One of the guiding principles of my life is to be constantly improving; humbly seeking means for improvement.
After graduation from my first degree, I had the chance to teach. As a greenhorn at work, I fortunately met mentors and colleagues who shared their valuable teaching experiences and successful practices with me. After encounters with these passionate educators, I have come to appreciate the importance of evaluation and reflection, in particular with regards to executing a learning programme. While we plan our learning materials in line with the Bloom’s Taxonomy to equip learners with knowledge, understanding, analysis and synthesis skills, I viewed it from another perspective: the teachers are learners, learning how to teach better. In fact, we are constantly and continuously learning in life. It also helps to set a SMART* goal so as to have a direction. (*Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-scaled)
Personally I consider the purpose of evaluation and reflection to be identifying weaknesses and hence implementing improvements in future attempts. To me, it is a critical step in the cycle Plan-Execute-Assess-Evaluate, before a new one commences. It would be more effective to consider both qualitative and quantitative feedback of make a fair judgement of a situation. I would also like to view the summative assessment of a particular teaching assignment as a formative assessment of my own teaching in the long term, instead of solely a measure of effectiveness as a professional.
In my humble opinion, the well-known Kirk Patrick’s model for Evaluation and the SWOT analysis were more geared towards the corporate world, hence the need to select and adapt relevant portions of these as my relevant tools for evaluating current practices and identifying possible areas for improvement.
Improvement lies in understanding how critical functions are best performed, rather than simply measuring the outcomes. Processes can be planned to be effective and constantly adjusted to optimise performance, while outcomes can only be hoped for and we have rather little control over.
When we compare our practices with others, it is impossible to plagiarise, simply because the situations however similar are still different to a certain extent, adaptations and modifications are necessary. Furthermore, we can perceive comparative benchmarking as a form of peer-mentoring, where both ends learn and benefit from an open exchange of information and experience. Reflection is a necessity, neither a bonus nor luxury.
In conclusion, for improvements to take place, a multi-perspective evaluation is quintessential. Though a tedious process, improvements lead to satisfaction in many aspects of life.
To end, I would like to share two quotes that constantly motivate me:
1) There is no difficult child in this world, but there are numerous children with difficulties. (Hence, I should contribute to my very best to help these fellow mankind overcome their difficulties)
2) Excellence is a habit. (Taking the easy way out is a lazy choice. I need to cultivate a habit of constantly striving to be better.)
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
On music thoughts and cultivation of culture
今天，魏老师给我上扬琴课.提到音乐的不同:不同地方的文化和地理造成音乐风格/个性/曲风不一样（例：山区高原唱山歌会用大幅度跳跃音程)；不同时代的作曲方式，乐器/科技局限,技术发展程度等,都影响被流传至今的当代音乐.今天我被点通的是:演奏/录制不同类别的音乐时,需考虑不周演奏姿势与手法，麦克风用哪一种，乐器要不要特别处理过.但最终最重要还是得清楚知道自己在做什么,想要达到什么结果，随之的一些决定都为那个最后结果而服务,才为佳.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Art and Science of Music
Anybody can say that science and art are two completely different phenomena and that there is nothing that can possibly connect them due to the fact that one represents truth and the other one represents beauty. Nevertheless, the endeavors to explain science and art in terms of truth and beauty are completely motivated. The major reason for such a division is that science has always been associated with “accuracy” or it may be even said “mathematical accuracy”, while art has been always been considered free from any objectivism and accuracy but associated with seeing the best in things and people. Art is very subjective - what seems to be gorgeous to a person turns out to be disgusting to another one. Science is super objective and any component of subjectivity can destroy science’s essence, which is accuracy. Accuracy is identical to truth and freedom of individual perception with is identical to beauty. At the same time science and art can be both interpreted as “truth”, though science is “objective truth” and art is “subjective truth”. Science dictates laws and follows them, while art disclaims all the laws and lives its own unpredictable life. Art makes the world more beautiful and science finds the truth to control the world and attempts to predict its development. Any science’s attempt to subordinate art is useless as it destroys art at the core. Art is something science cannot exist without. Science serves for the sake of mankind and art adjusts the inventions to the contemporary world.
