The Deficiency In Old Primary School Curriculum

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

According to Oxford Advanced Learner Dictionary 8th edition (2010) learner is a person who is finding out about a subject and how to deal with it. There are several of principles of 21st century learner which are skills, dispositions in action, responsible, critical thinker and have self assessment strategies. Furthermore, future learner also must have good moral values, attitudes and competent with noble character. All of the characteristics of 21st century learner included various aspects in life in order to produce learner who are balanced physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual and social. It also to develop the learner who can face challenges in the future. There are several types of learning which are visual, kinesthetic and auditory learner. Visual learner is someone who likes images, maps and colors to organize information. Kinesthetic learner is someone who likes physical activities and move around. Auditory learner is who prefer to listen and hear information in learning process. The different types of learning styles of the individual need various types of teaching methods in order to produce better and effective teaching and also to encourage a future learner who are intelligent and skillful.

The first principle of KBSR was integrated approach. Integrated approach was implementing of knowledge, skills and values in education. The objective was to produce balanced physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual aspects in the students. There were four areas included in an integrated approach. The first area is skills cohesion. Skills cohesion was divided into two which are in one subject and between subjects. In KBSR the basic skills that students must learn are speaking, listening, reading and writing. In one subjects explained that in learning session should combine two of basic skills like listening and reading or writing and speaking in one session. In contrary, between subjects are requiring other skills that can be used in teaching in other subjects. This area connected to constructivist theory which is applying current knowledge to new experiences. Teachers can create activities to be included in the teaching process. For example is teacher includes singing or dancing in teaching physical education as well as teachers can combine two basic skills in the subject learning which are included reading and speaking in teaching the mathematic subject. The teachers also can use interactive learning which requires the students to participate actively in learning session. Furthermore the teachers can increase the reading skills by asking the students to read and understand the mathematical problems and also can develop the learner verbal skills by explaining how they obtain the answer. By combining the skills and knowledge in the learning process can vary the materials to be used in teaching. It can develop the interest of the learner to learn more if the learning process interesting.

The second area is infused. According to Oxford dictionary (2008) infusion mean absorbed, but based on this area absorbed means hidden meanings in teaching and learning process. To elaborate, infusion emphasized on two areas which are various knowledge areas and across subject. Other than that is to infuse moral values in the subjects learning. Based on 21st century learner principles stated that a learner must have various skills of knowledge and have the better moral values. The teacher play role as information provider. The teachers deliver knowledge and give practices to the learner. The teachers must include various knowledge and skills in teaching. For example is the teachers can teach about nature in science subject and also include art skills in teaching English subject. The various knowledge that can implement in the subject are self-management, health and current issues. Moreover the roles of the learner are to acquire knowledge, apply and practice it. It related to constructivist theory which is by practicing and applying current knowledge and skills, the learner can gain more experience, knowledge and trains the learner to do self study. In addition it can produce successful learner and thinker. Teachers also can emphasize on the moral values in collaborative learning. The teachers can give a task and divide them into several groups. The learner must conduct a discussion and work together to settle the task given. From group or collaborations work can develop student leadership as well as develop cooperation in the learner.

