Contextual Teaching and Learning definition


Contextual teaching and learning is a model of teaching and learning based on competence. Contextual teaching and learning is a way of giving information in learning from the teachers to the learners and preparing the individual learner in learning. It means that contextual teaching and learning get the students to prepare their individual competence. Contextual teaching and learning can create the quality of educational better.

Definition of Contextual Teaching and Learning

Contextual teaching and learning is a model of teaching and learning based competence that aims to be effective and successful in teaching and learning process. Ben and Erickson (2001: 2) state that contextual teaching and learning is conception of teaching and learning that helps the teacher relating subject matter to real world situation. It motivates the students to make a connection between the knowledge and its application to their lives as a family member, a citizen, and a worker, and it also engages the hard work that learning requires.

Sitinjak (2002: 2) states that contextual teaching and learning is basically a respond to behaviorism approach which emphasizes on the concept of stimulus response of this mechanical drill. To be able to use the language naturally as in the real world life and in the various situations, critical thinking and meaningful learning are needed. When students can relate the lesson got in their school to daily live, they will be aware of the learning benefit.

Mulyasa (2005: 102) states that contextual teaching and learning is a concept of teaching and learning emphasizing on the relation between teaching- learning material and the real world. The students relate and apply the competence of learning outcome on the everyday life. Furthermore, the teacher uses learning material to teach for the students in order to improve their knowledge and to reach the goal of teaching and learning process.

Sagala (2003:87-88) states that contextual teaching and learning is a concept of learning which helps the teacher relating the material and the students’ real world situation, and which motivates the students making a relation between the knowledge possessed and its application on their lives as a member of society. Through the process of applying competence, the students will feel the importance of learning. They will get a deep meaning what they had learnt. Contextual teaching and learning enables the cooling down and interesting process of learning because the teaching and learning can naturally continue in anything situation and the students can directly practice everything they had learnt.

Sitinjak (2002: 2) states that contextual teaching and learning is basically a respond to behaviorism approach which emphasizes on the concept of stimulus response of this mechanical drill. To be able to use the language naturally as in the real world life and in the various situations, critical thinking and meaningful learning are needed. When students can relate the lessons got in their school to daily live, they will be aware of learning benefit; besides, they will realize the importance of going to school.

“The CTL system is an educational process that aims to help students see meaning in the academic material they are studying by connecting academic subjects with the context of their personal, social, and cultural circumstances. To achieve this aim, the system encompasses the following eight components: making meaningful connections, doing significant work, self- regulated learning, collaborating, critical and creative thinking, nurturing the individual, reaching high standards, and using authentic assessments (Sitinjak, 2002: 2).”

Contextual teaching and learning as stated above is a concept of teaching and learning which helps the students connecting the content they are learning to the life context in which that context could be used. Thus, contextual teaching and learning enables the students to use their prior knowledge on solving the problem of learning, and it enriches the students’ existing knowledge.