UNDERSTANDING UNIQUE DIFFERENCES: A MUST IN PROGRESSIVE EDUCATION AND LEARNING
AMANDA V. ESPINOZA
An educator must take into account the unique differences between and among pupils. Each person is different hereditarily and in terms of historical experiences. Even when the regular curricula are offered using conventional pedagogical methods, each learner has a different quality of experience. Thus, teaching and curriculum must be intended in ways that allow for such individual differences. Learners need educational experiences which enable them to become valued, equal, and responsible members of society.
Many believed that learning will take place when learners have first-hand experiences as much as learning is concerned. This is also known as the experiential learning or education, meaning pupils learn by experience. Other theorists in the philosophy of education called it as the progressive education. The supervision and guidance of the teacher as the facilitator of learning is still looked-for as the learners undergo this type of education. Pupils need scaffolding as they structure their own learning so that they can have the maximum benefit of it.
In progressive education, pupils are learning freely but they need structure and order. Everything they do must always have a clear bases of theory of experiences not merely coming from the simple and shallow thoughts of a teacher or a pupil. The teacher has a great role in achieving quality education amidst the different learning styles of pupils. These said styles of pupils in learning need to be satisfied by the different and countless teaching styles of the teacher. He (teacher) needs to be creative, innovative and resourceful in order to achieve the desired learning outcomes. As part of the learning principle, teachers have the complete pictures of his learners and having clear understanding of individual differences is a requisite in the success of progressive education and learning. So, the 21st century learners need to be satisfied by 21st century teachers in terms of knowledge, skills and attitude.
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The author is Teacher III at Sto. Domingo Elementary School, Lubao North District