Mathematics HL End of Year Reflection

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The first year of learning Math HL has come to an end. I had quite a rough start as I was shocked by the bad performance I had at the beginning of the course. I was not discouraged by the results of the first mini quiz because of my previous experience of learning math.  IB is generally a time-consuming course, other than coping with the six subjects and TOK, I had many assignments to take care of. This increase in workload made me spending insufficient time practicing math. In mathematics, there is a huge difference between “understanding the concepts” and applying the knowledge. After realising that, I decided to allocate more time to study math. I think this reflects in my performance in Math in the second half of the year. Now I am sure that Math will be my main focus for next year. Having a firm idea of studying Computer Science in university, ability to understand and use mathematics is essential. My reflection so far seems to make the learning of math difficult and being forced, but it is definitely interesting and fulfilling. Math is a universal language which has some beauty of its own. Knowledge learned in math is the closest to absolute certainty, the real truth, compared to all other subjects. As I am also learning physics, I can also appreciate the connection between pure math and real world (the physical phenomenon). The concept of calculus I learned so far is very useful in other disciplines. Being able to differentiate and integrate freely is really nice. When I finish solving a complex math problem, the sense of achievement is incredible although the process may be dull. It not only teaches me to rise up to challenges every time but also when to give up if the effort is useless.

Project Week Reflection 2 – Preparation

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The planning of my project week trip is almost completed, only a few minor adjustments has to be made. At the very beginning, it is thought to be a service-oriented service which may have 4 to 5 days of service, making us deciding our destination based on selection of  NGOs. Having that goal in mind, my group members and I have found a suitable NGO to work with, which is the Children Shelter Foundation in Thailand. CSF has a close relationship with our school as one of the Global Concerns, although the GC is no longer existing due to varies reasons, the relationship carries on. With the experience of hosting past project week group, it is believed that my group should able to strengthen the positive relationship further.

After searching more for CSF and contacting them directly, Joy’s house was introduced to us. JH is a family business which is established and currently running by members of CSF, meaning that money spending in Joy’s house will contribute to the fund in CSF indirectly. Knowing that fact, we decided to stay in Joy’s house the entire project week. The price of housing there is reasonable and its location being very close to CSF centre saves traveling time we may have. After sharing our initial planning with other groups, we became feeling that a balanced project week is more desirable as a precious experience. Thus, the plan of two days is changed from service-based to activity-based.

As project week allows students to travel, serve and adventure independently in a foreign nation, the school has many strict rules and procedures for us to follow,  which is aimed to ensure our safety and well-being during project week. However, it also makes the planning process tough and challenging especially when we plan to some activities with some adventurous element.  To figure out all we need, we have met up on a regular basis to discuss our progress and keep communicating with each other online.  The workload has been distributed to all members so that it becomes more manageable for individuals. Without collaboration, we will not be able to complete the planning.

 

Screenshots from our planning doc

LO3-Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience.

LO4-Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experience.

LO5-Demonstrate the skills and recognise the benefits of working collaboratively.

LO6-Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance.

EE Writing day reflection

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The EE Writing day is really a nice learning experience for me, especially in terms of writing essays. In the morning I have learned how to conduct a primary research effectively and appropriately, also how to research for reliable and credible secondary resources. Apart from that, we have gone through the structure of an introduction in Economics EE which is very helpful. During the free block I have had, with what I have learned in the morning, I have managed to complete the survey which I may use and first part of my introduction. I think that is very productive.

In the afternoon, I have had a short but focused presentation on how to cite references in EE writing, for me using MLA style is recommended.  Besides that,  I am introduced to the databases and resources I have access to as a UWCSEA student. Making best use out of them will surely catalyse my EE writing process.

The next thing I will do for EE after today is to complete the 1000 words submission. The introduction of my Economics EE will probably take a large portion of this wordcount and I will start writing the first body paragraph after it.

Initial planning stage reflection

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I decided to do an Economic EE as I have strong interests in Economics and especially the use of Economic Policies. I had the idea of analysing a Singapore-based economic policy when I first met my supervisor as Singapore is recognised for its good governing which always reflects in the frequent adjustments made to local Economics Policies. My supervisor advised me to look for a simple policy with a specific impact. I took this advice and chose to study the recent change in free-travel policy for MRT which affects all regular MRT commuters. I restricted my analysis to mainly focus on the change in consumer demand to avoid having a too broad topic. It is a common practice for the Singapore government to publish data about new policies on their websites, so I have expected to find the majority of the data I need from this source. (147)

Initial Planning Stage Reflection – Draft

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In my Economics Extended Essay, I will analyse the effect of the newly implemented change to the Mass Transit Travel Scheme in Singapore. The old Free Pre-Peak Travel scheme (FPPT) was replaced by a new travel scheme of 50 cents discount to commuters traveling at certain times. This new scheme targets a much wider range of commuters than the old one, reflecting the shift of government’s focus that from reducing traffic congestion in peak hours to decreasing air pollutions. I have been living in Singapore for 4 years and really like its environment. Singapore is known as the “Garden city” and the government wants to carry this reputation further, evolving  Singapore into “a City in a Garden”.  The change in the MRT Travel Scheme is no doubt towards this goal. Due to its government background, I will be able to find data on the website of Land Transport Authority.

