Teaching TLE in the New Normal
Teaching TLE in the New Normal
Alternatives to traditional classroom tools and materials suggested for TLE during remote learning include using local products like kalamansi and coconut milk for cosmetic courses, improvised items like cassava or kamias stalks for hair perming, and utilizing household items such as worn-out furniture for carpentry practice. These substitutions allow students to perform activities with readily available resources, making education more accessible under pandemic conditions .
The reflective approach can be applied by encouraging students to assess their learning experiences critically and consider how the skills they are developing apply to real-life situations. For example, after completing an activity using localized materials, students could reflect in a journal about what they learned, the challenges they faced, and how they overcame them. This encourages continuous improvement and adaptation to the realities of life outside traditional learning environments .
Localization in material usage enhances students' learning experience during remote education by encouraging creativity and resourcefulness. It allows students to explore the functionality of alternative materials, understand their properties, and apply their skills in varied environments, thereby deepening their understanding and adaptability. For instance, using household items for carpentry or local fruits for hair treatment fosters practical proficiency despite the pandemic constraints .
Students face several challenges when practicing TLE skills at home, primarily due to the lack of access to specialized equipment and the absence of a controlled learning environment like a laboratory. To overcome these issues, students are advised to utilize localized and substitute materials available at home to achieve similar learning outcomes. This includes using kitchen spaces for cookery and utilizing family members as subjects in hair treatment exercises .
The collaborative approach benefits students by enabling them to work together with family members or online peer groups to share resources, ideas, and receive feedback, which compensates for the absence of peer interactions that typically occur in a classroom setting. This can enhance understanding through shared learning experiences, where students can engage in discussions and jointly solve problems related to TLE activities, thereby reinforcing knowledge and skills despite physical separation .
The 'Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013' aids in teaching Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) during the pandemic by providing various educational approaches adaptable to remote learning conditions. These approaches include the Constructive, Collaborative, Integrative, Inquiry-based, and Reflective approaches, facilitating the adaptation of the curriculum to different learning situations, especially in skill-based subjects like TLE where hands-on experience is crucial .
Educators can leverage the inquiry-based approach by encouraging students to formulate their own questions related to TLE topics and pursue investigations using available resources at home. Educators can set problem-solving tasks that compel students to apply critical thinking and explore real-world applications of TLE skills, such as designing a sustainable home-based project or investigating alternative methods for performing a practical skill, thus fostering curiosity and self-directed learning .
Teachers have adapted their methods for providing TLE education during the pandemic by creating video demonstrations and permitting parents to record live demonstrations at schools. This was necessary to overcome the challenge of not having face-to-face learning where skills can be taught directly. Furthermore, students are encouraged to use available resources at home, transforming parts of their houses into practical learning environments .
Students are recommended to perform TLE activities by utilizing localized materials and household substitutes for tools and ingredients typically used in school settings. For example, using items like kalamansi and coconut milk in place of cosmetic materials, or kitchen spaces for cookery practice. Additionally, involving family members as practice subjects in treatments or repair exercises can provide practical engagement and support the learning process .
The adaptation of home environments to serve as learning spaces is challenging in TLE because the subject heavily relies on tools, equipment, and settings designed for specific, often standardized, educational activities that cannot be fully replicated in a home environment. The absence of direct teacher supervision further complicates the execution and proper demonstration of skills. Students must creatively find or substitute materials and adapt practices to the constraints and limitations of their home environments, which requires higher levels of self-regulation and problem-solving skills .