In its pursuit of continually seeking strategies to help students gain a complete understanding of new concepts introduced to them, Mr. Ariel Joy Patria Jr. (Senior High School Principal) and Ms. Marie Bernadette “Marbie” Villanueva (Psychology Department Program Head) were tasked to explore different Learning Models such as reading comprehension and instruction programs suited to the specific needs of Riverside Collegians. After a thorough investigation of existing models and programs, and with some modifications and trials made, Riverside College, Inc. has finally come up with its own 4Es Learning Model effective this 2nd Semester. This consists of a set order of events that would facilitate learning and these are Engage, Explore, Extend and Evaluate.
When students are given the opportunity to create something on their own, they often thrive. According to research, the more active a person’s brain is in various areas, the greater chance for retention. As a result, the first of the four Learning Models is known as Engage.
Engage is primarily concerned with building on existing knowledge and prior experiences. It includes a review of previous concepts, lessons, and skills that have been acquired. By assisting our students in engaging their prior knowledge and connecting new information to their previous understanding, we increase the likelihood that they will be able to recall and apply what we teach.
Explore is concerned with the in-depth examination of the most significant aspects of a concept in order to gain a better understanding of what is already known. New learning is constructed on prior knowledge. The greater our understanding of what students already think, and the more we help and assist them, the more likely they are to learn well.
Extend entails drawing conclusions and making broad generalizations, as well as making connections between lessons and relevant contexts. When introducing a new lesson, it’s important to emphasize the broader concepts as a whole to ensure comprehension, rather than individual facts, as these can distract from the overall message. Assessment is an integral part of instruction because it determines whether or not the educational objectives are being met. Students today need to know not only the basic reading and arithmetic skills but also the skills that will prepare them to deal with the challenges of a constantly changing world. They must be able to think critically, analyze, and make inferences. Changes in the skills base and knowledge that our students need require new learning goals; these new learning goals change the relationship between assessment and instruction.
The last of the four Learning Models is knowns as Evaluate, it is concerned with the assessments of learning and connects it for application to solve real-world problems and situations.
When it comes to implementing their Learning Activities, the 4Es will only serve as a guide for the teachers to follow. The significance and effectiveness of a Learning Model is actually dependent on the teachers’ ability to motivate and engage their student to participate in active and interactive learning. It is very important that the learning environment created around this 4Es Learning Model is capable of providing the best possible learning experience for the students. Students’ success are most likely to take place when their needs are identified, understood, and supported.
