My Reflection Paper

“Education is not a preparation for life, education is life itself”- John Dewey.
Education is a journey, not a destination. This is an inspiring statement I have often
read and heard from different speakers from seminars I’ve attended. It is truly a journey
as education is a lifelong process in one’s development, be it in knowledge, skills,
attitudes or values.
When it comes to literacy, I ended up to my elementary limitations. I had the
vision that my literacy was well with my skills in writing, listening and reading. These are
important still today, but the way in which learners learn and how we teach has changed
because of all the technological advances that have occurred.
Moving on to this digital age, teachers are considered as facilitator that helps
learners to assess and process information by using technology. Therefore, teaching
young children today is an increasingly challenging task. Teachers of the present
century will need to be more experts and have expertise in teaching the same 21 st
century skills to the present generation.
One key challenge that a teacher like me face currently is the use of technology
in the teaching-learning process. I really need to change my mind set not just merely
handling technology to learners but incorporating technology into my daily classroom
routine as well. Because it is often said that how we teach reflects how we learn. Hence,
enrolling to this course will help me acquire and develop the necessary skills needed to
meet the demand of this present time.
As a 21st century teacher, we must be familiarized with the new literacies, or new
areas of learning that we need to emphasize and prioritize when handling teaching and
learning activities. But first, we need to develop these literacies ourselves before we can
impart them to our learners. Thus, Personal Lifelong Learning Plan has to be
developed and applied.
In the making of Personal Lifelong Learning Plan, there are lots of question
stocked at the back of my mind. “How will I start? Will this be effective? Can I really
implement it? Am I ready to take the challenges and changes it may bring?”
Nevertheless, it came to its accomplishment-thanks to my instructional leader and my
superior.
Designing a Personal Lifelong Learning Plan is an effective tool in evaluating my
self as a teacher. I was able to assess and evaluate myself if I am really equipped with
knowledge, skills, attitudes and values needed for the present educational era. I was
able to know my level of competencies in the different literacy of a 21 st century teacher.
I’ve come to realize that there are really a lot of things I need to develop to become a
21st century teacher-and this plan is of great help in my journey. Through this plan, I
came to know my weaknesses that I need to further develop and understand and the
strength I need to improve more.
 Furthermore, now a days, problem solving is expressed in different ways and
forms. According to Ken Robinson, “Creativity is not an option, it is a necessity.”
Therefore, I need to grow artistically and creatively on how I solve problems .So as not
too pressuring and depressing.
It is also indeed not enough that we acquire knowledge about natural systems,
preserving and maintaining the environment, but we have to be ecoliterate and
PRACTICE necessary actions. It is not only knowledge that we need today but
WISDOM should flourish to see best results.
In addition, to become a cyber literate is quite a challenge for me. I really have to
progress in the use of technology so I could understand the world, connect to the world,
develop personal assets and skills, unlock deeper teaching potential and I would be in
better position to help my learners develop their cyber literacy skills to prepare them for
the challenges of life and work in this 21st century .
Also, since I am unskilled in managing income generating activity, my financial
literacy is weak. Gaining knowledge regarding the effective management of money and
resources would not be enough to strengthen this literacy but also the skills, motivation
and willingness to apply such knowledge and understanding would better improve my
financial well-being.
Generally, at all ages, people are very much exposed to media. But we are
expected to be skillful and wise enough to determine, analyze and filter the informations
we get from them. Is it beneficial? Worthwhile? and Productive?. Critical thinking is also
developed and practiced in this area.
Teaching is an emotional practice, and teachers need support in strengthening
their social and emotional skills to manage stress that comes with teaching especially at
this challenging computer era. I need to be developed in this competency so it can be
manifested in my teaching. Because it is often said that teachers who are calm, positive
and content are more likely better equipped for treating learners warmly and sensitively,
even when they behave in challenging ways.
We, teachers are the main subject in teaching multi-culture and globalization.
Only when teachers have full comprehension in different cultures and use a multicultural
viewpoint to explain all kinds of social contradictions and problems can learners really
establish the consciousness of multi-culture, understand and show respect for different
cultures. That’s why this literacy must first be developed within ourselves. Because only
when teachers have a comprehensive understanding of multicultural literacy, can they
better follow-up the changes of globalization.

I further prepared this plan to guide and help me to stay on track towards
developing the personal, social, professional as well as spiritual aspect of my life. In
other words, this will serve as my guide in my development holistically. Its
implementation may take challenges along the way but with my determination,
perseverance, fervent prayer and looking at the good result it may give on my
development, the barriers will turn into solutions leading to a smooth journey in my
holistic development.
I now foresee a more learned me after the preparation of this Personal Lifelong
Learning Plan. May God help me through…