EDUCATIONAL REFORM: Reimagining Schools and Remaking of Teachers
Jasmin A. Maniago
In this today’s rapid change and growth in our educational system brought by modernization and industrialization, educators have known for quite a while that the onesize-fits-all approach to learning does not lead to the stage of pupils’ involvement and academic achievement. Therefore, new educational learning environments require different ways and approaches of designing new learning experiences for learners as well as new strategies to evaluation and teaching. There is high demand in educational reform that is far beyond the passive transmission-based learning and the conveying of distinct learning skills.
In my years in the service, I have found out that there is no perfect approach in teaching. To achieve a successful outcome, the teacher needs to make changes on how to teach their learners depending upon the interest and their method of acquiring knowledge. Giving opportunities for the students to learn on their own from one point to another and providing them the skills they need to know is the key to teach effectively.
There are so many aids to support learning; the use of technology is one way, like the social software tools which give opportunity for the goal to be accomplished. It is a personal tool that gives the students freedom to think, to express and discover and uncover what is supposed to be learned. This makes independent learning, collaborative discussion, cooperative learners and competitive environment.
Teachers often have difficulty placing the student at the helm, because there is no perfect strategy, it is in constant change, never settle for one technique but flexible to cater diverse learners. But to be successful it is mandatory to build harmonious relationship with the pupils, respect individuality and uniqueness which break down the walls that restrain trust and communication. We just have to remember that every day is a learning experience, we learn not only from the lessons we teach but also to the students we dealt to, teaching is an art and a work of heart. As Gibo Teodoro said, as teachers, we should open our hearts and stretch it beyond its emotional boundaries to enable us to develop compassion and empathy and understanding.
The author is Teacher
--oOo-
III at Mexico Elementary School