HEADlines | Tests, tests and more tests | Head Foundation Singapore on Glue Up

Issue 5: 10 March 2020

Every week, HEADlines brings you the latest news, stories and commentaries

in education and healthcare. This week, get insights on the latest developments

in education.

Tests, tests and more tests

Tests are an integral component of our education system. In the UK, standardised testing can start as early as the age of 4, and teachers have raised concerns over the effectiveness of the assessment and the stress it may induce on young students. The pressure of taking too many tests at a young age can manifest into test anxiety as the child grows up. An American teacher attempted to ease this anxiety by engaging students in guided breaks.

A study found that developing soft skills has a greater impact on students' future paths than boosting test scores. As we move towards providing skills-focused 21st century education to our students, we must strive to develop complementary, meaningful, and accurate tests.

Education in the spotlight

'Messy' is different, and being different may not necessarily be a bad thing.

Singapore is part of Asean, and it's high time we better understand and appreciate the region.

To equip young people to face the challenges of the 21st century, they need to understand their minds and bodies.

Bangkok Patana School shows how we can develop environmentalists and eco-conscious citizens through education.

With no national framework, it’s hard to know exactly how climate change is being taught. Teachers are left to get up to speed.

Too often, gifted and talented programs create separate tracks that end up creating segregated systems within schools.

The Ministry of Education can be re-envisioned as Ministry of Lifelong Learning, casting a wider vision of its roles beyond traditional scope.

New roles are emerging for those who can translate how new technologies affect our political, economic, social and cultural worlds.

That's all for the week!

Note: Credit to the rightful owners for photos and content used. Clicking the photos and embedded links will direct you to their source.

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