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Improving Teaching and Learning through Kaizen and 7 th Habit

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 ISSN: 2347-7474
International Journal Advances in Social Science and Humanities
Available online at: www.ijassh.com
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Improving Teaching and Learning through Kaizen and 7th Habit

Ronel Mondragon Sapungan*1, Joseph Bangayan Cuarteros2
1Department of Social Sciences, AMA International University-Bahrain, Kingdom of Bahrain.
2Quality Assurance Coordinator, Gulf College, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.

*Corresponding Author: Email: rmsapungan@amaiu.edu.bh; dr.ronel192025@gmail.com

Abstract

This institutional research article explicates the application of Kaizen in a teaching and learning milieu.
The prime idea of this inquiry is anchored on Kaizen principles espoused by Kaizen expert, Masaaki
Imai, who articulated that “Kaizen strategy is the single most important concept in Japanese
management, the key to Japanese competitive success.” Also backing up this inquiry is the 7th Habit-
described as “Sharpen (ing) the Saw”-- from Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
Both popular principles are the springboard of this research inquiry into Kaizen’s 5S principles and 7th
Habit against the backdrop of academic functions as exemplified by instructors and leaders of learning in
school and universities in an attempt to improve the quality of learning. The author then explores the
validity of the effectiveness of the Kaizen principles in various areas of learning facilitation. The author
recommends the adaption of Kaizen principles to teaching to sustain continuous quality improvement in
all learning undertakings-whether on the practicality of the principles in teaching, their reliability in
learning among various learners, or their effectiveness in educational leadership. As a practitioner of
continuous quality improvement and a facilitator and leader of quality teaching and learning for years,
the author has considered the role that teachers and school leaders play in the implementation of
continuous quality improvement to attain and sustain the effectiveness and efficiency of quality learning
in the academe.

Keywords: Kaizen, Continuous quality improvement, Kaizen in teaching, 5S principles, 7th habit.

Introduction
Kaizen is about changing the way things are. In his book, Kaizen: The Key to Japan’s
If you assume that things are all right the Competitive Success, Imai stressed that
way they are, you can’t do kaizen. So change Kaizen is the lone most important concept in
something! --Taiichi Ohno Japanese management-the key to Japanese
competitive victory. Its success has
Revolutionizing teaching and learning manifested in many organizations around
through Kaizen philosophy to achieve the world. Hence, many authors and
quality education has been a vital concern educators have tried the effectiveness of
among educators in the academe in the principles in teaching and learning in their
world today. [1] Kaizen, which means respective area of specialization.
continuous improvement, is built on quality
as a part of the total process. Thus, to do
Kaizen, or to kaizen, is to implement Kaizen
principles in the name of quality or
continuous quality improvement. This
concept, first espoused by Masaaki Imai only
to improve industrial efficiency in Japan,
has now become an interesting theory in the
teaching and learning process.

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 Available online at: www.ijassh.com

