What Makes a Great Teacher?

Creating A Constructivist Classroom

I was introduced in a traditional setting of education. A banking knowledge, spoon feeding process and lots of memorization in which does not give any sense of learning. During that time I was aiming to have high grade or pass the course for me to step in higher level of education and finished my program. Subject and teacher centered was the environment setting during my undergrad years and I was passive, no room of interaction and never ask or encourage to share insight.

Even inside the church where I was trained by my mentor the process and understanding of lesson by traditional methods. I was fascinated with their biblical stories and emotional experiences in which I ended up as a passive student. I just agree and follow whatever they say as part of my training.

Upon reading the book I learned and understand that for me to have a better learning I must explore, think and interpret through different scheme to develop cognitive to lead a better meaning.  Indeed, it is very helpful and valued in changing one’s mind, increases understanding concept, engaged through practical assessment and develop unique perspective. In short, this process is what I called constructivism.

To create a constructivist classroom I learned to develop a concept of student center, willing to hear the voice of my learners for me to inquire their pre understanding of my lesson, engage in a dialogue methods, create an environment sharing thoughts by asking and open minded question in which learner actively think and explore as part of their cognitive development. However, it is very challenging for me as teacher on how to create and transform the vintage point of education methods where there are many gaps to fill in. Nevertheless, through consistent and unique creation of learning’s I can create a classroom where student have a freedom, a voice and a meaningful perspective of learning.

 

The Heart of Teaching

Teaching is a noble profession that needs both mind and heart that preserve the sanctity of pedagogy between teacher and student without any condition and reservation of labor to reach the highest effectivity of learning in a challenging world of teaching. (From the Foreword by Roland Tharp, founding director of the Center for Research on Education, Diversity and Excellence,p.xi)

The book “The Heart of Teaching” talks on how to design and have an effective lesson plan in different facet of teaching that gives learning to the student. It also invite a classroom of activity that create a participation, cognitive development, making connection, and student base orientation.

This book gives me huge learning as a beginner in designing and making lesson plan. There are terminologies that enhance my vocabulary and strategies and technique approach in designing a instructional materials in deferent context and content in order to attain my goal in better teaching inside the classroom. I learned on how to process and have a right approach of lesson in which my student develop a learning that enhance their critical thinking, sharing their thoughts and ideas, dig more deeper understanding, process their connection and meaning, and develop a better and practical learning according to their context and content area.

Though teaching is very challenging task, what it is important is to deliver the better learning inside the classroom through collaborative and participation, develop right academic according to their content area, making meaning and connection in the instructional matters in a conversational way, and develop a high order thinking skill to attain a success learning.