Expert Panel Global Event: New Realties, New Schooling

Dr Teo Chew Lee, Senior Research Scientist at NIE, will be speaking at an expert panel open to all participants from around the world. This panel revolves around the topic of “Learning in the Building and Learning from Home” and Dr Teo will discuss about the recent experience with online learning and remote teaching in Singapore.

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This panel will take place via Zoom on November 11th at 5.30am Singapore Time. Please register at the following link for more information and details.

Talk at the SUSS Virtual Graduation Symposium 2020

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Dr Teo Chew Lee, Senior Research Scientist in the Office of Education and Programme Director for the Learning Sciences and Innovation Research Programme in NIE Singapore, will be conducting a talk at the virtual graduation of Early Childhood Education (ECE) students from the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS).

The talk is titled “Can young children work together and build knowledge?” and will be held during the ceremony from 2.00pm on 9th October 2020.

Knowledge Building Symposium 2018

The Knowledge Building (KB) Symposium 2018 took place on 22 November and was co-hosted by Office of Education Research and Chua Chu Kang Primary School (CCKPS). The event was attended by 134 participants from 30 organisations, including international guests from Canada and United States. The symposium witnessed the commingling of teachers, students, researchers, and professors from educational institutions and research and academic think-tanks.

KB Symposium 2018 - Welcome and Opening

KB Symposium 2018 - Welcome and Opening

Dr Teo Chew Lee, Senior Research Scientist from NIE’s Office of Education Research, kickstarted the symposium by introducing the fundamental tenets of KB such as the KB principles and scaffolds during her opening speech.

Dr. Teo Chew Lee giving the opening address for KB symposium 2018

Dr. Teo Chew Lee giving the opening address for KB symposium 2018

To find out more, please click here.

KB Summer Institute 2018 (KBSI2018)

KB Summer Institute (KBSI) 2018 was held in Toronto, Canada, from August 14-17, 2018.

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KBSI is an open event to all individuals (teachers, principals, students, researchers, professionals, etc.) who want to become better acquainted with knowledge building concepts and approaches and advance their work in light of global competencies and models of an inclusive knowledge society. KBSI is also open to organisations (ministries, schools, universities, etc.) interested in introducing Knowledge Building into their organizations and establishing state-of-the-art approaches to knowledge creation.

There was a live streaming of practitioner session(s). Please go to IKIT's website for more details of this event.


Making the Learning Sciences Count!

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ICLS 2018

The International Conference of Learning Sciences 2018 | London, U.K.

The Learning Sciences represent a bridge for researchers and practitioners to come together to deconstruct the complexities of what happens in classrooms. For practitioners, research data serves as a mirror to reflect and improve our craft; for researchers, classrooms a living lab to examine dynamic ideas.

As such, no matter which side of the bridge we arrive from, we forge toward same frontiers: Making the Learning Sciences Count in our efforts to nurture the next generation.

That was the virtuous theme for the International Conference of Learning Sciences (ICLS) 2018 in London, U.K. which was attended by our Knowledge Building (KB) Science Team from St. Hilda's Primary School, Singapore.

Hear their thoughts and ideas here!

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What is Science?

Do our students understand what Science is? Why do we learn Science? What is our role when we learn Science?

One thing I learnt from the ICLS sessions is that Science instruction needs to be informed by the epistemology of science: What are our students' beliefs about Science?

To attain deeper learning of Science beyond experiments and lab lessons, we should develop students' understanding of the nature of Science and to be critical of our inquiry processes as well.

We can promote these by helping students work as little scientists, engaging in reflection about Science and scientific inquiry as they embark on collective Knowledge Building.

Mr Tan Boon Tee, Science Teacher

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What's possible?

What can KB Teachers in Singapore learn from our counterparts overseas? What are the possibilities in KB we have yet to see?

My richest learning was from breakfast with KB Teachers from other countries. Hearing how their students decide what they want to learn about a topic over a month or two makes me wonder if our current system promotes the joy of learning or not.

Bound by instructional objectives and guided by set curriculum designed with examinations in mind, we cannot deviate much from what we need to cover; what students must learn.

If there is white space given to students to steer their own learning with support from stakeholders, intrinsic motivation and deeper learning can be fostered in them. This will be probably more enjoyable for us teachers too.

Mrs Jamay Loh, Science Teacher

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What did we contribute?

What can we contribute to the Learning Sciences community? What did we learn when preparing for an international conference?

At ICLS 2018, we wanted to share Science lesson designs that were driven by student ideas archived on Knowledge Forum, an enhancement from traditional curriculum-driven lessons. We were delighted to know that attendees were keen to find out what worked and how we leveraged on student ideas to craft engaging lessons.

The process of writing the conference paper enabled us to crystallise key drivers of the innovative student idea-centric lesson design, making us reflective practitioners who build on successes and learn from areas for growth.

Mrs Usha Ram, Science Teacher

Of course, all work and no play makes Knowledge Builders dull, innit?

Check out the other highlights of our London trip here!

Knowledge Building Symposium 2017

Student activities - One of the highlights in the symposium

Student activities - One of the highlights in the symposium

The Knowledge Building (KB) Symposium 2017 was held on 20 November at Haig Girls’ School. It was a successful event with extensive reach involving students, teachers and school leaders from a number of local primary and secondary schools and tertiary institutions.

The symposium was commenced by Dr Teo Chew Lee, Senior Research Scientist from NIE, and graced by guest-of-honour Dr Eddy Lee, visiting consultant to NIE. Dr Lee shared his insights and perspectives on various aspects of knowledge building. He also moved around the different sessions and activities and engaged in dynamic dialogue with the participants.

To find out more, please click here.

Knowledge Building Symposium 2016

On the 21st of November 2016, the first local Knowledge Building (KB) Symposium, "Ideas First, A Reason to Teach" was held at the National Institute of Education, gathering members of the KB community locally as well as from Hong Kong and Quebec to share about their experiences. 

Teck Whye Secondary School (TWSS)'s student presenters at NIE. 

Teck Whye Secondary School (TWSS)'s student presenters at NIE.

To find out more on how students feel about Knowledge Building, please click here.