Hilmi Salim
PGDE (PE)
One of the qualities constantly mentioned in NIE is that an educator should learn to think fast on their feet and adapt to the ever-changing classroom environment. However, a few months ago, nothing could’ve prepared me for what was to come - the COVID-19 pandemic. As the whole world went through drastic changes in its approach to daily life, teaching was definitely affected. In Singapore, lessons were brought online and students were advised to take part in nationwide Home Based Learning (HBL). Being stuck in my Teaching Practicum 2 during the pandemic wasn’t the most ideal situation to be in. I had hundreds of questions lingering in my head - how do I teach PE online? What about PE venues, equipment and group activities? Are my lessons safe for the children to carry out at home, under limited adult supervision? The questions went on.
While it took me some time to recover from the panic, I was able to slowly adapt to online teaching. I learned how to make my lessons and instructions simple enough for the students to be self-directed learners, without compromising on the original lesson objectives. I taught my students how to use daily home equipment in their PE activities. I ensured that the lessons were safe enough for the students to carry out at home. Despite the slower learning pace, I realised the students were still able to learn new skills and carry out PE activities.
It has been a challenging yet enriching experience to go through a pandemic during my Teaching Practicum. However, my biggest takeaway is understanding that learning comes in many forms. I do believe that teachers have the qualities to prevail in tough situations as long as we realise how important learning is for our students. The world may come to a standstill, but learning still goes on.
Comments