There are three key concepts that appear on this chapter that deserve special attention when dealing with goals, these are understandings, knowledge, and skills. The first has to do with the results we want to achieve in terms of making our students perceive the purpose of learning what we teach them. The second refers to the concepts and facts that students are expected to gain during the learning process. Finally, skills are the techniques or procedures students are supposed to learn.
As teachers we are certainly aware of the importance of these three aspects. However, not all of these are included in our planning. It is very common that we base our plans on the contents included in the course book we use and, consequently, we simply forget to incorporate the purpose and the skills involved. The question is, then, do we pay attention to these aspects in the classroom, during the lessons? My perception is that if we are not able to include them in our syllabus, it is very difficult that we actually do.
This fact leads us to a major problem in education: assumptions. It is usually assumed that students know the purpose for learning, and that they possess the necessary skills for their educational development. But why do we expect that if they have never been taught to do so? We know our educational system is full of flaws, so I think it is time to stop assuming, and to start ACTING, no matter how difficult that can be at the beginning. If we do so, the learning process will be successful and we will be feel the satisfaction from knowing that things are done in the right way.
You are right when you said that the three aspects are not considered in our plans. In this sense I would like to add that there is a big ignorance of leaders in educational institutions because nobady is able to suggests something like this. We are very lucky of having the chance to be a bit prepared.
ResponderEliminarI agree with you on the fact that we always think on the contents, and rarely on the purpose of teaching.
ResponderEliminarI think we should start acting as well! Assumptions are ever present and something has to actually be done in order for anything to change.
ResponderEliminarThe course book is a great tool, but sometimes we overuse it. Perhaps that is why we forget about the importance of skills over contents.
ResponderEliminarIt's true that sometimes we tend to focus more on the contents that in the purpose of teaching and learning, that's why it's fundamental to work in how could we develop good lessons and how can we help our students to follow us without feeling lost during the learning process.
ResponderEliminarMost teachers don't have any idea about the three concepts you mention nad that is a sin for the educatinal system...that's one reason why education is getting worse.
ResponderEliminarTo be focused only on the content it is not the answer. That is part of the past. Now, you need to be focused on the purpose. It means, "why are we teaching "X" ? ". Besides, we have to let our students know why are they doing that, because they have no idea what they're doing and why they have to go to school.
As you mnetioned, most of our students don´t know why they are doing day by day in their schools. Maybe, they haven´t thought about.
ResponderEliminarEstablishing goals requires developing thinking skills and few students are prepared to do so.
Many agents should be involved in this process: teachers ,students, parents and ,of course, the
State
In my experience, my school asks me to make students speak and produce language as well as comprehend it. The problem is that tests such as SIMCE requires different techniques and methodologies which sometimes are far different from what I always do at school (Trying to reach goals established by the school) It's ok, I think, but the issue is that MATH teachers complain about methodologies they need to use to train students for the PSU which in their opinion is not TEACHING but TRAINING for a test instead of preparing them for the university. Is that what is going to happen to us in the short future?
ResponderEliminar