Course Project in Personal Teaching Philosophy

COURSE PROJECT IN PERSONAL TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

IRISH B. GATPO BSED

           Education’s main purpose is to teach one to think intensively and critically, to train and develop someone to being productive, efficient, competent, and morally upright as a preparation for the different challenges and responsibilities one may be facing as member of the society. Also, education is a powerful tool for everyone as they embrace life itself; everything it has to offer. Without education, our very existence is fruitless and we lose our self-worth.

            I am certain that there is a need for everyone to learn; academically, personally and ethically. I also believe all children are capable of learning if they have the proper motivation, guidance and direction.

          As a future educator, it is my duty to fill the primal need for learning of every student. Provide them with verifiable information and facts. Assist them to develop their own learning styles and other learning skills. Be a counselor and help them solve their problems in life situations and provide guidance on personal growth if needed. Acts as a facilitator and help in the student’s discovery process and to coach and guide the learning process. Provide useful guidelines in order for them to achieve their learning goals. Challenge and motivate them to the extent of their potential capabilities and abilities. And equip them with the tools necessary for success in life.

           Students acquire knowledge, intellectual skills, ideas and values in various ways according to their interest, cognitive level, needs and learning styles and methods used.

           I believe that learning is a reciprocal process and is socially constructed. Teacher must provide students with opportunities to learn in ways they are most likely to benefit from. Through the use of the constructivism approach and student-centered method of teaching, teaching strategies like scaffolding and cooperative learning, I believe students will learn best, because knowledge is gained through direct experiences, examination, experimentation, inspection, observation and discovery. By allowing them to have access on hands-on activities and experimental learning, they will be able to learn and expand at their own level. Integrating student’s experiences into the discussion and using those experiences to illustrate relevant teaching points will promote an interactive learning environment. Providing them with activity-based lessons will develop their ability to think critically just like group discussions, practical exercises, research projects or conducting an investigatory project. They will be able to exercise their ability in identifying and solving a problem, they are practicing their skill to gather, organize and analyze their datas and give judgment or conclusion based on the evidences. They can also select, apply or provide appropriate actions regarding the problem. They can now reason out because of their analytical skill. And most importantly, they can learn from what they have discovered for themselves. As they say, experience is the best teacher for it will make you realize your strengths and weaknesses and gives you a room for self-improvement. Students need to collaborate with each other and as well as with their teachers. And to achieve effective learning, it is imperative that they are exposed to various active learning methods like group discussion and presentation for it will develop the student’s self-confidence and social skills by interacting with others.  I will also encourage them to explore and research information beyond the confines of the classroom and textbooks. Technology in education if used appropriately can greatly magnify the student’s capacity to learn and the teacher’s capacity to teach, inspire and motivate. To be able to help the students to acquire essential and substantial information, as their guide, I will instill specific learning strategies such as short-hand technique in note taking, outlining, and rote memorization/repetition or deliberate practice, wherein it will not only improve their performance but will lead to a new knowledge or skill that can later on be developed into more complex knowledge. But first and foremost, it is very important to fire up their desire to learn; to make them realize the importance of the subject matter, and the need to study it. As for the saying goes “You can only climb up the ladder of knowledge by desiring to learn”. As a role model to my students, I should demonstrate ethically correct behavior and to lead by example. Adopt kindness, patience, dedication, perseverance, consistency and diligence that will ultimately inspire and encourage such traits in my students as well. Awakening students about their attitudes and behavior is like awakening them to their responsibilities as citizens.