THE BATTLE OF A MATH TEACHER
ZAREX A. LIANGCUNGCO In the ears and minds of our students, “Mathematics” is surely the scariest horror story they’ve ever heard. If there is a relationship that goes between Math and our students that could probably be “Hate at First Sight.” Most students are afraid of the thought of numbers and solving problems. Who’s to blame? If the beauty of Mathematics lies behind the braindrizzling equations and worded problems? Fortunately, this is every Math teacher’s battle everyday - making students love their number one enemy.
In this world where numbers are human’s waterloo, to see and appreciate Math is indeed a gift. However, not everyone was blessed with this gift. Therefore, as a Math Teacher, the challenge is to share that gift to each and every student we meet. Students used to hate Math because they failed to see it’s relevance to their lives. That’s why, making them love Math begins with making them see the value of Math in their everyday lives. Contextualization really does matters.
Gone are the days when teachers simply enters the classroom, write the lesson on the board, discuss, give a quiz then leave. There are already abundant ways to choose from and we just have to widen our horizon. The advancement of technology can help us do our job. Telling students that Math is fun is not anymore believable but to let them experience fun in Math does. With the mastery of the content, together with the pedagogy and a twist of creativity, there’ll be no more boring and dull Math classes.
It is much easier to sit down in a class, as a student perform well in Math than to stand in front of the class and teach Math. In the eyes of the students, were the greatest if we were able to simplify the complicated lesson. That’s why, once we get the chance of changing a student’s perspective in Mathematics , make the most out of it. We stand in front of them not to show them how good we are in Math but how good they can become lover of Math.
Bear in mind that loving and appreciating the subject can’t be done in a snap of a finger. We can never force someone to love what he/she doesn’t like in the first place, but we can teach them how to learn to love it. The success of any Math teacher is not on the intelligent students who did well but on those who used to hate the subject and turned out loving the subject because of our strategies and techniques.
— oOo— I at Duquit High School, Division of Mabalacat City The author is SST
ROBERT S. GONZALES ICT made a contribution, not only to the creative processes and outcomes of the activities themselves, but also to a deeper understanding of pedagogy and purpose in using ICT to support learning.. It is expected that by using ICT in teaching, teachers can enhance their competency and effectiveness in classroom teaching. Educators have to recognize and set up classroom settings for assignment in way so that ICT tools must be integral part of teaching methodology.
“Mentors have had to learn new things and handle new teaching skills. Indeed, there are now a range of media competencies teachers must have to maximize the value of ICT learning in classrooms.” Use of ICT is increasing day by day to achieve educational objectives and its application have great influence in teaching and learning process which encourage teacher educator to use technological application for training programs.
“Pedagogy, social interaction and technology are three key components of a technology enhanced learning environment. A sound design of these components should enable teachers to integrate ICT into teaching and learning in an effective way.”
Use of ICTs in education has reshaped the conventional teaching approaches and provided innovative methods in teaching and learning process “ICT are innovations in teaching and learning inspired by a constructivist perspective”.
Creativity, knowledge construction, learning environment, teaching strategies, problem solving skills and understanding concepts using various tools. Learner has opportunity to keep record of information in electronic version and understand different concepts on the basis of self- learning Different forms of Multimedia channels provide information about content knowledge, understanding of different concepts, variety of approaches and expertise. Recognizing significance of ICT stated that
“Technology rich learning environment using e-learning can engage the learner giving them a sense of empowerment where they are no longer dependent of the specific and often limited knowledge of their educator.” However, discussing importance of ICT in teaching explores that use of ICT is very supportive tool for teacher which is helpful for students to explore effective methodology, proper guidance for self -learning, critical evaluation of their performance and high quality skills for communication.
— oOo— The author is Administrative Officer II at DepEd Division of City of San Fernando, (P)