Robotics and REAL learning in life
To most parents, the word 'robotics' conjures up a picture of a kid trapped in a dimly lit corner of the house fiddling away with his hands amongst a pile of LEGO blocks and accessories. He most probably refuses to eat his meals properly and drink enough water. Whilst Daddy is proud of his child's ability to turn this pile of blocks into a 'transformer' looking thing with agile limbs that can 'walk' and perform simple tasks, he also worries that his son would spend too much time on this activity, eventually affecting his health, studies and more importantly, lose out in social skills.
Well, parents need to be educated on this! Research has shown that a properly planned curriculum of robotics coupled with a practical, project based ICT programme do wonders in character building in the schools. The programme is applied to the early and later years of education. As a matter of fact, LEGO engineering learning (or other equivalent brands) curricula are incorporated into kindergartens, primary & secondary schools' syllabi in all the Scandinavian countries. Some of these programmes are incorporated into College and University education as supporting credit hours to their diploma/degree courses. It is no wonder that countries like Finland, with a population of 5-and-a-half million people produces high tech products like Nokia. Finland also gains international repute in exporting sophisticated machinery for the construction industry.
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Character Building
But how does robotics help in character building? This what Mr Sim Quan Seng, the CEO of REAL Education Group has to say, "Over the short 3-and-a-half weeks of intense and grueling focus on the recent robotics competition, our students have displayed splendid character values which otherwise were left unnoticed....". He was speaking in the recent Character Appreciation assembly held in the REAL International School in Sekolah Sri Suria, held on the 29th March 2010 when 10 students, 3 teachers and 2 external mentors were given Character Appreciation certificates on their recent success in the 2010 First Lego League (FLL) Malaysian Open Championship. Considering that this is their maiden attempt in robotics competition, the students have figuratively "conquered Mt Everest".
During this period, students and teachers have shown character values like: Alertness, Attentiveness, Availability, Dependability, Diligence, Humility, Initiative, Joyfullness, Responsibility, Resourcefulness, Tolerance and many more. The Team of 10 students learns to accept each others strengths and weaknesses for a common goal. When their attempts met with continuous 'failures', there is always the Joyful one to keeps the spirit going. Boldness, creativity and endurance slowly blow away dark clouds of despair, and team emerges from the storm like the Rock of Gibraltar! "Syabas! You deserve to win" complimented Sim.
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REAL Life
Isn't this experience a real life training of survival and living skill? The research further explains that students educated in the Scandinavian system, have larger appetite for problem solving skills. "All our schools (Private or International) operated by the REAL Education Group have incorporated Lego Engineering Learning in their curriculum. The ICT programme is our proprietary curriculum", said Sim. A diverse array of ECA (Extra Curricula Activities), is what students need when they graduate and face the workforce in future.
The finesse comes when character inculcation is cleverly integrated into the daily life of the students. The outcome is "life transforming and holistic".
The Award
The team from REAL International School won the Best Overall Robot Design Award (BORDA). They are judged on Innovative Design, Programming and Quality Design. The judges quizzed the team members thoroughly. And eventually, they must be satisfied on all 3 criteria with a "wow!" before awarding the Malaysian BORDA.
FIRST stands for For Inspiration & Recognition of Science & Technology, a US non-profit organization in collaboration with Lego Malaysia (distributed by Saspadi), the organizer of the annual Malaysian First Lego League Robotic Competitions. Malaysian teams have captured the world Champion Award for the last 3 consecutive years. Malaysia Boleh!
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On the 25th February 2010, REAL International School (Shah Alam Campus) held its very first International Day. The event kicked off in the Hall of Character at 9.00am and concluded 6 hours later at 3.00pm. About 1000 students and 300 parents participated in the event. Our international Day opened with a flag bearing ceremony, followed by speeches from Mr. Sim Quan Seng, CEO of REAL Education Group and Ms. Leonora Peers, Principal of REAL International School.
International Day 2010 gave our students the opportunity to sample a wide range of food from 15 different countries and foster an awareness, appreciation and deeper respect for the different values, cultures and beliefs that exist throughout the world. International Day is a wonderful way to celebrate cultural diversity, to break down preconceived barriers and to expose our students to new languages.
