Seven Tips on How to be an Effective Teacher

Let's Make a difference through education. (click title and read this article)

Types of Student Behavior Problems

Let's Make a difference through education. (click title and read this article)

Students' Recollection

Let's Make a difference through education. (click title and read this article)

Children With Special Needs for K to 12 Program

Let's Make a difference through education. (click title and read this article)

K to 12 Plan to Test

Let's Make a difference through education. (click title and read this article)

Your Desks Reflect Your Personality

Let's Make a difference through education. (click title and read this article)

Teaching Kids Effectively

Let's Make a difference through education. (click title and read this article)

Showing posts with label Latest Trend of Education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Latest Trend of Education. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

10 Major Reasons Why I Choose to Teach

10:42 AM  Robi Marapao  20 comments



When I was in high school, I never thought of being a teacher because it would be a long race and I know that a lot of treks on the other end waiting for me and it’s going to be a hard mountain to climb ( well, those were my thoughts before).

Providentially, I've got the guts to conquer fears and vigor to equip myself along the trek. I couldn't imagine the things I've gone through just to finish the climb.

So, what’s it like to be a teacher then? Many have said “You won’t get rich when you’re a teacher.” But why educators still pursue this kind of profession hence they know how and what’s ahead of them? You couldn't get the answer unless you’re already on fire of a bigger change -- a change that will be enough to see your worth in teaching career.

Here are 10 Reasons Why I Choose to Teach:
1. One of the best achievements is when you’re part of every student’s progress. Self-esteem boosts!

2.The moment of being respected by students and their parents makes me feel of an education authority.

3. Teachers teaching may change someone’s life.

4. We pave each way for students’ growth and development.

5. Teachers can see what potential students may have and that we sometimes opt to be a fortune teller (so we have an extraordinary power huh?).

6.The manifestation and its effect of students’ learning and success fill my heart with joy and compassion.

7. Everywhere I go, the heart of being an educator is present and that I often do things deliberately (I’m always aware not to mess things out).

8. Students greet me when we see each other with a smile and sometimes they shout just to get my attention.

9. Students express their gratitude most especially on their graduation (this part is so moving). Even when they become professional ones, still their feelings of gratefulness and thankfulness are engraved. 

10. It’s when the day ends and students carry the knowledge or information and insights that we, teachers bestow to them and they go home full in their minds and hearts. 


May this post inspire more educators and multiply more brains in the education industry. Please share if you care and love education. 
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Tuesday, September 4, 2012

7 Things You Must Know About Teachers

7:05 AM  Robi Marapao  14 comments



In my previous article, I posted about five things teachers should know about students. This time, let me expose some things you seldom know about teachers. It makes me excited to let the whole world know though.

Seven Things About Teachers

1. Weekends
They love Fridays (weekends) as it’s the only time to free their selves from thinking, teaching and solving things inside the classroom. The most favorite expression is “Let’s call it a day!” Most often, they leave the school few minutes late from their outgoing time due to some things need to securely place such as notebooks, papers, lesson plans and other materials -- teachers regularly clean their desks before leaving. Others check the class activity so it won’t give them more work at home. But they still have to sit down and work on lesson plans, checking activities, reviewing the lessons and preparing materials to use for the lessons. (Labor of love huh?) Yes, that's why it's a noblest job in the world. 

2. Travels
Do you think it’s only students get excited for educational tours? Teachers have a planner (book) to organize activities and other appointments. I’m pretty sure we, teachers like to travel too. And without our uniforms, we tend to be an ordinary person as much as possible. We prefer to be cool educators who get along well to students and other teachers.

3. Hectic Schedule
Try to invite teachers for a hangout and frequently, it’s only 3% chance that they can attend, out of ten invitations. Parties and other social activities are not teachers’ top five activities. However, they are ever loyal to attend to special gatherings if they could really come. This is also the main reason why it’s very seldom for them to spearhead the community program. The hectic schedule binds them to focus on education and keep ahead of the education trends.

4. Pictures
They love to keep the pictures with their students as souvenirs, most especially during graduations. Here’s a thing that you have to know: They’re deeply touched when students say thank you to them. It’s really a big thing for them, that in anyhow, students remember their teachers in this most memorable event of the year.