The same principle has also become a model Furthermore, the author specifically verified
in classroom management and educational the validity of the effectiveness of kaizen
leadership undertakings. principles in many areas of teaching and
learning endeavors through the
Origin of Kaizen corroboration of many authors and the
Kaizen (ky-‘zen) originated from the actual application of the author himself.
Japanese term ‘kai,’ which means ‘change,’
and ‘zen,’ which means ‘good’ (to be better).
Some interpret ‘kai’ as continuous, and ‘zen’
as improvement. The term, which has been a
password to log in the concept of
improvement in every aspect of organization,
has now become synonymous with
continuous quality improvement.
Applying Kaizen as a Challenge
In Japan, Kaizen has been a familiar term in
schools. This is why most schools in Japan For the author, applying kaizen in teaching
are frequently changing. Kaizen in schools was at first a tremendous challenge. This
refers to continuous quality improvement of was basically tantamount to taking a
students’ learning through the use of quantum leap or changing the wagon’s gear
innovative (kaizen) teaching techniques and without sacrificing the quality of education
tools being implemented by the teachers and while trying to maintain or sustain the
supported by school administration. expertise of long years of teaching
experience, including classroom
Although kaizen principles were originally management skills and time-tested teaching
designed for industries, some of its aspects techniques.
are being used to revolutionizing schooling.
This is the objective of this investigation –to Kaizen philosophy in education is equivalent
verify the effectiveness of these principles in to aiming for quality, which had become a
changing the face of education. continuous struggle for both teachers and
students. But since kaizen means
Rationale of Inquiry continuous quality improvement, it means
This paper is anchored on Kaizen principles continuing improvement in personal, home,
espoused by Kaizen expert, Masaaki Imai, social, working, school and university life. As
who articulated the effectiveness of kaizen Lal Fonseka, a productivity consultant of
as a single theory in Japanese management, Brand Lanka Limited, put it, when applied
which later became the source of competitive to the school, kaizen means continuing
success in Japan management. improvement involving every person –the
principal or dean, teachers, parents and
This inquiry likewise wanted to probe the students. [2]
effectiveness of the 7th Habit from Stephen
Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective For the author, to kaizen means to draw on
People, which is described as “balance” and and apply 100% effort and creativity to
“renewal” of “your resources, energy, and achieve set goals in teaching and leadership.
health to create a sustainable, long-term, It requires a teacher to have three-horse
effective lifestyle.” power to push daily workloads. It needs
180kp/h to be efficient to meet expected
Both popular principles are the springboard learning outputs as manifested in course
of this scholarly endeavor probing that intended learning outcomes which are being
Kaizen’s 5S principles and 7th Habit assessed in every term.
(Sharpening the Saw) could also manifest in
the academic milieu and could possibly be To kaizen means to answer two humungous
exemplified by instructors and leaders of questions: (1) How can we meet the standard
learning in school and universities in an of teaching as measured against students’
attempt to improve the quality of students’ learning or the degree of excellence achieved
learning. by the learners; and (2) How can the teacher
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acquire the kaizen skill and possess it as a and quality training; e) teachers have
distinctive attribute or characteristic in his completely changed their teaching styles,
or her teaching career? with most now being "95 per cent
facilitators" rather than lecturers; and f) all
students set very high improvement goals.

When the author learned Kaizen principle in

2007, his assiduity to apply it in his life
became intense. As an educator he has
considered kaizen as an important aspect of
his way of life at home, in the classrooms
Kaizen in Teaching and Learning and at his workstation. The passion for
“The basis for learning in the classroom is Kaizen philosophy has brought to the author
known as the constant improvement where better work orientations, more organized
teachers and students always seek ways to work plans, more engaged and productive
improve the system to enhance the fun of employee, and happier relation with his
colleagues and his family.
learning.”-Lal Fonseka
The ripple effects of the love for Kaizen could
Learning the kaizen method is beneficial. As be observed by following the basic steps as
for the author, acquiring kaizen skill has suggested by Mark Graban: 1. Be keen in
made him change the educator he used to be identifying opportunities for improvement;
and what he used to do. This Japanese work 2. Discuss the plan of action among the work
principle had totally changed his perception force; 3. Implement the plan and evaluate its
of effectiveness, efficiency, commitment and effect; 4. Write all what has been done; and
quality profession. 5. Share the effective ideas and acknowledge
people’s contribution [3].
The author’s claim of Kaizen’s effectiveness
in teaching and learning has been Kaizening my class work…

corroborated by many researchers and

educators.

Kaizening Class Instructions

In the book, The Learning Revolution, co-

authors Jeanette Vos and Gordon Dryden
explained that revolutionizing schools
through Kaizen has optimistic effects. The
significant results have been evident in the
Mt. Edgecumbe High School, in Sitka,
Alaska, the school that pioneered Total
Quality Management or TQM and Kaizen in
America. Among the results were as follows:
a) students have established four pilot
companies; b) they have learned foreign
languages, quality control, statistical
The teacher approaches each classroom with
analysis, mathematics, exporting,
the belief that each student comes with the
marketing, accounting and many more; c)
desire to learn, that each one can learn far
teachers and students are considered as co-
more than previously learnt. To truly have
managers as they set goals and implement
fun in the classroom, quality must be part of
plans collectively; d) the first week of each
the classroom culture. Lal Fonseka
school year is used for building self-esteem

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 Available online at: www.ijassh.com

With the objective of improving students’ using like Facebook, Instagram or Tweeter.
learning in mind, kaizening class Many students may already have disliked
instructions can be done! arrays of common assessments you give
after every lectures; hence, you could
present online games as formative
assessment using their Iphones or the
popular YouTube to analyze uploaded videos
of diverse social issues.

