An ounce of experience is better than a ton of theories, a famous adage stressed by John Dewey to support constructivist theory. Being bombarded with voluminous facts, principles of theories, undeniablyI had always been longing for what has been taken place in both ideal and real classroom setting. But that dream of mine became true and made realized when we had our very successful Educational tour. Amazement is all that is in me when I personally witnessed the very well-known and prestigious schools of Mindanao. I could not imagine the vastness of their facilities provided that they are working out for international standards. Those institutions are definitely contrary to where I came from and where I usually held my field study. I could even lift up my head to their towering buildings and being captivated with their beautiful landscapes and very clean open spaces that is desirable environment that supports learning. However, attitude and learning are my considerations that have been developed in me as I participated in every part of the tour. I learned both academic and affective aspect which I regarded the most, especially when times that your patience is being tested.
The schools where we had our observations: The University of Immaculate Conception (Elementary, High School and College), the Ateneo de Davao University (Elementary, High School and College), Davao Special School, and the Mindanao Kukosai Daigaku (MKD) International School. These cooperating schools have been chosen as venue where we held our short-timed and meaningful observations in different aspects of learning zone. I came into the point of being totally amazed as hoe they regarded learning, the amount of efforts, money, time, and the passion they have shown to put the child as the center of the educative process. Their goal-oriented work is really evidential and observable as how they are coping up to the ever-changing world system through providing high quality and standard education that try to reach and surpass international standards. The results of their committed lives in teaching gave forth fruits that are directly proportional to the efforts and time they wasted. These schools had somehow made me quite insecure of thinking and self-pity upon looking on their very expensive and advancing gadgets and learning resources. But I was always reminded of the idea of being blessed out of million people around the world who were not able to college and having this standard and quality education but paying less.
This wonderful experience of mine would somehow be an eye- opener giving emphasis and importance to learning as a future teacher. That educational tour was not happened for the purpose of compliance only as reflected in the course syllabus but indeed, a purposeful and objective-oriented goal that we may be able to be a witness and assess ourselves how we become a world class teacher.
Thank you for reading.