【每日电讯报】Chinese science exams more 'interesting and demanding' than GCSEs

Iam_zhcn

Chinese science exams more 'interesting and demanding' than GCSEs
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/5593940/Chinese-science-exams-more-interesting-and-demanding-than-GCSEs.html

By Chris Irvine Published: 12:01AM BST 22 Jun 2009


The Chinese mathematics papers contain topical questions about the Olympic Games, held in Beijing last year, as well as earthquakes Photo: GETTY

Maths and science exams taken by students in China are more "interesting and demanding" than their British GCSE counterparts, it has been claimed by the Royal Society of Chemistry

The RSC, which has published online examples of science papers taken by Chinese teenagers, believes that the government has to address the situation "to ensure the country has the right skills for the future".

The Chinese exam papers in chemistry and maths were taken last year by pupils studying at the same level as England's GCSE students.

Earlier this year, Ofqual, the Government's exam watchdog, said there were "significant concerns" that GCSE and A-Level standards were slipping.

Ofqual said English literature, maths and science exams were often failing to push the brightest pupils.

In physics GCSEs, Ofqual reported a "general reduction" in the mathematical demands placed on students and "predictable and formulaic" coursework.

The Chinese mathematics papers contain topical questions about the Olympic Games, held in Beijing last year, as well as earthquakes - in May last year, China experienced an earthquake in its Sichuan province.

In one multiple choice question, the paper asks: "As of 19 May 2008, 21,600 Chinese and foreign reporters became registered reporters of the Beijing Olympics, amounting for the greatest number of reporters in the all previous Olympic Games. The scientific number 21,600 is expressed as..."

Dr Richard Pike, RSC's chief executive, said: "In Britain most of the questions with some sort of mathematics or problem solving are very straight forward. With the Chinese ones you've got to think a little bit further, you can't just stick down the answer. Many of the more complex questions in the papers we have seen involve a number of steps. The student really has to think things through.

"Some questions can be done by anyone but as you work through the paper they get harder and in that sense they are more demanding of the brighter kids than you would in Britain. I would say it's almost a step below from the Chinese questions."

A Department for Children, Schools and Families spokesman said: "The facts speak for themselves - independent international comparisons show that English schools are consistently among the highest performers in maths and science in the world. We know there is more to do so children enjoy science more - that's why we are investing £140m into strengthen teaching and stretching the brightest students."

vivicat

来领任务鸟。。。

vivicat

已发http://bbs.m4.cn/thread-176074-1-1.html