Four Pillars of Education (Learning). Discussed below are the UNESCO’s four pillars of education –learning to know, learning to do, learning to be, and learning to live together.
Learning to Know
Learning to know is a lifelong learning process in which we acquire structured theories and principles; that is to increase our knowledge and broaden up our understanding. It does not mean that though we are preoccupied by the belief that that is no direct application or significance in our career or field, we are not going to get interested with the acquisition of such idea. Definitely, we still have to. As what we believe; everything changes except the notion of “change,” and so to keep ourselves abreast of these changes around us, it is imperative to update our minds with what the latest is. That is through “learning to know.”
In the field of education, when we were just taking our academic units, we really had to be equipped with book-presented theories and principles associated with learning, including but not limited to theories of human development, characteristics of young Filipinos, various foundations of education, and the different approaches in teaching. Initially, we tried asking ourselves whether we really had to master these. Eventually, we discovered that the discussions we had inside the classrooms all have relevance in the teaching profession.
Learning to Do
Inarguably, what we learn, as much as possible, should be put into practice. This is what we call learning to do. After gaining knowledge and understanding on some particular things, we can only say that there is true learning if the acquisition of such knowledge is manifested through practical applications, problem solving, and even sharing with others. After all, if certain knowledge is merely confined in a chamber inside our brain, and we fail to eve scratch it once for use, it may be dissolved in our mental system. So, learning to do must take place.
During our practicum, those which we had learned from our academic subjects were actually applied. Upon considering the collective abilities and skills of our students, we were able to choose from among the approaches, one planned which was really effective and appropriate. We could also determine learning flaws, and consider factors suppose to hinder and contribute to learning process. With all of these since we were equipped well with almost everything, we were able to complete successfully our practice teaching.