Reflective Summary of the Ib Programme

Activity 7.3

First of all, I came to realize that teachers play a vital role in this 21st century education. Teachers are seen to be the ultimate most important criteria which determine a successful 21st century education. This is highlighted by Tan Sri Dr Murad Mohammad Nor (n.d.), the former Education Director General who once stated that, however good the plan, it will be of no use if the teachers did not implement it well. This indicates that teachers are the planners, the facilitators as well as the executors in the teaching and learning process. Thus, an initiated and well-determined teacher is essential to encourage the teaching and learning to take place effectively. This type of teacher would continuously boost up their knowledge as well as polish their teaching pedagogy so as to enhance their students’ learning.

Apart from that, I have changed my conventional view of teaching after I participated in this programme. I used to believe that teachers should be the ones who prepare all the teaching and learning in the classroom. However, now, this programme has enabled me to widen my views and beliefs in teaching. I have learned that teaching and learning should be a two-ways process. It is no longer a spoon-feeding nor passive learning process. Students can be the learners as well as teachers for themselves. This is because 21st century learners should be self-initiated and self-motivated in their own learning. Students play an active role whereas the teachers are there to facilitate and give appropriate guidance.

In addition, I have also learned the importance of using pre-assessment tools in the teaching and learning process. This is particularly important for teachers as it helps teachers to understand what their students have already known and what their students need more. On the other hand, this is essential because by eliciting students’ ideas and experiences in relation to the new learning and then fashion the learning situations can help students to elaborate on or restructure their current knowledge. This would better help teachers in planning their lessons and also enhance their students’ learning. This is because when teachers know what their students have already known, they can build on their students’ existing knowledge. Also, students can be reminded of what they have learned and set a framework that they need to incorporate in the new learning.