HOW is this seen/observed?: PROCESSES/ Behaviours/ Actions/ Initiatives/ Policies/ Mindsets

WHY does it occur: REASONS

Significant issues/concepts (Power, Tension/Conflict, Discrepancy, Change & Continuity, Inequality, etc.)

Consequences/Implications/ SO WHAT?

How is it seen:

• Centralized control under the Department of Bantu Education

• Removal of missionary schools’ influence

• Systematic design of an inferior curriculum for Black students

• Apartheid ideology that believed Black people should not receive the same education or opportunities as white citizens

Reasons

• To uphold the apartheid regime’s system of racial hierarchy

• To restrict the socio-economic advancement of Black South Africans

• To train Black citizens only for roles that supported the white-dominated economy (e.g., laborers, servants)

• Based on the recommendations of the Eiselen Commission, which believed in cultural separation and limited development

Significant issues/concepts:

• White minority control over Black education

• Inequality due to deliberate provision of inferior education to Black students

• Tension/Conflict caused by resistance from Black communities and educators

• Discrepancy between the education provided to white and Black students

• Change & Continuity where education remained a site of strugqgle throughout apartheid

The article explores five key trends shaping the future of education in 2023. It highlights how emerging technologies and evolving societal needs are transforming the way education is delivered and experienced, from AI to lifelong learning.

HOW is this seen/observed?:

-AI and personalized learning are increasingly used to tailor educational experiences to individual student needs.

-Remotely and hybrid learning models continue post-pandemic, with improved tools and platforms.

-Lifelong and self-paced learning becomes more prominent through online platforms and microlearning modules.

-Focus on soft skills and emotional intelligence in curriculums.

-Immersive technologies such as AR/VR are used to create engaging and interactive learning environments.

WHY does it occur?:

-Rapid technological advancements and digital transformation.

-The long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on education systems.

-Increasingly demand for skills-based learning over traditional credentials.

-The evolving job market and workplace expectations.

-Global access to digital tools and resources.

Significant issues/concepts:

-Inequality in access to digital learning tools and internet connectivity.

-Power shifts from traditional educational institutions to tech-driven platforms.

-Tension between standardized education systems and personalized learning.

-Change in the definition of education, moving toward flexibility and lifelong learning.

-Discrepancy between those who adapt to new methods and those who are left behind.

(WHAT is this article about):

• many educators were worried about the emergence of ChatGPT and were scared that it would be used by students to cheat. However they are now reevaluating ChatGPT and are shifting focus from how it can be good and applied to education instead of being banned and viewed in bad light.

HOW is this seen/observed?:

Schools and universities initially banned or restricted access to ChatGPT, fearing it would encourage cheating. However, Educators have now begun to explore constructive uses of AI, such as generating lesson plans, enhancing interactivity, and supporting personalized learning. Some teachers use ChatGPT to co-create assignments, annotate AI-generated content, or have students critique and improve chatbot outputs.

WHY does it occur: REASONS

Significant issues/concepts (Power, Tension/Conflict,

Discrepancy, Change & Continuity,

Inequality, etc.)

The emergence of ChatGPT has led to concerns over education and honesty, as well as in jobs. ChatGPT changes the traditional teaching methods and puts much more focus on AI. \

Consequences/Implications/ SO WHAT?

the emergence of such tools has led to conversations about the validity of traditional forms of education and may bring about shift toward more personalized, interactive, and skills-based education. Educators have started experimenting in the classroom, shifting focus from the negative aspects to the ways in which ChatGPT can be beneficial and we can leverage off such technology

• policy reorientation: MOE has been steering away from overemphasising on examination results and move towards holistic development alongside academic achievement

• use of technology: there has been a rise in home-based and blended learning after COVID-19 pandemic in order to ensure that learning continues even during times of unforeseen circumstances

• professional learning communities (PLCs): this encourages teachers to collaborate and share how they can support their students in their holistic growth

-The shift towards holistic education is driven economic adaptation, equity concerns, global trends and community feedback

-shadow education system: private tutoring and enrichment centres reflects societal emphasis on producing outstanding academic outcomes

-Benefits include enhanced student well-being, greater school autonomy, and a more inclusive education system.

-Challenges include the persistence of a shadow education system and societal pressures that may undermine holistic objectives. The article suggests focusing on equity and rigor, designing supportive educational infrastructures, and ensuring that reforms are effectively implemented at the classroom level.

Possible teacher bias in decision-making related to student behaviours, the dynamic of the relationship between teachers and student of the particular school, school environment (percentage of minorities represented at that particular school, socio-economic background of school area), school disciplinary rules where punishments are outdated or unsuitable for current climate.

