Semi-Final Examination in Prof. Ed.

5 - Principles of Teaching

Cesar M. del Rosario, Jr., CE PTCP-Bloom October 1, 2016

1. The lack of textbooks for students use vis-a-vis the computer as aid to

instruction that necessitate the know-how of well-trained teacher.

Comment:

Since the time immemorial, this is the most perennial problem in almost

every school in our country, from the urban to rural areas and from the city to

the barangays and coastal areas. The learners in most modernized cities do

enjoy some textbooks for their own usage for they are capable of buying it from

bookstores, and most commonly private schools and institutions have their

own supply. In tertiary levels, in which they have their own libraries, the

students are not obliged to provide themselves the required books. But, what

suffers most are the learners in the secondary and elementary levels, that have

a limited supply of books in their learning resource centers.

So, the school administrators are encouraging the teachers to be more

adept with the recent technology and incorporate it to their daily classroom

instruction, perhaps to minimize the procurement of digitalized resources. The

teaching guides (TG) and learning material (LM) could be downloaded in

portable data file format (PDF) to the teachers personal computer and then

used in her discussions. This is advantageous to teachers who are financially

capable of purchasing a computer and having it connected to the internet with

a monthly payment. But, this will be difficult for those that are still financially

unstable and are the sole supporter of the family on financial matters. And,

that would not be practical for them.

One of the principles is telling us that, learning is an evolutionary

process. It is subject to change. And change takes time. Maybe, it is in this

principle that the lack of supply of textbooks is grounded. It tells us not to

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expect too much that their will come a time that all of the schools in our

country will have an adequate supply of books in all subjects or learning areas.

Because Rome was not built in one day.

2. The lack of classrooms, chairs, and other classroom facilities vis-a-vis

the provision of media technology in order for the school to keep abreast

with the trend in media technology.

Comment:

This is often the most encountered paradoxes of the school

administrators in various divisions of our educational system: There exists a

computer laboratory inside the campus but without computer sets, or there are

several computers but could not be utilized for the students because of

technical difficulties, and again, yes, there is a computer laboratory, computer

sets with complete connectivity but the ratio of computer to student is 10 is to

1. How will they learn? And, if we will observe the condition of the classrooms

and the facilities, it is evident that it does not completely cater the learners

needs.

The primary purpose for employing instructional technology in schools is

to enhance student learning. Has technology been successful in helping

students learn more effectively and efficiently? Much research has been done

on this question, but the answer is far from certain. Most research on

educational technology has consisted of media comparison studies. After

assigning comparable students to control groups or to experimental groups,

the researcher presents the experimental group of students with instruction

that employs the new media, while the control group experiences the same

content without the new media. The researcher then compares the achievement

of the two groups.

After reviewing hundreds of such studies, educational technologist

Richard Clark concluded that "there are no learning benefits to be gained from

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employing any specific medium to deliver instruction," and that "media do not

influence learning under any conditions," but are "mere vehicles that deliver

instruction but do not influence student achievement any more than the truck

that delivers our groceries causes changes in our nutrition" (1983, p. 445).

According to Clark, any positive results that were gained by experimental

groups over the control groups were easily accounted for by differences in

instructional strategy.

If the result of the study conducted is suggesting that the technology is a

mere vehicle that carries the information to the learners, we must focus more

on the instructional strategies first. It is a must that we provide them their

practical needs, such as chairs, and other facilities, rather than offering the

learners modern media technology that we cannot handle yet. This is just a

matter of prioritizing.

One of the Principles state that: Learning is the discovery of the

personal meaning and relevance of ideas. It is necessary that the teacher

relates lessons to the needs, interests and problems of the learners. If this is

the case, how will you address their needs if there are learners sharing chairs

inside the classroom, or standing at the back? Some of schools just let the

learners bring their own chairs. What a disappointment knowing that the

government is expending billions for our educational system.

3. The demand for students who are globally competitive in English

communication and how the education system can meet this demand.

