TEACHING STRATEGIES FOR TLE TEACHERS

AMILOU S. MORANTE

As to how important Technology and Livelihood Education is as a subject, teachers create an impact as to whether or not the students have captured the concepts of the said subject every time they deliver certain topics. The interest felt by the students for the subject is generated by the teacher. If Social Studies is taught in interesting and inviting way, it is certain that students will gain at least enough interest to listen and learn from the lessons discussed. Group learning is the main approach to organize collaborative learning. There are many collaborative learning methods, which also can be considered as group learning methods and popularly used in classroom based environment. To find a common approach, which can be used to stimulate small learning group based on different collaborative learning methods, on the other hand, the optimal solution is to model any small group learning method, but it is very difficult to realize. Some experiences can be applied to small common group learning process. Collaborative learning is often used as synonym for cooperative learning when, in fact it is a separate strategy that encompasses a broader range of group of interactions such as developing learning communities, stimulating students and faculty discussions and encouraging electronic exchanges (Bruffee, 1993). Both approaches stress the importance of teacher and student involvement in learning process. Demonstration method can be exercised in several ways. It provide opportunity in learning new exploration and visual learning tasks from a different perspective. Teacher will be also a participant. He will do the work with his students for their help. Service learning method increases motivation and retention of academic skills as specific learning goals are tied to community needs. By solving real problems and addressing real needs, students learn to apply classroom learning to real word context. It provide more authenticity and purpose for classroom learning . Lecturing is the most common strategy in classroom especially in Math, Science, English and Social Studies. But there are calls to move away from the traditional lecture to interactive computer learning system that allow students access to information when and where they need it .

Activity method is a technique adopted by a teacher to emphasize his or her method of teaching through activity in which the students participate rigorously and bring about efficient learning experiences. It is a child-centered approach. It is a method in which the child is actively involved in participating mentally and physically. Learning by doing is the main focus in this method. Learning by doing is imperative in successful learning since it is well proved that more the senses are stimulated, more a person learns and longer he/she retains.

Pine G (1989) mentions that in an activity based teaching, learners willingly with enthusiasm internalize and implement concepts relevant to their needs.

Why do we need to use activity based learning method?

The information processing theory in psychology views learners as active investigators of their environment. This theory is grounded in the premise that people innately strive to make sense of the world around them.

In the process of learning, they experience, memorize and understand. Students need to be provided with data and materials necessary to focus their thinking and interaction in the lesson for the process of analyzing the information. Teachers need to be actively involved in directing and guiding the students’ analysis of the information.

It requires active problem solving by students in finding patterns in the information through their own investigation and analysis. With continued practice in these processes, students learn not the content of the lesson but also develop many other skills.

• It enhances creative aspect of experience.

• It gives reality for learning.

• Uses all available resources.

• Provides varied experiences to the students to facilitate the acquisition of knowledge, experience, skills and values.

• Builds the student’s self-confidence and develops understanding through work in his/her group. • Gets experiences, develop interest, enriches vocabulary and provides stimulus for reading. • Develops happy relationship between students and students, teachers and students. Kinds of activities:

The activities used in this strategy can be generalized under three main categories: • Exploratory — gathering knowledge, concept and skill.

• Constructive — getting experience through creative works.

• Expressional — presentations.

The process of organizing activities must be based on curricular aims bringing together the needs, ideas, interests and characteristics of the children with the knowledge, skill, experience, and personality of the teacher within a given environment. The extent to which the teacher works with students individually or in groups affect the relation the teacher has with each child.

Role of a Teacher in an Activity Based Method

A planner, an organizer and evaluator. Facilitator. Decision maker. Knowledge imparter Disciplinarian

The author is a Teacher

— oOo—

III at Meycauayan National High School