Informative Reflections

March 5, 2021

 

Four Pillars of Education

 

Nan-Zhao’s emphasize the four pillars of learning as the fundamental principles in reshaping 21^st century education. It is a holistic approach in education where learning focuses not only on the cognitive aspect of the learner but the entirely of his whole being.

As teacher of 21^st Century, I would apply and combine my knowledge of the four pillars in my day to day teaching activities in school. It serves as our guiding principles in making our classroom strategies and techniques to make learners fully equipped with necessary knowledge, skills, and values for the world of work. We should guide them through discovery of who they are, and what do they want in life. We must provide all the possible experiences so they can reach to those answers. 

I realized  that I have to be an effective 21^st Century teacher not only in promoting learning but also in enhancing positive attitudes about learning, and improving self-esteem. Furthermore, true education means developing not only the cognitive phase of an individual but also the moral, spiritual and social aspect that will enable them to defend themselves in a world of constant change and will make them part of a better world.

Who is a Life-Long Learners

GURO 21 is an eye opener for me in the importance of continuing education. I realized that whatever your status or position in your chosen  field, I must not stop seeking new knowledge. It can hone my  skills and make me relevant in this  constant changing society. It should be done voluntary with the purpose of achieving personal fulfillment. From a financial point of view, pursuing education leads to faster promotion with associated salary increases.

Learning can be done through formal and informal education. We can enroll in a  higher education, attend seminars, read insights, watch educational videos, and take an  online class.

After reading the article, I was surprised that learning our own and other culture are consider as part of  lifelong learning. It plays an important role in anticipating and reducing culture shock and misunderstandings especially we are living in a multicultural country.I remembered  when  I was assigned in  Cotabato City. Many are afraid of this place because it is known for bomb threats and killings. I am very  hesitant to mingle with my fellow teachers  and got irritated when they talked in their language. I become loner for years and got depressed but through Allah’s sake I was able to survive. One day, I just got up and observe the way they live and try to listen how they speak their language . Eventually, when I got new  friends in school, I got interested to learn their  language and I was able to emerged to their culture and traditions. From this , I learned that never  judge people according to what you have just heard instead take the chance to know them better and adjust to the way they live.  No culture is better than the others  so we should respect one another and learn to live together.

Let us not forget to make learning a priority in life. Don’t just keep saying one day but make it today. If you wait for it to find you, you will limit the chances to become the best version of yourself.

 

 

Eight Habits of Highly Effective 21^st  Teacher

 

A life-long learning is necessary and indispensable in the development of a highly effective teacher. In order, to become such, there are so many qualities to be learned and must to be possess. One of those is the capacity to adopt the use of modern technology in making the lessons more interesting to the learners. I remembered when I applied for transfer in DepED Division of Bukidnon. I was required to do a demonstration teaching. In my lesson I used video clips and power point presentation but to my dismay, the projector is not responding as expected. I got nervous and panicked but I tried to keep calm and think positively that I can still  deliver my lesson. Since I am a teacher for a long time, what I did next, I pick up my instructional materials, tried to be audible, engage an eye to eye contact and walk around to ensure that they can all see my materials.  At the post conference, the observers express their positive comments. With this, it only means that we should not forget the importance of traditional teaching. Remember that, although high technology simplified our lives it is still prone to failure.

With the advantage of modern technology, I envisioned that it should serve its purpose to enhance and captivate learners and to protect them from misinformation and misused of it.

Since the technology is changing rapidly and there is so much to be learned. We need to take a risk by exerting extra time, money and effort in searching and choosing the appropriate methods  and tools in teaching. It takes much courage to apply newly acquired skills for we have doubts on its effectiveness in accomplishing our objectives in teaching.

When new knowledge and skills learned and  was able to share these to fellow teachers, I feel more fulfilled. I was able to  contribute significantly in improving their classroom instruction more effective.

As we all know, connecting people anywhere in the world is made easier. We can make our instructions and facilitate learning through online teaching. In the same way, we can get useful information that can help us simplify in achieving our goal.

With all this development in education brought to us by technology, we should not forget the most important thing, the values we have towards another. As we enjoy the freedom of expression in modern technology. Sometimes we tend to forget what is right and wrong. We assumed that there is nothing wrong in expressing our own opinions. Before we realize such mistakes are prejudicial to the rights of others, damage are already done.  Teacher should be responsible enough in dealing issues online with their colleagues, school head, parents and their students. To teach learners on how to behave in social media, we should lead as an example.

There are many barriers and challenges that may come along the way but no matter how difficult it would take me, I will not get tired of pursuing to become an effective and efficient teacher in the 21^st Century classroom.