The purpose of this teaching practicum is to give me direct experience as a prospective educator in designing and implementing learning in an elementary school environment. This practicum also aims to develop my pedagogical skills, such as planning lessons, managing the classroom, using various teaching strategies, as well as evaluating student learning. In addition, this activity is an opportunity for me to understand students' needs more deeply and build confidence in teaching in a diverse environment.
The teaching practicum process began with the planning stage, where I developed lesson plans in accordance with the curriculum and student needs. After that, I carried out classroom teaching by following a structured procedure, including conducting introductory activities, material delivery, student practice through interactive activities, evaluation of learning outcomes, as well as reflection on the lessons that had been taught. During each session, I also made sure to communicate with my mentor teacher to get feedback and direction that helped improve the quality of my teaching.
The outcomes of this teaching practicum include improving my ability to design and deliver effective lessons. I learned to manage time, create a conducive classroom atmosphere, and use various teaching methods to keep students engaged and understand the material well. In addition, this practicum also improved my ability to deal with various classroom situations, such as handling students who have difficulty understanding the material and providing feedback that supports their development
One of the main challenges I faced was adapting to a different learning environment and system. I needed to understand the characteristics of the students, their ability levels, as well as the best way to deliver the material to suit their needs. In addition, managing time so that all parts of the lesson can be delivered well is also a challenge, especially when students need more explanation or additional guidance.
Overall, this teaching practice experience was very memorable and meaningful for my development as an educator. I feel satisfied to be able to share my knowledge with students and see them enthusiastically learning. This process not only gave me a new understanding of the world of education, but also strengthened my confidence in teaching. I feel that this practice is an important step in my journey towards becoming a more professional teacher.
For future improvement, I suggest that there should be more training on innovative teaching strategies relevant to the needs of 21st century students. In addition, skill development in the use of educational technology can be further optimized to support more engaging and effective learning. I also believe that reflection sessions with mentors after each class would be helpful in providing specific and constructive feedback. Thus, the teaching practice experience can be more beneficial and effective for future educators.