ACQUAINTANCE
In July 2008, I arrived at an abode wherein rooms were lined up along the side. I strolled down the lawn towards the administration building, welcomed by some people wearing a smile on their faces. I came in a small room, cozy, systematized, and clean. Trophies were displayed on a wooden cabinet, and chairs arranged suitably in front of the desk, a desk jam-packed of papers, folders and others. A man sitting behind that desk greeted me. He looked strict at my first glance, but as we had a conversation, I proved it wrong. After sometime, he presented me my schedule and told me my work would commence right after that day.
The next day… my noble work started. I wore my decent dress, organized my things, brought a bag of patience, and definitely wore a great smile. At that home, I entered a room, packed of boys and girls, all eyes on me. I thought there was something wrong. Did I enter a mistaken room or arrived not in a definite time or dirt on my face or dress? They all stared at me. Perhaps, they were just stunned because a new comer entered their world. But of course, I did not mind those striking eyes. I walked in front of them, introduced myself and started my day.
Hours passed…. Day completed… And that was the first day in my abode… in school.
ENCOUNTERS
As months went by, many discoveries came to me. Discoveries sprouted in each room. In one of the room, I observed children having their Filipino class. The teacher was reading them a fable. And he used pictures to present the story, that’s why everybody was gazing at them, all eyes, all ears.
The next room was having an English class. I guessed the lesson was following instructions. There were many visual aids around. Cereal boxes on the table, game instructions on the board, street signs posted on the wall and a radio, perhaps would be used for oral/sound instructions. That was cool! No doubt students were all stirred.
As I continued walking, I journeyed next a Science and Math classes. Students here were good at making practical applications of ideas and used their reasoning to solve problems. They were imaginative and were good at coming up with ideas and seeing things from different perspectives.
In the far view at the court, I had seen students in a group performance, engaged themselves in a cultural dance. They were actually doing things instead of merely reading about and studying them.
THOUGHTS
As I continued my journey, this thought came to my mind, no child should ever been forced, pushed, urged, cajoled or bribed into learning in school. Children should enjoyed personal freedom, thus, we should encourage them to exercise personal responsibility for their actions, learn at their own pace and style.
Although learning styles will inevitably differ among students in the classrooms, teachers should try to make changes in their classroom that will be beneficial to every learning style. Methods for visual learners include ensuring that students can see words written, using pictures, and drawing time lines for events. Methods for auditory learners include repeating words aloud, small-group discussion, and debates, listening to books on tape, oral reports, and oral interpretation. Methods for tactile/kinesthetic learners include hands-on activities (experiments, etc.), projects, and frequent breaks to allow movement, visual aids, role play, and field trips. By using a variety of teaching methods from each of these categories, teachers offer different learning styles at once, and improve learning by challenging students to learn in different ways.
Learning is fun! Make it appealing!
By: Ma. ROXAN B. TABAMO | T-I | Lamao National High school