Comment:

Lets face it, the Filipino workforce is the richest resource of the country.

This workforce must maintain good communication skills in English, which will

ultimately help the country, attain competitive edge in the global economy. Our

ability to communicate in English is one reason Filipinos are very much sought

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after by foreign employers. The decline in competence of its facility will bring

negative effects on our opportunity to compete in progress with other races. A

shrinking English proficient workforce would dissuade international companies

from investing in the Philippines. We cannot afford to lose what we already

have. Hence, we need to relearn our English before we lose it.

A collaboration of the different public and private educational

institutions, with the support of NGOs and LGUs, can help address this

problem. Providing high quality textbooks, instructional materials, reading

materials for libraries and training for educators are things that the

government can do. Media can do its part by stopping the corruption of English

in its television shows. Parents should also try to encourage their children to

read more English books rather than watch mushy television shows.

I strongly believe that the school and the home are the best places where

Filipinos can develop good English communication skills. Everyone from the

educators to the students should aim for quality in English education. And

quality is never an accident. It is the result of high intention, sincere effort,

intelligent direction, and skilful execution. Let us therefore resolve to improve

our proficiency in English and restore the Philippines in its former glory.

One of the Principles of Learning that is aptly connected to this is:

Learning is a cooperative and collaborative process. This means that,

mostly people enjoy functioning independently but they also enjoy functioning

interdependently. Cooperative process and approaches enable us to do. With

such approaches, we can define goals, and one of these is to be globally

competitive in English communication. And, as have been emphasized by

various resources, this is not a job by just a single educational institution. In

order to be successful, all must cooperate and collaborate.

4. The general perception that college students can hardly speak and

write English well.

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Comment:

When we talk about the decline of English proficiency of college students,

a recent study revealed that their language proficiency is at only the level of

basic working proficiency. This particular level of proficiency indicates that the

person hardly understands native English speakers, or could they sustain

fluency & accuracy, plus discuss topics of general interest using non-elaborate

structures. Dr. Hermelo Cervantes, HACKSI chief executive consultant stressed

that, the said study showed why many Filipinos fail to obtain foreign jobs that

require passing English proficiency certification tests. "That is why no one

knows how the English proficiency of Filipinos stands against the global

standard, not until now," Dr. Cervantes said.

This deterioration is manifested in several ways such as, incorrect

grammar, lack of fluency in the language, poor reading comprehension skills

and poor writing skills among others. Clearly, Filipinos are losing their

competitive edge with regard to English abilities. Our claim that we are the

third largest English speaking country in the world does not live up to its rank.

Today, we hear anecdotal reports of call centers accepting a very small portion

of those who apply because only three of 100 applicants are proficient in

English. University professors lament the inability of college students to

comprehend and express themselves in English.

In my own opinion, in relation to various survey results, as to why the

college graduates could not do well with their grammar in English, especially in

speaking, it is because of the type of learners we have now. Most of them, if not

all, are more inclined and interested in immersing themselves to viewing their

lessons by means of different types of media devices, such as television,

computer, tablet, etc.. As I have observed from the latest strategy used by some

teachers, less emphasis are given on recitation inside the classroom in order to

get the learners viewpoints and express themselves, and at the same time, to

master the art of speaking in English.

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 One of the Principles of Learning is: Learning is an experience which

occurs inside the learner and is activated by the learner. In which the

process of learning is primarily controlled by the learner and not by the

teacher. If the teacher will do her job to facilitate the learning process, in this

case the English proficiency, the learner will ultimately learn what he should

learn.

5. The wisdom behind the K to 12 program

Comment:

The implementation of K-12 curriculum in the country drew negative

reactions from various societal groups. Since 2011, critics have been very vocal

on their primary concerns. They insist the government isnt yet ready for this

new system and that this is more of additional burden to students and their

parents.

Despite calls to suspend the program, the government remained firm

saying this new educational system offers opportunities for Filipino students

and the national economy.

