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Finalversionofcriteriona Y10jyinwingstaceystaceychan
Finalversionofcriteriona Y10jyinwingstaceystaceychan
Introduction
Hong Kong is well-known for its difficult academic syllabus and exam-orientated education system. It is
common to see students taking tests and exams all the time, even primary students.
Although some believe this system could boost Hong Kongs competitiveness , in fact, it system had led to two
major problems.
First, it had led to the lack of problem solving skills among primary children. Since the teaching of math is
Hong Kong is extremely exam-oriented, primary students mostly learn about exam techniques in order to
tackle their tests and exams. As a result, they have lacked other kinds of skills such as problem solving skills.
In addition, this education system had also led to the lack of interest in math among primary students.
According to a news report by SCMP, only 35% of Year 4 students are interested in maths. In other words,
more than half of the Year 4 students in Hong Kong do not enjoy maths, mostly because they feel extremely
stressful about it. Thus, it is seen that most of the Y4 students in Hong Kong dislike math.
Although the education system could not be changed, there is a way to in order to solve these two problems,
which is providing a more diverse, interesting learning process for math to the Y4 students. In order to so, a
suitable learning aid is needed. Therefore, I present the Sudoku board, which is a popular number game that
can be played online, on the phone and in the newspaper.
The objective of the game is to fill in the 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the
numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same
number only once.
The reason why I chose to create a Sudoku board for the Y4 students is because it exercises the brain
extensively and also solves both of the major problems that the students are facing.
First, this learning aid could train their problem solving skills. Sudoku puzzles are provoking as they require
children to use different thinking processes. Do the numbers match? Are all the numbers correct? If not this
number then what? By asking these questions and trying out, the puzzle could train their critical thinking and
logic. This could not only improve their number skills, but also their problem solving skills.
In addition to enhancing their problem solving skills, Sudoku puzzles could also stimulate the students interest
in math. Sudoku is way more fun and interesting than normal calculations that are often done in math class in
primary schools. When students could solve the puzzle, they would have a sense of accomplishment. Thus,
they would feel happy after playing the game and starts to play it more often. By doing so, they would become
more sensitive to numbers and even find the beauty of maths, largely arousing their interest in maths.
Due to the reasons above, I have chose to create a Sudoku board as the learning aid for the primary students.
Hope the Y4 students would enjoy it!
Research plan
Inquiry question Primary Secondary research Justify why this question is Priority(
research important in solving the index 1- the
design problem. most
important )
What is the education Interview with Analysing data from Knowing more about Hong 2
system of Hong Kong primary teacher websites online Kongs education system is
like? important as it is the root
cause of the problems.
Besides, it will also largely
affect the learning method of
the children.
What is a learning aid? Interview with Analysing data from This question is extremely 1
primary teacher websites online important because the
purpose of this project is to
create a learning aid to solve
the design problems. Thus, I
have to conduct research to
find out what exactly is it.
In what ways do children Interview with -reading accounts of By understanding and using 6
learn best? primary teacher similar problem written by the most suitable method
and primary another person children learn with, my product
children would be able to help children
-Analysing data from improve their problem solving
websites online skills as well as stimulate their
interest in math.
How can playing Interview with -reading accounts of Knowing the effects of 7
educational games help primary teacher similar problem written by learning aids will help me
children learn? and primary another person know what kind of impact or
children improvement I should leave
-Analysing data from with the learning aid that I am
websites online making.
How can we stimulate Interview with -reading accounts of The lack of interest of math is 3
children interest in primary teacher similar problem written by one of the major problems that
math? another person children are facing. Hence, I
should try to find methods to
-Analysing data from help children stimulate their
websites online interest in math.
How can we improve Interview with -reading accounts of Problem thinking are skills that 4
childrens problem primary teacher similar problem written by the children lacks. Therefore, I
solving skills? another person should find a way to enable
them to achieve this skill
-Analysing data from easily.
websites online
How can my product be Analysing viewing videos about how I should find ways to improve 10
improved? existing to use materials, tools my product and strive the
products and processes to see if best, in order to successfully
there can be any solve the design problems.
improvements for the
material of the product
Is my product suitable for Analysing Analysing data from Sudoku is not a game for 9
Year 4 children? existing websites online children only since it is quite
products challenging. Thus, I should
consider the childrens need
and do some adjustments on
the difficulty of my product.
Questions of survey
A. Interview with primary student
1. Do you think the education system in Hong Kong is too exam orientated?
2. Do you like mathematics? Why?
3. Do you find maths difficult? Why?
4. During math lessons, do you only learn the skills that are applied to exams?
5. What is the best way for learning?
6. Can playing educational games help you learn? Why?
7. Have you ever faced any obstacles when you are learning?
8. Do you enjoy playing Sudoku? Why?
9. Do you think Sudoku could stimulate your interest in maths? Why?
10. Would you rather choose playing Sudoku or doing maths?
B. Benefits of sudoku
1. Problem solving
Sudoku puzzles are provoking as they require children to use different thinking processes. Do the numbers
match? Are all the numbers correct? If not this number then what? By asking these questions and trying out,
the puzzle could train their critical thinking and logic. This could not only improve their number skills, but also
their problem solving skills.
5. Increases focus
Research shows that if children studies after playing sudoku, they are more likely to have a more alert and
focused brain, so they can learn to focus their attention. By playing the puzzle, children could learn to control
their mind and focus on the task. This could boost their academic performance in school.