5. Role Play
Literally, they play a good role at school. But here’s what few people don't know about: They usually pretend to be firm in front of the class, and when they turn around, they smile a lot or even laugh out loud.

6. Colleagues
When teachers meet at the faculty office during break time, mind you guys, they’re the same noisy. New teachers prefer to be modest but later on, they flock with the same in mind. They enjoy being with each other, talking about random things.

7. Technology
They try best to learn how to use the latest technology because they’re afraid to be left behind. It’s not all teachers who are gifted enough to be technology exposed. They do a research to boost their confidence about technology.

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Sunday, September 2, 2012

5 Things Teachers Should Know About Students

10:51 AM  Robi Marapao  28 comments


I got stumbled to this idea after receiving a call from my students asking about their grades. And other one student also asked me (after that call), “Teacher, I’m here at the grocery store and I just remember you, telling me about fruits and vegetables.” Anyway, that stumble seems very special to me for coming up with this hunky-dory idea.

How well do you know your students? Oh, do they add you on social networking sites? Facebook seems very open to all ages nowadays. (Other moms create Facebook accounts for their babies.) If you are friends with your students on Facebook, you can easily see their whereabouts (under the sun). Others might shout out their disappointments at school, home or to their peers; you could read their sentiments, joyful status and other jollity.

Five Things Teachers Should Know

1. Family Background
It’s very helpful to know their background to analyze the factors that affect the growth and development of students. We don’t relate economic status here, but it’s better to know the basic information of their family. If students seem egocentric, it’s because they lack attention at home and seek it at school. It might be, both of their parents are busy at work and they do have a little time to spend with each other.

2. Circle of Friends
Wise and observant teachers can easily spot the friends of their students. We need to determine their friends so we know how to strategize our approach. If student A is close to student B, you can inform student A that student B has finished the task/activity/homework. In this way, student A will be motivated to do as what his friend usally does. There’s an aphorism: “Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are.” We are also encouraging student B here to be more progressive with his tasks.

3. Health Condition
Teachers should go to school clinic and ask the history of their students if there are any previous health problems. If one of the students has a previous health issue, a teacher would know how to look for his/her health condition. Prevention is better than cure isn’t it? Besides, teachers are accountable of whatever happens inside the classroom.

4. Potential and Career
Teachers train and nurture students in class and it’s so wonderful if they also know what their students want to be in the future. I know it sounds so babyish but educators build a future. I remember my teacher once asked me, and I answered her, “I want to be a teacher like you.” And here it is. I'm a blogger and a teacher by profession. Further, students’ skills and talents should also be strengthened, or else, it’ll be a big waste of time. Give them support but not too much to neglect their academics. 

5. Hobbies and Interests
Building a rapport relationship is one of the keys to effectively manage the class. If a teacher knows the hobbies and their interests, it’s a trouble-free to counter things during the lectures. And relatively, the class would be more interesting. 
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Thursday, August 2, 2012

Using Technology in Class

7:53 PM  Robi Marapao  15 comments

Using technology has been very engaging to all and it has a big impact in our everyday lives. You can use your phone to read some information related to subject matter via Internet and I also know some schools already use tablets as their educational materials.

But how is technology be more engaging in class? Apart from using computers for slide presentations, there’s what we use in the classroom: ActivBoard from Promethean

I was writing here.
This smart board is really cool and what I really like is the option to use a pen (with its several functions) and write on the board or use a keyboard to type. 

Here’s what you should also know:
- ActivBoard has more enhancements like stereo sound, wireless connectivity and dual-user functionality available as simple upgrades; it adapts to your changing needs.

- Complete, integrated solution — works seamlessly with Promethean software, learner response systems, interactive tools and content to transform your classroom into an interactive and integrated environment.

- Connect and share — USB power, plus an accessible USB port, simplifies connection to your computer.
- You can also use the board for educational films with its high definition screen and stereo sound almost surround.