Significant issues/Concept:

• Structure of disciplinary measures in schools: outdated methods of punishment/disciplinary actions should be reformed or abandoned in favour of more restorative practices (ex. mediating conflicts, not putting the blame on racial discrepancies but instead looking more thoroughly at other environmental factors)

• Long term mental consequences for students: when students are more frequently disciplined instead of peacefully mediating, it might discourage them from trying to improve their behaviours and encourage them to act in opposition to the school. This can lead to long term consequences as the students continue to progessively refer.

• False blaming of racial discrepancies: People can often jump into conclusion of racial discrepancies without considering the   actual schooling environment and dynamic of teacher-student relationships

• Dynamic between school/teacher - student

Consequences: Students can be discouraged to improve their behaviours and instead turn onto rebelling agaisnt disciplinary efforts.

Title of selected article: (insert the headline)

Main Points

• What are the three key facts or arguments made in the article?
  1.
  2.
  3.

  
  

Personal Reaction

• What was your initial reaction to this article? (e.g., surprised, concerned, confused?) Why?

• Did the article change or challenge your opinion on the topic? How so?

Connections

• Can you relate this article to something you’ve learned in class, read elsewhere, or experienced personally?

Critical Thinking

• Do you think the article was balanced and fair? Why or why not?

• What questions do you still have after reading this article? Or complete the sentence: I wonder why.... / Given that education ..... , does it really ..... ?

  
  

Vocabulary Check

• List at least two new or difficult words you encountered and define them:
  1.
  2.

  3.

Title of selected article: 4: Ethnic & Racial Disparities in Education (Affirmative Action)

Main Points

• What are the three key facts or arguments made in the article?
  1. Affirmative action causes universities to admit people based on their characteristics instead of their results.
  2. Affirmative action corrects for societal discrimination that is in place and balances it.
  3. The ban of affirmative action is assuming that there is isn’t already racial discrimination.

  
  

Personal Reaction

• What was your initial reaction to this article? (e.g., surprised, concerned, confused?) Why?

  I was surprised about the justification the justices gave for the banning of affirmative action

• Did the article change or challenge your opinion on the topic? How so?. It did, it challenged how affirmative action can be used and why some may think it’s bad.

Connections

• Can you relate this article to something you’ve learned in class, read elsewhere, or experienced personally? This articles links to the wider topic of the war on DEI currently happening in America.

Critical Thinking

• Do you think the article was balanced and fair? Why or why not? Yes it talked about both sides of the aisle and their opinions on it.

• What questions do you still have after reading this article?

  Which exact justices voted for the bill and their political alignment as that would affect whether this was a political move.

  
  

Vocabulary Check

• List at least two new or difficult words you encountered and define them:
  1.touchstone - a fundamental or quintessential.
  2.endemically - regularly found.

  3.bedrock - fundamental principles of something, the foundation.

Main Points

What are the three key facts or arguments made in the article?

1. AI being used in modern education

2. Lack of equal access to technology

3. How Covid has impacted integration of technology into modern classroom

Personal Reaction

What was your initial reaction to this article? (e.g., surprised, concerned, confused?) Why?

I kind of expected whatever the article said because I went through it over these past couple of years

Did the article change or challenge your opinion on the topic? How so?

It didn't as whatever I had in mind was what the article said

Connections

Can you relate this article to something you’ve learned in class, read elsewhere, or experienced personally?

We've been seeing in the real world what the article said as I as a student myself can relate to the different ways technology is being used in classrooms

Critical Thinking

Do you think the article was balanced and fair? Why or why not?

It was fair as it talked about how the integration has helped people and also some problems that can arise

What questions do you still have after reading this article?

No questions

Vocabulary Check

List at least two new or difficult words you encountered and define them:

(I know what all the words mean in the text and have encountered them b4

Title of selected article: Top 5 education trends in 2023

Main Points

• What are the three key facts or arguments made in the article

• 1. AI has influenced the way we are taught
  2. Covid 19 has slowed down advancements in education
  3. Skill gaps between workers are being addressed

  
  

Personal Reaction

• What was your initial reaction to this article? (e.g., surprised, concerned, confused?) Why?

I was happy to see that we have made progress in our education system

• Did the article change or challenge your opinion on the topic? How so?

Yes it made me think of how we can further improve

Connections

• Can you relate this article to something you’ve learned in class, read elsewhere, or experienced personally?