Source used: The Fun Kids - Wordpress Blog! "5 Popular Benefits of Playing Sudoku." Thefunkids. N.p., 10
Aug. 2015Lee, Brian.
C. Inquiry questions
1. What is the education system of Hong Kong like?
The Hong Kong government provides 12 years of free education including primary education and senior
education. The governments goal is to promote a balanced and diverse school education that meets the
different needs of students. Yet, some believe that the system is too exam orientated and the difficulty of the
exam syllabus is too high, which created much stress for both primary and secondary students.
Source used: "Education Policy." Youth.gov.hk - Education Policy.
Materials needed
1. Wooden board: A thick piece of wooden board is used as the base to hold the number tiles.
2. Number tiles: 81 pieces of plastic number tiles is needed. Different tiles would have different colors,
representing its number.
3. Question and answer booklet: A printed booklet that contains different versions of the puzzle and its
answer. The booklet could teach you how to set up the puzzle(placing the tiles which are originally
provided) before playing the game. It also provides the solution of the puzzle for you to check after the
game.
Manufacturing techniques
B. Wood joints
There are different types of wood joints that could be used when producing my wooden board.
Name Picture Explanation
Basic Butt Joint - One piece of wood butts into another to the
other.
- This type of joint is often used in wall
framing on construction sites.
Source used: April 10, 2010 By Editor & Filed under Joinery, Skill Building. "Woodworking Joints: Which Wood
Joints Should You Use?" WoodWorkers Guild of America. N.p., 24 Feb. 2017.
D. Laser cutter
A laser cutter is needed to create a unique pattern for the design of the wooden Sudoku board.
The steps for laser cutting:
1. In a graphic software, draw the shape of the wood that will be cut.
2. The laser system would engrave and cut the wood according to the drawing
3. Set a speed and power i for the material you are cutting, and send it to the laser.
4. The laser will automatically adjust to the correct height based on the thickness of the material you are
cutting or engraving.
Primary research
A. Interview with primary student: Carina Ng
1. Do you think the education system in Hong Kong is too exam orientated?
A: No, I think the number of exams is just right.
2. Do you like mathematics? Why?
A: Not really, I find it quite boring.
4. During math lessons, do you only learn the skills that are applied to exams?
A: Yes, we only learn the things we need for exam.
7. Have you ever faced any obstacles when you are learning?
A: Yes, especially in maths.
2. Do you think the education system in Hong Kong is too exam orientated?
A: Yes, I definitely think so. There are way too many exams in the local system. Some of the exams
could be reduced in the IB systems too, such as the external exams the primary students take.
In addition, the results have also revealed that playing educational games is the best way for children to learn.
By playing educational games, children could learn while having fun. This could stimulate their interest in that
particular topic and enhance their learning experience.
Furthermore, from the results above, we can see that the two major obstacles that children face is maths and
memory. As mentioned by PYP student Carina, she has difficulty in solving maths problem. Similarly, in terms
of memory, students find it hard to memorize stuff they have learnt. Yet, these two problems could all be
solved by practicing Sudoku, as this puzzle could train your memory, and mostly importantly, boost your
problem thinking skills and stimulate the childrens interest in maths. As mentioned by Ms Fung, when children
play Sudoku, they could learn different types of skills as well as have fun at the same time.
Product study
Product A: Sudoku Board game
1. SWOT analysis
Strength - Light to carry around since its base is just a thin piece of magnet board which could be folded
into half.
- It contains different levels of puzzles (easy,medium and hard), so it is suitable for everyone.
Weakness - The plastic tiles would not stick to the board and may easily fall off.
- The color of the set-up is mainly blue, grey and white, which lacks a wide variety of colors.
Opportunities - Add more different types colors to make its physical appearance more appealing.
- Use magnetic tiles instead of plastic ones so they could be attached to the board.
Threats - The number tiles could be lost easily since its size is quite small
- The number tiles could be swallowed by an infant.
Threats - If the wood is not well-manufactured and became splitted, it may cut your hands.
- The coloured tiles could be swallowed by an infant.
Design brief
Base on my research from answering the inquiry questions and opinions from the survey, I have decided to
create a Sudoku board for the Y4 students. The subject that I will be focusing is maths. My learning aid will be
able to improve the childrens problem thinking skills and also stimulate their interest in maths.
In terms of the design of my learning aid, a thick piece of square shaped wood would be used as the base of
the Sudoku board.
Moreover, 81 pieces of plastic number tiles is needed too. Different tiles would have different colors,
representing its number. For example, red represents number 1, blue represents number 2, orange represents
number 3 etc. This enables the children to identify the numbers easily just by looking at its color. Also, by
adding a wide variety of colors to the design, the children would be attracted by its unique and colorful
appearance, making the game even more fun and interesting to them.
In addition, a question and answer booklet would be provided with the learning aid too. The printed booklet
would contain different versions of the puzzle with different levels including easy, medium and hard. By looking
through and following the booklet, the children could learn how to set up the puzzle by placing the tiles which
are originally provided before playing the game. Also, the booklet also provides the solution of the puzzle for
them to check after playing the game.
Despite the design of the learning aid, I would add a wooden lid for the board to prevent losing the number
tiles as well as to protect the wooden board.
Furthermore, I would set the price range of my design to be $50.