Reflection paper

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched-
they must be felt with the heart. ---- Helen Keller.
I never thought I could have an experience something like that- visiting schools and
Universities and exposing ourselves from a different kind of real school setting. Though we
already experienced going to schools and spent hours in observing classes specifically
observing learners behavior, teaching strategies and many more in my hometown but it was
very unusual to the feeling that we will be observing and will have a tour on different prestigious
Universities and well-known schools in Davao City. It was something to look forward by the way.
What I am really pointing out is that were all the principles of teaching and learning is applied?
Are the theories that we keep on discussing in school is also utilized? I had a lot of questions
even long before the trip. So I was starting to create something on my mind that might be
relevant for me when I get there.
So, on the day of August 18 early in the morning that was around 8. We arrived on
Davao City and visited the first school on the list which is the University of Immaculate
Conception. As expected, we were oriented on the things to be done and on things that we must
not do. Given the checklist of course to be guided, we to go out on the van and started to go
around tour. I know the disparity between their schools and mine but still grateful that my school
is considered as one of the threat in many schools and universities in Davao City. We learned a
lot from their schools they had plenty of facilities and equipment since they are more basically
engaging their students in Science subject its more on researching and all. They are provided
with many different print materials and uses integration of technology in teaching. We are
supposed to observed classes however, they are taking their exams and that date was actually
scheduled for the campuss exam. We had a privilege to see the whole campus and all. Not one
school but we visited 6 schools including Ateneo de Davao University and grade School, MKD a
Japanese school in Davao City, SPED school and the University of Immaculate Conception and
grade School. The second destination was the Davao City Special Education School. It offers
an opportunity to every child with different disabilities. Teachers assigned from different learning
disability informed us about their students conditions before we enter inside the classroom to
meet children with different learning disability. Basically I salute the teachers who managed
them not because of their disability that makes them different from others but it is the patience
that they imposed to each of them, the fact that their learners have unique behaviors than those
with normal children but still they develop those children to be like a normal one since after
different process and observation they will let the leaner be in the mainstream. You can really
see how those children feel about being comfortable to their teachers and with respect they
listen to them. Values is observed and executed. They socialize with others like normal children
do. They are also smart, humble, kind, and respectful and they always smile at us every time we
enter inside their classrooms. They are a special creation of God that must educate as well like
others.
The next day August 19, 2014 we visited Ateneo de Davao Grade School wherein we
were able to observe a class for 2 subjects. The moment the teacher discussed their subject
matter in the class. We observed the behaviors of the learners and strategies of teachers in that
private school. As a matter of fact I was really amazed on the way how they speaks the
Universal language knowing the fact that they are only in grade 4 level and mastered speaking
in English. It was an experience that no one could really erase from me. I learned a lot
observing from that school. Right after we visited the Ateneo de Davao Grade school we
precede exploring on Japanese school namely Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku. Later we met
people there, Staff, students and Japanese instructors. We learned many things in their School
aside from a little glance from the language spoken which is the Niponggo. The school
embraces two cultures the Filipino culture and as well as the Japanese culture which is highly
an authentic system they practiced. This information will add up to my empty cup and to keep in
my big learning cabinet. After lunch, we went to Ateneo De Davao University. Their school
campus was big as Ateneo De Davao High School campus. I dont know the name of our tour
guide because she didnt introduced herself to us. She just tours us around the campus from
fifth floor to ground floor without saying anything. We just follow her wherever she takes us. We
only saw their library and canteen and there ends our exploration inside their campus. I can say
that they have a good learning environment but some of the students are not friendly, their stare
has something to do with their attitudes and behavior. The last school we visited during that day
was University of the Immaculate Conception. Unfortunately, we were not able to see their
facilities because they do not have classes every Wednesday afternoon. We just saw their
school which is big and wide enough to be called University.
In general this educational tour in different universities helps me a lot on how to be an
effective and flexible teacher in the near future. Furthermore, it awakes me to the fact that
learning the theories that was learned in the four corners of the room can be integrated to be
efficient and best teacher with values. Basically because they keep on telling us that in the field,
you are no learning what you learned but you are starting to learn what is going to be showed in
your classroom. Moreover, you will learn something that is different from before since you are
dealing on a real world setting of the classroom where there are no more pretentions, no more
rooms for wrong decisions and only a heat that is willing to accept the changes in daily lives.
Do you know the difference between education and experience? Education is when you learn
the fine print; experience is when you dont.--Pete Seeger


Prepared by: Ghiecel S. Alacre
IV- BEED