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The Art of Thinking


6th April 2020, Monday

15 minutes before 11pm. While waiting for photos to be downloaded, I’m taking a book nearest to me. Rich Kid Smart Kid by Robert T.Kiyosaki. The thing is I need to study this book to deliver this financial syllabus(not as whole but as far they can go) to my students this year. Now is the advantage of time, I can study this book and carry out the possible and interesting activities for them.

I just read the prologue. And what makes me into writing tonight is, the point that I just read is really interesting. Page 9; The value of a liberal-arts college education is that it trains the mind to THINK. He also said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” This is said by Albert Einstein(German-born physicist who developed the special and general theories of relativity) A reporter did ask him what is the speed of sound. You know what is his answer? – “I don’t know. I don’t carry information in my mind that is readily available in books.”

May I… Imagination; this is really important. Being creative is not only about our painting, drawing and etc. It’s more than that. The art of thinking. How you think in certain circumstances be it under pressured or vice versa. How you can solve problems, how you can create the ideas, how you can see what the others can’t really see and how you can relate. Those activities, drawing, and others (so-called right-brain activities) are the only entrance to go beyond; or we can say training field before the real destination. It did sharpen our brain to think, how you can create things that are beautiful (not to all; as we can say beautiful is subjective). So yes, don’t kill our children's creativity but ignite the spark of thinking with a simple question. Guide them to think deeply and how they make sense to relate.

Another part which I think might be interesting is related to my field. “There are three different types of teachers and administrators in the system. 1) One group that works diligently to change the system. 2) Another group that works diligently against any kind of change. And 3) Third group does not care if the system changes or not. All this group wants is their job security and their paycheck. And that is why the system has remained the same for years.

Well, for Malaysia I think we are on the track of changes. Even though I can say our education system is highly influenced by political things..but yes..I’m still new to talk about this. But what I can see through these few years, with STEM, PBD, CEFR , KBAT or HOTS and the changing of the syllabus to a higher level (which back then, we learn in Form 1, but they already learn in primary nowadays..Believe me, or not. That’s it.). For things to be implemented, there will always be pros and cons. But as I learn in Nilai Uni; Psychology, Philosophy, and History of Education subject, slowly I can see these efforts are taking its place. Plus with the #Covid19 issue, it strengthens my thoughts. Malaysia aiming for 60:40 policy. The importance of this policy. We want to create more science students and who can create things (TVET-Technical and Vocational Education and Training). 

In my time, those who went to ‘Sekolah Teknik’ are the ones who don’t really excel on facts/info in the books(Pardon me, if I’m mistaken). But nowadays, they are the inventors actually. Look in a bigger picture. Imagine, if Malaysia can create its own needs (100%) from its own people... That would be amazing. (I gain something also from theatre Pawana Isabella on this part-which give me a thought for the day-on our reality today)We are an independent country and not dependable. It’s related to many actually as I learn in this subject; GDP, how the teacher can help, how the teacher should be and how the teacher plays a big role actually in the art of thinking. You know, being a teacher is not for fun. You are shaping the next world leader. Pheww~

A lot more to share..but I guess I shall stop here...This book also touches on the parent's roles.  I’ll elaborate on that part tomorrow. InshaaAllah. Do share with me your thought. Would love to hear some. ;)
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