Thursday, April 26, 2012

Sand Bar Island Beach Resort, Bulubadiangan Sand Bar Island, Concepcion Iloilo

     

       It's vacation time so our faculty decided to have an excursion at Concepcion, Iloilo in a secluded beach resort named Sand Bars Beach Resort. The place is very beautiful and with less people. The main attraction of the beach is the so called "sand bars" or shoal that is very visible during low tides. This excursion made me realize how beautiful our country is. Most Filipinos dream of going to faraway places when in fact there are lots of beautiful places our country has and are just waiting to be explored.








   
















Tuesday, April 24, 2012

FS 2 Episode 3: Assisting a Teacher with a "Teacher's Toolbox"

Teacher’s Activity
Describe the learning behaviors of the learners
Theories of learning applied by the teacher
Your own suggested activity, materials, or assessment that are more appropriate
Reasons for your suggested activity, materials or assessment
1. Groupwork
Students are enthusiastic but they tend to make noise. Some just chitchat with their groupmates instead of doing their task.
The teacher applied the psychosocial theory of learning which states that learning is a social process. Learning occurs through social interaction.
Groups members must have designated responsibilities. Each group must have a leader, a reporter, a secretary, brainstormers, etc.
This is done in order to avoid unnecessary actions done by some students in order to maximize learning and the time given to them.
2. Reporting
Some students are hesitant to speak in front of the class. Some students were confident but most of them were shy.
Behaviorist theory was applied by giving reinforcement to the students. The teacher gave reward through plus points to those students who reported.
Multiple intelligence activities can be done instead of just reporting. Students may present their ideas though drawings, singing, etc.
Reporting may be an advantage only for those who have good verbal-linguistic intelligence. By giving a variety of ways for students to share their ideas, students can utilize the kind of intelligence they are good at.
3. Activity Sheets
Students tended to be bored and less enthusiastic in accomplishing their activity sheets.
The teacher applied the law of readiness. She first acquainted the students in answering the activity sheets by giving instructions. She also did a drill before the students answer the actual activity sheets.
Activity sheets shouldn’t be just full of questions. Activity sheets can have puzzles, illustrations etc.
This will make the activity sheets more appealing and more challenging thus making students more enthusiastic in accomplishing the task.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Quotes and Wisdom abot Teaching 3

I would like to share this beautiful poem about teachers. This is retrieved from  http://www.poemsource.com/teacher-poems.html. Hope you will feel inspired.







A Teacher for All Seasons
A teacher is like Spring,
Who nurtures new green sprouts,
Encourages and leads them,
Whenever they have doubts.
 
A teacher is like Summer,
Whose sunny temperament
Makes studying a pleasure,
Preventing discontent.
 
A teacher is like Fall,
With methods crisp and clear,
Lessons of bright colors
And a happy atmosphere.
 
A teacher is like Winter,
While it’s snowing hard outside,
Keeping students comfortable,
As a warm and helpful guide.
 





Teacher, you do all these things,
With a pleasant attitude;
You’re a teacher for all seasons,
And you have my gratitude!
By Joanna Fuchs

Friday, April 20, 2012

FS 2 Episode 2:Learners' Characteristics and Needs:

MY JOURNAL

Name of the School Observed: ___________________________________________
School Address: _______________________________ Date of Visit: ____________
Grade/Year Level: _____________________________ Subject Area: ____________

Description of Teaching Strategies:
 
   Inquiry Teaching. The teacher asks questions while the students answer. This is done at the beginning until the lesson proper.
   Discussion. The teacher explains the lesson with the aid of support instructional materials.
   Cooperative Learning. Group work is done for sharing of ideas among the students.

Description of Learning Activities:

     Groupwork. Students were asked to work in groups to discuss the lesson. They were also given certain task for them to accomplish as a group.
      Reporting. A group member was assigned to present or report to the class  about what has transpired in their group discussion.

Description of Learners' Participation:
   
     The class has more or less 30 students. According to the teacher, at least ten pupils usually participate. These students participate in class through recitation. Some students also ask questions to the teacher.