The booths were most informative and beautifully decorated. The students and teachers worked consistently over several months prior to the event, as part of their extra-curricular programme, to create attractive visuals, backdrops and impressive models for their booth.
By purchasing a passport students gained access to the country booths on display. By participating in the various activities at each booth, the students got their passport stamped, just as you do in the real world. This made the event more meaningful and engaging. The activities and performances were wide ranging and included batik painting, a calligraphy demonstration, magical show, Mah Meri tribal dance, a Capoeira demonstration, a piano solo performance, a duo performance on the 'Er Hu' and 'Gu Zheng' (traditional Chinese string instruments) by well- known accomplished artistes and even a local band which entertained the crowd with modern songs accompanied by the traditional Indian 'tabla' drums.
Throughout the day our students' talents were showcased on stage. Performances included a Bollywood dance by Tahani (Year 10), Guitar and vocal duet by Jia Ling and Sunita (Year 10), Tai Chi demonstration (Year 10H), Hula Hula Hawaii (Year 8H), Hip Hop dance by X Kids (Years 8 and 10), Indian folk dance (Year 4), So-ran bushi dance (Year 8V), Saudi Arabia – A Night in the Palace (Year 7), Bangra Dance (Years 5 & 6), Kendo demonstration (Year 7) and a Kaleidoscope of Traditional Dances (Years 1,2 & 3).
International Day brought the whole campus together and helped to build up links with parents and the local community, everyone working side by side to achieve a common objective. The day was most successful due to intricate planning, consistent efforts and enthusiasm by everyone involved. The feedback from the school community was very positive. Ms Leonora Peers, principal of RIS commented,
"Our first International Day was a great success thanks to our supportive parents, and the efforts of our teachers and students. Who knows, next year we may plan activities across the curriculum, in and out of school, over an entire week instead of just one day. "
Click here for the translated Chinese version in pdf format.
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Recreational accidents involving drowning are on the rise with every passing year. Something quick has to be done! There is no way we can actively reduce that drowning toll if children are not taught water confidence. Learning to swim should be made compulsory in schools.
Many public pools today are struggling to keep their pools open because of rising costs. A large number of swimming professionals are worried as to how bad it is going to get.
The education system is the best means for children to learn how to swim and survive, so water safety skills are grown at that age. Ideally a school pool in close proximity will complement this intention. However it is easier said than done, due to the high capital cost, space constraint and recurring maintenance cost.
By just learning a few strokes will not sufficiently get them out of danger should they fall into the swift rapids of a flood or a swollen river. The kampong boy will most probably survive due to his 'water confidence'.
Having all these concerns weighed and thought of in detail, the R.E.A.L Education Group has put pools in each of their three private schools, Sekolah Seri Suria in Cheras, Sekolah Seri Cahaya in Shah Alam and Sekolah Sri Andalas in Johor and two international schools, R.E.A.L International School in Shah Alam and R.E.A.L International School in Hulu Langat for the purpose of producing confident swimmers who are able to get out of danger should they be faced with danger.
The pools are of half an Olympic size and come with an impressive deck, which gives swimmers the 'resort living' ambience. Showers and changing room facilities are airy, clean and practical.
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Young talents have been neglected by the education industry with each passing year. If only talents are captured early then they can be developed to full capacity. The sky is the limit in the dynamics of developing a young talent.
In this aspect, the R.E.A.L Education Group has a distinct advantage as they start children as young as 4 years old in water confidence. When these talents enter the REAL schools, they will have uninterrupted training to push them towards excellence. Given this vantage point, state and national swimmers will bloom. Swimming is part of the Extra Curriculum Activities programme offered by the schools. Whilst the basic swimming programme offers children water confidence and survival skills, competitive training modules are introduced to those aspiring to scale state and national heights.
In the first year, competent local coaches will bring out the fire in our young swimmers. The Directors would like to take one step further through engaging foreign coaches to augment and focus on competitive swimming.
The REAL Education Group believes that every child has the right to acquire water survival skills. Fatal accidents involving water can be avoided if children (adults inclusive) learn water confidence at a young age. The Group would like to encourage other schools to follow in the same step forward.
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