On Teaching and Transforming

                                                                            by: JVC Abatayo

     Recently, I explored an enlightening educational video, as recommended by our Ph.D. Professor, which poignantly discusses the importance of curriculum through Andrew Hammond's analytical lens. Hammond underscores a crucial perspective on how educational institutions illuminate pathways of knowledge, designed to be advantageous for students' future journeys, while also critiquing the prevalent focus on grades rather than holistic academic performance.

Hammond provocatively questions the extensive emphasis placed on the grading system within our educational establishments. He argues for a shift towards valuing the journey of academic performance over the ultimate numerical outcome. Indeed, behind each curriculum, result, and grade, pivotal factors that cannot be overlooked emerge, which demand our attention and introspection.

Inspired by Hammond's analytical narrative on prioritizing cultural considerations before curriculum, if entrusted to establish my own school, I would embed flexibility at its core. This would facilitate a learning environment accommodating myriad learning styles and strategies, ensuring no student is marginalized or demoralized due to isolated poor performances. My ethos would hinge on recognizing various enablers and predictors that facilitate academic flourishing, with a special emphasis on experiential learning, enriched through social experiences, emotional connectivity, affinities, innovation, and creativity. This approach not only echoes the genuine sentiments of learners but also profoundly impacts their curricular interactions and achievements.

Moreover, I aspire to amplify the role of philosophical inquiry within the educational framework, nurturing student engagement and enhancing the reasoning skills, particularly among low-performing students. Philosophical inquiry, by addressing frequent, debatable, and central questions – such as those surrounding happiness, moral principles, existence, and knowledge – holds the power to ignite curiosity and deepen understanding among students.

The incorporation of philosophical inquiry in pedagogy stands out as a distinctive tool, unlocking students’ latent potentials, something unattainable through traditional instructional methodologies. It empowers students to demonstrate their aptitude in engaging in dialogues, utilizing reasoning skills, and participating in various classroom activities that symbolize proficient students.

In conclusion, the necessity to scrutinize, reflect upon, and reshape the curriculum is palpable. Ensuring educational flexibility is paramount to impart the holistic learning that genuinely addresses students' needs. As educators, it is imperative that we lessen our reliance on conventional educational paradigms, instead embracing innovative approaches that catalyze positive transformations within our educational systems.

 

Photo From: https://unsplash.com/s/photos/black-and-white-holding-hands

Building Dreams through Educational Assessments: A Reflection

             

by JVC Abatayo

           The global landscape is undergoing significant transformations, prompting a pivotal shift in teaching and learning approaches alike. Amidst these disruptions, it's imperative to address the burgeoning demands of the future without placing undue reliance on standardized tests.

In our contemporary era, the requisite skills are evolving, necessitating the infusion of competencies such as complex communication, higher-order thinking, routine and non-routine manual skills, and routine cognitive abilities into the educational paradigm. Hence, I wholeheartedly concur that standardized tests, in their current form, cannot fully foster the acquisition of these varied skills.

Why does this view resonate with me? I believe standardized tests can inadvertently erode the quality of education by imposing limiting and exacting frameworks. They often inhibit educators from exploring, innovating, and adopting flexible teaching methods. Furthermore, standardized tests have been associated with heightened student anxiety and stress, sometimes escalating to severe pressure and depression, due to their prescriptive and high-stakes nature. Such a unidimensional approach to assessment neglects the diverse potential and unique trajectories of learners, which is indeed detrimental.

Comparatively, numerous countries are pioneering exploratory and individualized approaches in their educational systems to ensure that no student is marginalized. These systems prioritize being attuned to and supportive of the specific needs of their learners over homogenizing and generalizing education through standardized tests. Their emphasis on learner welfare illuminates a path from which the Philippines, among other nations, can derive invaluable insights.

My firm belief is that our educational assessments need to be both realistic and pragmatic. The practical application of knowledge is crucial, rendering it active and meaningful, as opposed to being passively accumulated through mere memorization. Although memorization possesses its own merits, it does not alone facilitate in-depth learning. I contend that analysis stands as a cornerstone to actual understanding. Permitting students to explore beyond their conventional boundaries and encouraging them to think innovatively and critically are paramount. Consequently, educational assessments should not thwart their ambitions but should instead catalyze their ongoing development and continuous self-enhancement!

 

Reference:

Darling-Hammond, L. (2015, June 30). Testing, Testing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G_vWcS1NTA.

Photo from: https://www.viewsonic.com/library/education/educational-assessment-tools-summative-formative/