For full specs, you may check this link.
Thus, for a more spectacular for tomorrow. I’m really excited about the Intel Classroom. Watch this video and be astonished of what technology can offer in the future. What you see in the below video is truly a sight to behold.The classroom in the future has been discussion and analysis and all I'm hoping is to see and use like the one on this video. 
 

A beautiful quote I've found at Forbes: “The past cannot be changed, the future is still in your power. ” - Hugh White 




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Thursday, June 14, 2012

Children With Special Needs for K to 12 Program

7:32 AM  Robi Marapao  15 comments


photo credits to  www.reachwi.org
Special children have been my first love aside from my parents and I consider them as angels from heaven. In their innocence, you can see different emotions although, some people think that they're run-of-the-mill and humdrum. But I totally dissented; I would say they're intelligent on the other sense.

I remember the days when I volunteered in a summer camp for special children,  (as a guardian) and it's the best camp I've ever had. 

Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC,   said “It just so happens that they have special needs, thus, we have to give them special attention. This entails a little adjustment and accommodation from our teachers.”  Br. Armin, himself has also handled children with special needs during his early teaching days.

Children with special needs (CSNs) has also followed the same K to 12 curriculum just like regular learners but teachers would have to introduce some accommodations and modifications to go well with their inimitable learning needs.
Sec. Luistro refers to  learners whose learning  disabilities contain  visual and hearing impairment or high functioning individuals who may have autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), speech defect,  those with problems with mobility and other physical and learning conditions.

The accommodation and modification, according to him, would be in the form of adaptation, augmentation or alteration of the regular competencies. “For example if some learners cannot keep pace with the number of days a certain competency should be learned, the teacher may have to extend the learning days or devise creative ways to achieve the desired learning competencies,” added Secretary Luistro. He also said that the competencies can be further broken down to smaller tasks to suit the ability and capability of the children with special needs. (CSNs)

However, for children in the gifted class, accommodation and modifications can be done by making competencies more available which are over and beyond the regular curriculum. “If our gifted children can do more, we should provide the kind of environment that is conducive to their learning pace. This will help bring out the best in them some more,” Secretry Luistro said.
DepEd, beginning this school year, has started the implementation of K to 12 curriculum. And in 2011, the Universal Kindergarten was rolled- out to formally introduce K to 12 in the Basic Education Program.

If you want to know more about CSNs education, click the link Learn About Special Education for Special Children.
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Thursday, May 31, 2012

Filipinos Top 2012 English Proficiency

5:02 AM  Robi Marapao  12 comments


photo courtesy: balitangamerica.tv

Global English, an English language instruction company in California with clients such as Cisco, General Motors and Procter and Gamble, tested 108,000 employees in 216 companies in 76 countries. 

The tests, conducted in 2011, included comprehension of English, and its usage in diverse media such as e-mail, phone, and presentations.
On a scale of one to 10—1 as the lowest, indicating the employee uses only basic English while 10, as the highest, means the employee communicates like a native English speaker—the average score was 4.15, down from 4.46 the year before.

 Global English president Tom Kahl said, “Addressing English skills gaps and ensuring that employees can immediately perform at the necessary proficiency level should be viewed as a strategic imperative for multinational businesses as enterprise fluency, the ability to seamlessly communicate and collaborate within global organizations, can deliver significant financial upside.”

Most global workers can handle with basic information, but cannot achieve more compound tasks that necessitate adept understanding of the language.

Here’s what really gave me a deep delight -- we are at the top.  The Philippines was the only country to score at the intermediate level (7.11), followed by Norway (6.54), Estonia (6.45), Serbia (6.38), Slovenia (6.19), Australia, Malaysia, India, Lithuania, Singapore and Canada.

The worst performing countries were Armenia, Cote d’Ivoire, Taiwan, Honduras, Colombia, Chile, El Salvador, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Brazil.
 I embrace the Mother Tongue-based instruction for our schools (books, manuals, schools sheets etc.) that will start this June.
We need to make sure that we do not lose our global edge in reading, writing, speaking and understanding the English language.

What made me decry is the declination of the English fluency of students. I really hope that there are more doors and windows to get in and chances to learn by. Thus, I have a big hope and trust that they could still make it more  on top again.

Kudos to teachers who really keep on pushing the English fluency to their students.


