A fortnight of meaningful learning: Gan Eng Seng School
11 May 2020
Using mathematical concepts, students get creative in designing their own board game.
Who
Sec 1 students
When
Since 2019
Why
To signal that learning is not measured by the narrow focus on grades alone, Gan Eng Seng School (GESS) came up with a two-week Learning Fortnight modular programme targeted at enhancing the Sec 1 students’ joy of learning beyond textbooks.
By opening up modules to Sec 1 students from all streams, GESS wanted to encourage inclusivity and social mixing. Students are taught to understand and appreciate both the relevance and value of subjects in real life, while being empowered to make their own choices in discovering their personal interests and aptitude.
What
Learning Fortnight programme
Started in 2019, the Learning Fortnight programme allows Sec 1 students to choose 2 subject-based modules out of 7 – with each module lasting 4 days. Students are able to have authentic and meaningful learning based on their interests as they interact, engage and collaborate with one another as one community.
The 7 modules are:
- Create.Write.Perform (for English Language and Literature)
- 3-in-1 Cultural Appreciation (for Chinese / Malay / Tamil Language)
- Board Game Design (for Mathematics)
- Science Busking (for Science)
- Wanderlust – Planning Your Next Holiday Destination (for Geography)
- Commemorating the Paralympics (for Physical Education)
- Play with Plastics (Design and Technology)
To give an idea of one of these modules, Create.Write.Perform enables students with an aptitude for English language and drama to learn to write poems, prepare for a poetry slam performance, create their own compelling stories or have a go at scriptwriting for a book trailer video.
This immersive experience allows them to understand how language arts make meaning out of words or how characters influence destinies and action.
Students taking turns role-playing during the Create.Write.Perform Learning Fortnight module.
How
The school’s first challenge was to change the teachers’ mindsets and gain their buy-in. With the freed up space from the removal of mid-year exams (MYE), some teachers preferred to continue teaching the syllabus at a pace that would bring about deeper learning rather than explore pedagogical designs with their teams.
It took time for the school to convince all the teachers that the Learning Fortnight was of value and aligned to the intent and beliefs of Full Subject-based Banding. Sure enough, once everyone was on board, the teachers began working hard to innovate the modules.
Two important factors the school had to consider when implementing the modules were teacher deployment and workload, Vice-Principal Mdm Sarawathy D/O Varadaraju explains. “Since the school recognised that the Learning Fortnight was to be conducted during the 2 weeks of mid-year examinations for other levels, that meant there were teachers still invigilating and marking, so we had to be very careful to manage the teachers’ workload while putting the least strain on the examination committee.
“Also, we needed to consider which space was best to conduct the Learning Fortnight modules in. We had to ask ourselves critical questions about which classrooms to use or how to work around recess breaks to minimise distractions to other students.”
Tips for other schools
To ensure a programme as logistically-complex as the Learning Fortnight goes well, a whole school approach is essential.
“It is always good to start the conversation with teachers early so there will be better buy-in,” Vice-Principal Sarawathy says. “Heads of Instructional Programmes should be competent to support teachers in curriculum design with clear learning objectives. The school can also engage partners such as the community, parents and the alumni to add diversity and richness to our students’ learning.”
On average, 85% of the students responded that they enjoyed the modules, the activities were adequate in being hands-on and were collaborative in nature, while enabling them to learn knowledge and skills beyond the textbook. The majority were also happy they could interact across the streams and make new friends.
Latest Update
Unfortunately, due to the circuit breaker, the Learning Fortnight will be postponed to next year.
“We wanted to give our teachers time to focus on full Home-based Learning (FHBL) amidst learning all the new ICT tools and the monitoring of students’ online work,” Vice-Principal Sarawathy adds.
“Every day, Form Teachers contact their students using WhatsApp to ensure students are at home, safe and engaged in FHBL, and video call students to check on their well-being. For high needs students, the Year Heads, School Counsellors and AED(LBS) contact them to provide the appropriate support.”
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