Brian Jeffrey
Educators are urging schools and teachers to move away from the practice of providing “essay samples” to students. This method involves students memorizing and reproducing these samples in their schoolwork and exams, limiting their creativity. Students rely on these samples for high scores instead of expressing their original ideas.
Experts caution that this approach stifles students’ creativity and promotes rote learning over critical thinking. This practice is not exclusive to literature classes but extends to other subjects as well.
Prof Do Duc Thai, a mathematics lecturer, has called for an end to the “template-based” teaching method. He emphasizes the need to foster students’ creativity and logical thinking in mathematics rather than relying on sample questions.
Under the new general education program introduced in 2018, the focus is on developing students’ abilities rather than simply imparting knowledge. This shift reflects a broader trend in education towards nurturing students’ skills and qualities.
However, there is a challenge in defining how to effectively cultivate students’ capabilities. Educators stress the importance of balancing standards and requirements with the goal of developing students’ abilities.
Assessment plays a crucial role in evaluating students’ progress, and educators emphasize the need for assessments aligned with the curriculum and teaching methods.
Thai, involved in developing the new mathematics curriculum, highlights two core principles: enhancing students’ math skills and applying mathematical knowledge to real-world problem-solving.
Professor Ngo Bao Chau underscores the significance of modernizing the assessment of students’ mathematical abilities under the 2018 education program.
