Seminar on Best Practices on Innovations in the Teaching and Learning of Science and Mathematics

______2004/HRDWG/016-14 Agenda Item: XI (b)

Seminar on Best Practices on Innovations in the Teaching and Learning of Science and Mathematics at the Secondary School Level

Purpose: Information Submitted by: Malaysia

26th Human Resources Development Working Group Meeting Jeju, Korea 11-14 May 2004 APEC PROJECT FORMAT

Facesheet (Tick  one)  Project seeking APEC funding  Project for self-funding X Progress Report  Evaluation Report (Tick  one where applicable)[ ] Operational Account [ ] TILF Special Account

Project number: HRD 02/2003 Date received by Secretariat: (To be filled in by Secretariat: )

Name of Committee/Working Group: Education Network, Human Resources Development Working Group (HRDWG)

Title of Project: Seminar on Best Practices and Innovations in the Teaching and Learning of Science and Mathematics at the Secondary School Level

Proposing APEC Economy: Malaysia Co-sponsoring APEC Economy (ies) : Brunei, Canada, Chile, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, and USA. Project Overseer: Name, Title and Organization (M/F) Male Dato’ Dr. Azmi Zakaria Director, Educational Planning and Research Division Ministry of Education Malaysia. Postal address: Educational Planning and Research Division, Tel: 03-2098 3147 Ministry of Education, Fax: 03-2093 1471 Level 2, Damansara Town Centre, Email: [email protected]. GOV.MY 50604 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Financial Total cost of proposal (US$): Amount being sought from APEC Central Fund Information 110, 578.65 (US$): 42, 600

Type of Project:  seminar/symposium  short-term training course  survey or analysis and research  database/website  others (Please specify) Project start date: January 2003 Project end date: December 2003

Brief description of Project : its purpose and the principal activities (including when and where) : The purpose of the Seminar is to :  Share and disseminate new ideas and developments in the teaching and learning of science and mathematics;  Increase the knowledge and skills of educators in the APEC region  Identify strategies that enable APEC economies increase the quality of education  Increase quality of educators of APEC member economies  Develop a network between educators and experts

Principal activities: Setting up of Steering/Organizing Committee December 2002 Setting up of Seminar Website February 2003 Publication of Brochure March 2003 Call for Papers January- April 2003 Invitation to APEC member economies as seminar participants April 2003

Venue Holiday Villa, Selangor, Malaysia Abstracts received : Australia, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, United States, and Singapore.

Signature of Project Overseer:

(Separate written confirmation acceptable for email submission) Date: Signature of Committee Chair/WG Lead Shepherd: (Not applicable to Progress Report and Evaluation Report)

(Separate written confirmation acceptable for email submission) Date: Progress Report on APEC Projects

Status/Progress and Problems

Current status of project: On schedule (Yes) Within budget (Yes/)

Objectives How do results of the project thus far (if any) compare with its expected results? Include your results thus far (if any) relative to quantitative measures you proposed in paragraph 1 (and 25) of the project design proposal. In terms of the abstracts received, the Panel for the Selection of Papers is satisfied with the themes and ideas developed in the papers. Although the concept of best practices is expected to vary across member economies, it is expected that most would concede to the knowledge and innovations presented in the papers as within the scope of best practices and innovations.

Linkages, Methodology, Budget Describe any problems which have arisen and how they were resolved, including changes in schedule or revised dates, budget changes, changes in participation, or additions or deletions of activities. 1. Selection of papers –although efforts have been made to invite papers from all member economies, there were more papers from certain economies. For example, Australia submitted three abstracts. When no response was received, a few EDNET persons were contacted. Malaysia also invited papers and participation during the recent E-learning Summit in Chinese Taipei. 2. Venue change – due to internal requests, the venue was changed from Federal Hotel to Holiday Villa, Subang, Selangor, Malaysia. 3. Participation of member economy – some emails to EDNET contacts have been returned as “undeliverable”. Telephone calls and faxes will be the next alternative.

Gender Considerations Provide a brief description of the impact of the project on women to date. Provide details to show how women have been consulted on the delivery of the project. What kind of sex-disaggregated data has been collected and used for the project?

The project has drawn interest from various sectors. This includes interest as committee members of the Seminar and interest as presenters at the Seminar.

In terms of consultation, most of the Seminar committee members are women. Their expertise in paper selection or selection of potential speakers is noted.

No sex-disaggregated data has been collected so far. Progress since last report : Several sub-committees have met several times to discuss agendas which include brochures and websites, lodging and accommodation, seminar participants, speeches and budget. The website for the Seminar has been developed and can be viewed at www.moe.gov.my/adbid/apec/apecMain.htm Abstracts have been received through emails and the deadline for all abstracts was 15th March. However, due to certain requests, the deadline was extended until 15th April and the full paper extended to mid-May. Seven papers have been received for Mathematics and six for Science. A representative from the MOE attended the E-Learning Summit in Chinese Taipei in March and the event gained further publicity from the distribution of brochures. Due to warm response from Korea (which intended to send in 20 participants), and expectations for further response from other economies, the venue has shifted from Federal Hotel, Kuala Lumpur to Holiday Villa, Subang,

Notes: - All Committee and Working Group projects, irrespective of their source of funding, should be reported to BMC. - Please mark “N.A.” if any item is not applicable. - Name of Project should be identical with the name stated in the project proposal.