Posted in Pure Physics, Sec Science

Sec 4 Physics Reflections 03/02/13 – Current Electricity

Today, I asked them a few questions to improve their conceptual understanding of electricity:

(1) What is the difference between e.m.f and potential difference?

(2) What is the difference between resistance and resistivity?

(3) How do you derive the unit for resistivity?

(4) Why does the resistance of a metallic conductor increase when its temperature increases?

(5) Why is the ammeter connected in series to a resistor but the voltmeter is connected in parallel?

Some points to note:

(1) Resistance is NOT the gradient of the V-I graph.

(2) The I-V and V-I graphs of a conductor may be different and you’ll need to understand why and explain the difference.

Rgds,

Ilyasa, M.Ed, PGDE, ex-MOE Math and Physics teacher (hp: 97860411)

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Posted in A. Math, A. Math Tips

Sec 4 A. Math Reflections 02/02/13 – Higher Derivative

Today I taught them the Higher Derivatives, using displacement, velocity and acceleration as real-life examples. I chose not to introduce the 2nd derivative as a means to test whether a turning point is a maximum or minimum, as I preferred to do that when teaching the application of differentiation in tangents and normals at a point in a curve.

Points to note:

(1) students must not write the 2nd derivative as dy^2/dx^2;

(2) d^2y/dx^2 is not the same as (dy/dx)^2;

(3)  d^2y/dx^2 is the same as f”(x) or f^2(x);

(4) there may be product rule, quotient rule or chain rule involved when finding the higher derivatives.

Rgds,

Ilyasa, M.Ed, PGDE, ex-MOE Math and Physics teacher (hp: 97860411)

 

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Posted in Pure Chemistry

Sec 4 Chemistry Tuition By Experienced Tutors

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ORIGINAL POST (OUTDATED):

Sec 4   Pure Chemistry:   (Investment amt: $180 per mth).

Mon 7.45 pm to 9.15 pm;

Sat 10.45 am to 12.15 pm;

Sun 12.30 pm to 2.00 pm;

Sun 2.15pm to 3.45 pm;

Tutor(s):

Mr Anthony H.: SMU undergrad who scored A for A-level Chemistry

Mr Tan J. D. : NTU undergrad, alumnus of Hwa Chong Institution, who scored A in A-level Chemistry

DETAILS:

Location: Blk 627 Bukit Batok Central #07-640

Average Class Size: 2-5 students

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Posted in Polytechnics

List of ‘Top’ Courses of Polytechnics (2012) in Singapore by net Cut-Off ELR2B2 aggregate

SCIENCE PRACTICAL TRAINING

O-LEVEL PHYSICS PRACTICAL

O-LEVEL CHEMISTRY PRACTICAL

O-LEVEL BIOLOGY PRACTICAL


O-LEVEL SCIENCE (PHYSICS) PRACTICAL

O-LEVEL SCIENCE (CHEMISTRY) PRACTICAL

O-LEVEL SCIENCE (BIOLOGY) PRACTICAL


The table below shows the list of top or popular courses of Polytechnics in Singapore by net cut-off ELR2B2 aggregate. The net ELR2B2 aggregate score includes CCA Bonus Points.

