It’s our second week here in Indonesia, and I am eager to share my experiences as I begin to immerse myself in the local education system. Today, I will finally be introduced to my cooperating school, marking a significant milestone in my journey. I only had one week to observe my cooperating teacher in action, and I quickly realized that her classes are scheduled for just three days a week: Senin (Monday), Rabu (Wednesday), and Jum’at (Friday). This limited availability means that I must make the most of my observation time during her classes.

During my time in her classroom, I have closely analyzed her teaching methods, which strike a balance between Teacher-centered and Student-centered teaching approaches. The predominant methods I have observed are the Teacher-centered method and the Student-centered method. My cooperating teacher often employs the lecture method, especially when tackling extensive chapters that require comprehensive coverage. This approach allows her to present information in an organized format, effectively saving time while ensuring that the core material is thoroughly discussed.

However, not all lessons are strictly lecture-based. I’ve noticed that she frequently incorporates discussion-based learning, which invites active participation from her students. This method fosters engagement and helps students develop critical thinking skills as they debate and share their thoughts on the subject matter. The interactions during these discussions create a dynamic learning environment, where students feel valued and encouraged to express their ideas.

In addition, she utilizes Inquiry-based learning during the concluding part of her lessons. This approach is particularly effective as it invites students to reflect on what they have learned, formulate questions, and engage with the material at a deeper level. Ibu, facilitates this activity by selecting students to respond to their peers' inquiries, promoting a collaborative atmosphere that enhances understanding and retention of knowledge. Through these diverse teaching methods, my cooperating teacher creates a rich learning experience that not only covers the curriculum but also fosters a love for learning among her students.

In today’s rapidly evolving education landscape, teachers are constantly seeking new ways to engage students and make learning more interactive. During my classroom observations, I noticed how my cooperating teacher effectively used a blend of traditional and modern learning materials to enhance student understanding. 

Ibu utilized a variety of engaging resources, such as dynamic digital presentations and informative videos, to capture the students' interest. One particularly impactful lesson focused on economics, where she incorporated real-world case studies to illustrate key concepts, making the subject matter not only more relatable but also more applicable to the students’ lives. During this lesson, she invited me to share insights about my country’s economic practices, fostering a valuable cultural exchange that enriched the discussion and provided a broader perspective for the students.

Additionally, Ibu employed gamification as a teaching strategy, typically integrating it at the end of her lessons. This approach transformed the final segment of her classes into an interactive session, where students could apply what they had learned through playful competition and collaboration. 

These innovative teaching methods significantly enhanced student engagement, allowing them to actively participate in discussions and interactions. As a result, the classroom atmosphere became vibrant and dynamic, leading to more effective and meaningful discussions that resonated with the students. 

My cooperating teacher demonstrated her lesson properly by integrating multiple tools to support her students’ learning experience. 

1. The use of Digital Presentations and Videos

While presenting her lesson she used PowerPoint presentations which included images and videos related to her topic. 

2. Textbooks

Although the use of technology is prevalent nowadays, they don't rely on it. She balanced her lessons by giving traditional learning sources such as books. Because for the information of everyone, bringing digital phones while in school is not highly advised.