Concept Based Teaching & Learning NLC

Our NLC had its beginnings as the North Zone Subject Group (NZSG) for Geography back in 2019. There was (and still is!) a common goal amongst the team to get students to think deeper and to transfer their knowledge and skills. We turned to concept-based teaching (CBT) as a way to achieve these outcomes. After ‘graduating’ from the NZSG sessions, we continued our discussions and exploration of CBT as an NLC. Meeting once a month (mostly via Zoom), we share, discussion and collaborate on curriculum re-design, lesson resources and ideas, anchoring our approach on CBT principles. Indeed, having journeyed this long together, the times we meet are sometimes a respite from school!

One of the highlights of our sessions was our own learning journey to the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s City Gallery. We used this opportunity to consider how a learning journey for students can be planned and facilitated for deeper learning. The inquiry question we were exploring was, ‘Can Singapore be a liveable yet sustainable city?’, we began uncovering what concepts such as sustainable or livable meant to participants. We then went on to explore how the various sections or the exhibits of the gallery could be harnessed for the exploration of various associated ideas. From the sessions, we were more cognizant of the need to provide some moderate structure and guidance from teachers, purposeful task for inquiry, dialogue, and collaboration to ensure that the experience is effective in achieving curricular goals.