Many challenges remain
In 2025, the first batch of students following the 2018 General Education Program will take their graduation exams. Next year’s exam will have only four subjects, including two compulsory subjects: Literature and Mathematics, along with two optional subjects. For the first time, Information Technology will be included as an optional subject in the 2025 high school graduation exam.
Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Thanh - Informatics teacher, head of the Informatics group, Viet Duc High School, believes that including Informatics in the high school graduation exam will bring many opportunities, but also many challenges, requiring the professional team to have careful preparation.
Mr. Thanh and the teachers in the professional group have prepared and carefully analyzed the illustrative questions of the Ministry of Education and Training, thereby providing clear review directions for final year students.
"The Ministry's reference questions closely follow the knowledge, skills, and curriculum standards. About 80% of the questions cover 12th grade content, spread across topics. The remaining 20% covers grades 10 and 11," commented Mr. Thanh.
According to this teacher, with the subject of Information Technology, some students have early orientation, passion, and decision to pursue the field of Information Technology, so including this subject in the high school graduation exam will be an advantage.
The challenge that Mr. Thanh mentioned is related to review time as well as university admissions orientation.
"With only 2 lessons per week, students must be proactive in self-study, grasp knowledge and understand lessons immediately in class. In addition, they still have to review knowledge from grades 10 and 11 according to the direction of the Ministry of Education and Training.
In addition, universities have not yet announced their admission plans, making many students confused. If they choose Information Technology, which combination will they take? Will the output be limited?" - Mr. Thanh analyzed.
Computer Science is not just a subject
Sharing about how to study Informatics effectively according to the new program, Professor Pham The Long - Editor-in-Chief of the Informatics 12 textbook series, the Connecting Knowledge with Life series (Vietnam Education Publishing House) said that, first of all, teachers need to carefully study the requirements of Informatics in the new program to clearly understand the core competencies, skills and knowledge that students need to achieve.
From there, focus on the main content, avoid rambling on knowledge beyond the required scope to optimize study and review time, helping students master core knowledge.
In addition, teachers also need to focus on developing students' thinking and practical application skills. Based on the materials provided by textbooks, it is necessary to develop learning activities, exercises and questions to help students practice logical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills. Pay attention to developing small tests and conducting continuous assessments to monitor students' progress, helping students consolidate knowledge regularly.
"An important part of IT competency is the ability to practice on computers. Therefore, teachers need to encourage students to increase their practice to have the opportunity to operate practically and proficiently use IT tools and software" - Professor, Dr. Pham The Long assessed.
To help students choose the right combination of subjects, including Information Technology in the 2025 high school graduation exam and the following years, Professor Pham The Long said that one of the priorities, in my opinion, is to organize early career counseling for students, especially from grade 10, so that they can better understand the professions and the role of Information Technology in many fields.
"During the teaching process, teachers should clearly analyze the benefits of Informatics for future careers. It is necessary to help students understand that Informatics is not only an exam subject, but also an important foundation for many careers such as computer science, engineering, information technology, economics, medicine, education and even careers in the fields of social sciences and humanities" - Professor, Dr. Pham The Long expressed his opinion.
