Change the exam format so students don't feel pressured to find the 'single answer'.

On October 15th, at The Makeover 2024 - Foster Green Dynamics event held in Ho Chi Minh City, there was a discussion session with the presence of Professor Roy Chua from Singapore Management University and Ms. Ziena Jalil, a member of the Board of Directors of the New Zealand Education Agency.

Ms. Ziena Jalil (center) had a discussion on youth mindset with Mr. Tran Quoc Khanh (left), CEO of Vietsuccess, and Ms. Tran Tue Tri, former Vice President of Global Brand at Unilever.

Why does the professor recommend "thinking outside the box"?

Professor Roy Chua observed that the education system in Asia still heavily emphasizes finding a single answer to problems, which limits students' creativity. He believes that students need to be encouraged to think in multiple dimensions to develop creative and innovative thinking. “Asian culture, with its tradition of respecting teachers, leads students to passively receive knowledge without daring to question their teachers, resulting in them thinking within rigid frameworks. Therefore, education needs to be reformed to encourage students to ‘think outside the box’,” Professor Roy Chua stressed.

"In Singapore, we are reforming the examination system. When there is no longer pressure to find the 'single answer,' students will learn to embrace diversity in thinking. I always tell my students that there are many right and wrong answers in life, and each answer offers meaningful lessons," according to Professor Roy Chua.

Professor Roy Chua shares the story of unlocking Asian creativity in the 21st century.

PHOTO: UYEN PHUONG LE

Commenting on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into learning, Roy Chua said that Singaporean education now designs assignments and exams that focus on assessing students' application and creativity, rather than just testing their memorization of knowledge. “People are very worried about the day AI will replace us. Therefore, it is necessary to teach students how to control and master AI,” Roy Chua asserted.

"AI is very good at analyzing data to find patterns, but it's not yet creative, because creativity is about breaking free from existing patterns. To maintain an advantage over AI, humans need to know how to use AI effectively and develop creative thinking, always ready to experiment with new things," the professor commented.

Asian culture, with its tradition of respecting teachers, leads students to passively accept knowledge without daring to question their teachers, resulting in them thinking within rigid frameworks. Therefore, education needs to innovate and encourage students to "think outside the box."

Professor Roy Chua, Singapore Management University

Learn to embrace uncertainty.

As a leading young female leader in New Zealand, Ziena Jalil shared that the role of global leadership is to inspire and create positive impacts on the world , especially in the context of challenges such as war, disease, and climate change.

Ziena Jalil stated that to cultivate global leadership thinking, one needs to focus on three key skills: vision and the ability to influence, respect for culture, and a skill that is often underestimated but extremely important: curiosity and a willingness to learn.

“We’re used to seeking a single answer and viewing uncertainty as a risk. However, instead of avoiding it, let’s learn to embrace uncertainty. According to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, leaders need to shift from a ‘know-it-all’ mindset to a ‘learning’ mindset. Instead of trying to solve every problem yourself, leverage your network and explore new perspectives,” the speaker shared.

Speaker Ziena Jalil, dressed in a purple ao dai, shows respect for Vietnamese culture.

Furthermore, Ms. Jalil also emphasized the importance of respecting culture. “In New Zealand, we aim for a holistic education for our students. Besides basic knowledge such as reading, writing, mathematics, and science , cultural understanding is essential. From a young age, students are encouraged to work in teams, learn to listen, and respect different perspectives and cultures. This helps them develop communication, negotiation, and multicultural skills, creating a solid foundation to become global leaders,” the information advisor stated.

The Makeover 2024 - Foster Green Dynamics is an event on innovation in corporate governance strategy organized by Talentnet - a joint-stock company specializing in connecting talent. The event brought together over 20 international speakers and attracted more than 1,200 business leaders and senior executives.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/giao-su-singapore-thay-doi-thi-de-hoc-sinh-khong-ap-luc-tim-dap-an-duy-nhat-185241017094644041.htm