From the works of Michael Wesch of Kansas University
A Vision of students today -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o
The Class parody of the office -
http://mediatedcultures.net/ksudigg/?p=254
An anthropological introduction to Youtube by Michael Wesch -
http://mediatedcultures.net/ksudigg/?p=179
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
The Proposed 21st Pinoy Classroom: no more armchairs
With new administration, new secretary for the department of education, new budget for classrooms, these are all opportunities for positive change. Change can move in different facets, including a paradigm shift of what we have been accustomed as a local classroom.
Sources: http://newshopper.sulekha.com ; http://article.wn.com
Our old classrooms have a fixed blackboard, one or two doors, with the small rough, wooden armchairs. In some schools, there's the desk for two (often three) students.
Here's my idea of the primary and elementary classrooms in the public school. This time, let there be NO armchairs!
The Pinoy 21st classroom will have NO armchairs. The classroom do have rubber mats. It has oval low tables that can accommodate 8-10 students. The students, young boys and girls, sit on the floor with rubber mats. There are rolling blackboards and book shelves on the side. And of course, there is a small teacher's nook.
Outside the classroom, along the hallways, there will be open shelves for the shoes and slippers of the students. Removal of the slippers and shoes are a must before entering the classroom. This is the traditional concept of the Filipino homes. We respect our homes and keep them clean. So we also keep our classrooms clean.
Why not have armchairs or chairs for this matter? First, not having chairs or armchairs create a new, fresh mindset of our students (and even our leaders). So much learning can take place even in the absence of armchairs. This also allows more mobility and interaction among the students. They are not restricted with the convention of alphabetically arranged seats. Students who are bored can just drop on the floor to stretch or to sleep.
Having oval tables allow them too, to see the faces of their other classmates. This enhances transparency that make them aware of their classmates reactions and opinions. On the other hand, the setup also encourages high degree of peer learning and camaraderie.
There will be no concept of front and back, just sides. The teacher can use the two opposite rolling blackboards or even move them on the corners for a change of view. The blackboards can also serve as flipboards (or to hold the classic Manila paper). The clustered setup also allows the teacher to move around even with big classes. Modestly the setup can hold 48 to 60 students.
This is going to be fun! If the DepEd secretary will adopt this as an experimental setup, I am already volunteering to be the teacher to test it!
Sources: http://newshopper.sulekha.com ; http://article.wn.com
Our old classrooms have a fixed blackboard, one or two doors, with the small rough, wooden armchairs. In some schools, there's the desk for two (often three) students.
Here's my idea of the primary and elementary classrooms in the public school. This time, let there be NO armchairs!
The Pinoy 21st classroom will have NO armchairs. The classroom do have rubber mats. It has oval low tables that can accommodate 8-10 students. The students, young boys and girls, sit on the floor with rubber mats. There are rolling blackboards and book shelves on the side. And of course, there is a small teacher's nook.
Outside the classroom, along the hallways, there will be open shelves for the shoes and slippers of the students. Removal of the slippers and shoes are a must before entering the classroom. This is the traditional concept of the Filipino homes. We respect our homes and keep them clean. So we also keep our classrooms clean.
Why not have armchairs or chairs for this matter? First, not having chairs or armchairs create a new, fresh mindset of our students (and even our leaders). So much learning can take place even in the absence of armchairs. This also allows more mobility and interaction among the students. They are not restricted with the convention of alphabetically arranged seats. Students who are bored can just drop on the floor to stretch or to sleep.
Having oval tables allow them too, to see the faces of their other classmates. This enhances transparency that make them aware of their classmates reactions and opinions. On the other hand, the setup also encourages high degree of peer learning and camaraderie.
There will be no concept of front and back, just sides. The teacher can use the two opposite rolling blackboards or even move them on the corners for a change of view. The blackboards can also serve as flipboards (or to hold the classic Manila paper). The clustered setup also allows the teacher to move around even with big classes. Modestly the setup can hold 48 to 60 students.
This is going to be fun! If the DepEd secretary will adopt this as an experimental setup, I am already volunteering to be the teacher to test it!
The Role of the Classroom
When the new secretary of the Department of Education sat on his position, Sec. Armin Luistro received the first assignment from the new president of the country, Pres. Noynoy Aquino, and that is, to increase the number of classrooms in the country for the next two years (http://www.malaya.com.ph/07122010/metro5.html ). Increasing the number of classrooms did not sound to be a direct education problem. It is more of infrastructure issue. But classrooms seem to be a glaring issue for a poverty-stricken country giving high premium to education. What is the role of the classroom (aside from the fact it serves as an evacuation center when there is a calamity or disaster).
While I follow some academics in their cry for stronger and empowered social learning and with our college dean emphasizing the need "to develop a culture of innovation in the College in relation to these new tools (Teaching 2.0)", a huge portion of the archipelago and the leaders of the country lobby for better classrooms. Do we really need a classroom? What for? And would classroom really provide conducive environment for learning to take place? Will the desire to learn remain unaffected even if our Filipino students do not have complete books, some do not have shoes to wear, some do not have food to keep their attention? These are fundamental realities our local situation has to deal with.
