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SN 5 Danielle Therese M.

Bermudez
2BMT
THE ART OF TEACHING MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
I admit, it was hard for me to choose between seeing education in medical
technology better as an art or a science because I believe that teaching is equally
both an art and a science, regardless of what the subject matter is. But in deciding
whether medical technology is better taught as a science or as an art, Id have to go
with art. It may seem like an odd opinion at first especially considering the fact that
medical technology is ultimately a body of scientific knowledge, but that is actually
the reason why I decided that it is more effectively taught as an art. The science is
already there, whether we like it or not. Most, if not all of the concepts needed to be
learned to become a medical technologist are highly technical and scientific. The
subject matter is already so technical and heavy that if the teacher fails to take into
consideration the art of teaching which, according to an essay by Dennis L.
Weisman entitled An Essay on the Art and Science of Teaching, involves
presenting complex material to students in terms that are readily understandable
efficient learning may not take place. We have to keep in mind that being a
medical technology student does not necessarily mean that the student is equipped
with superb intellect and is capable of taking in the subject matter in this program
with ease. As a matter of fact, each and every student enrolled in the program is
wired differently, and learns in different paces and ways as well. Therefore, it is the
duty of the teacher to take note of these differences and to do what he/she can to
adjust to the different needs of his/her students (although the responsibility of
adjusting and doing his/her part does not fall solely on the teacher, of course). This
is what the art of teaching is all about, and it is even more crucial when the
knowledge that you are trying to impart is already quite difficult to process as is.
Perfect mastery of terms, concepts, techniques and the like is useless without the
ability to effectively transfer this knowledge to the students. I am also able to say
this based on my own experience; throughout the past years I have gone through as
a medical technology student and even up to this day, I have encountered several
professors who are undoubtedly intelligent and are great masters of the course they
teach. But despite this, they remain ineffective as educators because they are
unable to deliver the lesson in such a way that it truly reaches our understanding. I
have been under several professors who have earned various masters and even
doctoral degrees and Ive seen proof of their extensive knowledge in the lectures
they present in class. The lectures are very informative and content-heavy, yes, but
the thing is that unfortunately, sometimes all this information remains on the
whiteboard or on the PowerPoint presentation or on the reference book they are
using because they lack mastery of the art of teaching. This is why I think that in
teaching our program, we must focus on the art of teaching. Give this highly
technical and scientific body of knowledge a human touch. After all, medical
technology, as with any other body of science, serves humanity, not the other way
around.

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