For those from public schools, you may want to read the permission letter from JPN Pulau Pinang.

Colloquium No.1

Date: 20 Sep 2011
Some Strategies for Helping Children Solve
Challenging Mathematical Problems at Lower Primary Levels

Abstract:
Many teachers are always puzzled by the fact of why many of their students could not tackle challenging problems. Dr Fong will present some strategies which can help children tackle some of these challenging mathematical problems at lower primary levels and he will explain the rationale and the underpinning principles of solving such problems. Various heuristics will be introduced which include the ‘model’ approach, enquiry thinking strategies, and ‘concrete-abstract’ strategies. The problems selected for this presentation would be suitable for teachers teaching Standards One, Two, Three and Four. 

Colloquium No.2

Date: 18 Oct 2011
Some Strategies for Helping Children Solve
Challenging Mathematical Problems at Upper Primary Levels

Abstract:
Many students have problems solving fraction, ratio and proportion and percentage problems.  One of the reasons could be they have not acquired some suitable strategies to solve the problems and/or some students may lack conceptual understanding of the topics.  Non conceptual understanding of the topics will inhibit them in tackling challenging mathematical problems. Dr Fong will present some strategies which can help them tackle some of these challenging mathematical problems at upper primary and lower secondary levels. He will explain the rationale and the underpinning principles of solving such problems. Various heuristics will be introduced which include the ‘model’ approach, working-backward strategy, making a systematic list and before-and-after strategy. The problems selected for this presentation would be suitable for teachers teaching Standards 5 to 6 and Forms 1 and 2. 

About the Speaker

Dr Ho Kheong Fong obtained his PhD from the King’s College, University of London. He was the Head of Mathematics and Science Department of the Emirates College for Advanced Education in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He was also the Head of Mathematics and Science of Bahrain Teachers’ College. He is the former Associate Professor of the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and he had been involved in training mathematics teachers in the university for 25 years. Dr Fong has worked in the Education Testing Centre, University of New South Wales, Australia dealing with assessment in primary mathematics. He was the founding-president for Association of the Mathematics Educators, Singapore from 1994 to 1998. He is specialised in teaching high ability children and children who have problems in mathematics. His research work includes diagnosing children with mathematical difficulties, teaching thinking to solve mathematical problems and applying psychological theories for teaching and learning of mathematics. He has published more than 100 journal articles, research reports, as well as primary and secondary mathematics books. He is the consultant and principal author of the “My Pals are Here Mathematics Series” which is the most popular primary mathematics text book used in Singapore. His series of text books have also been translated into Indonesian language for use in Indonesia and also adapted to be used in United States of America.