Mastery in stages
MALAYSIA’S educational policy has undergone some big changes in the past few years. One such change is the Kurikulum Standard Sekolah Rendah (KSSR) syllabus, which replaced the Kurikulum Bersepadu Sekolah Rendah (KBSR) in the primary school system in 2011.
The KSSR focuses more on teaching higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) rather than lower-order thinking skills (LOTS).
While LOTS lead students to memorise concepts, HOTS train them to analyse and synthesise information to solve problems and make decisions.
Students need to be equipped with HOTS for life after schooling. This is particularly true in today’s society where analytical, critical and creative minds are in greater demand.
Eye Level is an enrichment programme developed by Daekyo, a leading educational service provider founded in 1976 in South Korea.
To help students become problem-solvers, critical thinkers and lifelong learners, Eye Level has come up with robust curricula based on research, thus serving as a model throughout the world.
The Eye Level curricula help students learn both LOTS and HOTS as well as apply these skills in and outside of school.
Eye Level Math trains students to use LOTS and HOTS throughout its 32 levels. First, students master Basic Thinking Math (BTM) by practising addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
They then learn Critical Thinking Math (CTM), dealing with situation-based questions. To understand the basic mathematical concepts of BTM, students need to use LOTS. On the other hand, to apply such basic concepts in CTM, they should develop HOTS.
Eye Level English first helps students to develop
LOTS. To develop these skills, students follow instructions to learn basic language skills through phonics and oral fluency exercises.
After gaining a basic level of competence in English, students continue to follow guided instructions to develop HOTS. At this level, they practise reading and writing.
To improve their reading comprehension, students learn to analyse a variety of texts, including literary works. This way, they will feel more comfortable dealing with cognitively challenging questions and ideas.
They gradually become more proficient in English as they do linguistic and cognitive exercises that are systematically organised through 14 levels.
Training students to develop both LOTS and HOTS, Eye Level English not only helps them in school but also lays a strong foundation for their future career, thus encouraging them to be competitive professionals.
As the KSSR emphasises HOTS, students will be encouraged to practise these skills in school. Consequently, schools will have to change their methodology of teaching and evaluation.
To develop HOTS, students need to become more independent, confident and active in learning, organising and using knowledge and skills.
This idea is compatible with Self-Directed Learning (SDL), the primary approach of Eye Level. Throughout the SDL process, students learn to take initiative and responsibility. Such behaviour is closely linked to HOTS rather than to LOTS.
Franchising opportunities are available. Call 016-262 2767 or 016-331 1806, e-mail reese.yeo@myeyelevel.com or victor.chan@ myeyelevel.com, or visit my. eyelevelfranchise.com
Daekyo Malaysia will be conducting a franchise seminar at its Wisma UOA headquarters this Friday and Saturday, from 10am to 1pm. For details, call 1300 880 909 or visit www. myeyelevel.com