First-Last Impression

Dont think the title is misplaced,
it is something the teacher should have to consider in order to have another meaningful and fruitful learning.

For a teacher to maintain the students attention is one thing but to get their attention and bring them to each phasing smoothly is another that is why OPENERS and ENDERS are a crucial part of the teaching session

A song, poem, quote, joke, story, game are just few of the ways the teacher can start the session. Anything can be done in the opening as long as it gets their attention and engage them to get to know each other. the teacher has to take note that it should still be appropriate to the entire session

For the ENDERS the teachers on this part should let the students do something that will keep them on thinking and reflecting to what has transpired that day, something they will bring as they go to their own homes. 

The OPENER AND ENDER should work together to achieve the set objectives that is why there should be careful selection of the activity in this part. Careful also to the time that will be alloted for this should be very simple and yet sweet enough to set the mood of the students. 

HOMEless but not HOPEless

Today marks the 95th day of Typhoon Yolanda when it hit the Philippines last November 8, 2013. It was considered to be one of the greatest typhoon humans had ever face and Filipinos are the most affected by it. Billions of money were extended to the Philippines all over the world.

I have seen with my own eyes how every Filipino tried to extend help with what they have by volunteering to repack goods after their work, making errands in delivering packages, recruiting people who would like to rebuild houses, counseling to the survivors, teaching livelihood programs and the list goes on..

I have never seen the Filipinos as united as before due to this calamity but I wonder right now how is help being extended to them during these times where publicity are no longer updating us what is happening there. The momentum is gone where everyone was all motivated to help and I know during these times they will all need more help because they are trying to rebuild not only their houses but from what’s left to them.  

I, together with my Coro Cantabile Family, decided to continue on in the endeavor of helping these people by raising funds through music and as I talked to one of the survivors I saw how the tragedy brought her to a faith-humbling state that she can still say “The Lord is good”. And with all the stories she heard that was shared to me, it is really hard to utter those words especially in crisis times. It takes a life fully anchored on Him to weather the storms in life has to bring.

The Yolanda survivors are a living example to me that there are more important things in life that we don’t necessarily hold with our hand that are more important - HOPE. The message of hope would be shallow if the giver of hope is not recognized. Yes they are homeless but they are not hopeless, what happened to them did not make them any bitter to the Creator but made them more aware that He is real because they had survived. 

The Learner's Market

I'm happy, super happy, dancing happy for today's learning opportunities! 

It was all new experience for me by really putting the learner at the very center of learning.

I learned several skills such as:

1. Crochet

2. Zumba

3. Breathing Exercise

4. Sketching

In all these, I have proven that this learning opportunity will be really effective if the following principles are carefully observed:

On the teacher:

1. Has a bird's eye view of what is happening.

The teacher is responsible for creating and maintaining excitement, they have to be observant towards the attitude and response of each learner and even the student-trader in the process of trading.

2. Considers the Capability of the Recipients of Knowledge

Response to the knowledge being imparted is different from one person to another because their interest and need is the primary measurement if they will be motivated or not. The teacher should carefully choose what appeals to them most. It is important to note also that it should be a voluntary task in presenting the skill they most desired.

3. Develops relationship with their students. All personalities get to appreciate one another if they have something in common; it builds a community of people open for mistake and creativity so regardless if they are the teacher or the student. As the teachers allow it to happen relationship will blossom and that would make them realize that they are a community of learners and they ought to help each other hand-in-hand.

On the students:

1. Know what they know

There should be mastery of the skill they're about to present and the ability to communicate the instructions clear and precise to their classmates. As they showcase their talents it gives them confidence for the accomplishment being made that would greatly affect their self-efficacy in handling different circumstances as they grow older.

2. Share what they know

To be able to learn a skill is one thing, but to share it with others is another. Clear communication is the key to be able to impart learning with their peers. From giving instruction, noting the steps, doing how it should be done creates creativity and allows discovery on their part as well as to their hearers. Moreover, as my professor said the best way to reinforce learning is to teach it to others.

Genuine learning springs from accepting that there is no monopoly of gifts and we can always trade it for a new one.

Happy Trading!

THE 4 A’s

For 2 consecutive sessions our class was conducting a demonstration of different methods as assigned to us by our professor and as teachers we ought to make our class as student-centered as possible.

The collaborative effort of the students and teachers is a must in order to make a meaningful and creative learning and 4A’s could be one of the most useful tools towards it. Based on Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory it aims to approach the child holistically. It also acknowledges the past schemes of the student and integrating it to a new one so most likely this format will bring out what has been in stored and what is missing will be filled in eventually towards a deeper knowledge of the lesson.

Brief explanation of 4A’s

I. Activity – This will bring understanding to what the learners already know and clarity to what learners should learn further. At this early stage, the student should already have a retrospect of what they will be learning through the activity that will be presented.

II. Analysis – A more in-depth understanding of the lesson, it is another phase where the students will process and classify what is valid and not. The teacher on this part will ask further questions and will also lead as a facilitator rather than mere lecturing and sharing facts and ideas. The students know gains a wider view of the lesson but at the same time draws closer to the main topic.

III. Abstraction – The teacher on this part will now focus entirely on the lesson being presented and ask more lead questions to lead the students in reinforcing what they know and should know more. The student here starts to feel more the importance of the lesson to her and see the necessity of it to his/her life.

IV. Application – The word itself describes the stage as bringing the student to a more practical way of using HOW are they going to use what they have learned and thinking of new ways on how it can be improve further.

To add, this format will best affect learning when we facilitate more rather than placing the lesson in their heads. We aim to keep them at phase but not to the point of dragging them to what we would like them to achieve. And last but not the least, Mastery of the Lesson – when the teacher is prepared and has mastered the lesson it will surely surprise you with good results.