Iryll P. Verana, Teacher i – Gigaquit National School of Home Industries
When we talk of a conducive learning environment, we often associate it with a four-walled classroom with adequate ventilation and with a safe and secure space where learners can learn and grow. But is it possible to maintain this atmosphere outside of a closed-off classroom? Can learning still take place even under a tree?
The answer is an absolute ‘yes’ for the NLC learners of Gigaquit National School of Home Industries (GNSHI).
It was under a blistering mid-day sun on a hot Tuesday when Ma’am Amor Matela decided to hold one of her classes under a Talisay tree. Ma’am Matela is a volunteer English teacher for the NLC in GNSHI. She handles the Consolidation and Intervention Camp in Grade 8.
In one of her class sessions in Intervention Camp wherein she only has four learners, she decided to conduct it under a tree where the air could flow freely. Although there are conducive classrooms available in the school, Ma’am opted to have one of her classes there to give students a breath of fresh air whilst still learning. She, along with the learners, sat under a Talisay tree just within the reach of the shade. With only her laptop and prepared enjoyable activities, she was able to deliver a relaxed yet fun-filled class discussion.
“Aside from it was very hot inside the classroom, I also wanted to give them a new environment apart from the four walls of a classroom which they are used to already.”, Ma’am Matela said.
She also acknowledged that it is especially because of the implementation of the NLC, which allowed the teachers the chance to interact with a fewer number of learners per class and focus on each learner’s growth and performance, is what made it possible to hold a class setting like this.
The learners were also very up and ecstatic for the set-up of their class and were participative during the session. In between learning, they also had fun. They got to engage in outdoor activities such as games related to their lesson, while having the chance to connect with the nature. And the best part is, winners of such games were also given prizes.
“Nalingaw ra kami kay dili ra puro suyat, jaoy sab mga duwa na nag-enjoy kami.”, one of the learners said.
Indeed, true learning does not begin nor end inside an enclosed classroom. An atmosphere like a classroom under a tree continuously fosters both learning and a connection to the actual and natural world. This is just one of the many examples that show learning can occur anywhere and anytime just as long as learners have the interest and commitment to learn and progress. And yes, learning can happen wherever shade of a tree can be found.
Grade 8 NLC learners sit under the Talisay tree as they listen and participate in the lesson discussionin English with their teacher, Ma’am Amor M. Matela, MT-I.