Yes like how we utilise AI in the classroom

Critical Thinking

• Do you think the article was balanced and fair? Why or why not?

Yes it is fair because it explored both positives and negatives growth of our education system

• What questions do you still have after reading this article?

  How can we further improve

Vocabulary Check

• List at least two new or difficult words you encountered and define them:
  1. Vocational
  2.

  3.

Your name: shaun

Title of selected article: addressing SEN

Main Points

What are the three key facts or arguments made in the article? 1. SEN kids have trouble integrating into the current system 2. There have been policies such as schools specific to catering SEN which are somewhat effective 3. There are changes to how people view SEN compared to the past

Personal Reaction

I was not surprised at this because SEN kids are different from normal children and hence will be subjected to discrimination in school

Connections

I watch dhar mann videos about SEN and i have encountered some through volunteering work with them

Critical Thinking

I think it is balanced since it offers many different points of view about this topic

Vocabulary Check

Im not that bad i know all of these words

Main Points:

1. Former President Bolsonaro tried to rewrite and censor parts of Brazil’s history, faces resistance from educators and the court

2. Education that is considered ‘political’ is removed from the education curriculum. Stirs fears among educators as they are hesitating to even touch these ‘sensitive’ topics

3. Students are not fully equipped with knowledge to contribute to society

Personal reaction:

1. Initial reaction; was not as surprised given that South America has a close history with dictators

2. The article provided me with more insights on what dictators could do to helm their control over their country

Connections;

1. China’s ‘education’ in the Uygur ppl, Japan’s history curriculum that does not mention their actions in the war

Critical Thinking:

1. Quotes, statistics and examples cited. Language used presents write-up in a fairly objective manner, many actors involved.

2. How was this person even elected. Or was he ‘elected’?

Vocabulary Check:

1. Polemics: a speech or piece of wiritimg expressing a strongly critical attack on or controversial opinion about someone or something

2. Dystopian; relating to or denoting an imagined state or society where there is great suffering or injustice

main points:

1. there have been improvements to increase inclusivity for special needs students

2. it is still an issue due to stigma surrounding those with special needs

3. there are school which cater to autism

initial reaction: i was not surprised as since primary school my school has always had special needs students. the article did not change my opinion as it is something i have seen in person

connections: i can relate this to how i treat those with special needs in school with inclusivity and interacting with them so they feel included

critical thinking: the article was fair as it showed how there have been improvements but there is still need for more action. question: why doesnt the government subsidise courses for teachers to learn how to handle those with special needs?

vocab check:

1. stigma: initial prejudice or negative opinion on a certain group of people

2. neurotypical: people who dont have special needs

Title of selected article: education in sg- adressing SEN

Main Points

• What are the three key facts or arguments made in the article?
  1. Inclusivity is being increased
  2. Achieving full inclusivity is an ongoing issue
  3. There are many problems if special needs kids are not fully integrated into the education system
  
  

Personal Reaction

• What was your initial reaction to this article? (e.g., surprised, concerned, confused?) Why?

        i was very surprised as i thought that special needs students already had sufficient support already

• Did the article change or challenge your opinion on the topic? How so?

        it changed my opinion on it as i now know that more support should be given to caregivers and special needs students alike

Connections

• Can you relate this article to something you’ve learned in class, read elsewhere, or experienced personally?

Critical Thinking

• Do you think the article was balanced and fair? Why or why not?

• What questions do you still have after reading this article?
  The article was balanced and fair as it considered both sides of the spectrum, whether special needs students are getting sufficient or insufficient support
  

Vocabulary Check

• List at least two new or difficult words you encountered and define them:
  1. ad hoc-impromptu
  2.aforementioned-denoting a thing or person previously mentioned

Main Points

• What are the three key facts or arguments made in the article?
  1. ChatGPT was initially banned as educators were worried about students using it to cheat
  2. Educators are now looking to integrate ChatGPT
  3. ChatGPT can be beneficial and bring about a shift towards more personalised, interactive and a skills-based education

  
  

Personal Reaction

• What was your initial reaction to this article? (e.g., surprised, concerned, confused?) Why? I related tot he article as I can see how ChatGPT and other AI are already being integrated into my regular lessons

• Did the article change or challenge your opinion on the topic? How so? It did not challenge my opinion as I feel that if used responsibly, ChatGPT can be extremely useful and beneficial to our learning.

