Skill Development

 Open Minds Focuses on Skill Development:

The Open Minds programme focuses on developing the skill necessary in good research practice. These skills include:

• recording
• describing
• developing skills of classification
• making observations
• asking questions
• understanding relationships
• formulating and testing hypotheses
• developing concepts
• extending knowledge

While at the site, students record their experiences in a journal. Journaling, an important component of the Open Minds programme, encourages active engagement with their subject and plays a significant role in capturing their learning. Journaling is part of the classroom practice and is one tool used to support the recording and gathering of research data to be used at a later date.

The Open Minds programme assists students in being good observers of the world. We practice how to look closely, how to observe with all our senses - what we see, what we hear, what we smell, what we feel on our skin, what we can taste. We practice slowing down and by doing so gives us the opportunity to see and mentally register, what is before us that will help our understanding grow.

 

Sites used in Open Minds

Sites that have been used include:

• Singapore Science Centre
• Asian Civilisation Museum
• Heritage Conservation Centre
• Singapore Art Museum
• Singapore Zoo
• Jurong Bird Park
• Esplanade
• Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
• Health Zone