Introduction:

Welcome to the Student Teacher Podcast, a place where aspiring educators like
yourself gather to share experiences, gain insights, and support each other on this
exciting journey towards becoming exceptional teachers. I'm your host, and as your
gentle, and friendly assistant, I am here to guide you every step of the way. We'll explore
a wide range of topics and we'll also feature experiences of a student teacher who has
navigated the challenges and can provide invaluable advice based on her own triumphs
and tribulations. So, if you're just starting out on your student teaching journey or well
on your way to becoming a certified teacher, sit back, grab a cup of coffee, and get
ready to indulge in discussions that ignite your curiosity, uplift your spirits, and leave you
with a renewed sense of knowledge and optimism.

DISCUSSION: 1st question

In today's education, student teachers play a significant role in bridging the gap between
theory and practice. I, as an aspiring educator, face a myriad of challenges that test my
resilience, adaptability, and commitment to the teaching profession. These struggles I
faced hold immense significance in my journey towards becoming an effective teacher.
Each challenge represents an opportunity for my personal development and growth.

And yes, it is entirely normal to encounter learning challenges during any educational
journey due to various factors such as the complexity of the subject matter, personal
circumstances, or even external pressures. It is important to recognize that facing
challenges is a natural part of the learning process and should not discourage learners
from continuing their pursuits.

Now to answer the question, how can I embrace learning challenges with higher levels
of achievement in mind? (21st century literacies and skills, metacognition,
scaffolding)

Embracing learning challenges with higher achievement in mind is a long journey for
me, it involves adopting a proactive and growth-oriented approach to my education and
personal development, stepping outside of my comfort zone and persistently striving for
improvement. But how can I do that? But how am I going to do that?

21st century literacies and skills

First, I can embrace learning challenges through 21st-century literacies and skills since
they encompass a range of abilities that go beyond reading, writing, and arithmetic. It
focuses on the development of learning skills, literacy skills, and life skills, which I
believe will significantly improve the way I learn, work, and confront all the challenges
that come along the way.

Remember, in today's rapidly evolving world, traditional literacy skills are no longer
enough to embrace and navigate the complexities and learning challenges in education.
As we move further into 21st century education, new literacies and skills have emerged
that are highly essential for students to thrive in various aspects of life, including
education, career, and personal development. Like for instance if I were tasked with
analyzing different sources to determine the cause of a historical event. It is important
that I develop critical thinking skills so that I can critically evaluate each source and be
able to examine whether the source provides direct evidence, presents multiple
perspectives, or uses primary or secondary sources. Here, critical thinking comes into
play. So developing this skill will enable us to approach learning challenges with an
open mind, ask questions, and make informed decisions.

I remember the quote that our professor Ma’am Laarni told us that without literacy and
skills, a student like me may struggle to understand concepts, participate in class, or
express their thoughts effectively. As a pre-service teacher, I realized the relevance of
21st-century literacies and skills in 21st century education such as learning skills,
literacy skills, life skills, because it empowers students like me to embrace learning
challenges by providing us with the necessary knowledge, abilities, and mindset. By
nurturing these skills, I become a confident, adaptable, and motivated learner, equipped
to succeed in an evolving world.

Metacognition (next is metacognition)

Metacognition is also one way I can embrace learning challenges because it will
help me understand my own learning processes, take ownership of my learning,
and develop strategies for approaching learning challenges. As one of my college
professors said, it is important that we reflect on our learning experiences, reflect
on what we know, what strategies we have used in the past, and what might be
the best approach to tackle the current challenge because, through reflection,
self-awareness, and self-assessment, we can identify areas for improvement and
make necessary adjustments to our learning strategies. Doing so, we can
become more equipped to persevere through difficult tasks and develop greater
resilience to face future challenges.
DISCUSSION: 2nd question (What am I supposed to learn, how to learn, and how can I
assess my own progress? Use the Visible Teaching = Visible Learning, Closed reading,
metacognition, scaffolding

Now, let's dive into the second question: What am I supposed to learn, how to learn
effectively, and how can I assess my own progress? These fundamental inquiries lie at
the core of successful learning experiences and personal growth, guiding us towards a
path of continuous improvement and self-awareness.

(a) What am I supposed to learn

As for the second question, as a future teacher, I believe that there are several areas
that I should focus on learning, which are: pedagogy and instructional strategies;
classroom management, effective communication, and assessment and feedback.
Understanding pedagogy and instructional strategies helps me select appropriate
teaching methods, create engaging activities, and ensure that my students are actively
involved in their own learning. By learning techniques for managing behavior, I can
minimize disruptions and maximize instructional time and foster a respectful and
disciplined learning environment, while also encouraging student autonomy and
responsibility. Through developing effective communication, I can enhance my
effectiveness in the classroom and positively impact student learning and well-being by
effectively conveying information and ideas to students. Finally, by learning about
various assessment methods and how to provide constructive feedback, you can guide
students on their learning journey and support their growth and development.