The third area is the integration of two elements. In this area curriculum and co-curriculum must include in teaching and learning process. For instance are the use of elements in curriculum and co-curricular are compulsory in the school and students must follow all the activities inside and outside the classroom like games, clubs or sports. Other than that, knowledge and practice also must be provided. Based on behaviorist theory teacher must identify students problems and select specific target to create a conducive learning. This teaching method is based on the individual differences. The teachers must identify the types of the learner whether it is visual, kinesthetic or auditory learner. So, the teachers can plan the teaching strategies which are suitable based on the type of learner and abilities. For example is for the visual learner the teachers can deliver knowledge by using pictures, puzzle or demonstration. The teachers can ask the learner to demonstrate the certain part in the subject learning and the learner can use any method to demonstrate it such as acting, repeating words or questioning. It can help the learner to learn effectively, happily and also develop the learner creativity. Furthermore, the teachers can design a learning process that requires students to use knowledge that have been learned in the class and use it outside the classroom. For instance, the learner can use the counting skill when they want to buy something in the shop. This is related to 21st century learner that encourages students to use knowledge in action. Next is element across curriculum. Elements across curriculum focused on the capabilities towards critical and creative thinking as well as understanding. According to cognitive theory it related experiences to the learning situation and skills. Teachers can provide opportunities for the learner to develop their ability to analyze and learn from mistakes and also encourages them to discover solutions. In addition, it also exposed the learner to their surroundings and at the same time it helps to produce the holistic development of the individual. According to experiential learning by Carl Rogers believed that psychotherapy is the change agent to develop individual potentials. For instance is teacher can design purposeful tasks that require them to seek information, experiences and encourage them to find ways to understand and explain to other people. Then, the teachers guide the learner and explain to them about the task. The teachers also can use information and technology (ICT) during learning sessions. The teachers can use it as the teaching aids to help in creating various materials for teaching while the learner can use ICT as learning aids to find information and broadened their knowledge. It also encourages the learner to take responsibility for their learning. Moreover, it’s supporting the principle of the future learner which encouraging the learner to have self assessment strategies. According to bloom taxonomy integrated approach help in achieving balanced activities that provide based on the learner abilities and interest.

The second principle is the holistic development of individuals. According to blurtit.com (2008) holistic development of the individual is the full potential of individuals that has balanced physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual and social. Based on KBSR, each aspect of holistic must be included in all subjects learn in school. Each subject contains one of the elements in the holistic development of individuals. For example is physical education subject. This subject requires students to do activities that need them to exercise and move their bodies. This subject also helps to produce individuals who have physically active and healthy. According to humanism theory teachers need to know how to handle and facilitate a person to learn. It included learner feelings, needs and emotions. Teachers must understand and fulfill student needs such as safety, security and motivation. Teachers will need to encourage students to develop their self identity and can deal with challenges in the future. According to American Association of school librarians (2013) learner of the 21st century need to seek for their personal and aesthetic growth. Teachers can design activities that challenging and encourage learner curiosity. For example is camping. It requires students to experience difficulties and encourages them to think and express themselves. Behaviorist theory stated that environment included time and place can develop learner. For example is camping can develop many aspects of individual development from activities that held as well as provide a suitable environment to encourage the interest of the learner in seeking knowledge. Camping require a learner to be active physically from the activities such as jungle trekking, marching and abseiling. Furthermore, camping also develop the learner spiritually and emotionally from experiencing difficulties in various situations. The Learner can learn how to handle their emotions and not easily to give up towards challenges. It also can develop the learner intellectually by connecting previous knowledge to new experiences that acquire their cognitive skills. Based on cognitive theory teachers can develop their cognitive by providing chances for students to actively participate and developing their ability to analyze and learn from errors. For instance, the teachers can design a task that can encourage the learner to use their knowledge, skills and critical thinking such as how to survive in the jungle. This activity also can help the learner to achieve his or her potentials in the learning environment. Most importantly, it supports the aim of future learners to participate actively in gaining knowledge.

