Book Review by theSun (May 16, 2007)

the right read

in a capsule

Despite … A Novel on Teaching and Learning

Author:  Ee Ching Wah, Steven K C Poh & Stephanie Sta Maria
Publisher:  i2Media Publishing
Price:  RM39.90
Review by Mei Choo

Here’s a novel look, not so much at the subject of education but on the concept of lifetime active learning rooted in the theory of multiple intelligences – or what the authors called “R.E.A.L (Result Enhancing through Active Learning) education.”

With the Malaysian mindset tied so strongly to the acquisition of paper qualifications and “a brilliant report card,” Ee, Poh and Sta Maria warn that we are ignoring the creative part of the individual, the need to develop his/her interpersonal and problem-solving skills and leadership qualities that are needed to turn out well-rounded individuals.

They advocate a system that incorporates the element of the three E’s (explore, experiment and experience) into the “extremely rigid” current emphasis on the three R’s (reading, ’riting and ’rithmetic). This is the very essence of the R.E.A.L philosophy.

In their quest to illustrate this philosophy, the three turn creative and come up with a fictional tale of a hardhearted journalist with a secret that has shaped his life to the detriment of his soul, and of how four Thai orphans he is assigned to teach, in return, taught him about life and living. It’s an engaging tale but the crux of the story (which I presume is to illustrate the R.E.A.L principles) is lost among the clutter of the man’s afflictions. Why the need to make the man an epileptic to explain the reason for what he has become?

An ordinary man, one whom we should be able to identify with more closely, would have been more appropriate as a learning vehicle. As for the rest of the cast, they are just too good to be real.

But to be fair, the depiction of the children is engaging, and the way they and the man (Adam) learn from each other is indeed an eye-opener. The end literally drips with the feel-good factor.

There’s certainly merits in this R.E.A.L philosophy. If the authors’ aim is to give parents and educators a ‘fresh’ perspective of education, then Despite … is commendable.

But I wish someone could compile a book on those “real” teachers who have left profound effects on the lives of those they have taught, in how they approached teaching and imparted not just knowledge but the love of the subject and learning to their students. That would indeed be a first-class testimonial in my book!