3-16-15

We had a full packed scheduled yesterday (Monday). It was pretty good for a first day of a new subject since we have to know and feel what it is like to be a teacher someday. We had three activities. I belong in section C and we started with role playing. We were given cases and we have to act as either patient or caregiver, or be the physical therapist that would teach an intervention. Our second activity for teaching was yoga, which lasted for an hour or so and finally, we had to evaluate our teaching style from a previous video portfolio.

Among the three activities, I find the role playing most relevant for our practice. Aside from the obvious reason that we would find ourselves in situations that are similar, if not more difficult than those in a matter of months, and a big part of our profession is spent in teaching clients, how else do you learn teaching other than experience it? It is a skill and i think hands-on activity is the best way for it. 

I think evaluating our own videos is also a good exercise since through it we become aware of what has to be done, what to improve, and which among our actions is right and wrong so that we would do better next time. Soon we would be out there by ourselves and there won't be professors that would guide us in every step that we take, therefore i think that as early as now we have to learn how to correct ourselves. Remember that in order for us to be self directed learners, we have to boost our self awareness first, and from there we realize our strengths and weaknesses. 

Lastly, it took me a while to realize the implication of yoga for teaching. Actually it was my first time to attend such an activity and in all honestly, i learned more about myself, like what kind of learner am i really? and what's the best way for me to learn an activity, than learn what teaching is like. And then it came to me that it was an opportunity to observe how a real teacher handles a group. I know we do it everyday, we come to class 5 days a week but i wasn't really in the perspective of 'how to teach' that's why i don't even pay attention to how our professors do it. It wasn't as simple as teaching the steps or holding the poses, you have to keep in mind a lot of things like what type of feedback should i give? how often should i correct them? how do i handle a group, what must i do to know that they have learned something from me?

For so long i have been a learner. Although there are a few instances in the past wherein i have to teach, it just felt like i'm sharing what i have learned and i don't really have in mind to influence someone and help them reach a goal. I don't really know what it is like to be a teacher. Is it as simple as conveying information? I think it's a lot deeper than that. It is still a long way for me, i really have to put in devotion because affecting lives is a huge responsibility that we can't just take less seriously.