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Brigada Eskwela 2012

1:00 AM  Robi Marapao  8 comments



The Department of Education on Monday launched Brigada Eskwela 2012 to egg on the public to join its campaign to clean public schools' classrooms and other facilities in preparation for school opening on June 4, 2012.

Bro. Armin Luistro, DepEd Sectretary, led the caravan, which left the DepEd main office in Pasig City at 6 a.m. to proceed to the Justo Lukban Elementary School in Paco, Manila, a television report said.

In Manila, the caravan was joined by Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and many volunteers including parents to clean and spruce up school facilities. Foreign volunteers, including Australian and employees of the United States Agency for International Development, also tied the caravan. This caravan was held from May 21 to 26, 2012.

Filipino soldiers also joined the caravan and used a military truck to announce and convince the public to join the cleanup activities.

Brigada Eskwela 2012 would also focus on ensuring sufficient toilet and water system for students.  This year is the ninth year that the DepEd is holding the program.

 Kudos to Bro. Armin and to his staff and all teachers who have spared time to initiate this program.
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Sunday, May 20, 2012

Higher Order Thinking Skills

5:05 AM  Robi Marapao  No comments


Composite thinking that goes beyond basic recall of facts, such as evaluation and invention, enabling students to retain information and to apply problem-solving solutions to real-world problems.
Higher order thinking skills are valued and given much attention because they are believed to better prepare students for the challenges of adult work and daily life and advanced academic work. Higher order thinking may also help raise standardized test scores. A curriculum emphasizing higher order thinking skills has been found to substantially increase math and reading comprehension scores of economically disadvantaged students (Pogrow, 2005).


The idea that thinking can be divided into higher and lower levels was elaborated by Benjamin Bloom’s 1956 Taxonomy of Educational Objectives, usually called Bloom’s taxonomy. Bloom identified six levels of cognition, with knowledge being lowest and analysis, synthesis, and evaluation being highest:


  1.       Knowledge (memory of facts)
  2.       Comprehension (understanding of facts, demonstrated by organizing or interpreting them)
  3.       Application (using understanding to solve problems)
  4.        Analysis (recognizing patterns suggested by facts)
  5.        Synthesis (producing something new)
  6.        Evaluation (judging quality of a solution or theory)

For example, naming all the presidents of the United States is a feat of knowledge. Explaining how the Electoral College works is a comprehension task. Determining the winner of an election based on the raw votes is an application task. Considering the effects of redistricting is an act of analysis. Devising an alternative to the Electoral College is a work of synthesis. Assessing the efficacy of the Electoral College in conveying the will of the people is a work of evaluation.


The type of thinking a task requires depends on the student’s prior knowledge. For instance, determining which animals are mammals may indicate understanding of the features mammals share (application) or simply knowledge that cats, rats, and bats are all mammals. Similarly, the third side of a right triangle whose first two sides are three inches and four inches can be calculated using the Pythagorean theorem (application) or memorized (knowledge).
Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) also refers to a program designed to teach higher order thinking skills through the use of computers and the Socratic Method. HOTS is specifically designed for at-risk students in grades four to seven based on the premise that at-risk students need help regulating their thinking.


References:
Pogrow, Stanley. “HOTS revisited: A thinking development approach to reducing the learning gap after grade 3.” Phi Delta Kappan, 87, 2005. 64–75
Credits to LEARN NC (source)

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Friday, May 18, 2012

Team Building Games

6:07 AM  Robi Marapao  21 comments


Team buildings are very helpful not only for students to enjoy and get to know each other more, but also, it can make them feel they're welcomed to peers, develop their trust and self-esteem, and grow their faith to God. (You can check out for more team building games I've created here.)


Some students are just pressured and confused in life. They really need proper guidance and good advice. Having this activity will break the ice, and bar a boring routine as students. (Well, students say that.) Save your students, not soon, not tomorrow but now.

Here are the sample games that you can use. Facilitators should process the valuing portion of every game so it will lead to a more worthwhile experience.

