LIT 004-PRELIM EXAMINATION

1.) Discuss how Modeling and Scaffolding affect in the child's learning progress.

Modeling is presenting a desired behavior or process so that it can be imitated by the learners, while scaffolding is giving support in order to help the performance of a task, whereby this support is faded. These tow processes coincide and both bring a great impact on the child’s learning progress.

Modeling has 2 effects on the learners, either positive or negative. If the teacher ( or we call model ) models the appropriate behavior, then the child will likely to follow and adapt the behavior  but if not. It will result to a negative attitude of the child.

Scaffolding, on the other hand, has the same effects with that of modeling to the learner. When the child is given right amount of assistance, he will learn to accomplish a task. It can make a learner confident, when done appropriately, and eventually the child can accomplish the task independently without any need for assistance. However, if the teacher doesn’t know how to scaffold, it may result to a poor performance of the child.

Therefore, it is important that teachers ( or any adult ) must be careful to model appropriate behaviors since students often learn a great deal simply by observing them. Scaffold in such a way the learner achieves his potential level of learning.

2.) Construct a concept map showing the advantages and disadvantages of the Transmission Approach in teaching literature. Limit each to 4 entries.

 

3.) Create your own motivational strategy showing the use of Student-centered theory to introduce a topic in literature. Discuss how you will implement the strategy. Make your own title and identify the materials to be used.

TOPIC:    Elements of a Short Story

STRATEGY:     Library Inquiry

MATERIALS NEEDED:      school library, notebook, and pen

IMPLEMENTATION:

                I will gain first the attention of the students as well as introducing the topic to them. As soon as everybody is ready to learn, my strategy would start. This is not the typical library search where students would hurt take down notes from different books, bring and take a look at it in the class while the teacher is discussing the lesson. No, let’s have a twist this time!

The class will be grouped according to how many elements of a short story are there. To be exact, we commonly have 8 elements. All groups must go to search their elements in the library. They have to find out its definition, types (if there is any), and where to locate it in the story. Of course, they have to provide their own sample short story because they’re going to teach it to the class! But before that, they will be given 5 minutes to wrap things up. That would be the anticipated changed. Hence, my role as a teacher turns onto a facilitator of the learning process.

                In this strategy, the students are recognized as responsible for their learning. However, it strengthens student motivation; enhances creativity; promotes peer communication, teamwork, discovery and active learning; increase their participation and their performance skills. Putting students first gives credit to their needs, interests, abilities and learning styles but it will never replace the role of a teacher. S/he still acts as the evaluator of the students’ learning.

                                                                                                                                               -CCB

LIT 004

                              MY VIEW OF VYGOTSKY's PRINCIPLES

1. Vygotsky emphasized that effective learning happens through participation in social activities, making the scial context of learning crucial. Children learn better when assisted by a knowledgeable adult. This only points that parents, teachers, and other adults in the learners' environment all contribute to the process because they assist, model, motivate, and provide feedback to the learner.

     On the other hand, he opposed Jean Piaget's motion of independent discovery and inborn capability of achild to learn because it is social interaction that makes learning meaningful. But I would rather say it's not enough if we only have the social contribution for learning but it's essential that learner should develop higher order of thinking-one does this himself. For me, the learner himself do the generative learning and the construction of new knowledge. Yet, I do not disregard the society as a factor in so doing this. In spite of that, I support the theory of Vygotsky.

     I would conclude that learning and its development is a collaborative activity participated by the learners' environment and not only his own ability.

2. The Zone of Proximal Development illustrates the difference between what the child can accomplish alone and what he can accomplish with the guidance of another. This serves as an essential information for (soon to be) teachers so that we may know how to scaffold a learner in such a way that the gap between the leraners' current skill levels and the desired skill level is bridged. So then as part of the lesson planning, teachers will be able to identify appropriate pedagogy practices for classroom instruction to make a learner confident of accomplishing a certain task independently.

       Therefore, this Zone of Proximal Development serves as guide for us to give a right amount of assistance that would allow the learner to accomplish a task.

                                                                                                                                                 -CCB

LIT 004

My Philosophy As An Educator

The ideal learner in our rapidly changing world is one empowered for lifelong learning, is an active maker of knowledge and open to learn in any context. Such an active learner is competent in initiating change that can contribute to a bright future and has developed skills capable of serving humanity and of God.