Kaizening class instructions to improve learning can be

done through the use of well-planned instructions and
assessments in laptop, online games, online instructions
and social media.
Thus, the primary duty of the teachers is to
work on possible ways to improve the
classroom instructions with the help of Kaizening the classroom instructions
students, member teachers and requires creativity and persistence on the
administration. Teachers should improve part of the teacher. Equally important are
(kaizen) their instructional tools like the the motivations that the teachers have to
laptop, desktop, overhead projector or mobile give to students who, too, could share in the
phones. Lessons must be planned and process of improving classroom instructions
organized well, putting the student’s level of for continuous improvement in their studies.
intelligence, learning style and interest in Teachers should seek student’s needs
mind. They should be ready to find solutions through feedbacking, one-on-one
and applicable instructions when problems consultation, and focused group discussion,
arise in the classroom. They should be fully among others.
aware of the needs of students who, in this
era of technology, have changed their Kaizening my workstation…
learning preference. In fact many students
nowadays prefer to glue their heads onto
their mobile phones rather than to listen to
teacher’s instructions.

You may find students get bored doing their

homework and listen to teacher’s litany of
daily chores; hence, you can resort to using
more innovative techniques, like utilization
of Iphone, Ipad or smart phones to capture
student’s attention and motivate them to
learn. Students might already have been fed
up with heavy, printed books for home
reading assignments; hence, you could resort
Kaizening my workstation using the 5S principle
to giving them reading stories or novels in creates tremendous positive impact on my efficiency
eBooks as home reading activities. Students and productivity!
might get bored with the traditional
collaborative learning or peer-involvement
approach; hence, you could resort to using
social media which young adults are fond of

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Kaizening my home…

Kaizen Starts at Home and Workstation

The journey to master Kaizen principle
which improves teaching and learning
should start from our home and from every
corner of our work station. - Dr. Ronel M.
Sapungan “When I apply Kaizen principle at home …things
have dramatically changed: orderliness and
The fundamental measure and key driver for cleanliness manifested! This turns to be a good
mastering Kaizen is the 5S, which stands for habit, and I sustain!”
sort, set in order, shine standardize, sustain.
The author believes that the 5S, when
Kaizen Institute explains 5 Steps as follows:
practiced conscientiously, could improve
1. Sort (Seiri): Sort out and separate that
well-being; it would form a solid groundwork
which is needed and not needed in the area;
upon which to build continuous quality
2. Straighten (Seiton): Arrange items that
improvement; teachers would gain a sense of
are needed so that they are ready and easy
rights, participation and accountability; it
to use. Clearly identify locations for all items
could help eliminate wastes (Muda - waste
so that anyone can find them and return
of resources, waste of time, waste of energy,
them once the task is completed; 3 Shine
such as too many files on the desktop; Muri -
(Seiso): Clean the workplace and equipment
too much workload for a day; workload thus
on a regular basis in order to maintain
needs to be planned and distributed
standards and identify defects; 4.
logically; and Mura - not considering if the
Standardize (Seiketsu): Revisit the first
task is very important and very urgent; it
three of the 5S on a frequent basis and
may be very important, but not very urgent
confirm the condition of the Gemba
and vice versa); and it improves performance
workplace) using standard procedures; and
in efficiency, superiority and self-esteem
5. Sustain (Shitsuke): Keep to the rules to
which leads to increased effectiveness and
maintain the standard and continue to
prosperity.
improve every day.

Kaizen Institute further elucidates that the

5S offers more benefits to our professions. It
states that 5S relates to workplace
organization and forms a solid foundation
upon which many organizations base their
drive for continuous improvement. It is
equally applicable and successful in all
sectors helping to achieve high impact
results. It is a systematic and methodical The 7th Habit Effect
approach allowing teams to organize their
workplace in the safest and most efficient Complementing the Kaizen method in
manner. improving teaching and learning, which the
The discipline to check and repair author believes, is the 7th Habit, one of the
equipment is included and adopted. The seven habits popularized by Dr. Stephen
entire process is managed through the use of Covey in his book, The 7 Habits of Highly
team generated audit documents, completed Effective People (1989). Covey’s book was an
on an agreed frequency by responsible inspiration to many professionals and
owners within the Gemba (workplace) [4]. organizations around the world.

