Reflections... finally.

Ok, I better start getting into the habit of posting something, if not, we are gonna end the course without me posting any reflections whatsoever.

This is going to be really general, and hopefully it'll get my engine going in recording more targeted reflections after each session.

Its been pretty thought provoking, going through various pedagogical methods and skills over the few sessions of Geography we had so far. Its refreshing to be thinking about pedagogy, of lessons objectives, effective lesson delivery, of thinking from the students' perspective and producing helpful lessons that is most beneficial to the student. What makes an effective Geography teacher? One who is sensitive to what a student need to know and learn about this world, that's my take on it.

I've always loved Geography, I've always loved to know more about this world we live in. I was fascinated with physical geography in JC, landforms, rivers, rocks and all. In University, I was struck by the amount of injustice, problems but also diversity there was in this society we live in - there was just so much you wanna know. Being serious about Christ over the last few years helped too, for I began to develop a greater love for the people whom He has created, and this world He's graciously given us. To teach is something I always wanted to do since Sec 3; to be a role model and mould young lives into being more sensitive of the needs and diversity of this world is something I grew increasingly keen on since a few years back.

Like all young teachers, a certain (probably huge) amount of idealism exist when you first embark upon the journey. So much content that you've learnt over the years - you just want to download them all to the students. So much idealism you have about how you can mould young lives into being socially responsible earth/world citizens - you begin to think as a teacher you can change the world.

But pedagogical lessons over the last few weeks have pulled me (slightly) back to Earth. Teaching isn't all a bed of roses. There are multiple issues to deal with, a class of differential abilities and interests; parents with varying expectations; school admin with contrasting agendas... the list goes on. Check the idealism dude!

But its so cool too going through the geography lessons, and being exposed to this larger 'Big Idea' concept. Education in Singapore isn't all pragmatic and about achieving exam targets for the sake of parents, students and school - you can achieve that in tandem with a larger and more enlightened mode of teaching philosophy. Teach students the importance of deeper understanding, of crucial essentials that link and underline all the little 'content' we teach. Use pedagogical tools creatively to maintain interest, to inspire independent learning and critical questionings. It can be done. :)

So I refuse to throw away all idealism altogether. I need that to survive my bond haha. But I must say, from what we've been going through in lessons, there is hope. Geography lessons can be fun, interactive and inspiring. I've grown to love the subject and the world we live in. Hopefully, we can develop that in our students too. :) Let's never lose sight on the reason why we embarked upon this teaching journey. Every single lesson, let's not lose sight of the objective, of thinking for the benefit of student. Its easy to be lost in the details to be taught, its easy to be caught in the mesh of admin and politics, its easy to get lazy with all the work piling - but let's keep at working on the whole objective of teaching.

Jia you all. :)