Reflection:

    Learners tend to be excited and enthusiastic with the lesson if there are activities and games conducted by the teacher. It is always good for the lesson to be presented and discussed in such a way that will make learning enjoyable and fun. Aside from preventing boredom and restlessness among the students, it also gives the chance for the students to interact with their classmates. However, the teacher, being the class manager, should also not neglect that proper order and decorum must still be maintained inside the classroom.

How To Avoid Teacher Burnout

          It is already a fact that the teaching profession is one of the most or not the most stressful professions of man. He/she has to face a lot of problems everyday especially managing pupils/students with different personalities not to mention of whole-day talking and mountains of paper work. Sometimes, teachers ended up drained and very tired. These are some of the ways how a teacher can refresh and recharge him/herself and maintain a positive attitude toward his/her noble profession.

1. Read a book. Reading your favorite book is not only relaxing but as well as a worthwhile pastime for a teacher like you. It may change your mood for the day and will help you go away from the real world even just for a few moments especially if your reading your favorite novel. Inspirational books, the Bible and other books that energize the spirit can also be of great help that will motivate you more to go forward.

2. Listen to your favorite music. Music will never fail to soothe one's soul. Have a time to relax by listening to your favorite music whether classical, pop, mellow, etc. music. There are lots of choices you can choose from. Also, listening to audio books gives a relaxing getaway for your tired soul.

3. Call a friend. Be energized by being with your friends. Your friends can comfort you, make you laugh and let you feel that you are not alone.

4. Go to church or to your favorite quiet place. Silence will surely rest your heart. It will give you an escape from the noise while inside the school. A time of reflection with God and yourself will definitely make you replenished and filled.

5. Treat yourself. Go to your favorite restaurant, go to mall and buy yourself a dress you've been wanting to buy, give yourself a haircut, etc. Reward yourself sometimes for your hardwork and for a job well done.

          I think there are a lot of things a teacher can do to revitalize him/herself. Just remember not to let be defeated by the stress of the work and maintain optimism and enthusiasm.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

FS 2 Episode 1: Looking Through Meaningful Learning Experiences

OBSERVATION SHEET

Name of the School Observed: ___________________________________________
School Address: _______________________________ Date of Visit: ____________
Grade/Year Level: _____________________________ Subject Area: ____________

1. What principles in teaching-learning were commonly applied?
            The teacher applied the principle of motivation as an essential part of learning. She did not forget to motivate her students in order for them to be interested in the lesson. She did this by showing a picture and asking questions that arouse the curiosity of the students.
             The teacher also applied the principle of learning being a social process. She made the pupils interact with one another  through group works and activities.

2. What instructional materials were used in teaching?
           The most primary instructional material used was the chalkboard. She also utilized pictures, charts and illustrations. Occasionally, she let pupils watch multimedia materials like educational television shows which include Sineskwela, Math-inik and others.

3. Which of the principles in teaching facilitate the cognitive, metacogntive and positive motivational processes of learning?
           The principle of teaching in which can facilitate all the processes is that learning should be integrated. Integrative teaching incorporates the different subjects; considers varied strategies for all multiple intelligence and learning styles; applies interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary teaching; connects the lesson to the life of the pupils; incorporate effective, research-based instructional strategies for teaching, and most of all, integrate values in the lessons.


PS. The answers given here are just examples. They are suggestive in nature and may vary depending on the kind of class and teacher being observed. 

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Field Study 2: Experiencing the Teaching-Learning Process

   This course is designed to provide students with opportunities to examine the application of teaching theories and principles in the learning environment. Students are expected to verify the cognitive, metacognitive, individual differences and motivational factors that influence the acquisition of knowledge. The students are given the chance to develop and try out learning tasks, instructional materials and assessment tools.
   Field Study 2 can be anchored on the following Professional Education subjects:
   a. Principles of Teaching 1
   b. Principles of Teaching 2

(Reference: Lucas, M.R. D., dela Torre, L. G., Ouano, J.A. & Salana, J.P. (2007). Field study.Experiential learning courses. Lorimar:QC)