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  • Writer's pictureHarv Flo

Overall Academic Experience

Updated: Nov 22, 2018

Student Name: Harvey John H. Flores

Home University: Saint Louis University, Baguio City, Philippines

Receiving University: Universitas Lambung Mangkurat, Banjarmasin City, Indonesia

Blog Address: https://harvflo.wixsite.com/seateacher-b6-seameo





1. School: General Information and Academic Administration


School Profile


I was deployed to SMK Muhammadiyah 3 Banjarmasin. For their school profile please see attached file here.


Academic Support System


As to their support system, I see that the learning environment is very conducive to learning. The classroom atmosphere is very light and harmonious. I can see the students having fun while the class discussion is going on. The teachers have a very good relationship with the students. The students can easily approach the teachers if they need help with their studies.


Teaching System


Unlike in the Philippines, the teaching of hours of subject here is 3 periods. Each period is equivalent to around 45 minutes. In the Philippines, we teach English 1 period, equivalent to 1 hours, 3 times a week. In the SMK Muhammadiyah 3 Banjarmasin, English is taught once a week. The teaching procedures follow almost the same flow with the Philippines. Starting with Pre Activities, then focusing on While Activities and ending with Post Activities.


Materials and Other Learning Sources


Usually my teacher uses a multi media projector when executing her lesson plans. Teaching is accompanied by PowerPoint presentations and Video Clippings from various internet resources. Check my other blog entries for details regarding the teaching strategies my teacher uses.


Measurement and Evaluation System


In the usual classroom discussions, my teacher evaluates learning by asking questions. She also lets the students do some board activities (e.g. supplying missing information, constructing sentences, enumerating examples, etc.).


Curriculum


English is taught once a week for 3 periods. A period is equivalent to 45 minutes. I was able to teach Grade 10 and 12 students. The Grade 10 students was, at that time, learning "Expressing Intention" and "Congratulating Others". On the other hand, the Grade 12 students were learning "Affixes" (i.e. Prefix and Suffix).


Teaching Plan


The plan is similar with Philippines. It is just a matter of how things are called, a matter of terminologies. To see a comparison, follow this link where different lesson plans from my university, Saint Louis University, and SMK Muhammadiyah 3 Banjarmasin are enumerated.


2. Pedagogical Contents


Teaching methods


My teacher used the Socratic method in classroom discussions. She starts with asking questions related to what she presented in the beginning. This way students are motivated and are encouraged to create their own ideas. As she progresses with her discussion she integrates higher order thinking skills by letting students come up with their own examples.


Learning Materials and Innovation


My mentor, Ibu Aulia, uses Multi Media Projector and various video clips from the internet in teaching. She would usually start her lessons by showing a video clip from a movie students can easily relate to. For a detailed observation of her teaching, check my blog entries clicking here.


Sources of Learning and Technology


The teacher uses a text book called "Bahasa Ingris". This where she gets some of her activities during the evaluation part of the lesson. Also the teacher uses video clips from the internet to further and deepen learning of the students. She also uses photos when giving examples to elaborate a particular concept.


Authentic Assessment


Assessment is done through reciting, writing and engaging activities like language games. Oral recitation is done from time to time as the discussion progresses. After some exchange of ideas between the teacher and the students, board or seat works are done. From time to time my mentor comes up with fun activities like games.


Others


Check my other blog entries to read my other classroom experiences by clicking here.


3. Teaching Plan


Curriculum


English is taught once a week for 3 periods. A period is equivalent to 45 minutes. I was able to teach Grade 10 and 12 students. The Grade 10 students was, at that time, learning "Expressing Intention" and "Congratulating Others". On the other hand, the Grade 12 students were learning "Affixes" (i.e. Prefix and Suffix).


Teaching Plan Related Major


Just like how it is done in the Philippines, plans start with stating the objectives. They also follow competencies and indicators for the lesson proper. I encountered Scientific Approach and Student Centered in terms of the method for learning. They also look at the structure of text or concept to be taught. To see more details regarding the lesson plan click the link here.


4. Observation on Teacher(s)


Planning for Teaching


When it comes to lesson planning the teachers are guided by the learning competencies and indicators. These competencies and indicators are found in their syllabus. Follow the link to see.


Preparing Lessons and Materials


Lesson plans are executed together with PowerPoint presentations and some visual aids. Visual aids may vary from photos to diagrams.


