The Blueprint of Teaching

I have never heard of what an instructional design is. I only know what a lesson plan is and though I don't have any idea on how to make it, I am aware that it is the 'blueprint' my grade school teachers used to impart the systematic knowledge they possess. Likewise, the instructional design (ID) is pretty much the same thing. It contains the objectives, content, strategies and evaluation procedures that you will execute during the teaching process itself. And as future physical therapists (which contains the innate role of being a teacher), making an ID is a vital skill we have to hone.

A few days ago, the class was gathered in a workshop to create an ID based on the groupings we were assigned to. In my case, I was assigned to community teaching along with four others. It was already understood that we had to read up on the given module beforehand and bring possible references that we may utilize during the activity. Though there was an example in the module on how to create an ID, it was not enough to help us in making one. For me, I largely used the ideas discussed in the module to create my individual ID, and not from the example itself. On top of this, I used experience to guide me.

I have taught children for two years already as a volunteer catechist in my province every summer when I go home and in Manila, I have volunteered to teach on weekends as well (though lately I have not because of studies). These bulk of experiences have taught me a lot about using my creativity in teaching and how to approach children in such a way that they will listen and maintain their focused attention on you. By following the guidelines in making an ID, I have inputted these thoughts and strategies that have worked for me previously into an organized and tangible layout. To be honest, it made my ideas clearer. Putting them on paper actually makes it easier for me to recall and review what I need to do so that I may not forget any important points.

Though largely self-directed, the activity was helpful in making us ponder on how we would want to teach; it stimulated the resourcefulness and creativity within us and forced us to use our critical thinking coupled with the knowledge we have on the case/s of the learners. Though we may be like children learning to walk for the first time, practice and dedication is all it will take for us to master this art of making the blueprint of teaching in our practice.