According to Hudson and Whisler Contextual Teaching and Learning is defined as a way to introduce content
using a variety of active-learning techniques designed to help students connect what they already know to what they are expected to learn, and to
construct new knowledge from the analysis and synthesis of this learning process.
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Meanwhile, based on United States Department of Education Office of Vocational and Adult Education in 2001, defined Contextual Teaching and
Learning as teaching and learning concept which helps teachers to relate the content of the subject matter to real world situation.
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2. Characteristics of CTL
According to Johnson, there are eight characteristics of CTL which will be descibed as follow:
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a. Making Meaningful Connections
The connection between learning material and students‟
experiences which lead to something meaningful is the point of Contextual Teaching and Learning. When students are able to make a connection of
what they learned with their own experiences, it means that they found meaning which gives them reasons to learn.
b. Doing Significant Work
Students have to know what they are learning, in doing significant work. Beside that, they also have to know the advantage and the aim of the
learning material. ________________________
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Clemente Charles Hudson Vesta R. Whisler, Contextual Teaching Learning for Practitioner, Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics Journal, volume 6, ISSN: 1690-4524, pp. 54-
58.
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Ifraj Shamsid-Deen Bettye P. Smith, Contextual Teaching and Learning Practices in the Family and Consumer Sciences Curriculum, Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences
Education, Volume 24, 2006, pp 14-27.
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Elaine B. Johnson, op.cit., p. 65-66
c. Self-Regulated Learning
Self-regulated learning emphasizes of the responsibility of the students to take charge of their own learning. Self-regulated learning
concerns about motivating students in order to know their learning styles and orientations and it is also helpful for teacher to analyze students‟
awareness and their motivation. d.
Collaborating CTL expects students to be able to work with others in a team or a
group. The role of the teacher is to help them in order to work effectively and help them to understand the way how to persuade and communicate
with others. e.
Critical and Creative Thinking In learning process, students are expected to be able to apply
higher level thinking critically and effectively. It is hoped for students to analyze, to synthesize, to tackle the problem, to make decision and to think
logically. f.
Nurturing the Individual Students are expected to be independent learner, give full attention
to their learning process, have a high expectation from the learning goals, fully motivated to learn something new and empower themselves. The role
of the adult is to always support them to be more mature in all aspects of their life.
g. Reaching High Standards
Determining higher academic standard to reach by students is the important charcteristic in CTL. If students are only given a little number of
task or assignment and a low standard, it can minimize their potential. So that teacher sets a high standard for students in order to motivate them to
learn more as they would strive in the real world situation.