For its part, the Department of Education (DepEd) stresses that the

country is prepared for a big shift in education system. In fact, it has worked to

fulfill the gaps on the number of classrooms, teachers, and textbooks. Also, it

has finished the planning phases along with stakeholders.

But what does K-12 scheme really has to offer to students?

To prove that K-12 system is more than just adding two more years to

high school, below are three of the many practical benefits of schooling under a

13-year education cycle:

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 1. Preparedness for tertiary learning With adaptation of K-12 scheme,

students are expected to graduate at age a bit older than past graduates. This

is an advantage, according to DepEd, as graduates will be considered young

adults. Hence, they will be more equipped to deal with much higher level of

learning as they enter college education.

2. Readiness to join the workforce Unlike the old system, K-12 does not

compel each student to take college after completing Senior High School (SHS).

In fact, this scheme empowers students to make a choice on their own. They

may not pursue college education especially if they have chosen a track other

than academic track. The good thing is SHS graduates will be equipped with

skills (through electives) that will make them good at certain field(s).

3. Skill competency in the global job market K-12 system aims to

improve Filipino students mathematical, scientific, and linguistic competence.

With the new curriculum, DepEd promised to offer higher quality education

through tracks. Each track will give students enough time to master a field and

enhance their skills. In the end, K-12 graduates will become globally

competitive and are set to obtain spot in the stiff labor market.

The government believes that K to 12 curriculum in the Philippines will

put Filipino students at par with the rest of the world. Truly, investing in

education is the key toward reaching national growth and development.

Online References:

https://www.cmu.edu/teaching/principles/teaching.html

http://www.utc.edu/walker-center-teaching-learning/teaching-resources/7-

principles.php

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http://www.slideshare.net/kennethjohnpedronan5/principles-of-teaching-1-

32788491?from_action=save

http://www.academia.edu/13158439/effects_of_lack_on_instructional_materia

ls

http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/2495/Technology-in-Education-

SCHOOL.html

http://bulatlat.com/main/2013/07/19/shortages-lack-of-budget-still-afflict-

public-school-system/

http://abcdeducation.weebly.com/poor-facilities-in-public-schools.html

http://www.ncef.org/content/impact-inadequate-school-facilities-student-

learning

http://www.21csf.org/csf-

home/Documents/ResearchImpactSchoolFacilitiesFeb2010.pdf

https://www.scholarsworks.com/impact-school-facilities-teaching-learning-

secondary-schools-ikwo-local-government-area-ebonyi-state/

http://www.cosfp.org/HomeFiles/BEST/Impact%20of%20Inadequate

%20School%20Facilities%20on%20Student%20Learning%20USDoE.pdf

http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/2495/Technology-in-Education-

SCHOOL.html

http://birbhum.nic.in/DPSC/reference/69.pdf

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https://thejournal.com/articles/2013/06/04/6-technology-challenges-facing-

education.aspx

http://americanenglish.ph/a-pinoys-better-english-communication-for-

globalization/

https://www.britishcouncil.ph/teach/state-english-philippines-should-we-be-

concerned-2

https://www.questia.com/library/journal/1P3-3413168481/analysis-of-

perceived-difficulty-rank-of-english-skills

http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/227819/why-the-k-12-program-will-benefit-the-

filipino-youth

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/700154/why-english-is-so-very-hard-to-teach-

and-learn

http://www.rappler.com/nation/137492-look-back-aquino-10-point-education-

agenda

http://www.academia.edu/7010906/Local_studies_study-shows-filipino-

college-studes-not-proficient-_english_On_the_decline_of_English_proficiency

https://www.academia.edu/7010906/Local_studies_study-shows-filipino-

college-studes-not-proficient-_english_On_the_decline_of_English_proficiency

https://ph.theasianparent.com/advantages-new-k-12-curriculum/

http://k12philippines.com/three-practical-benefits-of-the-philippines-k-to-12-

curriculum/

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https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-

implementing-K-12-education-in-the-Philippines

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