Exploration of the world through analysis, comparison, syntheses and calculation in science faces the very same analysis, comparison, and syntheses of the outside world in art.
Art is creativity; it reflects the world and reveals reality from completely different sides. It is connected with the emotional sphere and therefore is completely irrational. Science is absolutely rational is connected with the cognitive process. Science attempts to make the reality fit certain laws creating the truth and art attempts to make the reality function spontaneously creating the beauty of spontaneity and tries to copy this spontaneity in different forms. Science obtains its core through knowledge while art obtains its essence through images formed by the process of perception.
Art and science complement each other on one hand. On the other hand they are extremely different – starting with art’s subjectivity and science’s objectivity and ending with the final product of each of the phenomenon. But what is really important is that it is a man who conducts them both and therefore they both serve humanity and its needs, either esthetic or mathematic.
These two terms are a lot different, but still they do have many common things. The paradox is that often the similarities lie inside the things that make them different. So, the suggestion that science is concerned with truth while art is concerned with beauty is quite convincing. Science and art represent the rational and the irrational, the subjective and objective components of life through truth and beauty.
Exploration of the world through analysis, comparison, syntheses and calculation in science faces the very same analysis, comparison, and syntheses of the outside world in art.
Art is creativity; it reflects the world and reveals reality from completely different sides. It is connected with the emotional sphere and therefore is completely irrational. Science is absolutely rational is connected with the cognitive process. Science attempts to make the reality fit certain laws creating the truth and art attempts to make the reality function spontaneously creating the beauty of spontaneity and tries to copy this spontaneity in different forms. Science obtains its core through knowledge while art obtains its essence through images formed by the process of perception.
Art and science complement each other on one hand. On the other hand they are extremely different – starting with art’s subjectivity and science’s objectivity and ending with the final product of each of the phenomenon. But what is really important is that it is a man who conducts them both and therefore they both serve humanity and its needs, either esthetic or mathematic.
These two terms are a lot different, but still they do have many common things. The paradox is that often the similarities lie inside the things that make them different. So, the suggestion that science is concerned with truth while art is concerned with beauty is quite convincing. Science and art represent the rational and the irrational, the subjective and objective components of life through truth and beauty.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Arithmancy Reading
Hello Lur Khim Tiam, date of birth entered by you is April 28, 1984 based on which your Arithmancy Reading is as below.
Destiny Number 9
This number indicates the general personality of the person.
Great resolve, enthusiasm and dynamism are the keywords in life for number nine people. Upholding some of the archetypal Mars-induced qualities like boldness, courage and vigor, you are never far from their cherished goal. To others, the air of self-confidence and decisiveness may appear to be stubbornness and impudence. These traits spring from a great capability of focusing exactly on the desired goal and great self-assurance. You are very loyal and honest people without any kind of duplicity or capriciousness. Despite the rock-solid, confident exterior, you can be really secure person inside. No matter how well you manage to camouflage others successfully, a deep need for affection and deep love must be fulfilled for your wholesome well-being.
Soul Urge Number 4
This number indicates the inner desires of a person and his hidden fears.
The vibe of number four is reflected through the laboriousness and practicality of the number four person. Infused with sheer determination to complete the work at hand, you leave no stone unturned to achieve your preset goal. Number four persons are no strangers to hard-work. They are capable of handling difficult situations and excess workload without showing much difficulty. You are methodical and systematic in your approach. Wasting time in daydreaming or grand flights of fancy is not in your nature. You are logical, responsible and a great organizer. On the flip side, you can be a stubborn person holding on to outdated beliefs and opinions. Conflicts are possible at several points of your life due to your nasty temper.
Personality Number 5
This number indicates the outer face of a person that is seen by the world.
