Self-efficacy

"This is so difficult! I don't understand anything." Sounds familiar? Yes, this is one of the most spoken lines of students of today. Well, honestly, I am guilty of it as well, don't you? As a tutor for several years, I have been so fed up with this kind of rant. Nevertheless, I was able to pinpoint its root causes and make effective resolutions about it. What I found out is that this difficulty resulted from 'failed observational learning' and a lack of self-efficacy among students.

In learning new ideas and processes, students at most times tend to imitate what they observe the teacher or others do it correctly. If they fail to imitate these processes, it further causes cognitive problems. Cognitive problems, if left unresolved, resulting in students' lower self-esteem and lack of self-efficacy. Ideally, the solution would be to encourage students to point out where and when they are having difficulties rather than keeping silent. From there, the teacher could designate a particular type of learning material best suited for them, respectively. Likewise, the learning procedure is adjusted accordingly.

In conclusion, I observed that students need observational learning in succession to fully grasp an idea or process. Gradual series of success in observational learning further promotes self-efficacy within them.

Module 4 Activity: Models and Mentors in My Life

Having positive role models and mentors can make an important difference in whether individuals develop optimally and reach their full potential. First, evaluate the role models and mentors who have played an important part in your life. Second, think about the type of role model you want to be for your students. Third, give some thought to how you will incorporate other models and mentors in your students' lives. Fourth, explore who your education mentor might be.

My Models and Mentors

List the most important role models and mentors in your life. Then describe what their positive modeling and mentoring have meant to your development.

Role Models and Mentors	Their Contributions
Alicia Ylarde (mother)	I learned (as she showed me) moral values such as kindness, respect, honesty and faithfulness.
Edward Ylarde (father)	I learned (as he showed me) moral values such as hard work, determination and optimism
Karl Kenneth Ylarde(brother), Kristine Cara Ylarde(sister, Teacher I - Santa Rosa Science and Technology High School)	I learned (as they showed me) study habits which helped me a lot in school.
Cecilia Vitug (Math teacher- Santa Rosa Science and Technology High School)	I learned (as she showed me) logical-mathematical intelligence which further improve my skills, knowledge and abilities especially in the field of mathematics
Anthony Andaya (bestfriend, Teacher I - Santo Domingo National High School)	I learned (as he showed me) how to handle failure, depression and heartbreaks

The type of role model I want to be for others (other learners)

Describe which characteristics and behaviors you believe are the most important for you to model for your students.

1. Self-efficacy. I want my students to believe in themselves that they will succeed.
2. Respect. I want my students to learn how to respect others especially teachers.
3. Eagerness to learn. I want my students to have the initiative to learn and seek information to feed their curiosity.
4. Systematic and repetitive learning. I want my students to believe in "practice makes perfect".
5. Calm under pressure. I want my students to manage and handle stress.

How I will incorporate models and mentors in my profession (as an educator)

Describe a systematic plan for bringing models and mentors into your students' lives in one or more domain(s) you plan to teach, such as math, English, science, music, and so on.

As a future Math teacher, I will be a model person for my students. I will show them moral values related to mathematics such as patience, determination and self-efficacy. I will encourage them to be systematic and remind them to keep practicing. Likewise, I will teach them how to handle stress and how to be respectful enough to their classmates, teachers and parents.

Who will be my education mentor? What would my ideal education mentor be like?

Do you have someone in mind who might serve as an education mentor when you become a teacher? If so, describe the person.

What would your ideal education mentor be like?

My education mentor would be my sister, Kristine Cara Ylarde. She is indeed strict, enthusiastic, sophisticated, and well-organized. I will incorporate her style of teaching. I will build an enthusiastic environment in my class. I will be strict enough on class rules for my students to learn which ones are right and which ones are wrong. I will be organized in my teacher-related stuffs like lesson plans, etc.