The Korean e-Learning Experience

Rethinking assessment approaches and methods | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online

2012-01-12T11:15:00.000+09:00

Rethinking assessment approaches and methods | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online
Reblogged from Manila Bulletin online - http://networkedblogs.com/sASh5

Rethinking assessment approaches and methods

Breakthrough Education

By HENRY S. TENEDERO

January 12, 2012, 3:49am

MANILA, Philippines — Assessment is the way we measure or test learning. It is here where our framework finds or must find effective integration into the classroom environment.

We must recognize and implement assessment not just as a tool to test learning, but also as a tool to reinforce it.

Assessment Paradigms

Old thinking #1: I teach, participants perform, I assess: This follows the Behaviorist theories that participants are subjects. Identify, demand and measure all the desired outcomes. Reward the desired and punish the undesired.

Wave of Change #1: I’m a catalyst for learning and self-assessment: This approach asks, “How does the human brain naturally, intrinsically, learn best and what can we do to encourage more of its best learning?”

Old Thinking #2: Some people make a difference, some don’t: Let’s invest more in those that matter.

Wave of Change #2: Either none of us make a difference or all of us make a difference. Therefore, I do make a difference.

Old Thinking #3: Laying blame: “I’m a victim of circumstances beyond my control.”

Wave of Change #3: I can’t control everything but I can control my responses to everything.

Old Thinking #4: Trainer presents his/her view of the training as the truth: Participants are expected to conform to their model.

Wave of Change #4: You ask them, “What is your model? How do you think… and why? I’ll enter your world so we can talk to each other.

Old Thinking #5: Avoid mistakes: They’re bad. Mark participants down for failure.

Wave of Change #5: Mistakes are feedback and an opportunity to grow… We can use them positively and learn from them.

Old Thinking #6: Some are going to fail no matter what is done. It’s just the way it is.

Wave of Change #6: Instill success attitudes. Increase your own flexibility and your success rate will soar.

Old Thinking #7: Let’s test participants to find out if they are gifted or not.

Wave of Change #7: Let’s bring out the giftedness in every learner we can.

Old Thinking #8: Label students based on classroom performances.

Wave of Change #8: Treat negative class behaviors as temporary and every participant as unlimited.

Old Thinking #9: The trainer as “the boss, the star, the autocrat of the training room.”

Wave of Change #9: Your participants as proactive, responsible, starts in the training.

Old Thinking #10: Fill up the participants with knowledge like a container.

Training is a safe, easy, low risk secure profession.

Wave of Change #10: Be a catalyst so learners can learn how to gain skills and knowledge.

Successful training requires constant personal growth and professional risk-taking. Happy new year to all our readers!

Developing collaborative skills among students today

2011-07-19T19:14:00.004+09:00

There are many internet tools and technologies that can support collaboration among young people nowadays. But in a developing country like the Philippines, the use of these internet (or web tools) is still a big challenge especially in the countryside. Access to the web oftentimes is limited to the laboratories of the schools or colleges. To require students to perform online activities or interaction to enhance engagement skills is costly. To see our students become strong team players and learn to collaborate is the desire of the thriving and dedicated teachers. So what can our teachers do? How can they prepare our students, with limited ICT resources, limited internet access employ and perform strategies to enable our students become globally ready?

Here are some "collaborative" exercises and activities that can be horizontally integrated between the technology class and the major subjects.

1. A class video. In a session, ask the students to write on a bond paper an adjective or phrase that would describe their town or their school or their country. The teacher can set up the digital video camera on a tripod. Then the students will show their papers one by one, including a short opinion of what they wrote.

2. Interview of a tourist. Pair students or form small groups. Ask them to find a tourist and get their opinion of the town and the impression about the people and their ways. Use a template of questions for uniformity. Then the students can ask if they can have a photo with the tourist using the phone camera. This is the proof they have conducted an interview. Instruct students to extend courtesy and thank the tourist as well.

