Brief Synopsis of Professional Readings and References

Synopsis:

Topic: Outcome-Based Education: Basis for Enhanced Teacher Education Curriculum

Source: Curriculum Development for Teachers

Outcome-based education (OBE) became the fundamental philosophy of higher education in the
Philippines lately. All curricula including that of teacher education will be anchored on the concept of
OBE in terms of course designing, instructional planning, teaching, and assessing students learning.

Among the many advocates of the OBE in the early years was W. Spady. He defined OBE as clearly
focusing, and organizing everything in the educational system around the essential for all the students to
do successfully at the end of their learning experiences. This definition clearly points to the desired
results of education which is the learning outcomes. This is made up of knowledge, understanding, skills
and attitudes that students should acquire to make them reach their full potential and lead fulfilling lives
as individuals in the community and at work.

In terms of teaching-learning in OBE, teaching is teaching if learners learn. Learning is measured by its
outcome. Whatever approach to teaching is used, the intent should focus on learning rather on teaching.
It is important that students learn how to learn, hence a teacher should be innovative. To apply teaching-
learning in OBE, tips are given. First, teachers must prepare the students adequately. This can be done if
the teachers know what they want the students to learn and what learning outcomes to achieve. Next,
teachers must create a positive learning environment. Students should feel that regardless of individual
uniqueness, the teacher is always there to help. Teacher and student relationship is very important.
Another tips, teachers must help their students to understand what they have to learn, why they should
learn it, and how will they know what they have learned. Next, teachers must use a variety of teaching
methods. The most appropriate strategy should be used in taking account the learning outcome teachers
want the students to achieve. Lastly, the teachers must provide the students with enough opportunities
to use the new knowledge and skills that they gain.\

Reflection:

In my almost four months of being a student teacher, I always want my classroom to become a
student-centered one. I want to develop the knowledge and skills of the students and enhance their
learning experiences in school. In today's modern period, teaching-learning process must apply the so-
called Outcome-Based Education. In this concept, students are meant to work on their own during the
class so a teacher is only a facilitator inside the classroom. From my experience, it is really difficult to
make the class discussion as an outcome-based education. Every students have their unique
characteristics that makes them different from one another. So from that, students were also different
on the skills they have. It is important that a teacher must planned how the class will be an outcome-
based. Differentiated activities must be provided to the students to let them to develop from what they
have learn from the lesson. After the lesson, students should attain the desired learning outcomes to say
that the lesson became successful.

The recommendations from the above that explains how to apply teaching-learning in OBE. This gives
me an idea on how to make the class an outcome-based education. My cooperating teacher also
suggested me on different methods and techniques how the class will become a student-centered
classroom. In everyday lesson, I always don't forget to give a follow-up activity about the lesson. This
activities will serve as their outcome for today's lesson. Usually, I always group them on our activities to
let them work with their classmates. This activities will not just serve as assessment of the teacher but
also their self-evaluation of their learning experience. In an outcome-based education, outputs of the
students are the most important thing. The work of the students will be the end result of the learning
experience for the day.