Connections

• Can you relate this article to something you’ve learned in class, read elsewhere, or experienced personally? I have experienced this in various subject lessons, as my teachers got us to use AI to receive comments and mark our work

Critical Thinking

• Do you think the article was balanced and fair? Why or why not? I do think the article was balanced as it brought up the possible negative effects as well

• What questions do you still have after reading this article? What is ChatGPT is misused

  
  

Vocabulary Check

• List at least two new or difficult words you encountered and define them:
  1.
  2.

  3.

Your name: Ananya

Title of selected article: Affirmative action: US supreme court overturns race-based college admissions

Main Points

• What are the three key facts or arguments made in the article?
  1. affirmative action is good as it creates space for minorities
  2. affirmative action is not good, overturning it is good, as it promotes meritorcracy, coulour blindness better
  3. nuanced issue, this article is objective as it discusses both sides, up to us to take a stand

  
  

Personal Reaction

• What was your initial reaction to this article? (e.g., surprised, concerned, confused?) Why?

• i think it wasnt a topic that I thought about a lot, at first I did support affirmative action

• Did the article change or challenge your opinion on the topic? How so?

• I think there should be a choice of whether the individual wants to include or not, whether they feel like their race is something that they want to include as it has impacted them, but if not then its their choice.

Connections

• Can you relate this article to something you’ve learned in class, read elsewhere, or experienced personally?

Critical Thinking

• Do you think the article was balanced and fair? Why or why not?

• it was balanced and fair as it discusses opinions and stands from both stands.

• What questions do you still have after reading this article? Or complete the sentence: I wonder why.... / Given that education ..... , does it really ..... ?

• I am curious about whether affirmative action was actually helpful

  
  

Vocabulary Check

• List at least two new or difficult words you encountered and define them:
  1. endemic: the end stage
  2. segmented: differentiated

  3. affirmative action: positive discimination

Main Points

What are the three key facts or arguments made in the article?

1. Bolsonaro’s government has attempted to rewrite school curricula to portray the 1964 military coup as a "revolution."

2. References to Brazil’s dictatorship and other controversial topics have been removed from national exams.

3. The "School Without Party" movement, supported by Bolsonaro, seeks to eliminate political and ideological content from classrooms, although it has been partly blocked by the Supreme Court.

Personal Reaction

What was your initial reaction to this article? (e.g., surprised, concerned, confused?) Why?

Did the article change or challenge your opinion on the topic? How so?

I was concerned because altering history in education can mislead an entire generation.

It reinforced my belief that education should be based on facts, not political agendas. I hadn’t realised how deeply government influence could reshape a nation’s memory.

Connections

Can you relate this article to something you’ve learned in class, read elsewhere, or experienced personally?

The Bantu Act that has a similar idea of the government using education to control the nation.

Critical Thinking

Do you think the article was balanced and fair? Why or why not?

What questions do you still have after reading this article?

No it was not balanced. The article takes a critical stance against Bolsonaro’s policies, but it supports its points with evidence and expert opinions, which makes it credible.

How do the teachers and students feel to these changes in real time?

Vocabulary Check

List at least two new or difficult words you encountered and define them:

1. Dictatorship – a government ruled by a single leader with total power, often taken or maintained by force.

2. Censorship – the suppression or prohibition of speech or information considered politically unacceptable.

3. Polemics – strong verbal or written attacks on someone or something, often controversial arguments.

Your name: jia ying

Title of selected article: Yale Researcher highlights racial ethnic bias in school disciplinary practices

Main Points

• What are the three key facts or arguments made in the article?
  1. when a student is frequently disciplined, it affects the student negatively and impact their sense of self as a learner
  2. there are initiatives (eg. by Lemons) to reform disciplinary processes through the use of justice practices
  3. teachers reactions to misbehaviour varied from school district to school district

  
  

Personal Reaction

• What was your initial reaction to this article? (e.g., surprised, concerned, confused?) Why?

  concerned as racism is a very sensitive issue and felt bad for the students that is experiencing this as teachers are supposed to be role models and not discriminate people.

• Did the article change or challenge your opinion on the topic? How so?

  i am not sure as this does not occur in every school

Connections

• Can you relate this article to something you’ve learned in class, read elsewhere, or experienced personally?

  i am able to better emphasise with the people and do my part by identifying people facing racism and help better support them

Critical Thinking

• Do you think the article was balanced and fair? Why or why not?

  yes as the article mentioned that this varied from school district to school district

• What questions do you still have after reading this article?

  how can be better support these people facing racism?

  
  

Vocabulary Check

• List at least two new or difficult words you encountered and define them:
  1. restorative : having the ability to restore health, strength, or well-being
  2. instructional :

  3. 1.

  intended or used for teaching; educational.