Project Week Reflection 1 – Investigation

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Project Week allows me to travel with a group of other students to a foreign country. To plan a  CAS focused trip, I need to find a balance between service and activities. My friends have different opinions regarding the time distribution in this one week, so the first thing I did is searching for people who share the same idea of doing 50% service and 50% activities. By doing so, I managed to meet my current group members Jaeho, Jack and Riku.

As activities are varied from different places, we decide to locate the type of service we want to do first. Among serving elderlies, animals and children, we choose to work with children as our experience of being students can be very useful. This helps our shortlist our destinations to Taiwan, China and Chiangmai, Thailand.  In the present state, Chiangmai seems to be a better choice due to the past working experience our school has had with an NGO in Chaingmai. We have made a collective decision to work with Children’s Shelter Foundation in Thailand, considering all other factors.

Our first letter to CSF

 

First letter from CSF

LO3-Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience.

LO5-Demonstrate the skills and recognise the benefits of working collaboratively.

LO6-Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance.

 

 

Bootcamp Overall Reflection

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My activity of Bootcamp in season 1 and 2 has finished. It was really not easy for people like me who don’t have the habit of bodybuilding. Doing training in the gym is a little bit more boring than playing sports with my friends. Furthermore, comparing to pick up the skill of playing a sport, the progress you will see in the gym work is not as obverse as what will be found in sports when the same or even more effort is given, which is not very encouraging for a person to continue training. I am glad that I have overcome that feeling and not allow myself to give up. The training is conducted at an increasingly intense rate and I had to work very hard to finish them, sometimes even when I gave my very best I was still not able to finish all the tasks within the time period. These schedules are aimed at people who are more physically fit than me. However, I can tell from the number of tasks I finished each time that I become more fit in the process of doing Bootcamp, which is definitely beneficial for me in other areas of life as well.  It’s really a worthwhile experience and I never regret selecting it as my activity.

LO2-Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken developing new skills in the process.

LO4-Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experience.

HS Chinese Calligraphy 3

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After two terms of practicing both in school and at home, my skill of writing Chinese calligraphy is improved. I now have a clearer understanding of the structure of Chinese characters and what implying meanings has been reflecting by the structure. I confirm the point that Chinese characters are closely associated with the Chinese philosophy based on my own experience which is really a good discovery for myself. A single character can be almost seen as a graph or a book, it definitely carries more than simply a sign. In the process of developing that idea, sometimes I feel some of the most frequently used Chinese characters are no longer looked familiar to me. It really a strange feeling which I struggle to explain, I still recognize it but with a different approach or feeling. I can feel the emotions and powers embedded with them so strong that I am surprised for ignoring it before. Maybe that the real meaning and application of art.

LO2-Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process.

LO4-Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experience.

Memoirs of the Pioneer Generation with Lion Befrienders 1

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Today is the first time I participate in the Memoirs of the Pioneer Generation with Lion Befrienders. After meeting with the members of this service, I have gained a clearer idea of what this service is for. Before joining UWCSEA, I had been studying in a local school in Singapore for three and half years and developed a healthy relationship with the residents around my previous school, which I think will be helpful for me to contribute to this service. The phase Pioneer Generation has a special meaning in the context of Singapore, it refers to the founding generations of Singapore, meaning that they are the first generation of modern Singaporeans as having Singapore nationality. There are not many countries which still have their founding generations present and for developed countries are even less. This makes the conversation between them and me interesting.

I have had similar service experience in my previous school, making me what to see that will them react differently as my status changes from a local student to an international student. I believe this will allow me to better understand them and then to improve the quality of our conversations. As we (other members and I) will interview them about their life stories, I understand the importance of working collectively even in the planning stage. Not many of us are Chinese speakers, so Chinese speakers like me would have to help to translate the conversation. In the process of interviewing, the teamwork also plays an extremely important role as it cannot be accomplished sole. I am looking forward to conducting my first interview as a UWCSEA student.

LO3-Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience

LO5-Demonstrate the skills and recognise the benefits of working collaboratively

HS Beyond Snapshots: ‘Capturing’ not ‘Taking’ Images 3

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Two seasons of this photography club has finished.  It challenges and perpetuates some of my ideas about photograph before joining this course. Photography as a modern art form shares many similarities with other traditional arts, such as painting. However, as there is a low entry barrier for people to enter the field of photography in terms of skills required, which is the exact opposite situation for painting. For money people, they think( I used to be one of them)the only thing differs them from a professional photographer is the equipment used or investigated.  I used to have a similar approach towards photography and indeed the reason for me to join the club is to get the chance to try more cameras and lens which are too expensive for me to own. This is absolutely a gain of mine but is less significant compared to other takeaways.  Photographers use cameras to stop time and capture beauty which is not seen or valued by others and therefore we have to have open eye and open heart. I have tried taking photos of many unique and abnormal conditions and able to rediscover what I have forgotten. I have realized that many things have been taken for granted. In the eyes of photographers, the world is full of absolute beauty.

 

LO1-Identify their own strengths and develop areas for grows.

LO2-Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process.