Staff Feature Interview: Get to know Science Ruilin

For our latest staff feature interview, we had the pleasure of speaking with Ruilin, the head of the primary science department at Geniebook. In this brief Q&A session, she shares her perspectives on education, her role at Geniebook, and how she enjoys her leisure time. Read on!

Q: Thanks for taking the time for this interview, Ruilin! To begin, can you tell us about your personal views on education?

Education, to me, is a lifelong journey that begins at birth and continues throughout our lives. It’s not just about academics—it encompasses everything from our first attempts to crawl and walk to developing essential life skills and moral values. Education shapes our understanding of the world, helping us navigate it and contribute meaningfully to society.

Even now, as a parent of two young children, I find myself constantly learning—discovering new ways to teach and guide them and recognising that every child is unique and requires different approaches. Education isn’t just about gaining knowledge; it’s about adapting, growing, and continuously improving ourselves.

Q: How familiar are you with AI and technology in general? Do you interact with them much in your personal life?

Technology is the application of scientific knowledge to solve real-world problems, and with the rapid advancements in AI, its role in our daily lives has become more prominent. I actively engage with AI and technology, both professionally and personally.

For instance, I often use ChatGPT to brainstorm science ideas or even plan engaging activities for my kids at home. Exploring generative AI has also been an exciting experience—I’ve been experimenting with AI-generated images, and it’s fascinating to see how creativity and technology can come together in such innovative ways.

Q: Tell us a bit about your career experience before joining Geniebook.

Before joining GenieBook, I spent many years teaching in the private education sector, working with a couple of major tuition centres since 2007 (though I’d rather not count exactly how long that’s been!). I also had a short stint in MOE, which gave me additional insights into the education landscape.

During my time in tuition centres, I had the opportunity to work with students from a wide range of schools, each with its own answering technique and learning style. This exposure helped me develop a profound understanding of different school requirements and how to adapt my teaching strategies accordingly.

I was also fortunate to have excellent mentors who shaped my skills in curriculum design, pedagogy, and student engagement. Their guidance played a crucial role in refining my approach to teaching and developing effective learning materials.

Q: How do you currently feel about working in EdTech?

Working in EdTech has been an exciting and enriching experience. The integration of AI and technology in education is something that not every institution has the resources to implement, and being part of this innovation is incredibly rewarding.

It has opened up new possibilities for making learning more engaging and accessible to a wider range of students. By leveraging technology, personalised learning experiences can be created for the students and cater to different needs, ultimately making education more effective and enjoyable.

Q: Can you tell us what your position is at Geniebook and what you do here?

I am the head of the primary science department at Geniebook, where I oversee the primary science curriculum to ensure it is engaging, effective, and aligned with students’ learning needs.

In addition to curriculum development, I manage a team of teachers who conduct both GenieClass and CAMPUS lessons. I also personally teach in both GenieClass and CAMPUS, allowing me to stay closely connected with students and continuously refine our teaching approaches.

Q: How does teaching at Geniebook differ from your previous teaching experiences?

Teaching at Geniebook is quite different from traditional classroom settings, where lessons typically rely on whiteboards, markers, and pen-and-paper exercises. In conventional teaching, a significant amount of time and manual effort is required to track students’ progress and address their individual learning needs.

At GenieBook, AI-powered technology allows for a more personalised approach to learning. With AI-driven insights, lessons can be tailored to each student’s unique pace and understanding, ensuring they receive the support they need when they need it. Such an approach makes learning more efficient, engaging, and adaptable to different learning styles.

Q: What do you think about the merging of technology and education, and how can such an arrangement benefit students?

The merging of technology and education is a significant step forward in ensuring that learning remains relevant and effective for today’s students. Every child is unique, with different learning paces and styles, and technology allows us to cater to these individual needs more efficiently.

By integrating technology into education, we are not only keeping up with the times but also equipping students with essential digital literacy skills. These skills will be invaluable as they navigate an increasingly tech-driven world. More importantly, this approach aligns with the concept of lifelong learning, empowering students to continuously adapt, explore, and grow beyond the classroom.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your role at Geniebook? Do you have any personal goals that you wish to achieve while you’re here?

What I enjoy most about my role at Geniebook is teaching. Whether it’s guiding GenieClass or CAMPUS students, the interactions I have with them and the opportunity to witness their progress—no matter how small—are incredibly fulfilling. Every little step forward, every small win, contributes to their growth and success in the long run.

As for my personal goals, my biggest hope is for my students to build resilience and work towards their own personal achievements in life. Since I started teaching, I’ve always told my students, “It’s okay to make mistakes while learning, and it’s okay if you don’t know how to answer a question in an exam—but it’s inappropriate to give up without trying.”

By developing resilience and overcoming their fear of open-ended primary science questions—especially those involving graphs, diagrams, or large amounts of information—they will realise they’re capable of much more than they think. The truth is, primary science OEQs aren’t as difficult as they seem. If they apply the correct techniques and exert additional effort, they can achieve success.

Q: It’s generally accepted that mastering a subject like science can improve a student’s future prospects, such as getting into better schools or securing better job opportunities. But what do you think is the most underrated benefit of becoming good at science that would convince people to take the subject seriously?

While it's true that mastering science can lead to better educational opportunities and future job opportunities, the development of essential life skills is one of the most underrated benefits of learning science.

Science nurtures analytical thinking, critical reasoning, and problem-solving abilities—skills that go far beyond the subject itself. It also triggers curiosity and sharpens attention to detail. encouraging students to ask questions, seek answers, and think logically about the world around them.

These skills are highly adaptable and valuable, whether in higher education or the workforce. Regardless of what career path a student chooses, the ability to analyse information, think critically, and solve problems will always be an asset.

Q: Tell us about your personal life! What are your interests? Do you have any interests in learning new things or technology in general?

Outside of teaching, my students probably associate me most with one thing—rabbits! Honey and Mochi, my two bunny soft toys, are always by my side during GenieClass, along with the bunny clip I often wear. What they might not realise is that my love for plushies goes beyond just rabbits—I have a large collection at home, including Garfields, Care Bears, Sanrio characters, turtles, and of course, more bunnies!

Volleyball has been a big part of my life, from secondary school all the way through university. Despite a long hiatus, I was recently invited to return to the courts for a club—still thinking it over, but the idea of playing again is definitely enticing!

Lately, I’ve also been exploring different craft projects with my children, with YouTube as our guide. It’s been a great way to bond as a family while getting creative together. Learning never stops—whether in the classroom, on the volleyball court, or at home with my kids!

Thank you so much for your time, Ruilin!