3. Here's another example of a fun collaboration, the frozen mob. - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwMj3PJDxuo The students can do a simulation of this activity in the plaza or townhall.

4. Storytelling in a blog or comics form. Form small groups. Each group can have a theme for their stories-- tragic, tales or legends, horror, mystery etc. Each one writes a story and the group decides to link each story. It can become a hyopernarrative, a series of stories with no beginning or end. It can be expressed in text or drawing form. Permit the students to create their stories using the local dialect.

Photo from some students doing an outreach teaching activity in a mission school.

5. A wiki portfolio of reflections. Upon reading a story or a novel, or upon watching a film, ask the students to create a wikipage and put their reflections. Here are some nice examples, reactions after an outbound trip.
a. http://isoyou.wikispaces.com/
b. http://siberiantigers.wikispaces.com/FIELD+TRIP+REFLECTION

It's kind of interesting to learn student reactions especially on collaborative activities. It's quite different from the individual work. Students become more conscious of the quality of their work, more interested to know the contribution of their classmate or teammate and the energy becomes very high among all the groups.

New Courses I Plan to Design

2011-07-06T11:15:00.001+09:00

With the De La Salle University celebrating its centennial year, it is very timely that I want to create these new courses to be offered to our college students. This is the century of technology and social systems convergence, the rise of the superusers and the milleneal learners. So there is the great need to prepare our students. But of course it also meant preparing our teachers and facilitators of the courses as well as strong focus on the throughput of the course design.

Here are my initial thoughts and I hope to get some feedback as well.

DIGITAL CULTURES IN DIGITAL SETTINGS (free elective)

In the advent of massive creation of content, socialization of spaces, drive for high interoperable information and communication and the readwrite web, many transformations are also happening in our everyday practices of technologies. The web that we had been accustomed have also created a metamorphosis of subcultures we have not imagined like the subcultures of speed, subcultures of conversations, subcultures of screens, subcultures of non-privacy or even subcultures of copyleft.

The course in Digital Cultures is very fresh, an offshoot of the strong immersion of people in the use of the web technology and the demands of urban setting lifestyle. The course explores the new ecosystem of digital cultures, the various facets, the roots and impact of these subcultures to our everyday lives.

methodologies: collaborative web-based project, blogging, online engagements

NETWORK SOCIETY, ICT AND THE NEW MEDIA (professional elective)

The course views the present societies evolving in an era of networks, technologies and many dependencies on each other. There is also a great demand for the generation of information and knowledge that may leverage the power level in societies.

In an era when the ‘internet access’ becomes a human right, technologies play a key role for societies to be able to govern, participate, mediate or even deliver goods and services to its constituents. Technologies are also seen to provide capacities to societies to synergize in the global networked environment.

The course also includes the role of the new media as a technology in empowering citizens to participate responsibly or irresponsibly.

methodologies: seminars, joint paper research and writing (and maybe a field trip to Shanghai, Seoul or Taipei--these cities are highly connected cities)

INTERCULTURALISM & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (free elective)

This course provides a long strand of global perspectives on interculturalism. It intends to broaden the view of Filipino university students on the many benefits that can be gained on the cross-exchange of knowledge and practices brought about by interculturalism. It also entails uncovering the many barriers and issues in carrying out these ideas.

The course also explores the power of technology to mediate, enhance, empower or even engage small and big communities from different geographical locations to grow and learn from one another.

methodologies: field trip with ‘play’ workshop, online interactions, some plenary lectures, may also have a visiting lecturer

*The course is an adaptation of Ase Bjurstrom’s course in Sweden.

ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (professional elective)

The course provides exposure on the non-mainstream use of social media with emphasis on the area of emergency management. It looks into various types and categories of emergencies, how social media and other related ICT tools can support the prevention, monitoring, reporting, escalating and mapping of the different emergency incidents.

