In more technical terms, learning is an act of acquiring knowledge from other people or o ther resources such as books, documentaries, recordings, and such. Learning is when knowledge or information is passed onto others that adds to their schema or their present knowledge. For this reason, learning involves several actors. In an informal set up of learning a person learns from what we called in the sociocultural theory by Lev Vygotsky “the more knowledgeable other’. This more knowledgeable other in an informal context might be a peer who perceives himself as more knowledgeable, the family members, and other people in the community which do not have the expertise to teach other people. On the other hand, formal learning in an established educational institution learners learned from the experts on the field of teaching profession. These professionals have the privilege and rights to teach students because they have sufficient and more reliable information that they can share with the students for them to learn. Learning is a process not only in acquiring knowledge but also wisdom. In a learning situation students learned from what their teachers teach. In a traditional learning situation, students are only the receiver of the knowledge or the content their teacher shares. Thus, in this kind of learning situation their classroom set up is teacher-centered wherein the teachers are not facilitating the classroom but more on giving information to the students. The students will only listen to the lecture of their teacher and memorize what their teacher wants them to memorize because this kind of learning situation is heavily grounded in textbooks and syllabus. While in the more progressive learning situation, the students participate to the discussion and can construct their own opinion, insight, realization, and knowledge. This learning situation is considered as student-centered where the teachers are just facilitating the class. Moreover, learning situation refers to the factors and elements that affect the learning experience of the students and their learning itself. In the learning situation and in education the most important actors are the teachers and the learners. There will be no learning situation if there are no teachers and students who participate in teaching and learning. Teachers are as important in the education sector. The teachers facilitate learning, thus the significance of their role in learning is paramount. Learning could be done even without adequate infrastructure, equipment, and teaching materials. However, the achievement of learning can be difficult if such lack of support exists in the educational sector. Therefore, in order to have inclusive and comprehensive learning situation other factors other than the teachers and the learners must be provided by the administrating body on education. Learning situation can be better if there was an adequate support to the teachers. To have an excellent learning situation, the teachers must also enjoy the privileges of being a professional teacher, the teachers should also have good teaching situation. Students must also enjoy the support of the government for the enhancement of their learning situation. It is indeed nice and encouraging to receive support especially from the government. Learning situation cannot be fully enhanced if any of these two actors was not having a good learning or teaching experience.
Teaching is an act of dissemination of knowledge or information onto others. By this everyone could dk teaching. Teaching happened not only inside of the schools or in the four corners of the students’ room. Teaching could happen anywhere, whether it is an informal or formal set up of teaching. Teaching might be seen as an easy task however teaching, particularly professional teaching requires a lot of competencies. I reject that teaching should be teacher-centered. Teaching is constructivist. Constructivist teaching led to more progressive approach in teaching. To reiterate, teaching is an act of dissemination of knowledge and information that encourage and empowers students to think beyond what their teachers said. Moreover, for the students to make and formulate their own ideas and questions. Because there was no great man that does not begin by questioning things around him. Thus, if the students or learners does not learn in constructivist approach the teaching was not appropriate enough to suffice the need for constructivist learners. In a constructivist approach of teaching, teachers are merely the facilitators in the classroom. The teacher might start the discussion by using Socratic method. Allowing the learners to construct ideas based on their newly acquired knowledge and incorporate it with what they already know. As a constructivist teacher, first, I would start the class with a question because learning and wisdom begins with asking questions. Starting every class with a question encourage students to prepare and formulate their ideas because I as a teacher will ask a question to know and assess if they have in-depth knowledge about the topic. Second, I will ask the learners what are their evidence and references that will add reliability to their answers. Therefore, this trains students to construct knowledge, opinions and ideas based on reliable sources making them an objective constructivist. Then, as their major requirement in my class they will have construct a report related to their knowledge on societal issues. These issues must be local issues or issues concerning their schools. After that they need to create an action plan that consists of the main problem, probable cause of the problem and they must recommend one solution or policy that are aligned with the Philippine constitutions and/or various laws in the Philippines. Lastly, they must present their action plan to me and other panel guests. The last two paragraphs of this item are more on reconstructionist approach. Constructivism and reconstructionism are related to one another. One must learn how to construct ideas, learn from one another, and inquire before change is made throughout the society. There’s no solution made if the problems are not recognized, thus one must understand and discover the problem based on what he already. Moreover, as a future educator, I will facilitate this process of teaching by adhering to the constructivist syllabus and constructivists activities. Because many teachers perceived themselves as constructivist but according to the study of University of the Philippines Professor teachers do not practice constructivist approach even though their lesson plans are crafted in constructivist approach.
