Deep learning is not just memorizing facts

After each lesson there is a part that we call the application of learning, either individual or group homework to be done. Yes, deep learning is another name.

In my 25 years of service and counting, I always insist that my students must be creative enough to create something from the wisdom gained from our lessons. Immediately after mastering the lesson the student should be able to apply the skills to make something say, after a science lesson they should know the underlying principles and apply them to daily activities. Knowing about different cloud formations is good, but learning how they form and what time of day they emerge could be a lot of activities using observation, documentation, analysis, synthesis, and drawing conclusions that could be used to deepen learning based on this collected information. of experimentation. Know the right time to transfer seedlings from seed bags to soil, water them, and protect them from extreme sunlight, heavy rain, and the like. Given this scenario, we could think of other activities related to this, for example, farmers, fishermen and the like who depend on the weather to do their thing.

Yes, this type of deep learning is a method that goes beyond books, discussion, etc. It is more about the processing of information based on different variables that could be a springboard for creation. Having seen connections and all, it could be an interesting journey towards creating something of greater good, or changing something to achieve more, like in farming. The essence of looking at weather conditions could be a win-win situation for plants to be healthier and more likely to survive and bear fruit, grain or whatever for human or animal consumption.

At school, especially in my class, students have the opportunity to think of a way to apply their learning to their daily lives. Let’s say, having learned the value of clean air, you are now ready to do some research on things that might be contributing to air pollution. Knowing about the factories, the industrial and agricultural waste from those could wreak havoc on our environment and human health, so doing something like asking the local government to shut down those factories or what. When it comes to different types of plants, they could have a survey of how many of them are endemic to their locality. Fruit trees in your backyard or what, animals that live in the barangay, etc. These are just simple ways on how to deepen learning among our students. The skills to formulate survey questions, collect data, interpret, report, etc., are relevant skills today.

Starting them young on these things could be a good investment in their journey to a more challenging and higher level of learning. And when they are already alone, they know how to survive adversity by becoming creative, entrepreneurial, critical and the like.

Yes, as conscientious teachers of the 21st century, there is always a good opportunity to become an effective and efficient one, just do what is expected and enjoy the journey. Happy Teacher’s Day my dear colleagues and to all my students, then and now… thank you for being a part of your learning journey.

Let’s use our knowledge and skills to improve ourselves and the world in general.