  "instructional materials for the classroom"

  2.

  giving detailed information about how something should be done or operated.

  "an instructional manual"

-article : bolsonaro tries to censor school curriculum to manipulate history

-3 facts/arg: downplay topics like gender, lgbtq+, politics, censored issues wont be taught by educators and wont be tested in exams, bolsonaro wants to give the military a favorable image

-was initially surprised because i did know a government would do such a thing where they try to give students a false knowledge of history

-the article made me doubt whether schools in singapore are also doing the same thing and made me wonder what sort of topics are considered censored in schools

-the article reminded me of when some of my teachers openly said they are against lgbtq+ rights in secondary school

-i think the article wasnt really balanced because it didnt say much about the reasons why bolsonaro decided to censor topics

-vocab words

1. polemic : a speech or piece of writing expressing a strongly critical attack on or controversial opinion about someone or something.

2. eroticisation : the act or process of making something sexual, or regarding something in a sexual way.

3. exacerbate : make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse.

Title of selected article: chatgpt is going to change education, not destroy it

Main Points

• What are the three key facts or arguments made in the article?

  1. schools afraid that chatgpt will encourage students to cheat

  2. educators have begun exploring the constructive uses of AI

  3. may bring about more personalised and interactive education

  
  

Personal Reaction

• What was your initial reaction to this article? (e.g., surprised, concerned, confused?) Why?

I was initially concerned as chatgpt may encourage cheating among students.

• Did the article change or challenge your opinion on the topic? How so?

The article made me realise that chatgpt can be personalised and make learning more fun and enjoyable for individuals

Connections

• Can you relate this article to something you’ve learned in class, read elsewhere, or experienced personally?

Yes this has been discussed in the lectures on science and technology.

Critical Thinking

• Do you think the article was balanced and fair? Why or why not?

• What questions do you still have after reading this article? Or complete the sentence: I wonder why.... / Given that education ..... , does it really ..... ?

  
  

  Yes, the article talks about both the advantages and disadvantages of the rise of chatgpt. Does it really make individuals more reliant on such technology?

Vocabulary Check

• List at least two new or difficult words you encountered and define them:
  1. Emergence
  2. Leverage

  3.

Title of selected article: affirmative action

Main Points

What are the three key facts or arguments made in the article?

1. removal of affirmative action in college admission can sustain meritocracy as race is no longer considered

2. affirmative action is good cause race does play a big factor in one's life experiences

3. harvard and UNC practice positive discrimination

Personal Reaction

What was your initial reaction to this article? (e.g., surprised, concerned, confused?) Why?

Surprised cause why would they have race in their admissions in the first place but then i saw it was from the USA then i was like ohhh

Did the article change or challenge your opinion on the topic? How so?

no

Connections

Can you relate this article to something you’ve learned in class, read elsewhere, or experienced personally?

One time my family got attacked by a racist couple in Tasmania cause we Chinese

Critical Thinking

Do you think the article was balanced and fair? Why or why not?

yeah cause it gave the reaction from both sides, agreeing and disagreeing with the court ruling and giving reasons why. and then suddenly they included a line from donald trump for some reason

What questions do you still have after reading this article? Or complete the sentence: I wonder why.... / Given that education ..... , does it really ..... ?

I wonder why USA is like this bro

Vocabulary Check

List at least two new or difficult words you encountered and define them:

1. endemically - in a manner that is regularly found and very common among a particular group or in a particular area

2. touchstone - a standard or criterion by which somethijg is judged or recognised

Title of selected article: Bolsonaro manipulates history by rewriting textbooks

Main Points

•Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro’s government attempted to alter history textbooks to present a more favorable view of the military dictatorship.

•These changes downplayed state violence, censorship, and human rights abuses while framing the dictatorship as a period of order and prosperity.

•This manipulation undermines democratic values and misinforms future generations.

Personal Reaction

I felt concerned and disturbed. It’s alarming to see how a government can try to rewrite history to fit a political narrative, restricting critical thinking.

Connection

Yes, this reminds me of topics we’ve covered in Social studies.

Critical Thinking

-The article is against Bolsonaro’s actions, but it used facts and examples to support its claims, like expert opinions and comparisons to the actual history of the dictatorship making it trustworthy

What questions do you still have after reading this article?

How are Brazilian teachers responding to these changes?

Vocabulary Check

-Revisionism – The reinterpretation of historical events, often to serve a specific agenda.

-Censorship – The suppression or restriction of information, speech, or ideas considered objectionable or dangerous by those in power.