Pragmatist teachers teach to develop learners into becoming innovative and intelligent citizens of a democratic society. This group of teachers teaches learners so they may live life fully now. Such that they may understand how the real world evolves as reflected in the classroom context.

The pragmatists are identified with need-based and relevant curriculum. This is a curriculum that responds to students’ needs and that relates to students’ personal lives and experiences. There is a similarity between this pragmatism and the progressivism philosophy since they both center on the student. However, this would not leave to help students understand and appreciate themselves as unique individuals who accept complete responsibility for their thoughts, feelings and actions (as emphasized by the existentialists).

I believe that molding learners should be wholistic. This includes their personality, life values, complex thinking, and acquired skills. Altogether must be taught to and experienced by our students for meaningful learning.

My task as a teacher is to facilitate the development of the individuals to the optimum and to the maximum by employing experiential and inquiry methods more than what is seemed traditional way of teaching. I believe that one learns by doing. For John Dewey, book learning is no substitute for actual experience. It is learning how and not just what, in order that learners do the work themselves.

Thus, part of my chosen profession is to teach my subject matter with mastery so that every learner will use his basic skills to continue acquiring knowledge, skills and values of honesty, love, and care for others regardless of race, nationality, appearance and economic status. I will strengthen the value formation of every child through “hands-on-minds-on” experiences inside and outside the classroom. Beyond the classroom context is my ability to do collaborative teaching from different disciplines and to build a community of effective educational practice.

The said “change” of this risky new world is indeed a great factor of forming an ideal learner but an effective teacher knows how to effect pedagogy processes meant to develop the body, the mind, and the spirit.

To this, I am an educator of values; a manager of the learning process; and a role model of the learners.

                                                                                                                                                  -CCB

My Essays 1

I AM ME

by: Claire C. Bayon

Before I entered adolescence, it had been my question. Who am I? Who am I really not? Even I didn’t know much of myself then. Even my name doesn’t bear my true identity. How well do I know myself? Let’s find out.

Characteristics. The totality of being me is dominated with good characteristics. I am a kind-hearted person, yet, I hate cheaters and corruption. Of course we knew that these are unpleasant works but aside from that, I want to teach my classmates “how to learn” things not that simply copy and done. But you know what? There are times that I have been merciful of these things, depending on the reason. Like for example, Chester would ask to copy my assignment because he didn’t make one. I will just let him to copy mine since time is running out for him.

Many of the people I knew said that I’m a very responsible and diligent child. I’m feeling flattered but it’s true. Whenever I engage such organizations, I see to it that I am doing my duty, serving people with true service. It’s not just being active but performing your responsibilities as well. Even times that I have been busy as a bee; I never forget to take a break still. You know, my life is not revolving around responsibilities. I still have my family.

Well, speaking of “family”, I have a short-temper with them. I don’t know why. Maybe because I want them to be like this and like that as I would want them to be. But the truth is they are not like that. I know it is one thing of testing my personality also. So I extend my patience more and more, understanding my parents most. Now, let’s dig deeper of my personality.

Spirituality. The whole me will not be fully understood without spirituality. This has been a vital part of my borrowed life. Why? Because I’m transformed into a better person I am now. It was back then when I was in Grade 3 that I remember myself pouring out bad words. Later, I used to answer my parents as if I was right. But when I met Charlene Maderse, my disciple, she introduced Christ to me. By the will of God, my mind was opened to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Saviour. There I started to follow my Leader. He loves and compassionate, so am I. He forgives anyone, so do I. I become brave not afraid, confident not shy, strong not weak, positive-minded not pessimistic, joyful indeed. Even though life told me of failure, loser, ugly, unwanted, weak-whatever it is-I never give up because I know it is not how God sees me. I know they are only part for me to see the beauty of my personality.

Under the new covenant in Jesus, Claire is glorious image bearer of Christ who is in the process of becoming more and more like Him (for His glory). That’s me!

-CCB

My Reflections 1

The Small Key: A Reflection

by: Claire C. Bayon 

 The story of The Small Key by Paz Latorena is a run of the mill story where everybody could relate about because it merely takes place in a society. It was about a man named Pedro who has a notable past with her first wife that he still kept her garments in a trunk which the small key can only unlock it. But by the time her second wife, Soledad, saw the small key in his coat; it became the source of her jealousy. She wondered why her husband was keeping that key for a long time. It made her feel sick. Without knowing the reason, she decided to open the small trunk with the small key and burnt the garments found in it. Too late, Pedro would have known the incident. He was trying not to be angry with his wife. He hoped it would be just an interlude that could be recalled without bitterness.