Course Course Code Polytechnics 2012 JAE COP
International   Business N85 Ngee Ann 6
International   Business S36 Singapore 7
Biomedical   Science S98 Singapore 8
Biomedical   Science N59 Ngee Ann 9
Veterinary   Bioscience N90 Ngee Ann 9
Arts Business   Management N91 Ngee Ann 9
Banking &   Financial Services N53 Ngee Ann 9
Engineering   Science N93 Ngee Ann 9
Psychology   Studies N77 Ngee Ann 9
Psychology   Studies T48 Temasek 9
Molecular   Biotechnology N49 Ngee Ann 10
Tourism &   Resort Management N72 Ngee Ann 10
Mass   Communication N67 Ngee Ann 10
Biotechnology S72 Singapore 10
Pharmacy   Science N73 Ngee Ann 11
Accountancy N51 Ngee Ann 11
Business   Studies N45 Ngee Ann 11
Animation   & 3D Arts N92 Ngee Ann 11
Film, Sound   & Video N82 Ngee Ann 11
Banking &   Financial S76 Singapore 11
Business   Innovation and Design S34 Singapore 11
Creative   Writing for Television and New Media S41 Singapore 11
Biomedical   Science T27 Temasek 11
Veterinary   Technology T45 Temasek 11
Business &   Social Enterprise N79 Ngee Ann 12
Child   Psychology & Early Education N86 Ngee Ann 12
Advertising   & Public Relations N87 Ngee Ann 12
Chinese Media   & Communication N88 Ngee Ann 12
Applied   Chemistry with Pharmaceutical Science S64 Singapore 12
Accountancy S75 Singapore 12
Business   Administration S71 Singapore 12
Human resource   Management with Psychology S48 Singapore 12
Tourism &   Resort Management S55 Singapore 12
Aeromautical   Engineering S88 Singapore 12
Applied Drama   and Psychology S43 Singapore 12
Music &   Audio Technology S97 Singapore 12
Accounting   & Finance T02 Temasek 12
Aviation   Management Services T04 Temasek 12
Accountancy   & Finance C98 Nanyang 13
Chemical &   Biomolecular Engineering N56 Ngee Ann 13
Hotel &   Leisure Facilities Management N40 Ngee Ann 13
Business   Information Technology N61 Ngee Ann 13
Aerospace   Technology N65 Ngee Ann 13
Optometry N83 Ngee Ann 13
Chinese   Studies N70 Ngee Ann 13
Chemical   Engineering S70 Singapore 13
Perfumery and   Cosmetic Science S38 Singapore 13
Nutrition,   Health & Wellness S44 Singapore 13
Financial   Informatics S46 Singapore 13
Optometry S67 Singapore 13
Media and   Communication S86 Singapore 13
Biotechnology T31 Temasek 13
Communications   & Media Management T40 Temasek 13
Law &   Management T09 Temasek 13
Early   Childhood Studies T54 Temasek 13
Digital   Forensics T55 Temasek 13
Banking &   Financial Services C96 Nanyang 14
Dental Hygiene   & Therapy C72 Nanyang 14
Social   Sciences (Social Work) C47 Nanyang 14
Early   Childhood Education N66 Ngee Ann 14
Multimedia   & Animation N55 Ngee Ann 14
Food, Science   & Technology S47 Singapore 14
Architecture S66 Singapore 14
Hotel &   Leisure Facilities Management S95 Singapore 14
Integrated   Events & Projects Management S50 Singapore 14
Aerospace   Electronics S90 Singapore 14
Bioengineering S58 Singapore 14
Infocomm   Security Management S54 Singapore 14
Visual   Communication and Media Design S93 Singapore 14
Pharmaceutical   Science T25 Temasek 14
Aerospace   Engineering T51 Temasek 14
Business   Intelligience & Analytics T57 Temasek 14
Visual   Communication T24 Temasek 14
Medicinal   Chemistry C45 Nanyang 15
Pharmaceutical   Sciences C65 Nanyang 15
Mass Media   Management C93 Nanyang 15
Real Estate   Business N48 Ngee Ann 15
Sustainable   Urban Design & Engineering N89 Ngee Ann 15
Aerospace   Electronics N75 Ngee Ann 15
Audio-visual   Technology N76 Ngee Ann 15
Biomedical   Engineering N60 Ngee Ann 15
Financial   Information N81 Ngee Ann 15
Materials   Science S37 Singapore 15
Environmental   Management & Water Technology S52 Singapore 15
Engineering   with Business S42 Singapore 15
Business   Information Technology S82 Singapore 15
Digital   Animation S35 Singapore 15
Business/Logistics   & Operations Management/ Marketing T01 Temasek 15
Hospitality   & Tourism Management T08 Temasek 15
Apparel Design   & Merchandising T20 Temasek 15

Related Links:

(1) List of ‘Top’ Secondary Schools (2012) in Singapore by median PSLE aggregate score (2011)

(2) List of ‘Top’ Primary Schools (2012) based on GEP classes and Awards achieved.

(3) List of ‘Top’ Secondary School (2012) in Singapore by Cut-Off PSLE aggregate score (2011)

(4) List of Junior Colleges (JC) (2012) in Singapore by Cut-Off L1R5 aggregate score (including bonus points)

Ilyasa, M.Ed., PGDE, full-time tutor of Math & Physics (h/p: 97860411)

_______________________________________

TUITION CLASSES:

jcbutton          secbutton

ipbutton                    pributton

_______________________________________________________________

EDUCATIONAL SERVICES:

hwsupervbutton                   intensivebutton

alevelprepbutton                   olevelprepbutton

______________________________________________________________

By EX-MOE TEACHERS & EXPERIENCED TUTORS

@ BLK 644, BUKIT BATOK CENTRAL, #01-68. S(650644).