The course also looks into existing case studies and the students are encouraged to create their own model of emergency reporting with the use of social media and web tools.

methodologies: study of past emergency cases, creation of emergency reporting model and mashed-up of web tools

Details will soon to follow.

What is TWITTER for me

2011-05-06T01:22:00.001+09:00

Selected Poems from Mervyn Peake

2011-01-23T02:25:00.004+09:00

It was last year when a colleague shared with me the poems of Mervyn Peake. I'm no poet and understands little of the richness of this marvelous letters. But I had the opportunity to be fascinated by two poems written by this great man. The poems have not only touched my soul but has mimic my spirit.

TO LIVE IS MIRACLE ENOUGH

To live at all is miracle enough.
The doom of nations is another thing.
Here in my hammering blood-pulse is my proof.

Let every painter paint and poet sing
And all the sons of music ply their trade;
Machines are weaker than a beetle’s wing.

Swung out of sunlight into cosmic shade,
Come what come may the imagination’s heart
Is constellation high and can’t be weighed.

Nor greed nor fear can tear our faith apart
When every heart-beat hammers out the proof
That life itself is miracle enough.

OUT OF THE CHAOS OF MY DOUBT

Out of the chaos of my doubt
And the chaos of my art
I turn to you inevitably
As the needle to the pole
Turns . . . as the cold brain to the soul
Turns in its uncertainty;

So I turn and long for you;
So I long for you, and turn
To the love that through my chaos
Burns a truth,
And lights my path.

RPG METANOIA by Luis Suarez-- A Review

2010-12-31T09:47:00.008+09:00

MY PERSONAL REVIEW

The story moved smoothly in a very creative, realistic, localized Filipino-inspired life. The boy Nico, spending his summer, finds the computer and the Metanoia game as his comfort zone typical of most kids nowadays. His dad works in Dubai, and constantly communicates with them online with a webcam, likewise a typical scenario in most Pinoy households. His mom trains him of household chores and eagerly pushes him to experience a good summer playing apart from his computer.

The story successfully sent a subliminal message of the joy of playing games outside the house with good friends or in our local dialect we call it "barkada". It is a very positive message to parents now. Children should be able to realize that there is good life other than the comforts of the computer or the tech gadgets they always hold on, the PSP, the DS lite or the iPhone. Being hurt is part of the learning process.

RPG Metanoia beautifully showed the traditional games, most of us Pinoy adults now, had enjoyed in our younger days building strong, very positive memories--the "patintero", the "taguan", the "piko", the "tumbang preso", the "sipa", and the "chatu". While all these games are new to the boy Nico, Nico would process the game mechanics in his mind like a "computer game", which is in fact how young boys would imagine it.

RPG Metanoia exhibited an animated version of a Pinoy-inspired game environment, an example of which is the concept of the pueblo or the town during Spanish time in the Phils. Better, the mix interplay of contemporary game environments of different cultures; the use of gamers' lingo; and the fusion of the game theory and the metaphors that go along with the game proved that RPG Metanoia has been well planned, went deep thought, and a result of a consolidated creative effort. Best, it carries an authentic, positive Filipino branding!

There is a big difference when you talk about a movie and a film. A movie is there to entertain through a story and make the time pass away. A film is different. A film does not just tell a story, it sends a strong message. A film is a mirror of a nation or some people in that nation. A film is also a representation of what is happening in the country. And RPG Metanoia is telling us "we are here now", "we are capable to do this", and "this is our message to our people". RPG Metanoia showed we can now do not just movies but animated films!

I have been waiting for a long time for a Filipino cartoon film like this. It is about time that we have a full-length computer graphics animated film.
Kudos to Director Luis Suarez and the whole production team!!

