Education, Motivation & Classroom Management

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Saturday, November 04, 2006

Motivational Theories - My new Blog

I have just started a new blog covering some of the motivaional theories. If you wish to find certain theories you may find it here. I am trying to compile all the theories "under one roof" so that you need not search high and low for them.

Click here: Motivation 101

posted by Ong Tiam Chye at 11:38 AM | 1 comments

Friday, November 03, 2006

Student Loan and Student Finanical Aids

Many of our student comes from very poor background, alot of them could not even afford the school feess despite the heavy subsidies from the government. Also, many of them are not even aware they can apply for financial aid in their respective schools.

They have to work part-time to support themselves, sometimes their families, which inevitability may affects their studies. Perphaps we can lookout for this group of student who are in need of help and we can do our part by educating them of the aids they can turn to.

To apply for these grant or aids, there is a requirement that the household income must not exceed certain amount. Therefore, there is another group of student who will be caught in between, they are financially stressed but not eligible to for any assistance. They can still seek special assistance through their schools, but their request will be reviewed case by case basis.

And for those to seek to loan money from banks, not many banks offer study loans for students, here is a few which I know of that offer loan at a reasonable rate.
RHB Bank Berhad
Tel: 1800 323 0100
Website: www.rhbbank.com.sg

Maybank
Tel: 1800 629 2265
Website: www.maybank2u.com.sg

NTUC Thrift & Loan Co-operative Limited
Tel: 6534 7360
Website: www.ntucthrift.com.sg

posted by Ong Tiam Chye at 6:30 PM | 0 comments

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Social Proof - Principle of Influence

When the social norms in a society is unclear, people tends to be at a "lost". They need a clear directions or signs to follow, therefore they will be looking at each other for cues. Sometimes we called it the "Herd Instinct"; we move along with the majority, or doing what is "normal" in that group.Also, most people tends to agree to proposals, products or services that will be preceived as acceptable by the majority.

In a concert, when a person starts applauding the natural urge is applaud with him is nearly unstoppable. Therefore, sometimes we are influenced unconsiously.

Applying this in a classroom environment... whenever a new term starts or a new class is formed, this is the stage when the "norm" in the class is unclear and the students are watching each other for the "normal things" to do. This is where we must step in to set the norms, rules and regulations. Failing to do so, we may find ourselves struggling to set it at the later stage of the classes.

A final recap of the Principle of Influences
R - Reciporation
E - Emotion
C - Contrast
C - Commitment & Consistency
L - Liking
A - Authority
S - Scarcity
S - Social Proof

posted by Ong Tiam Chye at 6:46 PM | 0 comments

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Scarcity - Principle of Influence

"... While stocks last!!", "Sale 50%! Today Only!", "Offer limit to 1st 50 call-in customer!"

Saw the catch here? Yes, scarcity; Limited stocks, today only and 1st 50 callers. All these sale tatics works on this principle. People tends to react when there are limited numbers, e.g. Limited edition watch, stamps etc.. Sales person love to use this to create the "sense of demand".

So next time when you come across such offers.. clam your nerves and consciously ask yourself a question, why you want it? Do you really need it?

Using this your class? Perhaps, you can reward top ten student in your class to have completed your assignment with flying colours?

posted by Ong Tiam Chye at 9:52 PM | 0 comments