In-service training plays a significant role in the lives of the teachers, equipping educators with innovative methods, and effective ways to enhance the teaching and learning process in the classroom.
This training aims to keep teachers up-to-date of educational advancements, promoting a dynamic and responsive teaching environment that ultimately benefits students and contributes meaningfully in the progress of the Philippines' education system.
This remaining three-day cluster based training for teachers was meaningful yet nerve wracking for me as I am one of the speakers to share the things we had learned during our seminar in Deped Ecotech last September 2023. Honestly, I didn't know what to feel and say when they told us about our re-echo in the district based on the training we attended. Despite those emotions I had, I took this as an opportunity to grow and to build confidence especially when facing a lot of well experienced teachers. It's a kind of mixed emotion for me as this happens for the very first time in my entire life. I guess this is the time for me to go out of my comfort zone.
For the first and second day of our training, we stayed in our school and we had one designated area for us to gather. For the topics, we are just being reminded about the Result-Based Performance Management System (RPMS), Key Indicators during our classroom observation, etc. For the third day up until the last, all teachers in the District of Tabuelan are divided into three clusters: Cluster 1- English, Cluster 2- Science, Cluster 3- Math and we are in Cluster 2.
Whenever we start the day, we make sure that their mind and body are activated. We had fun energizers and activities that could surely make them think and move at the same time.
I started sharing my topic on the third day up until the last day of this training. It was all about "The SOLO-HOTS in the classroom". What it means for us teachers is to integrate higher order thinking skills (HOTS) in the classroom for our students to be globally competitive. But of course, we should start at the basics. The foundational skills are necessary in attaining higher order thinking skills. As I shared with my co-teachers, "Integrate HOTS if the students are ready for it." This means that they should master lower order thinking skills before stepping to the next level. This will not be easy since we are dealing with students with different needs and learning styles, it is a big challenge for us to innovate different teaching strategies to cater to their learning needs.
All throughout my discussion, I feel relaxed and at ease as the participants are actively engaged in exchanging ideas and enthusiastically participated in various activities. In fact some of our participants are well-experienced teachers than us, they never showed any sign of disrespect and as shown in their faces they are listening attentively and willingly. In addition, whenever we ask them questions, they will answer right away and connect their valuable experiences which made the training very lively.
Another meaningful discussion I had was all about "SOLO Level of Taxonomy" where they share their outputs about SOLO Based Assessment Items. What so good about this new model is that we can determine the level of our students through their responses. And if we see that their level of thinking doesn't fit with their age that's the a sign that we must do something about it. As teachers, we must extend our patience and understanding especially in dealing with them.
Talking about active participation, our participants were very inspired to share/answer because we will give them 'smile emoji' as a reward. At the end of this training, we will count all the emoji by group and the group who have received the most number of emoji will be the winner and will be given gifts accordingly.
Before we conducted our closing program, we gave the participants a small heart-shaped paper for them to write their promise as to integrate SOLO Model of Taxonomy and Higher Order Thinking Skills in the classroom. After that, they pasted their paper in the big heart located at the back portion of the classroom. Here's what it looks like.
We are now on the last day of the training and everyone feels excited as this five-day in-service training has come to an end. One of the highlights for this day was the giving of certificates to the speakers and to the participants. And tsadaaaa, I got mine! The best feeling ever! After three nights of doubting myself, finally, I can say I made it. Thank God for the guidance and provision.
Another thing which is the most exciting part for the participants is the giving of awards/gifts.For the third place goes to Group 3 with 44 smile emojis, Group 2 for the second place with 58 emojis, and Group 1 got the first place with 60 emojis all in all.
Here are the participants from Cluster 2:
Being the speaker in this in-service training for teachers was both exhilarating and fulfilling for me. It provided a platform to share insights, strategies, and experiences that could potentially impact the professional growth of educators. As a first time speaker, I was able to learn a lot of things not just by the things I studied but also hearing the different answers from the participants. Everyone has its story and experiences in the classroom. I'm glad to listen to them all and be able to share what I have learned also. This interactive discussions and receptive atmosphere encouraged a sense of collective learning, reinforcing the importance of continuous development within the teaching community. As a speaker, the opportunity to inspire and contribute to the enhancement of teaching practices was truly rewarding. It solidifies the belief in the transformative power of effective education.
And that would be all for today's blog, thank you so much for all the support you have given. I hope to see you again soon!🤗
Once again, this is @marie.creates saying "We create our own life story, so make it meaningful and wonderful".
Have a great day and God bless!🖤