As a teacher candidate, taking the Remedial Instruction subject is as life changing as the other

major subjects that I have already taken. But this subject hits differently as I got to apply or use
what I have learned in a real set up or scenario where students are in front of me virtually. And I
the teacher is teaching and doing some remediation.
I am glad and grateful that I got to learn the different macro skills in a deeper level, not just
about their meaning and functions. But I also comprehend and clearly understands now the
different difficulties that are underlying in each macro skill. And as a teacher, I am beyond happy
and fulfilled that if I am going to asked how to address those difficulties and even if I am tasked
to cure or address it, I know that I am confident enough to say that I have a background about
those difficulties, I can address those, and I know how to handle students with such difficulties
and needs to undergo remediation.
Throughout our discussion I realized something, and that is not to expect that every students are
the same. They don’t have the same level of understanding and comprehension in the different
macro skills. There are also instances where some students are really good in writing but
encounters a difficulty in speaking. The teacher should be aware that students should not just
excel or be good in a one skill, but students should be nurtured and shaped holistically meaning
he or she should be immerse in the different macro skills. As a teacher it is our duty to extend
our understanding and patience when we encounter students with such difficulty. But the thing is
students are special and unique in their own way, and if I will be a teacher in the future, I will
always keep it in my mind.
In connection to what I said that students are different, not all students need to undergo
remediation there are some who doesn’t need remediation anyway. Another thing that I learned
is about the proper way in determining who or how many students need remediation. There is a
certain and a proper assessment that the teacher needs to do. This also applies when deciding or
choosing what strategies to use in every session, especially when students’ difficulty are not
directed in a certain skill. What if three students need remediation in writing but a greater
number needs remediation in speaking do the teacher needs to combine and use a strategy that
targets or addresses the difficulty of the greater number? What I am saying is each macro skill
have proper strategies that will address each difficulty. And improvement in the part of the
students doesn’t takes place overnight it can take a numerous session. Teachers should not
expect that when the student attended a remediation class the students will automatically
improve and get better. Everything takes time that is why it is also a need for us, teachers to be
patient at all times.
In terms of applying what I have learned from our discussions, even we could not meet
personally we still pulled it off. With the use of technologies conducting our remediation
sessions became possible. I am glad that I got to apply those strategies and activities that would
really address the participant’s difficulty in my chosen skill which is writing. I really want to
make sure that I will hit the target when I had my session. I have surfed the net for strategies that
is applicable to the different difficulties in writing.
Since we didn’t have the chance to personally meet our participants, shyness and feeling
uncomfortable to speak, recite or participate were prevalent. But what I have learned in my
months of learning via online I have learned to maximize the use of the platform or application.
Like, when the participants feel uneasy to open their camera and speak, we let them use our chat
box so they can still share their answers and participate in our session without hesitating, the
other thing is that we let them write their answers then they will open their camera to show of
flash their answers. I have realized that as a teacher or a moderator we should really think ways
on how to make our participants be engage throughout the session.
I also learned that working collaboratively with my classmates really works, if you have same
goal with your peers then it would be easier. This is also applicable when teaching students, if I,
their teacher prepares the goals or objectives and keep those objectives in my mind then it would
be easier for me to be more focused and to be more motivated in doing remediation. As those
objectives will be my guide or basis if I have really fulfilled what I need to do, and if I really
address the students’ needs.
To sum it up, it was such a great experience to conduct a seminar and to apply what I have
learned from our subject. Conducting and having my own session really equipped and fueled me
to be more immerse and to be more dedicated towards teaching. What I have learned in this
subject will always have a great impact in my development as a teacher. The details and
information that I gained and understood will always have a secured spot and place in my mind
and even in my long term memory.