The unique challenge educators are facing currently is to prepare the students to face and survive in this ever changing world. But sad to say, our education system here focuses a lot on the examination grades rather than on the knowledge and experiences gained through the years the students are in school. Therefore, the teaching and learning process is moving towards excelling in examinations with flying colours.
Dr JSB’s question, “How learning must be a lifelong habit?” really strike me. Learning should be cultivated to be a lifelong habit. This means that learning is not only for the sake of passing exams or getting as many ‘A’s as possible in the exam. I think that’s the reason why after the exam, the students will forget everything that they have learned because the leaning process is for them to complete the exam and I doubt that the knowledge that they have learn is meaningful to them. So, what can we teachers do to help make the learning process meaningful to them? I need to get out from the condition of merely ‘pouring’ knowledge into the students’ brain.
Understanding is constructed socially. When students involved in a discussion trying to solve a problem, the learning process that happen during the discussion will be experiential to them as they construct their own knowledge. Therefore, teachers are playing an important role to lead and guide the students towards constructing their own knowledge thus making learning meaningful and real to them. I always feel glad when I hear a particular student explaining to his or her group member after getting an explanation from me. As the student explains, he or she will learn more. As mention by Dr JSB, nothing clarifies ideas better than explaining them to others.
With the help of technology, teachers will be able to extend the learning hours where students will continue to work on their assignments with their classmates in the virtual world of the Internet. So, it’s crucial that teachers have the knowledge on the technology to be use and with the suitable pedagogy to construct a virtual platform for the mutual sharing of knowledge among the students.
I only managed this much for this time... hope there will be more to come ^__^
I only managed this much for this time... hope there will be more to come ^__^
When I was listening to Dr JCB, I thought I heard him say that parents from the lower income group are more acceptable to the idea of teachers using technology to teach than the higher income groups. Did anyone hear the same? Any opinion why this is so?
ReplyDeleteyup...He did mention about that in the Q&A part.
ReplyDeleteSomeone mention about the situation the teachers faced in school where some parents will question the teachers when they carry out student-centered learning where teacher teach less, students do more. The 'elite' parents were concern about paying the tuition fees but the teachers are not playing their part as the sage on the stage.The kids from the elite family were so used to having their life managed, can't accept the change in the T&L process where students take more control in their learning process. They are hoping for a 'managed' process & difficult to change their concept.
While for the kids from lower income family, they are flexible & have unbelievable passion.