CREATING a joyful learning experience is at the core of today’s education as we move towards nurturing the generation of tomorrow.
Fresh from being recognised as the first Quantum Learning Distinguished School in the world, Taylor’s International School (TIS) continues to make great strides to embed proven practices into everyday lessons. The Quantum Learning system focuses on optimising learning for each student.
The key emphasis of this methodology is in how it aligns teaching strategies with the way the human brain is naturally wired for learning.
Regardless of a student’s learning style, the system fosters a learning environment that stimulates his interest and desire to learn in a joyful, meaningful and challenging way.
Compared to conventional classrooms, learning at TIS is inherently dynamic, whereby lessons are created to develop knowledge and skills while enhancing a student’s understanding through reflection and application.
High Quality Teaching Raises Effectiveness of Learning
TIS emphasises on high quality teaching that raises the effectiveness of a student’s learning.
Its teachers orchestrate effective learning experiences by considering the atmosphere, environment as well as design and delivery of the lessons.
Students have shown marked improvement in participation, mental engagement and language competency.
Although the methodology is designed with lifelong learning interests in mind, the benefits can sometimes even be discerned within a short period of time, as Patricia Mariasoosay, a teacher from TIS Puchong, attests.
“I’ve had students who have shown tremendous improvement within one school term. The crucial skill they gain is being able to reflect on their learning and identify the necessary next steps towards the achievement of their goals.
“TIS students are encouraged to conduct this introspection after every lesson as the data is then used to develop individualised support for their continued progress.”
Creating Safe Spaces for Vibrant Learning
Another key feature at TIS is how it brings students and teachers closer together, fostering trust and allowing students to feel comfortable enough to take intellectual risks.
Valerie Tan, a teacher from TIS Puchong, says: “Brain research suggests that the frontal lobe’s ability to think and make decisions is hindered when one experiences fear and anxiety.
“So, teachers here make great efforts to create a supportive atmosphere that diminishes those fears.
“Students have a considerably higher chance of success when they are confident and competent enough to challenge themselves within a learning space that is safe and collaborative.”
Year 5 student Hannah Koh says that learning at TIS is fun.
“I love challenges and feel confident in answering questions. If I make a mistake, my teacher will explain and I learn from it,” she says.
Beyond Just Teaching
In recognising that a system is only as good as its propagators, TIS is fully committed to continually advancing the skills of its teachers with extensive professional development.
As a centre of teaching excellence, TIS has partnered with Taylor’s University (ranked the No.1 private university in Malaysia and South-East Asia in the QS World University Rankings) by offering the Quantum Learning in Teaching (Q-LiT) programme for undergraduates and postgraduates of Taylor’s University School of Education.
This programme enables trainee teachers to be mentored by TIS teachers and to be equipped with the required skills to become great teachers with international teaching capabilities.
Kavitapreet Kaur, a TU third-year trainee teacher, believes the Q-LiT programme has opened her eyes to its potential and encouraged her to be more self-confident in delivering her lessons.
“Unlike my own education whereby the student-teacher relationship placed the teacher in the dominant role, the programme holds both student and teacher in equal importance, greatly enhancing the teaching and learning process,” says Kavitapreet.
To discover more about TIS teaching and learning, call 03-5879 5000 (Puchong campus) or 03-9200 9898 (Kuala Lumpur campus).
