory techniques....
associating what you need to remember with something ridiculous, out of the norm, funny.... is one of the "tricks" in mastery of any subjects

so true learning is really never about memorization.
it's about finding the different tricks to enhance your understanding....

this is powerful
http://askalwayslovely.blogspot.com/2007/09/tips-for-o-level-chemistry-metal.html

my teacher didnt tell me this previously! how i wish someone had share this tip with me earlier!