Teaching in Class


My mentor, uses Multi Media Projector and various video clips from the internet in teaching. She would usually start her lessons by showing a video clip from a movie students can easily relate to. For a detailed observation of my mentor's teaching, check my blog entries by clicking here.


Measurement and Evaluation


Measurement and evaluation is done in various ways (i.e. question and answer, oral recitation, enumeration, seat works, board works, and group works).


Others


Read more of my observation experiences by clicking here.


5. Teaching Practice


Procedures of Teaching


I followed SMK Muhhamadiyah 3's lesson plan format and also their procedures. I begun with stating my objectives for the lesson. I also had a Pre Activity prepared for my students. I started by motivating them using a video clip I got from an action movie. Then I asked questions which I used as a spring board for introducing the topic. I discussed the concepts using more videos and also photos. I also used a PowerPoint presentation to make my discussion engaging and somehow visually appealing. I conducted group activities to make the topic as interesting as possible. I had them construct slogans and dialogues in groups of 5. To check details on the activities, follow the link.


Time management and Organizing Activities


In the Philippines, I'm used to teaching a subject for an hour. Here in SMKM 3, teaching a subject lasts for more than 2 hours. I had a lot of time to conduct the activities (i.e. role playing, dialogue making, slogan making, and drawing) that I wanted. I also had more time to show videos and photos, to give more examples, and to elaborate the concepts I was teaching. Although, I did need more time to plan and organize activities since I had to execute these for more than 2 hours.


Problem-solving


If there was any problem at all during my teaching experience, that would be the language barrier. I did notice my students having a hard time understanding what I was saying. English seemed to be something a bit difficult for them. However, I had different strategies to let them understand what I was saying aside from translating. By emphasizing on my gestures and actions, somehow I was able to convey what I mean. The PowerPoint presentation helped a lot too.


Classroom Management


Even though the students were barely understanding me, being the foreigner that I am, they showed a great amount of respect. I'm really happy since I did not have much difficulty managing the class. They were very much engaged in class room discussions and students barely made noises during my teaching experience. My mentor may have helped with the classroom management since she was always accompanying me when I was teaching. With her presence, the students knew they had to behave accordingly. Although I did have problems with assessing if students were actually listening or were just staring blankly at me.


Others


I was able to teach at least five times during my whole experience. Follow the link if you want to read the whole story.


6. Summary and Suggestions


Purposes of Practicum


The practicum aimed to enrich my teaching skills, especially in a totally new environment. My communication skills were very much challenged by the barriers put up because of the major difference in language and English proficiency. The environment offers a variety of cultural practices that could not be seen in my own environment.


Procedures of Practicum


I was instructed to observe for the first week. I was fortunate enough to observe my mentor Ibu Aulia, and some student teachers majoring in English too. Then I was assigned to be a teaching assistant for another week. I got the opportunity to teach side by side with Ibu Aulia. I was very happy to help her with giving examples in class. You can check my detailed blog about my teaching assistant experience by clicking here. Last but definitely not the least and also definitely the exciting part, the practice teaching. I had to accomplish 20 practice teaching hours and luckily I was able to do it. I had the chance to teach for 1 week in 5 different classes. To check the detailed experience about my practice teaching experience, click here.


Outcomes of Practicum


The practicum really helped me become better; not only in terms of being a teacher but a person as a whole. This experience indeed developed me holistically as a teacher. There was so much learning opportunities that helped me shape my teaching approaches, strategies, methods, and techniques. I could say that the experience is worth all the money and this made me really happy. To check my working hours, follow the link and scroll to the bottom part of my home page.


The Challenges of Practicum


The only challenge I can think of is communicating since only a few people were able to speak English. Although, this is just a bit of a challenge since the people were so accommodating and were very much willing to learn. Even if I and the people there had major differences in our language, the language of generosity, compassion, kindness, and love were very much evident.


Overall Impression


I don't have enough words to describe how great the SEA TEACHER experience is. This made me really happy and I would encourage other pre-service teachers to grab this wonderful opportunity. I'm just really grateful and very happy that I was able to join Batch 6. Thank you.


Suggestions for Future Improvement


My one and only suggestion is about the assessment process of the blog. I hope we get a detailed evaluation as to how we should go about the changes in the blog. Thank you SEAMEO for this great experience.

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