Learning mathematics..what does it take?

 What does it takes to excell in mathematics..?
 Most people would equate mathematics with intelligence.

 Proffessor Schwartz says students actually need  PAC-- Perseverance, Attitude and Courage to learn    mathematics successfully.

I personally felt that students also need flexibility of taughts when solving mathematics problems. Rigidity hinders ones ability and creativity. it is actuallay the number one enemy in mathematics!!
Too often students get mess up with mathematical symbolism and this can becomes frustrating experiences.

"In symbols there are concealment yet revelations"  a saying by Pimms  (British educator)

Ramadhan is here again..

Salam Ramadhan Al Mubarak..

Ya Ramadan!, by Noor Syed
In the name of Allah, the most Merciful, the most Kind
A blessed month is casting its shadow upon us
A night of this month is better than a thousand months
Bear with patience for the sake of Ar-Rahman

It's a continuous training to strengthen our Imaan.

Glory be to Allah who sent Ramadan as a mercy to mankind
Its a purification of our soul, our heart, and our mind
Glorified is He, who choseth this holy month,
To test our sabr and fill our hearts with warmth

Ya Allah! For thee, let my breath be more pleasant than musk
Ya Allah! For thee, let me be thankful when day turns to dusk

My thoughts and heart are purified, my eyes truly see'
This blessed month, the month of spiritual rhapsody!
Ya Allah! For thee, my life I shall live!......Ya Allah! For thee, my soul I shall give!
In the name of Allah, the most Merciful, the most Kind,
Praise be to Allah, who sent Ramadan as a gift to mankind

from: http://www.muhajabah.com/ramadan-poems.htm

Reviewing School Mathematics.

A good review of current Malaysian research issues and problems in science teaching (basically same as with mathematics ) addressed by akademisains  report: www.akademisains.gov.my/download/relatednews/sci_math/Review.pdf

The report highlighted researches (very briefly...) finding on:
1. Urban and rural disparities
2. Implementation of PPSMI
3. TIMMS result -
4. Current education and policy

What I find  disturbing is that, despite almost 50 years of independence we are still looking out to other countries and trying to figure out what to do with our own education systems....

Despite huge amount of budget allocated in technology integrations, technology remains a little adopted in most Malaysian schools..We must realise that technology do not guarantee quality learning can occur,what is more important is how technology is adopted by teachers.
With rigid curricullum this is not easy to implement.
Training good teachers to do the job specifically in rural areas remains as a big problems..while exam orientated learning trend among schools are not getting any better.

I also find it disturbing that so many malaysian studies consistently try to compare betweeen Malay and Non malay students (logically, can we put Indian /Chinese in same group..?? i dont think so) or national school vs chinese schools..comparing for achievement. This is basically like trying to compare apple and oranges..!
Comparison must be fair..majority of malay students or national schools are in located in rural areas..similalry with indian schools..

Anyway why compare..what are this studies trying to conclude? In national school teachers factors remains a big problem (I know that many national school teachers who are trained to teach Bahasa but ends up teaching mathematics and sciences..so what kind of output can we expect? what about extra classes..?.. There are so many factors should be considered...Once and for all lets stop these type of studies..Yes may be are differences among different ethnicity/regions, but most important is that only those who hunger for success and are motivated enough will excell,while those with no appetite for knowledge will continue to be left behind.

So why not focus our time and money on more beneficial work such as motivating students and finding ways to improve each schools??