Nature of Teaching and Challenges

Nature of Teaching

Teaching is an interactive, social, dynamic, and goal-oriented process
Teaching is not just conveying information, it's about facilitating learning and creating engaging environments
UNESCO's Four Pillars of Education
- Learning to know (cognitive)
- Learning to do (psychomotor)
- Learning to be (affective)
- Learning to live together (social)
A teacher is...
- A sculptor, shaping young minds
- A gardener, nurturing growth
- A coach, guiding and supporting
- A mentor, inspiring and motivating
- A leader, fostering a love of learning
- A friend, building relationships

Teaching Challenges

Meeting diverse student needs
Managing classroom behavior
Keeping up with educational advancements
Balancing workload and personal life
Social, political, and economic pressures

The Dimensions of the Teaching Profession

Why of Teaching: Motivation and purpose behind choosing the teaching profession
Who of Teaching: The individuals involved in the teaching process (teachers, students, parents, etc)
When of Teaching: Timing and context of teaching
How of Teaching: Teaching strategies and methodologies
What of Teaching: Curriculum, content, and learning outcomes
Where of Teaching: The physical and social setting of teaching

Historical Foundation of Education

Global Perspectives

Ancient Period: Education focused on wisdom, virtue, and societal roles, often tied to religion and tradition (e.g., Ancient Greece, Egypt)
Medieval Period: Emphasis on religious teaching, often tied to the church, with a focus on biblical interpretations and scriptures (e.g., Medieval Europe)
Renaissance Period: Rebirth of classical learning, a focus on humanism, arts, and sciences (e.g., Europe)
Modern/Contemporary Period: Focus on scientific methods, standardized testing, and universal education (e.g., the Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution)

Local Perspectives

Pre-Colonial Period: Education was informal, focused on skills, traditions, and language transmission through oral traditions, elders, and families
Spanish Period: Education was primarily religious, focused on Catholicism, with the establishment of formal schools and universities
American Period: A focus on modern education, embracing the principles of democracy, secularism, and the English language, with the establishment of the public school system
Post-Colonial Period: Education focused on national identity, addressing the need for culturally relevant curricula and promoting bilingualism, with a continued influence from Western educational models

Legal Foundations of Education

Definition and Nature of Law: A system of rules and regulations that govern a society, aiming to establish order, protect rights, and ensure justice.
Criminal Law: Regulates crimes against society, punishing offenders
Corporate Law: Guides the operations of businesses and corporations
International Law: Governs relationships between nation-states
Commercial Law: Regulates business transactions, contracts, and trade
Family Law: Defines family relationships and legal rights
Constitutional Law: The fundamental law of a nation that lays down basic principles of governance, individual rights, and the organization of government.
Labor Law: Regulates employment relationships between employers and workers.
Intellectual Property Law: Protects creations of the mind (e.g., inventions, designs, artistic works).

Sources of Philippine Educational Jurisprudence

Constitution

The 1987 Constitution: Provides the basis for educational policies in the Philippines, outlining the state's role in education and promoting democratic values.
Constitutional Education: Integration of the principles and values of the Constitution into the curriculum
The 1987 Republic of the Philippines Article XIV:
- Section 1. Expresses the importance of education for national development and individual fulfillment.
- Section 2. Outlines the state's responsibility for:
  - Providing accessible, quality education
  - Promoting equality in educational opportunities
  - Encouraging scientific and technological development
  - Protecting the rights of teachers
  - Recognizing the role of private sectors
  - Protecting and promoting indigenous cultural values.

Statutes

Republic Act No. 10533. K to 12 Law: A comprehensive reform designed to enhance the Philippine education system (e.g., expanded preschool, senior high school).
Republic Act 7877: An act providing for the establishment of the Teachers' Dignity Act of 1997, protecting and promoting the welfare of teachers.
Education Act of 1982: Provides the legal framework for the Philippine education system, defining objectives, structures, and administrative processes.
Republic Act 10157: An act strengthening the Philippine Career Guidance program to help students choose their career paths.
Education Act of 10627: Establishes the Philippine Technical-Vocational Education and Training Authority (TESDA) to regulate and develop technical-vocational skills training in the Philippines.

Other Legal Sources

Case Law/Jurisprudence: Legal principles derived from court rulings, setting precedents for future cases.
Regulatory Laws: Rules and regulations issued by government agencies to implement specific laws or address specific issues in education.
Ordinances: Laws passed by local government units (e.g., city, municipality) that apply to specific areas within their jurisdiction.
Legal Opinion: Formal interpretations of laws by legal experts, often provided to government agencies or private individuals.
Resolutions: Formal decisions made by government bodies or organizations that guide their actions and address specific issues.

Legal Underpinnings of Philippine Education

Educational Structure: Four major levels:
- Preschool
- Elementary
- Secondary
- Tertiary (Higher education)
Educational Policies: Guidelines and regulations that govern the operation of education systems, including curriculum, assessment, and financial support.
Curriculum and Instructions: The overall plan for learning, encompassing content, teaching strategies, assessment methods, and learning outcomes.

Philosophical Foundations of Education

Philosophy: The pursuit of wisdom and understanding about fundamental questions of existence, knowledge, and values.
Idealism: Emphasizes the role of ideas, values, and reason in shaping human experience.
Realism: Values objective reality, emphasizing empirical observation and scientific methods for understanding the world.
- Social Realism: Focuses on social structures and inequalities
- Natural Realism: Focuses on natural law and objective reality
Pragmatism: Focuses on practical experiences and the usefulness of knowledge.
Hinduism: A system of belief and practices centered around the Vedas, ancient scriptures.
- Key Concepts: Dharma (duty and righteousness), karma (action and consequence), reincarnation, liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Buddhism: A philosophical and religious tradition centered on the teachings of the Buddha.
- Key Concepts: The Four Noble Truths (suffering, cause of suffering, cessation of suffering, the path to liberation), the Eightfold Path (a guide to ethical and mental development).
Confucianism: A system of thought emphasizing ethical behavior, social harmony, and respect for authority.
- Key Concepts: Filial piety (respect for parents and elders), the five core relationships, the concept of "ren" (humaneness).
Taoism: A philosophical and religious tradition focused on harmony with nature, simplicity, and living in accordance with the Tao (the way).
- Key Concepts: Wu wei (effortless action), yin and yang (complementary forces), the importance of spontaneity and intuition.
Saracen: A term used historically to refer to Arab peoples, often associated with Islamic culture.
- Key Concepts: The importance of the Quran as the word of God, the five pillars of Islam, the emphasis on community and social justice.
Perennialism: Focuses on timeless, universal truths and emphasizes the importance of a classical education in developing rational thinking.
Essentialism: Focuses on the fundamental skills and knowledge that all students need to succeed in a society.
Existentialism: Emphasizes the individual's freedom of choice and responsibility, highlighting the importance of personal meaning and authentic living.
Progressivism: Views education as a process of active inquiry and problem-solving, emphasizing student-centered learning and real-world experiences.
Social Reconstructionism: Focuses on using education to address social problems and promote social justice.
Postmodernism: Challenges traditional views of knowledge and emphasizes the importance of diversity, difference, and individual narratives in education.