The third principle is lifelong learning. Norlia Goolamally (2013) stated that lifelong learning is the continuing process to increase knowledge, skills and competencies. In this principle, school and teachers play the important role in delivering knowledge and skills as well as nurturing interest in the learner to pursue knowledge. Jannete Collins (2008) suggested that in lifelong learning the teacher play role as facilitator whereas the learner take responsibility to understand, find resources, reflect and evaluate their learning. Based on 21st century learner principles which are self- assessment strategies define how the learner monitors their own self in seeking knowledge. In addition it also encourages the learner how to act with the knowledge and information. In school the learner obtains knowledge and basic skills from the teacher. To make sure the learning process more effective and interesting, the teacher must consider about the material use, the environment and evaluation. The reason is to produce the learner who has high order thinking skills (HOTS). The teacher must create a conducive classroom to develop the interest of the learner to pursue knowledge. The teachers can creatively arrange the seating placement by considering the space and the needs of the learner. Furthermore, the teacher also can provide learning and work corner for the learner for self-assessment. Understand about the needs of the learner is important to develop their interest in pursuing knowledge. Based on humanism theory the difficulties and the lack in the learning process can decrease the interest of the learner in gaining knowledge because the basic needs are not provided. The teacher can design activities that can develop their creativity and initiative. For example is storytelling and brainstorming. Brainstorming can develop the learner interest towards knowledge by requiring them to express opinions and interact with others. This is to encourage the learner to analyze, think critically and share knowledge. Future learner aims is to produce the learner who are sharing knowledge and participate productively in the learning process. Humanistic theory suggested that challenging activities can encourage curiosity of the learner as well as can increase the learner interest towards knowledge. The teacher must enhance and organize the materials use for teaching. Firstly the teacher must evaluate student abilities to strategize and plan the teaching materials. This is important to identify the learner improvement and understanding. The teachers can create challenging activities to increase their knowledge and skills such as games, quiz and competition. Other than that, cognitive theory suggested that active participation of the learner is one of the ways to encourage lifelong learning in the learner. It can increase their abilities to acquire and relate knowledge that they gain with their daily life. According to Jannette Collins (2008) lifelong learning is who can acquire, process and transfer knowledge. Encourages the learner to be actively participate can help them to understand and apply previous knowledge to new experiences. According to the experimental learning theory by giving direct experiences help the learner to develop their understanding and practicing it. Jannette Collins (2008) suggested that lifelong learner needs to regular practices for continuous learning. The teachers also can design self-directed learning by giving personal research activities. For example is writing about the importance of ICT in education. This task can encourage independent study that can help the learner to continue in seeking information and increases their study skills that can be used in the future.

Last principle is one education for all. Education for all explained that all people have the right to get an education and go to school. The reasons are to achieve the equality among citizens in the country which consisting of three races and also to avoid discriminations to any parties. According to the Razak report (1956) education system must use the same syllabus for all schools. For example, all schools use Malay language as the medium of instruction for all stages of schooling. In addition all schools have to use the same curriculum and examination structured. To elaborate all stages of schooling must follow the examination structured such as UPSR is for primary school while PMR and SPM are in secondary school. Examination helps the teacher to evaluate student achievements. It encourages the learner to work hard and competently in a healthy ways. Furthermore, the markings or grading system for the examination are same for each examination. Other than that, education for all is not discriminates people based on the races, gender or status. All people are freely to be educated and go to school. The fees are free for all; it does not matter whether they are rich or poor. On the other hand, they must pay for stationery, sports equipments and books but it is affordable for all. Governments also provide financial aids for students who are needy and also for excellent students. So there is no reason for the learners for not getting educated. It supports the aims to produce future learner who are knowledgeable and skillful. The age also is not an obstacle for the learners to get an education. Thus, anybody can be the learners in order to become a better person and citizens.

To conclude, KBSR was created as a reference for the teachers in realizing the aspirations of national philosophy of education (NPE) in Malaysia. The content of the syllabus consists of three basic skills (3R), moral and thinking skills (KBKK). KBSR hope is to make the learner can apply their knowledge, skill and thinking in their daily life situations. Other than that it also to produce the future learner who have knowledge, skills, ready to face challenges and competencies. On the other hand, KBSR also helps the teachers to use different teaching method and aids that suitable with different styles of learning. KBSR also encourages the holistic development of the individuals that have balanced emotional, spiritual, physical, and social and intellect. It also stressed in nurturing interest of the learner in continuing to seek knowledge. Furthermore, education for all explained that knowledge is not limited; anyone can get an education but it’s all based on their qualifications. KBSR as the guidelines for the teachers is beneficial in encouraging the learner to upgrade their lower order thinking skills (LOTS) to higher order thinking skills (HOTS). It also helps in upgrading the quality of education system in Malaysia to a higher level of education by encouraging the development of future learner. In a meanwhile it is also encouraging the involvement of several parties such as educators, the learner, and parents in achieving the aims of NPE and makes our education system has the same standards with others developing country.