RPG Metanoia 3D Movie Plot Summary/Synopsis
*Reposted from : http://www.movienews.me/2010/07/rpg-metanoia-3d-movie-trailer-plot.html

The RPG Metanoia 3D movie story revolves around an avid online game named Nico who as an eleven year old boy lives a normal child's life. But when he is playing the MMORPG (Massively Multi-players Online Role Playing Game) called Metanoia, he is an unpredictable vagabond armed with a magic yoyo and with uncanny speed and agility in his skill set.

Nico got low self-esteem and is only getting his guts from playing Metanoia. That is why when he and his friends where faced with an adversity from the local boys, he felt his world shattered. But they found a saving grace from a new friend which inspired them to continue their online endeavor.

However, the Metanoia network was infected with a virus affecting the whole internet, most computers and the minds of gamers all over the world. It's up to Nico, his friends and the other remaining Metanoia players to stop the virus from taking control of the online and offline world. But to do that, Nico must muster his courage, and discover the true hero he really is.

Movie Information - http://www.movienews.me/2010/07/rpg-metanoia-3d-movie-trailer-plot.html posted by Richie

Travelling and Learning

2010-10-25T09:49:00.007+09:00

I had a fast two long days with my high school friends. This is our third day in Bangkok. It is also the first time for our two companions to go out of the country. We already had a lot of sightseeing and some shopping, and a close encounter with some authentic street food, chili food, very nice hot noodles with basil and others.

Each of my opportunity to travel is a blessing for me. It meant a lot in many ways. It is a personal time as well. Best of all, it is a learning time.

I believe travelling should also be part of teacher training development. It should be part of the government agenda to enhance our teachers. Travelling has so many lessons to teach that you don't learn inside the confines of the campus. The greatest thing, for me, about travelling is not to see other places but to get to know other people, through their dishes, through their practices and traditions, partly through the changes in their lives exhibited by the infrastructure and developments, and of course interacting with them. Here are some things that are so real, it is experience that can only teach these things.

Knowing the people through the cuisine. By tasting, enjoying the local dishes, you get to understand many things--how they prepare or cook the food, what spices and local greens and meat are preferred, types of fruits present in the place, what time they usually eat and how they eat and what desserts interest them.

Historical and modern infrastructure. While some of these could be read in books or magazines, visiting historical palaces, temples or even the modern museums tell much of how a nation value its long history and how they impart these to the new generation.

Respect for others' culture and traditions. It is also important that more than the chance to shop and get souvenirs, any opportunity to observe and immerse with a cultural tradition should be embraced (even in the short time of stay). One example yesterday, I had the beautiful chance of observing local folks making offering to the monks in a very big plaza. The people offered small pockets of rice, noodles, flowers and other stuff. As the monks moved around, the people also extended great reverence to them. It was a beautiful sight. The people are giving something, supporting the monks with great faith, and are also in communion, in prayer with them. I actually joined the offering. I respectfully asked a Thai woman if I could also give my donation. She acknowledged it and was grateful. She also handed to me more pockets of rice to give to the monks. I was glad to be part of it. It also gave me a chance to pray and be thankful of this chance.

Interaction with the local folks. Having a good chat with the local folks may be of limited occasion for the travelling teacher. But the teacher should take initiative to converse and know the people, not by name, but by what they are. Talk to the taxi driver, the hotel receptionist, the concierge, the cashier in the local store, the policeman, the tour guide, or even to a student. These are brief moments. But if you sum up these brief moments, these also tell about the people in the local neighborhood. These are things you don't just readily pick up from the book.

The local Thais commonly speak their local language, very spiritual and will always try to help and give directions to a lost tourist.

And so I reiterate, that travelling should be part of the teacher training program of our government. It opens up the horizon of how we view things. And the items I mentioned are just on the soft skills. The training on planning and organization are separate items to be discusses as results too, of travelling.

the five stages of grading

2010-10-19T07:36:00.002+09:00

By dr. b ⋅ October 9, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment
Filed Under grades, humour, lists, marking, students

Reblogged from: http://notthatkindofdoctor.com/2010/10/the-five-stages-of-grading/

Everyone is familiar with Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and her stage model of coping with grief popularly known as the five stages of grief. What you may not know is that Kübler-Ross actually developed her theory as a graduate student, basing her conception of the process of loss on the experiences one goes through over a grading weekend.

