Student-Initiated Learning

Briefing for Sec 2-5 Students

WHAT to do and HOW to do it

A PRESENTATION BY�MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, SINGAPORE

Let’s recall what is Student-Initiated Learning (SIL)

• an opportunity for you to be an independent, passionate and lifelong learner

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• a dedicated time during HBL Day to explore interests, pick up new skills, and learn within and beyond the curriculum

For the SIL activities this year, are you looking forward to the opportunity to explore your personal interests?

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Good effort in completing your SIL activities in 2023!

SIL is…

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What are the 3 stages to my SIL journey?

When should I do my SIL activity on HBL Day?

1C1 Timetable as an example

Asynchronous: Within the school day, in your preferred order, complete

• Science
• Maths
• Mother Tongue
• Student-Initiated Learning
• English

Remember to check-in, include your break and/or lunch break!

How will we do Student-Initiated Learning this year?

1. A set of SIL Resources will be available
2. Complete the SIL Planning Worksheet by planning 4 SIL activities this semester
3. Show your SIL Plan to your parent / guardian for approval,
4. FT will check for safety and endorse your plan

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Key Processes

Includes a checklist to assist you in planning safe and educational SIL activities this semester

To give you some ideas in case you need help in planning

Ensure that your activity is safe!

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• Plan FOUR HOME-BASED SIL activities to be carried out in Semester 1
• Inform your parent / guardian of your SIL plan and seek approval
• Submit SIL Planning Worksheet
• Form Teachers will check for safety and approve your plan

What are the 3 stages of my SIL journey?

You are encouraged to plan independently. Otherwise, the set of SIL Resources will be a good guide!

• Safe, Wholesome, Aligned to school & national values
• A new learning experience which enables me to acquire new skills or knowledge OR deepen my learning on current interest
• Easy to prepare for, stress-free
• Can be done at home or outside (online/offline)
• Duration of activity is 1 hour
• Acquired parental consent

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How would I know if the SIL activity I have in mind is suitable?

Use this checklist to do a self-check

Parent’s consent is especially important if there are risks or if you intend to venture outdoors!

The SIL Planning Worksheet will require you to state briefly but clearly:

1. What do you want to learn?
2. How do you intend to carry out your SIL activity?
3. What do you need to prepare?
4. Checklist for self-checking
5. Potential risks and how to minimise

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What are the 3 stages to my SIL journey?

What is the ‘SIL Planning Worksheet ’ about?

Do plan for the FOUR SIL activities to be continuous or progressive, based on 2-3 themes

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Examples

• Portrait Drawing: taking 2 weeks to learn to draw a portrait of my pet (continuous/1 theme)
• Baking: baking cookies in 1 week, baking Swiss roll in 1 week, learning about the science behind vaccines in 1 week (progressive/2 themes)

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Name & Class

Sections to be completed are in BLUE

Indicate with “Yes” or “No” that you have the approval of parent / guardian

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What do you want to learn?

Plan FOUR SIL activities based on 2-3 themes

How do you intend to carry out? (What are the activities that you will do?)

What do you need to prepare? (websites, video links, logistics, etc)

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Checklist to ensure you are on the right track.

Indicate with “Yes” or “No”

What are the potential risks you might encounter and how to minimise?

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Suggestions on Students’ SIL Plan

• Be realistic, break up your learning into a few SIL activities, if the activity requires more than 1 hour.
• SIL activity is an opportunity for you to be leaders of your own learning. focus on the learning process, not the product.
• The choice of SIL activity can be related to your learning in class or CCA

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LEARN

• Carry out your SIL activity on the 4 HBL days in Semester 1
• Submit a photo / video and short reflection after each SIL activity
• Form Teachers will read your reflections

What are the 3 stages of my SIL journey?

STAGE

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CELEBRATE

• For HBL day in T2W8, consolidate your learning and reflect on your SIL journey
• In T2W10, we will be inviting some students to share during Assembly. Let’s affirm our peer’ efforts in SIL and learn from them.
• We look forward to featuring some of your SIL activities on school social media

What are the 3 stages of my SIL journey?

STAGE

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You can refer to your reflection when doing sharing. Do share a photo or video to make it more engaging!

Role

• To support Form Teachers in SIL submission
• Ensure efficiency of the SIL processes

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Leadership Level in LEAPS

• Level 2 to 3, depending on contribution

Guidelines

• Suggested for FT’s consideration, not compulsory
• Up to 2 SIL Reps can be appointed per class
• Encouraged to appoint student who are not holding on to any leadership roles or deemed able to cope with current leadership roles

Responsibilities

To support Form Teachers in

• Monitoring submission rate of SIL Planning Worksheet
• Monitoring submission rate of SIL Reflection
• Reminding classmates about SIL submission
• Highlighting good or unique entries to FTs

Desired Profile

• Leads by example: consistent in completing SIL activities
• Meticulous in tracking and monitoring SIL submission
• Good interpersonal skills useful when reminding classmates about SIL submission

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Let’s take a look at the ZHSS SIL Microsite

https://sites.google.com/moe.edu.sg/zhsssil

Need some inspiration?

• SIL Activity Ideas
• Meaningful SIL activities done by our own students

Can I choose to read a book for SIL?

You have questions, we have answers

If you are not just reading for leisure, but learning new knowledge or skills from this activity, reading can also be one of your SIL activity. Do share what you have learnt in your reflection

I have always been learning to play the ukulele on my own. Can this be considered as my SIL activity?

You have questions, we have answers

Yes, this is considered as a SIL activity.

Of course, do keep an open mind and you can still consider exploring other new interests in future.