the pieces of information provided below serve as additional content to cater specific guide questions being elicited.
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Pedagogical Contents
I have to be honest regarding this aspect. Of course, I do not want to make out things that did not really happen nor I was able to observe. If I want to make a good report, it has to be an honest one. No sugar coatings or such. Also, I could have asked from the other instructors regarding it, but like what I had mentioned in “The Finale”, it can be quite difficult. So I am stuck with limited answers from the observations and experiences I encountered.
Starting with the teaching methods, I was only able to grasp a few one here. I was asking for my mentor about this one, but he told me that he cannot give a definite answer. When I was observing his method of teaching, I cannot quite comprehend it for the reason that, most of the time, he is speaking in Thai. I think I already mentioned in one of my daily narratives that he often drift from the main topic or the discussion. I also saw no definite procedures as from the start to the end. It is not that I am comparing it with our educational system in the Philippines in which we start at the Routine and ends either with Assignment or Evaluation. I was not able to observe that in my mentor’s teaching.
As for the learning materials and innovation, this is their edge. In most rooms, there are functional computers and LCD projectors that can aid teaching. These are vital because it can cater the different needs of each learner. As there are students who are visual while some are auditory, these materials have the capacity to make learning conducive. Also, efficiency is the key. Why would I print out a picture for the class when I can simply download one and project it for everyone else to see with less hassle and obstructions? I, for one, prefers the modern technology than the traditional. I attach myself more in useful software than tangible materials. I go with the 21st century skills each teacher must possess, nowadays. Thankfully, the school was able to provide me that opportunity of learning and growing.
I cannot say much of the sources of learning and technology. What I can simply say is how they quite rely too much in their textbooks. I am not saying that it is not right. Actually, I can see how teachers are being practical. But still, I might suggest that we can imbue more meaningful and creative activities for our students to try.
When I simply asked my mentor about the authentic assessment they are utilizing, he simply said that there “are varied instruments”. To make it clear, authentic assessment is different from the pen and paper assessment. Authentic assessment is greatly based on performance tasks that we can elicit from the students. I think, I was not able to observe that when I was observing my mentor.
Observation on Teacher(s)
Unfortunately, I was not able to observe and learn much on my mentor’s planning for teaching, preparing lessons and materials, teaching in class, and measurement and evaluation. I did not see him plan and prepare his lessons. As he told me, following the guidelines and procedures provided by the teacher’s handbook already suffices the teaching process. “It is easy”, he said. Or, it can also be that he already mastered the content that he does not need to prepare much. I also got confused on the measurement and evaluation. I thought that I would be checking the students’ papers, but I did not. As a matter of fact, I never saw him check any of the students’ works. It can either be that or I do not just see it. I am sure that it is the former.
Really, for his teaching methods, I am just glad that I can still draw information based on limited accounts during my experience. At least, I was still able to have insights about it.
Teaching Practice
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As for the procedures of teaching, problem-solving, and classroom management, I had already mentioned this on my last day in which I presented my experiences. Let me be honest, again, regarding the time management and organizing activities. There can be some few irritating moments when my mentor and I will enter the classroom, probably 25 minutes late. There are times in which I would ask permission from him if I can go to the class once the bell rings, but he would tell me to wait for him. Rarest times, he would give me permission. Also, when we would be inside the classroom, he would first talk to his students in which it would take 10-20 minutes. When he is on the process of conversing with his students, I would simply sit there waiting for my turn, and if it is my time, I would already have 30-45 minutes left to talk and discuss. That is why, I sometimes do enjoy when my mentor would be busy and ask me to take charge of his classes. That means that I can do more stuff and enjoy my alone time with my students.
If there is one thing I hate when I am in the middle of the discussion is when my mentor would cut me out. One time, I was talking in front of my students when my mentor suddenly said something in Thai. Immediately, the students went to a certain page and focused on that. I looked to see the page and it was an activity sheet. “Okay”, I thought. I was not even informed. My mentor did not even said a word. I began to roam around the classroom and helped students having difficulty.
I am very glad and blessed that I was able to be a part of this program. Like I said during our orientation on the first day at the University, I said that we would want to leave a legacy and good impressions to everyone since we are the first batch deployed by our school. We want to highlight and showcase the capabilities of Benguet State University students. Aside from that, I want to gain exposure in this kind of situation. There is still a huge difference as teaching in our country and teaching in foreign lands. There can still be factors that might set the gap between these two. Also, I want to fuel myself with numerous learning and knowledge so that I can share it to my fellow students in the Philippines. By doing so, I am also helping them in becoming a knowledgeable would-be educator. But other than that, imparting the rich culture of the Philippines is also a part of my objectives.
Thankfully, I can say that I was able to achieve my goals and objectives, although not fully. I have faced a lot of challenges, inside and outside the classrooms. I felt frustrations and grief, but the relief and satisfaction of being able to do well outweighs the former. There were times when I was feeling down because of a certain situation, but I convinced myself that I have to continue facing the challenges ahead. No obstacle exists without a solution. One must learn to conquer and fight each and every problem along the way. As a teacher, how can we inspire our students if we immediately give up on certain obstacles. The degree of difficulty does not matter so long as one has the courage to stand.
Being able to join this program already gave me an edge in the future. I know that having reliable credentials can aid me in my future endeavor. Overall, I think that this program is giving students the chance to experience something new and different. This is already a trademark of a productive system across SEA Nations that benefits the stakeholders. I want to express my sincere gratitude to SEAMEO for having me a part of this program.
If I will pinpoint suggestions for this event, it is to simply address the difficulties faced by each participant, myself included. I know that my fellow SEA teachers will be mentioning their problems and difficulties. Being able to cater to those problems would already be a gigantic help to those incoming batch. We are providing the challenges that we had encountered because we want the next batches not to experience it also. We desire a meaningful and substantial encounter with SEAMEO with less and insignificant problems. We support this organization. We do not want it to have a bad reputation simply by having one of its participant experience a dreadful encounter. By simply putting a solution to every problem each participant has expressed, this organization is already establishing a respectable, worthy, and upright name to all those who will hear it, and I pray for its continuous progress and development throughout.