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 Available online at: www.ijassh.com

It teaches an approach to being effective in Conclusion

achieving goals by adhering to the principle
of paradigm shift or principle of character
ethic change.

The Seventh Habit has something to do with

Continuous Improvement, widely known as
‘Sharpen(ing) the Saw’. Wikipedia describes
it as “balance” and “renewal” of “your
resources, energy, and health to create
a sustainable, long-term, effective lifestyle.
It primarily emphasizes exercise for physical
renewal, prayer (meditation, yoga, etc.) and
good reading for mental renewal. It also
mentions service to society for spiritual “We must open the doors of opportunity but
renewal” [5]. we must also equip our people
to walk through those doors.”-Lyndon
Johnson

The desire to practice Kaizen and the 7th

Habit should not stop where one task is
done. This has to be evaluated, polished and
sustained. This has to be radiated and
taught to many people.

As Lyndon Johnson puts it, we have to share

the principles with other people; as we do,
The idea brought about by the 7th Habit has we are opening the doors of the chance to all,
made the author realize that improving and enable them to walk through those
education will drive persons along the path doors. In other words, we must play role
of personal autonomy, protection, models in applying Kaizen and the 7th Habit;
understanding, and authority. The author if we do, we become stewards of
also decided to constantly ‘sharpen the saw’ improvement; we help empower every
to attain improvement in life and in person and enjoy quality, meaningful life.
profession. Consequently, the same assiduity
to promote quality education was extended Thus, the author recommends advocating
to his workplace, and eventually created kaizen and 7th Habit in teaching as steady
ripple effects among his friends and principles to sustain continuous quality
colleagues in the workplace and among improvement in all scholarly undertaking-
students in every classrooms. By sharpening whether on the practicality of principle in
the saw (both knowledge and skills) more teaching, on the reliability of principle in
quality of life and in profession would surely learning among various learners, or on the
manifest. effectiveness of principles in educational
leadership.
The essence of the 7th Habit has inspired the
author to conduct more researches that As professionals, therefore, we should
could help improve teaching and learning. advocate continuous quality improvement in
His on-going institutional research has our respective posts. As facilitators and
something to do with Integration of Mobile leaders of quality teaching and learning, we
should consider our significant roles as
Phones into an Arab Tertiary EFL teachers and school leaders in the
Classroom, particularly the effectiveness of implementation of continuous quality
cell phones in learning English as a Foreign improvement to attain and sustain the
Language among Arab students in Bahrain. effectiveness and efficiency of quality
learning in the academe.

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 Available online at: www.ijassh.com

Acknowledgment sharing his professional expertise and

extreme motivation to make this research
The author sincerely acknowledges his
article possible.
fellow researcher Dr. Edgar Alosbaños for

References

1. Gordon Dryden & Jeanette Vos, Kaizen, How https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/201408241402

Kaizen philosophy is revolutionizing schools, 02-81312-kaizen-engaging-everybody-to-
retrieved on 12 October 2015 from create-a-culture-of-continuous-improvement
http://www.thelearningweb.net/kaizen.html
4. About 5S, Kaizen Institute, retrieved on 16
2. Fonsenka, Lal Introduction to Kaizen October 2015 from http://www.kaizen.com /
Philosophy in education: Continuous knowledge -center/what-is-5s.html
improvement – Guidelines, Retrieved on 16
February 2015 from 5. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,
http://archives.dailynews.lk/2011/04/12/fea23. Stephen Covey, retrieved on 15 October 2015
asp from
6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Seven_Habit
3. Graban, Mark, Kaizen: Creating a Culture of s_of_Highly_Effective_People
Continuous Improvement, retrieved on 12
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Ronel Mondragon Sapungan et. al | January 2016 | Vol.4 | Issue 01 |01-07 7

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