ELIS Singapore

Pick of the Week by Mrs Emelyn Kuan (Master Teacher/English Language)!

This easily digestible book covers what metacognition is, how it works, and how you can develop it in students to help them be better learners.

Book details
Title: Metacognition and Study Skills: A Guide for Teachers
Author: Jonathan Firth
Publisher: Routledge (2024)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003386971
ISBN: 9781003386971 (eBook)

Pick of the Week by Dr Caroline Ho (Lead Specialist, English Language)!

What does mind wandering entail, and why does ‘tuning out to tune in’ matter when writing?

“Writing, Thinking, and the Brain” challenges formulaic traditional writing instruction and urges us to reframe our approach. The authors push us to examine the deep thinking underlying student work, noting that a writer’s struggles are usually ‘grounded in the quality of the thinking behind the writing, not the technical aspects of writing itself’ (p.8). With our current focus on addressing diverse learner needs, this book offers timely guidance on how to support struggling writers while stretching competent ones.

Across nine chapters, Tokuhama-Espinosa et al. walk us through the intricate internal workings of the human brain. By combining neuroscience with core principles from the learning sciences, the authors show how the brain changes in response to varied experiences. Key concepts, such as the brain’s ‘holons’ and its capacity for ‘toggling,’ help us understand how natural cognitive functions can be used to improve writing, extend short attention spans, and reduce stress.

Using practical visuals and illustrative tasks, the book bridges theory and classroom practice. These resources reveal the distinct stages of thinking that happen during literacy instruction, offering actionable ideas to help teachers identify writing challenges and strengthen students' neural pathways.

Crucially, the authors remind us that the ‘illusory AI model of the writing process may be one of the most damaging impacts of the chatbot revolution as it further demeans the thinking behind the writing’ (p.220). As "intersubjective, human, embodied cognition" (p.220) and emotion cannot be replicated by disembodied AI systems, human teachers remain irreplaceable as we work to optimise the precious gift of our minds.

Title: Writing, Thinking, and the Brain: How Neuroscience Can Improve Writing Instruction
Authors: Tokuhama-Espinosa, T.; Nazareno, J.V.S.; Rappleye, C.
Publisher: Teachers College Press ( 2024)
ISBN-13: 978-0807786345 (Paperback)

📚 📚 | In support of the National Reading Movement

What is involved in a community-centric approach to active ageing? “Community Wellness Hub Playbook: Supporting Healthy Ageing in Place” by Dr Belinda Yuen, Francine Chan, Kelly Lim, William Siew, and Dr Tan Weng Mooi, offers a forward-looking, comprehensive community-based roadmap. Learn about practical tools, insightful case illustrations, and the underlying principles for the strategic design and implementation of active communities of care and engagement to foster independence among older adults within supportive communities.

Highlights include Singapore Wellness Kampungs and “Healthy Precincts” demo sites that foster proactive community care to prevent social isolation. These work towards a broader push for age-friendly, inclusive estates for seniors to lead active lives within high-density urban environments where no one is left alone.

(Synopsis adapted from National Library Board)

Find this book website https://go.gov.sg/moe-communitywellnesshubplaybook

Books Professor Tommy Koh and Professor Kishore Mahbubani enjoy reading📚

Which of these do you enjoy too?