Knowledge of the learner’s characteristics is necessary to enable us to understand how education can be most effective for their mental, physical, social, emotional, and moral development. This learning experience leads you to the pathway of discovering how teachers adapt classroom instruction to where and what the learners are in terms of their growth and development.
Observation
Make a list of the characteristics of the learners you have observed.
Intellectual
1. Fast learner
2. Effortful
3. Confident
4. Open-minded
Social
1. Cooperative
2. Not cooperative
3. Comfortable in conversing (inquiring) with the teacher
4. Prefers not to join the conversation or send a reply to teacher’s inquiry
Emotional
1. Verbally Expressive
2. Impulsive
3. Anxious
4. Disruptive
Physical
1. Not Applicable
2. Not Applicable
3. Not Applicable
4. Not Applicable
Reflection
1. Were the subject matter, method, or technique used by the teacher suited to the mental and physical maturity of the learners? Explain your answer.
I may say that the teacher I am observing uses methods and techniques that is suitable for his students. He shows the solution procedure in a step-by-step manner. He also reminds them to focus on crucial parts in solving equations. Reminding them of the proper ways, and explaining how it happened even without the students’ question. He even provides examples that may be more difficult than the previous. At the end of his examples, he gives them a problem to be solved on their own.
2. What are the ways can you suggest how the teacher should deal with the learners?
We have a variety of students, some are fast learners and some are not. Our way of dealing with them must be in line with their level of understanding. So, if the class seems to be picking the lesson quickly, I may suggest the lesson be at a somewhat fast pace. The redundant explanation is not recommendable, so after a few simple examples, they may move on to a more difficult one. For a class with a majority of slow learners or uncooperative students, the teacher must be very understanding, calm, and patient. Like what my cooperating teacher is doing, the teacher must show step-by-step procedures and focus on the crucial parts of the solution. Continuously reminding them of the basics and explaining how it ended with the answer. A simpler example is recommended. Every after example, they may have an item to solve in accordance to the level of difficulty of what has been given as an example before moving on to the next level of difficulty.
3. Think of the teacher who influenced you most. How did she help you with your needs? (Physical, social, emotional, intellectual)
I have encountered teachers who are very warm. They have been such good influencers. I honestly believed in social boundaries. A teacher must have this invisible boundary between her and her students but I encountered a teacher who treated us as own children. We are fed, given a ride, and even a pocketbook. I came to the realization that there are still people or teachers who will treat his/her students like a friend, or even family. I didn’t feel invisible, I actually felt the warmth of their embrace. We were not just taught, we were cheered, comforted, loved, and given hope. We were given more than just intellectual support. Personally speaking, I am inspired by their story. It gave me hope that I can also become successful just like them. Through perseverance and prayer, one may become who he wants to be. I can still remember the quote I received from my former teacher, “Enjoy the life that you have and strive hard to live the life that you want”. It is indeed true that we cannot choose which family to be born with, but we can choose how we are going to live our lives.
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