The classroom in my opinion, has still the primary role of being a second home. This is the second home of the primary students. This is the second home of the high school students. The classroom is the second home where young minds get their inspiration and drive to learn, striving to study even with absence of the mind-nurturing supplements. The classroom is where the young students find their identities, where they start to discover who they are or what they want to become.
But how will these things happen? This is where the big role of the Filipino teacher comes in. The Pinoy teacher gives hope and motivation on how learning will help our lives. The Pinoy teacher strikes the balance of family and friends, the hard and soft skills to equip the students in their quest for knowledge. The Pinoy teacher is also strong on correcting misbehaviors with the hope she is molding good citizens of the country. She is making the classroom a true second home for the young minds. And because of this, we need inspirational, high-moral teachers as much as we need classrooms.
While I follow some academics in their cry for stronger and empowered social learning and with our college dean emphasizing the need "to develop a culture of innovation in the College in relation to these new tools (Teaching 2.0)", a huge portion of the archipelago and the leaders of the country lobby for better classrooms. Do we really need a classroom? What for? And would classroom really provide conducive environment for learning to take place? Will the desire to learn remain unaffected even if our Filipino students do not have complete books, some do not have shoes to wear, some do not have food to keep their attention? These are fundamental realities our local situation has to deal with.
The classroom in my opinion, has still the primary role of being a second home. This is the second home of the primary students. This is the second home of the high school students. The classroom is the second home where young minds get their inspiration and drive to learn, striving to study even with absence of the mind-nurturing supplements. The classroom is where the young students find their identities, where they start to discover who they are or what they want to become.
But how will these things happen? This is where the big role of the Filipino teacher comes in. The Pinoy teacher gives hope and motivation on how learning will help our lives. The Pinoy teacher strikes the balance of family and friends, the hard and soft skills to equip the students in their quest for knowledge. The Pinoy teacher is also strong on correcting misbehaviors with the hope she is molding good citizens of the country. She is making the classroom a true second home for the young minds. And because of this, we need inspirational, high-moral teachers as much as we need classrooms.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Practicing ICT among Filipino Teachers
To teach a subject matter is one thing. To use ICT to enhance teaching of a subject matter is another thing. To use ICT to allow enjoyable, authentic and empowered learning would be another challenging thing for our Filipino teachers.
So it is fundamental that a Filipino teacher to use ICT in teaching and for learning to take place requires her to practice ICT. Practice means regular use of ICT. This means she should take time from her busy schedule to-- read and respond to her e-mails everyday; use the computer (maybe the school computer or her netbook computer) in making her lessons and grades, read relevant news sites and blogs related to her subject area everyday. For a Filipino teacher to be able to apply ICT effectively requires deliberate practice. Here's a very good example of deliberate practice, how Benjamin Franklin developed his writing skills -- http://www.anecdote.com.au/archives/2010/08/benjamin-frankl.html .
What happens after practice? The teacher becomes comfortable on the use of the technology-- the computer, the internet, the e-mail, maybe even some games, thesaurus or translation program. But it does not end here. Comfort and confidence she has gained would allow her now to incorporate various ICT tools in teaching and learning. And with the resilient character of technology, experimentation on how technology will deliver better teaching and encourage progressive learning can be done by the teacher.
So practice, constant use, experimentation and whole lot of exposure to various technologies will make our Filipino teacher a confident ICT practitioner.
So it is fundamental that a Filipino teacher to use ICT in teaching and for learning to take place requires her to practice ICT. Practice means regular use of ICT. This means she should take time from her busy schedule to-- read and respond to her e-mails everyday; use the computer (maybe the school computer or her netbook computer) in making her lessons and grades, read relevant news sites and blogs related to her subject area everyday. For a Filipino teacher to be able to apply ICT effectively requires deliberate practice. Here's a very good example of deliberate practice, how Benjamin Franklin developed his writing skills -- http://www.anecdote.com.au/archives/2010/08/benjamin-frankl.html .
What happens after practice? The teacher becomes comfortable on the use of the technology-- the computer, the internet, the e-mail, maybe even some games, thesaurus or translation program. But it does not end here. Comfort and confidence she has gained would allow her now to incorporate various ICT tools in teaching and learning. And with the resilient character of technology, experimentation on how technology will deliver better teaching and encourage progressive learning can be done by the teacher.
So practice, constant use, experimentation and whole lot of exposure to various technologies will make our Filipino teacher a confident ICT practitioner.
Friday, August 13, 2010
BASIC ICT TOOLS FOR THE FILIPINO TEACHER
As I promised, I will spend some time each week to write something about how ICT can help teaching and learning in our country.
I have been into the use of ICT teaching for over seventeen years now. I have always tried my best to be kept abreast of what’s happening in the IT and computing field and to use this knowledge to complement my teaching. Even with the advent of student or learner-centric approach to education, in the Philippines, in my opinion, before you achieve this, change will have to take place first among our beloved teachers.
