The Effectiveness in Measuring Character Development Outcomes in Singapore Schools Through the Character Development Award

In 2006, Singapore’s Ministry of Education started recognising schools for their effort in using effective character development programmes in producing holistic students who are both competent in their academic studies and possess good moral character. Although the history of character education in schools started in 1959, it is only in the recent years that formal awards with a set of evaluation criteria are used to recognise schools for their high quality character development programmes. Literature review shows that measuring the effectiveness of character development outcomes is a constant issue among critics of character education to validate the claim. The latest empirical research findings have given a strong indication that the outcomes of character development can be measured as long as the constructs of character are properly defined. The objective of the research is to examine if the current awarding process and criteria used for schools are accurately measuring the character development outcomes of schools. The quantitative research instrument used is the Collective Responsibility for Excellence and Ethics version 2.7 Short designed by Khemelkov and Davidson (2008a). The instrument is designed to capture the inputs and outputs of the key stakeholders of students, teachers and parents in the school community towards character development. A total of 1266 students, 210 staff and 396 parents were involved in the research across five schools with different awards. The findings highlighted the need for a constant review of the evaluation criteria used by awarding body to evaluate schools that are involved in character education. It is also imperative for schools that are involved in character education to have well defined constructs for character. These constructs will determine the outcomes to be measured, and hence, the character development programmes’ effectiveness. Through the findings, the study also made recommendations for policy makers and educators on areas that require careful consideration when implementing character development programmes

Character Development In Mathematics Problem-Based Learning

Concept of learning is an active process to construct meaning as the result relating new ideas on the previous understanding. Therefore, learning mathematics in the classroom is a process to build a deep understanding by the students through activities designed by teacher. Teacher-designed activities in learning are not only to developing means but also to developing student’s character that will be used for the provision of social life. Therefore education is required not only to build an understanding to students, but also must be able to perform his role and function to inculcate moral values and character. Then, the purpose of education is really a human being who has the knowledge and personality fit with the character of the Indonesian nation. Mathematics Problem based learning could be the way to reach those purposes. The results of this research are (1) problem-based learning can be used as a means to build character behavior and social skills students at the junior high school, (2) Character behavior and social skills that can be built include trustworthy, respect, individual accountability, social responsibility, concern, questioning skills, gives an idea or opinion, being a good listener and cooperation. Key words: Mathematics problem-based learning, Nation characte

Development of Comprehensive Devnagari Numeral and Character Database for Offline Handwritten Character Recognition

In handwritten character recognition, benchmark database plays an important role in evaluating the performance of various algorithms and the results obtained by various researchers. In Devnagari script, there is lack of such official benchmark. This paper focuses on the generation of offline benchmark database for Devnagari handwritten numerals and characters. The present work generated 5137 and 20305 isolated samples for numeral and character database, respectively, from 750 writers of all ages, sex, education, and profession. The offline sample images are stored in TIFF image format as it occupies less memory. Also, the data is presented in binary level so that memory requirement is further reduced. It will facilitate research on handwriting recognition of Devnagari script through free access to the researchers.Comment: 5 pages, 8 figures, journal pape

Citizens of Character - The Values and Character Dispositions of 14-16 Year Olds in the Hodge Hill Constituency

Citizens of Character explores the attitudes, dispositions, and values of 14-16 year old students in a particular urban environment - the six schools of the Hodge Hill constituency in Birmingham - and the extent to which the education system and the local environment advance or inhibit their sense of self, their values and their character development. These students constituted a heterogeneous group of religious and non-religious individuals. This project goes beyond the normal exploration and measurement of strengths of character in individuals and looks at the factors that build character in families and schools. This research has wider implications for the relationship between character and aspirations, social change, school cultures, citizenship, identity and religion. The study discusses what students understand by character. It set out to ascertain the moral values held by a group of students living in an inner-city area. The study sought to question who or what has influenced their moral values and examined which individuals, institutions and situations might have hindered or promoted their development. Some of the issues and concerns which arose - for example, relations with neighbours, the matter of local and national pride and questions of trust - may seem not to impinge upon character education as such but are relevant in a wider context

Developing National Character Through Mathematics Instruction Via Mathematics Instruction With Problem-Based Learning In Jigsaw Typed Cooperative Setting