As a constructivist teacher I expect that my students will enhance their ability to construct ideas, problem solvers, effective communicators, comprehension skills, and leadership skills. Every academic year these five earlier-mentioned skills are the expectations I set for my students to obtain. These skills are heavily grounded to constructivist view but can also be acquired using other teaching philosophies in education. Construction of the ideas. This skill is necessary not just to the learners but to all of us. Construction of ideas allows learners to enhance their creativity and higher level of cognition that unlocks many great opportunities that the students can utilize to continuously develop as a person and a learner. Second is constructivists are also problem solvers. Ideas are mere ideas that cannot make change. Ideas and suggestions could be utilized for reconstructionist goals. In order to make change one must construct an idea or solution to the problem or issue. Another one is constructivist approach enables students to nurture their communication skills. To communicate well and effectively a learner or a person must have the ability to construct ideas and thoughts in an instant and to appropriately deliver those ideas and thoughts. High communication skills also make a person as authority and reliable. Thus, to have problem-solving skills effective communication skills must be incorporated to fully realize the recommended solutions for a particular problem. The last expectation for my students is comprehension skills. Communication is nothing without comprehension. Comprehension is essential for everyday life as a normal person or as a learner. Better comprehension skills enhance students’ construction of ideas and thoughts based on what they understand and know.
There are several tasks and activities that could be used using a constructivist approach. The following are some of the examples according to University of Buffalo: reciprocal learning, inquiry-based learning, problem-based learning, and cooperative learning. Reciprocal learning allows students to learn from their partners, this may include discussions and sharing of information with one another so that the student can grasp and acquire deeper knowledge on a particular topic with the help of his partner. Inquiry-based learners enhances the research skills of the students. Students will formulate, construct, and ask a question then they will search for the answers for their questions. Another one is problem-based learning. Constructivist approach aims for the students to enhance their problem-solving skills. Therefore, I will utilize an activity that makes students observe the problems they have on a local level and formulate and suggest a specific law that are relevant to the problems. Lastly, cooperative learning. A constructivist approach could not be fully utilized and realized without cooperation and social interaction. Therefore, I would use a group activity as a method so that they can interact and socialize with each other.
There are teachers who perceive themselves as constructivists. However, it seems that they lack ability, resources, and training to do constructivists approach. I will operationalize my teaching philosophy inside the classroom by sticking to the constructivist approach in the Enhance Basic Education or the Republic Act 10533. The realization of Republic Act 10533 could be achieved by heavily adhering to constructivists approach and activities so that the students/learners could evaluate the class. An example activity for constructivists is a group activity. These activities enhance the formulation and sharing of ideas that contribute to the academe and also enhance learners’ capability to lead, nurturing their leadership skills. Moreover, I will encourage students to read in order to develop their comprehension skills thus creating ideas will be easier because the learners understand what was being said or wrote. My personal characteristics that affect why I chose constructivism as my official teaching philosophy is the enthusiasm to create ideas and share them with others thus making difference. I enthusiastically want my students to construct their own ideas because it means that they have deeper understanding of the topic or the lesson. Many students now are lazy and impatient. They want to be spoon fed, they want their teachers to provide all the information needed to pass their exams and some are just going to school without a purpose. Thus, the need to encourage students to research and construct ideas is becoming the standard in education because traditional approach decreases the quality education because students are not into it.
My goal is to inspire students to become lifelong learners. When I was in basic education, I didn’t mind reading textbooks, I don’t like it. I don’t like reading. I only read when the teacher tells me to read. As a previous student in basic education, I am not motivated at all. I just need to go to school so that my parents would not be angry with me. However, as I grew older and my grade level also increased, I’ve met teachers that made me realize that reading allows us to improve in different ways and in various dimensions of our lives. That reading and constructing ideas are the key indicators that students and learners gradually enhances their cognitive and academic skills. That’s why my goal is to become an inspiration to the students, inspiration to continue their learning even though they are not my students and not a student anymore. Another goal is to make my students come back to me. Successful or unsuccessful in life. It will be a great fulfillment even if one student came back to you and thank you for all the learnings and wisdom you have shared. I will accomplish these goals by starting to do it with myself, consistently. Consistency makes us move forward gradually. It allows us to swiftly cope with the sudden changes in our lives, small wins, or big wins. If I want my students to become constructivist and consistent, I must portray and do it first before encouraging students to become constructivists and consistent, academically.
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