Leading through Change

Understanding the components of a successful learning and its limitations made me question why for the longest time, the changes that I have been thinking about have not been implemented in terms of teaching approach, assessment strategies and teachers’ competency development.

Teaching approach

Classroom learning must encourage a learner-centered environment wherein the students lead the discussion and learn to learn in a social setting and teachers are seen as guides for direction. Learner-centered approach to teaching is not very popular during elementary and high school education but is only introduced during tertiary education. It’s important that this approach be incorporated during formative years but unfortunately it’s been a struggle to come up with learning instructions and materials that support this method for young learners. 

Assessment strategy

Assessment can be given in various methods but what I was thinking is it’s versatility and flexibility when it comes to assessing a learner’s progress by comparing it to everybody else in class. Remember, every student learns differently and each child takes in knowledge uniquely hence, when providing an exam, is there a way that we categorize students in class based on their learning style or learning curve. 

Teachers’ growth 

Teachers’ learning does not end when they land a job at school. Aside from the fact that they learn to be more adept to the learners’ needs, they change or improve their teaching style and instructional materials. Most importantly, teachers deserve to develop their presentation skills, communications skills and other competencies. 

So as the new breed to educators, what can we do? 

Personally, never stop advocating for these changes. We are problem solvers, critical thinkers and we should lead through change. Right now, we will continue to propose what we think and rally our voices in the hope that it will be heard one day.. Changes may not happen overnight but it can occur in increments. As teachers, we will lead. Let student data and feedback inform learning decisions. Also, we should continue to create “innovation labs” in schools to create more problem solvers. Let teachers be learners too. Learning is indeed an active process and it’s never ending. It goes on in a loop that expands and evolves with culture, time and technology.