So much less, the author might have the same experience with Pedro. As we all know that it can be conveyed in a literature. Paz would have thought of the society. How it could be better? Where complications do starts? And what can we do for resolutions?

Pedro portrayed an ideal manner of a husband that is caring, understanding and most of all, loving. Those characteristics are known rare in the community or should I frankly say, mostly with men nowadays.  He might yearn to inspire them to promote harmonious relationship in a community. Because he knew that success fathers from the smallest unit of the society-that is family. In the family, it includes yourself-your personality. He emphasizes how to accept things which we may find as exasperating.

It would have been nice to know the ending of the story in details. Soledad would have repented; perhaps she would even try to convince him that she had done it because she loved him. But the account is enough to tell us that people needed to be understood by others for the reason that they have their own principle we may repudiate. Understand them as far as we could do for we might get the same. As the golden rule says, “Do not do unto others what you don’t want others do unto you.”

What he meant is a good lesson for us to grasp, for he knew that time cannot tell if we could encounter the similar thing. Learn to pardon a person at the same time, for forgiveness heals a weary heart and gives comfort that’s naturally refreshing. It’s wonderful to see that we’re living harmonically with everybody in this imperfect world.

-CCB

How can the following theories of Child Development help you in teaching?

          

           Erikson’s Psycho-Social Theory of Development deals with a person’s personality and behavior. It became a basis for broad or complex discussion and analysis of personality and behavior, and also for facilitating personal development-of self and others. It can help the teacher in becoming more knowledgeable of and at the same time understand the various environmental factors that affect the students’ personality and behavior. In this way, Erikson’s theory is useful for teaching, parenting, self-awareness, managing and coaching, dealing with conflict, and generally for understanding ourselves.

            Social Learning theory of Albert Bandura states that people can learn by observing the behavior of others and the results of those behaviors. That’s why we should explain the consequences of behavior to effectively increase the appropriate behaviors and decrease inappropriate ones. Thus, a teacher must model appropriate behaviors and take care that they do not model inappropriate behaviors. To promote effective modeling, a teacher must make sure that the four essential conditions exist; attention, retention, motor reproduction, and motivation as Bandura mentioned these four conditions that are necessary before an individual can successfully model the behavior of someone else. Another one is to expose students to a variety of other models for them to differentiate things and able to draw value judgments.

            Jean Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development involves a continuous effort to adapt to the environment in terms of assimilation and accommodation. In connection, we (soon to be teachers) should use teaching methods that actively involve students and present challenges. We can provide them activities or situations that engage learners and require adaptation to facilitate their cognitive development.  It is also important to note our learning materials and activities should involve the appropriate level of motor or mental operations for a child of given age; avoid asking students to perform tasks that are beyond their current cognitive capabilities. This is for a child to learn easily.

            The key theme of Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural theory of Development is that social interaction plays a very important role in cognitive development. Knowing this, it is crucial to assist our students by scaffolding. Scaffolding should involve the judicious assistance given by the adult or a teacher so that the child can achieve the desired skill level; when done appropriately can make a learner confident to accomplish a task independently without any need for assistance. We can then, greatly help to make them independent learners. I also agree with Vygotsky in the essential role of activities in learning, that’s why I will provide students with hands-on activities because they learn better rather than passive listening.

            According to Kohlberg’s Moral Development theory, children form ways of thinking through their experiences which includes understandings of moral concepts such as justice, rights, equality and human welfare. This will help me to provide the students with a sense of belongingness to a group which is responsive to individual needs; and where they are able to practice moral reasoning and are able to learn from other perspectives. In this manner, I am helping them to realize better things in the real life situations. I have also realized (in his theory) that I must listen closely and understand a student’s reasoning in order to help the student to the next level of reasoning.

            The theories of these prominent people are teaching us on how to teach and deal with people, most especially with students. As soon to be teachers, it is essential to note these things and know their implications because they hold golden knowledge that is very useful for teaching-learning process.

                                                                                                                                                -CCB