Staff Sharing on 16 Nov 2007

Ben Tan

SIMPLICITY is Ben’s teaching philosophy. He was inspired by Robert Fulghums’ book “All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten”. Keeping things simple would allow the students to learn better and more effectively.

Ben also shared that students learn best:

1. When they can see the end of the tunnel. So he gets the students to begin with the end in mind. He ensures that they know why they need to learn the topics.

2. Thru the Path of least resistance.
- Show students how applicable the module is to their lives NOW. Buying a house might not be of interest to the students but buying a car is!
- Reduce unnecessary uncertainties. That means to make expectations as clear as possible. He ensures that students know exactly how they will be assessed - the exam format and project assessment criteria are some of the examples Ben gave.
- Eliminate “good to have” but not essential information. Ben has taken great pains to tidy up his PowerPoint slides, notes and tutorial questions. This allows students to concentrate on Ben and his explanation rather than be bogged down by all the content in the slides.

3. When everyone is respectful and considerate. It means taking control of lecture. If a student talks, Ben will not hesitate to invite the student out of the LT, for the benefit of other students who are keen to learn.

Ben shared that he never forgets his mission and his purpose of being an educator. He puts the students as his first priority. Ben also shares his personal experiences with his students so that his students will find it easy to relate to him.


Ng Lai Leng












Lai Leng began by sharing that she has taught all three Economics modules – Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and International Economics & Finance since she joined NP. And she has learnt more about Economics not through her school days but by teaching it. “To teach is to learn twice” - Joseph Joubert

Let’s find out about Lai Leng’s teaching philosophy:

- Students are her number 1 priority
- Go to class with a cheerful heart – smile. It will brighten your students’ day.
- Be patient with students. She will “talk” to students if they demonstrate persistent negative behavior.
- Create a light-hearted atmosphere and make students comfortable in their learning environment. For example, students are free to present/work on tutorial questions which they feel they have greater confidence in, rather than having questions assigned to them by the tutor.
- “It’s okay not to get the right answers right away, so long as you learn something at the end of the class.” That also applies to incomplete answers.
- Recognise that each student is different, and treat each with respect.
- Show genuine concert for the students. That means lecturers have to invest time and effort in students.
- Use of positive reinforcement to encourage the right attitudes and behavior from the students.
- Not to be overly critical - “A wise person gets known for his insight, gracious words add to one’s reputation”. Proverbs 16:4
- The right to criticise – earn it through exemplary behavior. For example, a lecturer should not be late, if he expects the students to be punctual for class.
- Be ready to admit mistakes. Lecturers are human after all.

Lai Leng also shared how she made Economics come alive by the use of pictures, newspaper articles, YouTube videos and even home-made videos.

This is one poem which Lai Leng would like to share and it will definitely speak to you:

I will not yell in class
I will not throw things
I will not get mad
I will be good
Because I'm the teacher