INTEGRATIVE APPROACH

Eddie C. Tayag

In teaching, when a teacher teaches a subject in isolation from one another is like putting a wall to shut Science from Math, Language from Values and Music from Civics, this is called Fragmented teaching. The use of Integrative teaching approach is essential in teaching since the focus is on integrating different subject matters to the topic or lesson to be discussed by the teacher. The lesson can be integrated in several ways. It can be done through integrating the lesson to real life situations; it can also be done through integrating the current topic to another subject, at times by integrating meaningful activities or by integrating activities that will highlight the student or the learner’s different learning styles and intelligences.

It is also very necessary that a teacher knows how to sustain student or learner’s interest during the class discussion. This will be possible if the teacher uses diverse learning activities o experiences; the teacher also needs to relate clearly individual learning modes and also the teacher should recognize the group’s or individual’s success through appreciative remarks and rewards in class discussion.

In integrative teaching approach, the development of the whole personality of the student or learner is more important than the subject matter compared to the other teaching approach like content-based instruction. Long range plans and large units should also be prepared to daily and isolated tasks. Moreover, the learning activities should be recognized around real life problems of the students or learners, as well as their needs and interests. Another idea is that, learning should be characterized by group planning, group work and group assessment. Then the individual differences should be provided for by a wide variety of learning and experiences. And the atmosphere of the classroom should be permissive and happy.

To achieve the goals on integrative teaching approach, a teacher has a guide or ladder to use. The teacher should make sure that in every language or literature learning classes, there is integration on real life situations or problems, integration on a specific subject matter and integration of values. The teacher’s application of integrative teaching approach will be very beneficial for students or learners. For instance, if the topic is short story, the teacher can always use and incorporate differentiated activities that will fit all types of intelligences or learners; one group could illustrate, another group could interpret the story through, or one group could do a role play of a certain scene in the story.

As a whole, it is very effective to use integrative teaching approach since it incorporates multiple subjects, which are usually taught separately, in an interdisciplinary method of teaching. The goal is to help students remain interested or engaged and draw from multiple sets of skills, experiences and sources to aid and improve the learning processes especially in learning the language. The implementation of the new K-12 curriculum in the Philippine educational system uses this approach in teaching since it can also be applied in many subjects not only the MAPEH subject matter.

The author is SST

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II at Duquit High School, Mabalacat City