Better Teaching and Learning Training in Core Districts

Kurniati Syamsuddin: “I Realize that my Teaching Methods Need to be Updated.”

AFTER 20 years of teaching, Kuriniati realized the importance of updating her teaching methods. Kurniati Syamsuddin is a Bahasa Indonesia teacher at SMPN I Ma’rang, Pangkep. She reflected on her teaching experience shortly after the end of the Better Teaching and Learning 2 training (BTL 2) at SMPN I Mnasate’ne (12-15 February). She was surprised by the students’ enthusiasm when she did her practical teaching as part of the training.

When she compared the power of active learning, she even shed a tear as she told of the weaknesses and the flaws of her approaches and teaching methods to date. “I have been teaching for about 20 years, I now realize that my teaching methods need improvement,” she said.

The participants’ enthusiasm also showed during training in three other core districts, Enrekang (6-8 February), Jeneponto and Luwu (19-22 February). One hundred and ninety participants comprising Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, English and Bahasa Indonesia teachers, school principals and supervisors from four districts learned in a participative manner about Better Teaching and Learning. The learning that is based on the Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) approach focuses on cooperative learning, asking high-order questions, problem solving, appreciation of students’ work and reflecting on learning.

Kurnia Syamsudin: “It helps students to focus their attention during learning.” Naima, S.Pd., Science Teacher at SMPN 1 Bajo: “It makes students learn more actively, helps students absorb material and improves students’ life skills.” Bacce Sareta, English teacher at SMPN 1 Anggareja: “It integrates life skills into learning, especially academic and social skills.”