Teachers Step Out of Their Comfort Zone
Early Friday morning at the hall of SJKC Chung Hwa Confucian B. Here and there, clusters of students buzz with excitement, showing off projects they made to a curious audience. These projects were facilitated by teachers from 6 Penang schools who underwent an intensive training workshop in Place-based Learning (PBL).
Through this workshop, teachers were equipped with the tools and skills to plan, design and implement PBL projects using resources within and around their school community. The results were varied and engaging, full of fascinating facts that the students proudly presented to their audience.
The students of SMK Air Itam built models to show what they learned about conservation and geography after a trip up Penang Hill. SMK Air Itam were also presented with the Gold Award for 3 consecutive years of participation in the Cultural Heritage Education Programme.
The students of Penang Chinese Girls Private High School offered taste-tests of the soy sauce they made in Home Economics after visiting the Heng Lee Soy Sauce Factory. This is the second year of this school’s participation, for which they were presented with the Silver Award.
The students of SJKC Chung Hwa (B) learned about the value of money and responsible consumption at their own school cooperative.
The students of SK Convent Pulau Tikus explained the historical and architectural evolution of their school and its connection to the church next-door.
The students of SK Dato Kramat interviewed people at their school about their roles and occupations.
The students of SMJK Chung Hwa conducted an in-depth investigation of the meaning behind their school song and its founding history.
Through these projects, we saw students practice communication, collaboration, critical and creative thinking skills to their teachers’ credit.
The event was also a platform for teachers to share their project outcomes and experiences with other educators and education officers, particularly in the spirited discussion forum that followed the awards presentation. Moderated by Arts-ED’s programme officer Adeline Chua, the forum discussed the benefits, feasibility and challenges of incorporating PBL into schools.
The panellists at this forum were principal assistant director Nor Hisham Ismail and assistant director Suraya Norin Ismail of the Educational Policy Planning and Research Department from the Ministry of Education; lecturer Dr. Toh Lai Chee from the Institute of Teacher Education; Ang Bin Jun, an SMK Air Itam English teacher; and Ooi Shu Juang, a Math teacher from SJKC Chung Hwa Confucian B.
Arts-ED has been running PBL workshops for 3 years as part of Arts-ED’s Cultural Heritage Education Programme, a partnership with George Town World Heritage Incorporated.
Supported by
Penang Education Council
Northeast District Education Office
Endorsed by
Penang State Government
Report prepared by David Chin