Under the influence of number five, you will acquire a volatile temperament with time. You will shift your energy and attention from one thing to another within a brief time span. The elements of insecurity and instability are closely associated with your personality. As far as the art of conversation is concerned, you will never fail to imprint an enduring image on others' minds. With exceptional intelligence and wit, you tend to be a high-strung person. Endowed with versatility and flexibility, you can fare really well in the fields of media and communication. Watch out for impatience and a quick temper to get wholesome success in your life.
Destiny Number 9
This number indicates the general personality of the person.
Great resolve, enthusiasm and dynamism are the keywords in life for number nine people. Upholding some of the archetypal Mars-induced qualities like boldness, courage and vigor, you are never far from their cherished goal. To others, the air of self-confidence and decisiveness may appear to be stubbornness and impudence. These traits spring from a great capability of focusing exactly on the desired goal and great self-assurance. You are very loyal and honest people without any kind of duplicity or capriciousness. Despite the rock-solid, confident exterior, you can be really secure person inside. No matter how well you manage to camouflage others successfully, a deep need for affection and deep love must be fulfilled for your wholesome well-being.
Soul Urge Number 4
This number indicates the inner desires of a person and his hidden fears.
The vibe of number four is reflected through the laboriousness and practicality of the number four person. Infused with sheer determination to complete the work at hand, you leave no stone unturned to achieve your preset goal. Number four persons are no strangers to hard-work. They are capable of handling difficult situations and excess workload without showing much difficulty. You are methodical and systematic in your approach. Wasting time in daydreaming or grand flights of fancy is not in your nature. You are logical, responsible and a great organizer. On the flip side, you can be a stubborn person holding on to outdated beliefs and opinions. Conflicts are possible at several points of your life due to your nasty temper.
Personality Number 5
This number indicates the outer face of a person that is seen by the world.
Under the influence of number five, you will acquire a volatile temperament with time. You will shift your energy and attention from one thing to another within a brief time span. The elements of insecurity and instability are closely associated with your personality. As far as the art of conversation is concerned, you will never fail to imprint an enduring image on others' minds. With exceptional intelligence and wit, you tend to be a high-strung person. Endowed with versatility and flexibility, you can fare really well in the fields of media and communication. Watch out for impatience and a quick temper to get wholesome success in your life.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Still spring cleaning during CNY...:(
Today is the 5th day of Chinese New Year, and my house had just inherited my uncle's fish tank with fishes in them.
Now, items dragged aside to make room for the fish tank and its stand now has to be "relocated" in various parts of the house.
How I wish my house can remain neat and tidy and yet not short of resources.
I recall a series of sentence I saw on Jack Neo's movie when it was telecast on TV during the CNY holidays:
If you cannot show (something eg. a piece of junk), you hide;
If you cannot hide, you throw;
If cannot hide and cannot throw, you temporarily put it outside.
That sounds so much like what my family has to be upkeeping with the "culture" of "taking cover" and the bicycles always migrating to the corridors only when we are expecting visitors.
Sorry, not meant to wash dirty linen in public, but more of soliting ideas from all to share with me how you deal with the mess at home, especially if they belong to other members of the family who love hoarding, worst still if they are your seniors.
Now, items dragged aside to make room for the fish tank and its stand now has to be "relocated" in various parts of the house.
How I wish my house can remain neat and tidy and yet not short of resources.
I recall a series of sentence I saw on Jack Neo's movie when it was telecast on TV during the CNY holidays:
If you cannot show (something eg. a piece of junk), you hide;
If you cannot hide, you throw;
If cannot hide and cannot throw, you temporarily put it outside.
That sounds so much like what my family has to be upkeeping with the "culture" of "taking cover" and the bicycles always migrating to the corridors only when we are expecting visitors.
Sorry, not meant to wash dirty linen in public, but more of soliting ideas from all to share with me how you deal with the mess at home, especially if they belong to other members of the family who love hoarding, worst still if they are your seniors.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
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