(b) How to learn

As a means of learning or acquiring knowledge, I will use three methods: visible
learning, closed reading, and scaffolding to help me learn.

Visible learning as a methodology because it will enhance my self-awareness and

metacognitive abilities, allowing me to monitor my progress and evaluate my own
learning process. For instance, the asynchronous task given to me, which I had so much
difficulty doing, was something that, as a visible learner, I was able to recognize that
required further attention or assistance. Consequently, I asked for further assistance
from my professor in completing it. So by developing that kind of awareness in my
learning and monitoring my progress, I learned to seek feedback and identify the next
step, which contributes significantly to my learning . Indeed, the more I make the
learning visible or transparent, the more I can see specific actions that are needed to
attain the goal, such as seeking feedback or support. With that, more positive attributes
of learning are developed, and I am more likely to engage in the work needed to meet
the goal.

Closed reading
Closed reading can also help me learn by carefully examining a text and paying close
attention to details, language, and structure. By focusing on each word, sentence, and
paragraph, we develop a deeper understanding of the text's meaning and nuances. This
method helps us comprehend complex ideas, identify key themes, and extract relevant
information. This method contributes significantly to my learning by allowing me to
delve deeper into the material, make connections, and extract valuable insights.

Scaffolding
Finally, scaffolding is also an instructional technique that will provide us support and
guidance as we learn new concepts or skills. It involves breaking down complex tasks
into smaller ones, which empowers us to build our knowledge and skills gradually. It
provides opportunities for us to practice and refine our understanding. By providing
clear instructions and sequential guidance, scaffolding enables us build on our existing
knowledge and gradually gain independence in our learning

(c) How can I assess my own progress?

I can assess my own progress through visible learning and metacognition because it
makes me an assessor of my own learning. It gives me a sense of awareness of my
own learning. For instance, I can monitor my understanding of a topic or concept by
asking questions like "Do I fully grasp this concept?" or "Can I explain it in my own
words?" This self-monitoring will help me identify areas where I might still have gaps in
our knowledge. Therefore, we can gain a deeper understanding of our own learning
progress, and ultimately enhance our overall learning experience.

For the second part of this episode, I am excited to share with you some key insights
and takeaways regarding visible learning, growth mindset, and brain-based learning.
These concepts are not only essential in the realm of education but also contribute to
personal development and achievement in various areas of life.

Positive learning dispositions(Visible Learning)

Visible learning, as pioneered by Professor John Hattie, emphasizes the importance of
making learning processes and outcomes transparent, measurable, and accessible to
both teachers and students. By utilizing strategies such as timely and constructive
feedback, goal-setting, and tracking progress, visible learning creates an environment
where students can actively engage in their own learning journey while educators can
assess and adapt their teaching methods effectively.

Brain-Based Learning
Brain-based learning, on the other hand, is also an important approach to education
because it takes into account the different ways individuals process information and
seeks to optimize learning by aligning teaching strategies with how the brain naturally
functions. Like for instance, during a science lesson on the solar system, the teacher
utilizes visual aids, such as colorful posters and diagrams, to engage the students'
visual senses and help them grasp complex concepts. They also incorporate hands-on
activities where the students create models of the planets using clay or other materials.
The implication of this approach in teaching is that the teacher acknowledges the
diversity of learners and students with different learning styles are supported through
visual aids and hands-on activities.

By engaging multiple senses, incorporating movement, and fostering emotional

connections, brain-based learning maximizes the brain's capacity for learning, retention,
and application. As a future educator, it is important for me to really understand such
concepts because it will allow me to tailor instructional methods to optimize student
engagement and comprehension.

Growth Mindset
In the final segment of this episode, in our journey of education and personal
development, one concept that we should embrace wholeheartedly is the growth
mindset. It is a powerful belief that can transform how we approach challenges, view
failures. If I adopt a growth mindset, challenges cease to be intimidating roadblocks and
become opportunities for growth. Rather than running away from difficult tasks, I will
approach them with enthusiasm and determination.

Like for instance in a math subject, I always struggled with mathematics and often felt
discouraged when faced with challenging math problems. However, I will adopt a
growth mindset and approach math problems differently. With a growth mindset,
setbacks, and failures become stepping stones on the path to success. Instead of being
disheartened or giving up after a disappointment, we view it as a valuable learning
experience. Remember, learning is a lifelong journey, and with a growth mindset, you are
equipped with the tools to continuously improve, innovate, and reach your full potential.
Embrace this mindset, and let your limitless potential shine through!
In conclusion, visible learning, growth mindset, and brain-based learning offer invaluable
insights and strategies to support optimal learning experiences and promote higher
achievement. Whether you are an educator, student, or lifelong learner, understanding
and implementing these concepts can have a transformative impact on your
educational journey and personal growth."