Flow of the games:

1. I am Blessed Game (individual game)
Mechanics:
 Participants will just complete this phrase “I am blessed because      ________________________________________________.
  •  The ones who said with same statement will be separated from the group for consequence. ( he/she will actually    receive a gift)
  •  Anyone can’t complete the statement for 10 seconds will also be separated from the group. 
  • The twist is, those who have completed the statement will be the ones to sit down, while those who are separated will continue the game.
  • There will be another round for those who are separated until there’s only one left. 
  •  And for this round, anyone who can’t complete the phrase will be eliminated. 
  •  The one who’s left will be proclaimed as a winner.

2. Paint Me a Picture (group)
Mechanics:
  •  The group will be asked to paint a picture through unique and sensible portray.
  •  Each team will be given 5-10 minutes to plan everything, until called to start.
  •  Judges will decide which team will win.
Pictures:

-- School
-- Church
-- Family


3. The Christian Survivors (group)
Situation:
The aircraft is about to crash but some parachutes are not working anymore. In order to accommodate all passengers, your group should only bring 7 things. As Christians, if there are seven deadly sins, there are also 7 useful things.
Mechanics:
  •  Participants will be given 10-15 minutes to discuss with a group.
  •  Each team should think of 7 useful things as part of Christianity and plane crash survival.
  •  The group will choose a leader to lead the presentation.
  •  Judges will decide which group will win.

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Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Your Desk Reflects Your Personality

2:16 PM  Robi Marapao  14 comments



If papers were based on people’s riches, teachers would be millionaires.
So right! You’ve got piles of papers on your desk and sometimes, you don’t know which one to pick.


Have there times you messed them up? (surely yes)
Nearly all teachers get some organizers so papers would be well-organized. But having organizers don’t guarantee that your desk would remain decent and tidy.



Most people say, your place determines of who you are. Are your desks clean? (say yes please)
If not, you must do something the soonest possible.

Okay, let’s make a good start. Look at your desk now, is it new or old?
If it’s old, try to have it painted. Here are the colors to choose from:
black – for elegance structure
white – for simplicity and purity
brown – for wood style furniture
(Color of your desk will depend on the theme of your office. )



How many times should you clean your desk? Okay, I know it’s a clamant answer but it’s really a must.
You should clean your desk before and after you leave. And if there’s a smear, clean it right away. Don’t let a smudge be a permanent resident of your office.


“Hey, we have a janitor who cleans my desk every day.” This is my say to you! There’s no better performance than the one who starts it. Who uses the desk every day? Yes, it’s really you. Who is the most concerned of a better look? It’s neither the janitor nor your officemate. It’s the total you.


Voila, turn around you. Is your desk the cleanest? I have to congratulate you for that. 
Cheers!




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Friday, May 11, 2012

Five Ways to Develop Patience

3:50 PM  Robi Marapao  20 comments

If your profession is a teacher, your patience must be more than enough.

Many have said, “I have lots of patience and I know I can stand it.” But hey, are you aware of different behaviors of your students? If your answer is yes, that’s good. 

But if you say no, watch out! Your patience will be tested and there’s no way for you to escape because you have to face it. You will undergo a test. Will you let yourself be failed by your own profession? Definitely no!

Second question, how do you measure your patience?

Is it when you’re able to succeed by yelling to your students without getting any complaint from them?
Or is it when you remain calm despite of the undesirable behaviors? 

Here are the five tips on how to stretch your patience:

1. Never give up – in times of losing your cool, don’t sit down and let things happen. Hold on and be on the grip.

2. Be always the control – be the teacher and manager in class. Dominate everything on how you want it to happen.

3. Relax – don’t pressure yourself and put a pain in your head. That’s a total slap to you. Have a pause for a little while then get back into action.

4. Use the wiser way – you should be the smartest person in  the classroom. This is your class so you should be the one responsible.

5. Enjoy the company – there’s a joy when you initiate fun with your students. Don’t be too strict as if you’re handling troupe of armies. 

Patience is indeed a virtue. It doesn't only apply for teachers. With patience, it paves the way and frees you from stress. It helps you to succeed whatever you desire to achieve.
Practice has something to do with patience too. Everyday is a test and tomorrow is another one. Are you ready? Go and get achieved with your goals.

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