National character which is the goal of national education is the intelligent character based on the value of faith, piousness, and noble qualities. Mathematics instruction oriented towards the development of learners’ potential most strategically contributes to the accomplishment of the goal. One of learning alternatives which can develop national character is mathematics instruction with problem based learning (PBL) in Jigsaw typed cooperative setting. Key words: problem-based, Jigsaw, characte

The Development of COLESTVIAModel as An Effort of Internanalization of Character Values in Social Studies

ABSTRACT Purpose: This research is based on a condition of Social Studies instruction in Junior High schools in Surakarta that is still far from the expectation. It focuses on the cognitive aspect and lack of affective aspects. Therefore, it is important to develop an instruction throughCOLESTVIA Model by combining STAD type, Tournament and VIA as an effort in internalization of character values in Social Studies instruction. The development of character values is concerned with cognitive development and the result of social interaction. It is believed that by integrating the character values, it can strengthen the character and personality for the Junior High school students in Surakarta. Method:The Developmentof COLESTVIA Model is done through development research by three main steps, namely Preliminary Study, Development, and Model Pilot. The data was collected through Observational Technique, Interview, Questionaire and Doccumentation. The Data Analysis for the Preliminary Study uses qualitative, while the Model Pilot was by means of experiment using quantitative Approach as to answer the research questions, namely : (1) How is the performance of the Social Studies instruction of the grade VIII of Junior High School students in Surakarta, (2) How is the development of COLESTVIA Model that can integrate the character values, and (3) How is the effectiveness of The DevelopmentCOLESTVIA Model as an attempt of the internalization of the character values in Social Studies instruction in grade VIII Junior High school.T- test was used to know the difference between the model of COLESTVIA instruction and conventional model. Findings: The result of the research shows after performing the try out in SMP 19 through Classroom Action Research (CAR); the larger scaled-trial in SMP 2 and private Junior High School A, (experiment), SMP 3 and private Junior High School B (control), and the effectiveness of trial in SMP 19, SMP 24 and private Junior High School C (experiment) and SMP 10, SMP 25 and private Junior High School D (contol), proved that thatCOLESTVIA instruction is able to improve the competency and the SMP students’ character values in various groups of schools. The conclusion of the research is that the model of COLESTVIA instruction fulfill the principles and proves significantly the increase of the SMP students’ character values in Surakarta compared with the various conventional models of instruction

Making lawyers moral : Ethical codes and moral character

This article argues that professional codes of conduct cannot perform the important task of ensuring that lawyers uphold high ethical standards. Instead, moral behaviour by lawyers requires the development of fixed behavioural attributes relevant to legal practice - what may be called a lawyer's professional moral character. At the same time, however, along with other factors, professional codes are important in that they can either contribute to or detract from the successful development of professional moral character. If so, it is argued that in order to have the best chance of assisting the character development of lawyers, codes should neither take the form of highly detailed or extremely vague, aspirational norms, but should instead guide ethical decision-making by requiring them to consider a wide range of contextual factors when resolving ethical dilemmas

Developing Teacher’s Character Through Lesson Study Activities

The learning process conducted by a teacher is highly influenced by the character of the teacher. Teachers having good character will implement their teaching not only emphasizes the purely intellectual but also will build the character of the students in terms of improving the spiritual, emotional, ethical, moral, tolerance, self-contained, self-confidence, mutual respect, responsibility and environmental stewardship. Lesson Study currently being intensified is considered very beneficial to the character development of teachers. This paper is based on the author's experience as a supervising lecturer in Lesson Study, accompanied by supporting references. In this paper, described the role of Lesson Study in developing the character of the teacher in order to obtain a more explicit regarding the figure of a teacher of character. Key words: character, lesson study

Solving Problems In Mathematics Using The Personality Types As A Means Of Developing The Nation’s Character

HARDIKNAS’(The National Education Day) 2011 is ‘ Indonesia resurgent and having the special character’. By developing the nation character, we hope it can create the superior Indonesian people. Problem solving is the most important part that must be taught to the students. The six values of nation character can be given to the student through learning.mathematics problem solving. We have to consider the difference character of each students before we give the six values for solving the mathematics problem. In this study the writer will use the classification personality type by David Keirsey. Hopefully the result of this study enable the students to solve the problem in the daily life based on the value that can support their building character. Therefore the development of the nation character will be shown. Key Words: nation character, mathematics problem solving, personality typ