CALL 65694897 OR SMS 98530744 OR 97860411.

Posted in A-Level, IB, Junior College, Schools

List of Junior Colleges (JC) (2012) in Singapore by Cut-Off L1R5 aggregate score (including bonus points)

SCIENCE PRACTICAL TRAINING

PRACTICAL CRASH COURSES (Mar, Jun, Sep and Oct)

MOCK EXAMS FOR SCIENCE PRACTICAL (Sep and Oct)

 

H2 PHYSICS PRACTICAL

H2 CHEMISTRY PRACTICAL

H2 BIOLOGY PRACTICAL


List of Junior Colleges (JC) (2013) in Singapore by Cut-Off L1R5 aggregate score (including bonus points)

The table below shows the net L1R5 aggregate of the lowest ranked students who were admitted to the Junior Colleges (JCs) through the 2012 Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE).

S/No Junior College Arts Science/IB
1 Hwa Chong Institution 3 3
2 Raffles Institution 3 3
3 Victoria JC 5 4
4 National JC 5 5
5 Anglo-Chinese School   (Independent) 5
6 Temasek JC 7 6
7 Anglo-Chinese JC 7 6
8 Anderson JC 10 8
9 Meridian JC 9 9
10 Nanyang JC 9 9
11 St. Andrew’s JC 9 9
12 Catholic JC 10 10
13 Serangoon JC 13 13
14 Tampines JC 13 14
15 Jurong JC 13 16
16 Pioneer JC 16 16
17 Innova JC 20 20
18 Yishun JC 20 20
19 St. Joseph’s   Institution

SCIENCE PRACTICAL TRAINING

H2 PHYSICS PRACTICAL

H2 CHEMISTRY PRACTICAL

H2 BIOLOGY PRACTICAL

 

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Posted in Pure Physics

Sec 4 Physics Reflections 27/01/13 – Applications of Electrostatics

I wanted to proceed to Current Electricity, but the students wanted more discussion on how to answer application questions on electrostatics.

So I supplied them with quite a number of such application questions, often with confusing diagrams. The key to answering such questions is to first draw the distribution of charges on the items in the diagram, and identify which objects are conductors and which are non-conductors. For the conductors, check whether they are insulated from the surroundings.

Key points to note:

(1) Only non-conductors can be charged by rubbing (why?)

(2) Electrons can flow into and out of only conductors, and only when the conductors are in contact with other conductors (why?)

(3) A charged object can attract a neutral conductor (why?) and a charged object can also attract a neutral non-conductor (why?)

(4) Upon contact with a highly charged object, a conductor behaves differently from a non-conductor (why?)

Rgds,

Ilyasa, M.Ed, PGDE, ex-MOE Math and Physics teacher (hp: 97860411)

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Posted in Exam Results

My (our) students’ O-Level (2012) results released in 2013

Ok la, this year I shall break tradition by posting whichever results my last year’s students inform me of. One has just come in. I will update throughout the week as I get more results (sometimes students are just forgetful).

Physics: Luke, A2 (from b4 avg, failed in sec 3 (his mum just told me), St Pat’s sch, Farkhanda, B3 (from fail avg)

Chemistry (under Mr Anthony): Charmaine A2; Bandar A2; Luke, B3; Farkhanda, B4. (from fail avg)

Science: Ben, B3.

A. Math: Ameerul, C5 (from fail avg, Yuhua sec); Loges, B3 (from C5-C6 avg, ACS(I)); Ravin, B3 (from fail avg); Rahim, B3 (from C5-C6 avg); Jin Yong, A1 (from B4 avg); Farkhanda, B3 (from fail avg).

Math: Ali Zul, B3 (from C5-C6 avg); Colin, B3 (from C5)

This year, I shall also break tradition in another way, by posting a testimonial from a student, Ravin. Below is the exact words that he smsed to me at 10.06 am on 11 Jan 2013:

“My plan is to do engineering. More to aerospace or aeronautical. I will put my first few choices as that the rest I’m still thinking. Last choice will be MI. Yes Mr Ilyasa, a lot of improvement. I did not put in a lot of effort for A-math and my sci in secondary school. In fact I was failing but I’m happy to see that I got Bs and A for my math and sci but it’s really disappointing to see a 6 for EL. Thank you for your help Mr Ilyasa. You make lesson so fun and you taught me a lot. : ) “

Well, he taught me a lot too.

Waiting for more updates from more students …..