For today I would like to start with what fundamental ICT tools a Filipino teacher would need. When we say Filipino teacher, she or he may be teaching in the primary school, elementary or high school or even tertiary school with no particular subject matter in mind. Here are my recommendations:
1. a netbook laptop. A netbook laptop is a tool that will allow her to do fundamental teaching work using technology. It will allow her to do her grades, make her lessons, and do online communication.
Why a netbook? A netbook is a standard 10” laptop with USB ports, audio ports, a built-in webcamera, a hard drive, it is lightweight, and has a battery life of 6-10hours. A Pinoy teacher usually has exam papers or book references in her bag. These are teaching materials she can’t just leave most of the time. So a lightweight netbook will provide more mobility for the teacher to do her work—in the campus, at home or in the park. (It is recommended to have two netbook adaptors, one to be used at home & another one in school).
2. a broadband connection. A Globe or Smart broadband connection is recommended. Together with mobility, the broadband connection allows cheaper internet access than going to the internet café.
I personally bring mine in my bag together with my compact powder. I don’t need to spend time finding a free slow wifi connection just to do my connectivity requirements. There are available software too that can make the broadband connection become telco agnostic. Just keep at least 3 extra sim card for connectivity use.
3. a Gmail or Yahoo e-mail account. A free email account that can be accessed anywhere 24/7 is very essential. Both Gmail and Yahoo allows a good size of working storage and a number of file attachments usually restricted in school or college servers. This allows her to communicate with other teachers, students, parents and even friends.
Constant use of email breaks the mindset barrier of hierarchy of communication. What do I mean with this? A Pinoy teacher does not have to make an appointment with her principal to discuss a class or student concern or to channel her concern first to the subject coordinator before elevating it to the principal. The beauty of the email allows the teacher to talk directly to the principal.
And promptness in communication too, can make a difference most of time especially for matters that require decision or resolution to problems.
4. a spreadsheet program. A spreadsheet program will permit her to make a transparent, referred computation of grades. A spreadsheet program also allows easy management of grades.
5. a word editor program. A word editor program allows her to make her lessons, notes, exams (in different versions) and even her personal essays like this one.
These are the basic tools needed. And our Pinoy teacher is headed to becoming a very good ICT teaching practitioner. Have a great week!
I have been into the use of ICT teaching for over seventeen years now. I have always tried my best to be kept abreast of what’s happening in the IT and computing field and to use this knowledge to complement my teaching. Even with the advent of student or learner-centric approach to education, in the Philippines, in my opinion, before you achieve this, change will have to take place first among our beloved teachers.
For today I would like to start with what fundamental ICT tools a Filipino teacher would need. When we say Filipino teacher, she or he may be teaching in the primary school, elementary or high school or even tertiary school with no particular subject matter in mind. Here are my recommendations:
1. a netbook laptop. A netbook laptop is a tool that will allow her to do fundamental teaching work using technology. It will allow her to do her grades, make her lessons, and do online communication.
Why a netbook? A netbook is a standard 10” laptop with USB ports, audio ports, a built-in webcamera, a hard drive, it is lightweight, and has a battery life of 6-10hours. A Pinoy teacher usually has exam papers or book references in her bag. These are teaching materials she can’t just leave most of the time. So a lightweight netbook will provide more mobility for the teacher to do her work—in the campus, at home or in the park. (It is recommended to have two netbook adaptors, one to be used at home & another one in school).
2. a broadband connection. A Globe or Smart broadband connection is recommended. Together with mobility, the broadband connection allows cheaper internet access than going to the internet café.
I personally bring mine in my bag together with my compact powder. I don’t need to spend time finding a free slow wifi connection just to do my connectivity requirements. There are available software too that can make the broadband connection become telco agnostic. Just keep at least 3 extra sim card for connectivity use.
3. a Gmail or Yahoo e-mail account. A free email account that can be accessed anywhere 24/7 is very essential. Both Gmail and Yahoo allows a good size of working storage and a number of file attachments usually restricted in school or college servers. This allows her to communicate with other teachers, students, parents and even friends.
Constant use of email breaks the mindset barrier of hierarchy of communication. What do I mean with this? A Pinoy teacher does not have to make an appointment with her principal to discuss a class or student concern or to channel her concern first to the subject coordinator before elevating it to the principal. The beauty of the email allows the teacher to talk directly to the principal.
And promptness in communication too, can make a difference most of time especially for matters that require decision or resolution to problems.
4. a spreadsheet program. A spreadsheet program will permit her to make a transparent, referred computation of grades. A spreadsheet program also allows easy management of grades.
5. a word editor program. A word editor program allows her to make her lessons, notes, exams (in different versions) and even her personal essays like this one.
These are the basic tools needed. And our Pinoy teacher is headed to becoming a very good ICT teaching practitioner. Have a great week!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
