The Meaningful Learning and Teaching Process

On the third meeting I learned about models of instruction. Ms Ine explained that there are four models of instruction. There are lecture-discussion model, direct instruction model, guided discovery model, and collaborative learning model. At first, I felt confused whether models of instruction and teaching methods are same or not. Then Ms Ine said that both of two terminologies are quite similar.

 Then, one question appeared in my mind, “are both of two terminologies really same?”. I feel confused because what I learned with Ms Ine about models of instruction and what I learned when I was on senior high school about “metode – metode mengajar” in Ilmu mendidik course are different in some ways. From the number of methods, there were more than four methods which were explained by my previous teacher. I remember that there were lecturing method, discussion method, demonstration method, drill method, group work method, experimental method, socio drama method, and so on. Then I assumed that perhaps the models of instruction are the general one and teaching methods are the specific one.

http://herdy07.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/3.jpg

So, which is the model of instruction appropriate to be used?. Ms Ine answered this question. I agree with her that it depends on what learning objective we want to achieve indeed. Why does it depend on learning objective? I tried to answer it like this, when we make a lesson plan we have to determine the learning objective first. Then, we arrange the activities that can facilitate students and teachers to achieve that learning objective. So, how can we determine the model of instructional for our learning and teaching process if we do not know what the learning objective that we want to achieve, right?. Succeeding in achieving learning objective is what I call as the meaningful learning and teaching process.

READMORE

Teacher Candidate, Fighting!!

Have you heard about thematic learning? I’ve heard about that twice. First I heard that from the elementary teacher in SDN BENHIL Jakarta Selatan when I was in school observation there. The second time is today, September 27^th 2011 in principle of effective teaching and assessment (PETA) course meeting. My PETA lecturer—Ms Ine explained about that by using video. The video showed learning and teaching activities using thematic learning method. After watching the video we discussed about that in class. Here, I’d like to share my opinion about thematic learning, not explain what thematic learning is.

I think thematic learning can be effective and also ineffective depends on the learning objectives that we want to reach. If we want students to understand deeply about the certain material, I think thematic learning is not really appropriate to be used. But if we want to make an integrated learning for the students, I guess thematic learning is a good choice. Let me make a metaphor, thematic learning is like our body. All of materials are related and influenced each other and can’t be separated. But for me, integrated learning and also thematic learning is not easy to be done in class. The teacher should have a high creative and critical thinking to make thematic learning meaningful and not monotone.

Yeah, that is the important capability that should be possessed by teacher indeed. Ms Ine explained about that briefly, but I didn’t have sufficient time to write the term that Ms Ine wrote in her slide. Definitely, a teacher should know not only how to share the knowledge but also in which level his/her students are. So, the teacher can consider what material and what method that appropriate to be taught to the students. I think, that is overall briefly explanation that I got.

Besides that, there are steps that should be passed through by teacher when they want to teach. First is about preparing, like arranging a lesson plan, deciding the method, making a learning objective and so on. If I’m not wrong Ms Ine said that preparation is the most important step in teaching. The second step is teaching itself. The last step is assessment. There are many ways to assess students, but we should know which one the appropriate way to assess certain capability.

I have learnt the basic of those steps in senior high school in Ilmu Mendidik and Psychology courses. I also have practiced those steps three times (two weeks each time) in teaching practice test which is mostly implemented in outlying place of Garut. That was so tiring for me especially in making a “RPP” (like a lesson plan) step. I had to think and write (because in that place didn’t exist any computer) the lesson plan, one lesson plan for one meeting. Can you imagine how many lesson plans that I wrote? Huh… it seems to be a teacher is not easy, guys... but that shouldn’t be an obstacle for us to sharpen others’ mind and make the world brighter than before. Yeah, fighting!!!

READMORE

Inspiring Teacher To be

On previous Tuesday, September 20^th 2011 I learned Principles of Effective Teaching and Assessment (PETA) course in the first time. This course is taught by Ms Ine, the new lecturer from Kupang. I think this course is about how we should teach and assess our students effectively. My class has shared what is effective teaching. Then, after I read some books I can imagine how exactly the effective teaching is.

Effective teaching means the teacher not only transfer the knowledge to students but also can motivate them, lead them to think critically and assess them objectively. The effective teaching for me is when we can make our students become the independent students. For example, they can find out the knowledge, understand it independently and think about it critically. So as a teacher, we are as a facilitator not a centered of information for students. I am sure if the students can be an independent student, they will be more success than the other in the future. Do you agree with me?

The other characteristic of effective teaching for me is when the students who follow our class can be change better in every way. To change others is not easy, right?. That is why we have to learn how to do it well. By following this course I hope I can find out that soon. Actually I have already found one way to change other in this session. What is that? Just continue reading this article.

In this class, Ms Ine asks us to share who our inspiration is and why they inspire us. At that time, I realized that people has their own inspiration who can really affect their life. Most of my friends in class have told who their inspirations are. They might be a member of their family, the public figure, and also their previous teacher. The people who can inspire others are really great, I think. Of course I want to and I have to be like them soon. I hope next time I can inspire you all, guys.

I want to share about my inspiration. Do you know Mario Teguh? If you do not know him, just go ahead. I’m just kidding guys, I’m sure you have already known him because he is very famous. Mario Teguh is one of my inspirations. If you really do not know him, you should watch Golden Ways program in Metro TV. Then you will be inspired by him too. Please read his words,

"Setiap pribadi yang mengundang jiwa lain untuk menghormati keberadaan dan perannya dalam kehidupan ini adalah seorang guru" (Teguh, Mei 2010)

He can share well many good thought that can motivate others to become a better person. Like I said before, changing other people become a better person is one of effective teaching characteristic. I think what Mario Teguh did is like a teacher profession in class. So to become an effective teacher, I should be the inspiration for my students. I sure I will be able to be like that after I follow this course.


 Sources :
http://salamsuper.com/mario-teguh-golden-ways-4-april-2010-guru-penumbuh-bangsa/
profilebiodata.com

psychologytoday.com

READMORE