New look to our teaching and learning process

It was the NAPE system which gave a new look to the teaching and learning process in our classrooms. Few decades ago, our classroom's teaching and learning process started with what we call 'Traditional approach'.  The students were assumed blank slate where teacher wrote everything and never looked on student's need to face the challenges of life ahead. The methods used by the teacher in the classroom were lecture, where students sit and listen to the boring and monotonous lecture of the teachers.  If student fails to reproduce the lessons, they were punished blue and black with cane sticks!!! The life of students were tougher than our parents back at home.

Now  better look has been brought to teaching and learning process. The teachers now are facilitators not preacher. The students has right to ask WHAT, WHY, HOW, WHEN, etc. The students will be made to explore their own learning with timely guidance form the facilitators (teacher). The approach is called 'Constructivism'. The underlying principle of this approach is 'learning by doing'. This approach was proven to be the best for better transactional of learning in real life situation. 

The transactions that took place in our education system is at the best pace but there are some problems  which hinders the process. Constructivist class should have students involved in all the learning activities and teachers facilitating the learners with required materials and feedback. However, as I observed, many lecturers who guide the teacher trainees have now started taking advantages of this new approach. Lecturers comes to class with a topic to explore and student teachers are sent to library and computer lab to do research and finally present their work in the class. lastly, the tutor evaluates the messy work of the presenter and lesson ends!
This process doesn't seem to have a good features of constructivism. The tutors do not have their share to comprehend the topics, give feedback, guide the trainees to the right directions and summing up the lessons.


My request to all the teacher is that, please do not take advantage of constructive approach of education
Students needs guidance and support and do not assume that students may know everything through research they do in library and computer lab.  

   

Story of odds and a even

Let me tell you all a story about how I became a teacher. When I was in class seven, my father genuinely asked me a question, "What would you like to be in future?" I answered him knowingly or unknowingly "Teacher" because I knew it is very easy to become teacher those days.  He said "fine".
After 6 years, I passed out from Punakha Higher Secondary School and I appeared last ISC Examination in 2005. I went to job market with just 66 percent and got knocked out from all the courses offered in the country.

I tried with my heart and soul to get employed somewhere so that i can continue  my studies with the amount i may get but the dream hadn't come true. Six months passed that way and I decided to join computer course in RIIT. I went to RIIT&M office and got myself registered on payment of  Nu. 300. Two months went on with some basic skills in computer and after two months a letter was circulated on my name. It reads "please pay your monthly fees" Again I got knocked out.

Now, I could not force my poor father who have to spend day and night for me and younger siblings to get educated. The ultimate decision is to request Chen Chen Dorji (proprietor) to look upon my problem and i succeed in it.
After 9 months training in Diploma in IT, I participated in National Job fare conducted by MoLHR at summing pool complex. The jobs vacancies were from private sectors and I decided to join in any vaccines, i never looked at where I am interested. I applied in 6 vacancies and I got shortlisted only in one. I sat for the interview and the only fear was that there were graduates competing for the same post. The post was an IT instructor for Dzongkha Langauge Institute.

After two days of waiting, new number called me and informed me that i got selected and they will be pleased if i could join the office from the next day. I got excited and rang to my father and all other relatives.
Next day I joined the office and they decided to talk about salary. I demanded 10,000 per month but negotiation came down to Nu. 8600. As the time pass by, the profession i choose was an enterprising and interesting one. I got to know about many people. Some of my trainee were the senior officers,  senior civil servants, fresh graduates and many more.
From that day onwards, I liked the profession of being a teacher/instructor. And in 2008, my proprietor Kunley Gyeltshen (tolley) appreciated my work and urged me to get complete training. He helped me to apply online and after a month, I logged  in RUB website and I got selected to do B.Ed Pry course at Paro College of Education.
Then onwards... my  unprecedented career started.

My first note...

Social media like Face book, twitter, online forums and blogging became strong agent to shape the young democracy of Bhutan. I feel that one day a person without access to social media will be like the rotten apples in a sack.
In a way, I got inspired by the writings of young and inspiring blogger Passang Tshering (Passudiary.com) and i thought to write something about my personal feelings and views about everything that came across my career.
Though it may not be an inspiring blog but i am confident enough to make a starting way to the world of blogging.
My views and feeling may cover every aspects of life but primary focus will be on teaching and learning in Bhutanese education system.
Hope all will enjoy reading my blog.