Ilyasa, M.Ed., PGDE, full-time tutor, ex-sch teacher (h/p: 97860411)

Posted in Educational Advice

Should N-Level graduates opt for the direct poly route?

From 2013 onwards, top N-Level graduates can go to polytechnics without first having O-Level certificates, either by undergoing a one-year foundation course in the polys for the top 10%, or by doing a Higher Nitec course at the ITE for the next top 20% of their N-Level cohort.

So would it be a wise choice for an N-Level grad to opt for direct entry into a poly, instead of first sitting for the O-Levels? Well, in my opinion, with regard to certification, they face about the same problem as top Express stream students when deciding whether to choose an IP programme or enrol in an O-Level sec school.

An IP student who fails his A-Levels only has a PSLE cert to show, which, despite all the stress it causes, counts for next to nothing. If an N-Level holder fails to get a poly diploma, he would have only his N-Level cert for employment purposes (still sounds better than just having a PSLE cert right?). But I believe many jobs today require at least 3 or 5 O-Level passes. So I think it’s still wise to have an O-Level cert.

However, the O-Level route is a very academic one, and may not suit all N-Level grads, especially those who are weak in English and Mother Tongue. But having a good O-Level cert also allows a student to enter a JC.

So, I think, in the final analysis, whether or not a top N-Level grad chooses to bypass the O-Levels in his quest to enter a poly should depend on whether he believes he can do well in the very theoretical and academic O-Level programme. I’m certain the poly foundation program or the Higher Nitec course has a more hands-on approach to learning and solving problems.

Ilyasa

Related Articles:

From N- Level to O- Level

Between JC and Poly

O-LEVEL EXAM PREPARATION FOR PRIVATE CANDIDATES

 

 

 

Posted in EDUCATIONAL ADVICE

The big jump – from N-Level to O-Level …

I wish all N-level students good results come Monday. But as you know, even if you get good results, it’s just the beginning of another journey. If you intend to do your O-Levels, bear in mind that it’s going to be a rough journey, so you’d need to work extra smart and hard. The O-Levels is tougher than the N-Levels in at least three ways:

(1) Additional topics are added so you’d have to remember more facts and think more, and some of the exam papers are now longer;

(2) The questions in the O-Levels are harder both in intellect and in language use; you’d be expected to write longer answers in proper English for most of the papers;

(3) The marking is stricter for most of the papers. For eg, for the Sciences, you are expected to write proper units for the values you have calculated.

However, preparing for the O-Levels may actually be easier than for the N-Levels as there is much more educational support for the O-Levels – more guide or assessment books, more notes and prelim papers on sale, more tutors willing to coach you etc.

Anyway, I hope that when the N-Level results are released I’ll get a few calls telling me the good news. : )

Ilyasa

Posted in A. Math, Sec Math

Reflections on Sec 4 A. Math class (9/12/2012) …

Two new students joined us ytdy, one from Monfort Sec and one from SCGS. Apparently, I tutored the latter’s cousin a few yrs ago, all the way from Sec 2 to JC2 in Math and Physics, and who is now a first year undergrad; just learnt that he scored 2 A’s and 2 B’s in his A-levels (he might have told me about it); anyway, that proves my point, that you can come from a ‘neighbourhood’ sec sch and then go to a ‘low-ranked’ JC and still do well at the A-Levels. Contrast this with the two ex-IP students that I helped this year to re-take their A-Levels. So students out there pls wake up; no one owes you good grades.

The three tutees agreed to revise some sec 3 topics instead of me teaching them a Sec 4 topic. So for this class (Sat 2.15 to 3.45pm), I will only start teaching Differentiation in Jan 2013. So ydty two of them covered Indices, Surds and Log while the remaining one wanted to revise Trigonometry. Every time, I find joy in proving to students that Logarithms is a VERY EASY topic. Once you understand what a logarithm is, everything about it becomes very easy (I’ve posted another article on Log; pls do a search on it, under A Math study tips I think).

Trigo is a much harder topic, especially the proving of some Trigonometric Identities. However, there are heuristics to use in solving the latter, and these techniques work 95% of the time. I like ‘proving’ qns because there is no answer to find, and students normally dislike such qns precisely because there is no answer to find. But I can’t blame them; imagine spending 6 yrs of your life in pri sch only learning how to find answers, so students become obsessed with finding a numerical answer, and eventually get defeated by qns that ask them to prove something already known.

Ilyasa

Related pages:

(1) A. Math study tips.

(2) Sec 4 A. Math tuition.