In coping with grading, it’s important for graduate students and young professors to know that they are not alone and that this process takes time. Not everyone goes through every stage or processes the reality of grading in this order, but everyone experiences some version of at least two of these steps.

1. Denial. At this stage, the instructor is unwilling to acknowledge the size of the task ahead of him or her. An instructor in denial may be heard to say things like, “It’s not really that many essays, when you think about it.” An instructor in denial will grossly overestimate his or her potential assignment-per-hour output. Denial at the syllabus-creation stage of course development can lead to tears. Denial can also manifest itself as avoidance, where grading is put aside in favour of vastly more important activities like cleaning the fridge, baking, working out, or writing elaborate blog posts about the stages of grading.
2. Anger. Usually anger begins once the instructor starts grading. The first few papers are likely to excite the grader, but as a steady stream of errors trickles in, the instructor may become disillusioned. Commonly heard at this stage: “But we covered this in class! A lot!” “Wait, what does this even mean?” “Redundant! This is redundant!” Instructors at this stage of the process are likely to have unnecessarily large reactions to relatively small frustrations; for example, in one case an instructor screamed into a pillow upon discovering that every student in the class was still using “they” as a singular pronoun.
3. Bargaining. This stage usually begins as an earnest attempt to buckle down and grade. The instructor might say, “If I grade five papers, I can watch one episode of House,” or, “For every page I grade, I get to eat a piece of candy.” This process starts well, but as the instructor progresses the amount of work required to achieve the reward generally becomes smaller and smaller, until the instructor is checking Facebook after every sentence he or she grades.
4. Depression. At some point in a marking weekend, the instructor will come to realize that in spite of his or her best intentions, the papers won’t be marked in time for the next class. For the idealistic young instructor, this is also usually the moment he or she realizes that the assignments themselves are not particularly strong. These realizations can lead to feelings of failure, spiralling into reality TV watchathons or video game blitzes instead of grading. Ultimately, though, recognizing one’s limitations is a healthy part of the process that leads directly to the final stage.
5. Acceptance/Resignation. At some point, the instructor comes to term with the reality that the papers must be graded. This reality is usually acknowledged the afternoon before the instructor wishes to return the papers, leading to an all-night grading blitz. At some point and by some miracle, however, it all gets done, and the instructor is primed and ready to start to the process over again when the next major assignment comes in.

My new log in screen

2010-10-05T00:36:00.002+09:00

21st Century Perspectives of e-Learning

2010-09-05T14:07:00.003+09:00

An academic colleague and good friend, Ms. Kiran Budhrani, has always been a topnotch as far excellent presentations will be topic. Her recent slides 21st Century Perspectives of e-Learning - http://www.slideshare.net/kiranb/elearning-21st-century-perspectives-on-teaching-learning-and-technology is now about to hit 60,000 views. Very good work Kiran!

But I think Kiran is not just making exceptionally wonderful presentations. She is trying to get reactions on her ideas. Please allow me to retell the very same comments I gave to Kiran, shared together with her other academic friends last Sep. 2, 2010, 12.39am --
----------------

Congratulations Kiran! Nice work. I like the shift of the TV, the smiling guy looking on the screen & the catchy title.

Here are my thoughts--
If we are talking about informal, social learning as the present direction, why insist of having teachers, anyway, particularly at the HE. No teacher will be able to cope if you talk of media, technology, comm. & web literacy. So let's DECONSTRUCT education! Move away from having a traditional teacher. Better, NO TEACHER, NO CLASSROOM!

Imagine open structures as you described it, not just on the content that the students collect or manipulate. Students in peer groups coaching other peer groups. Peers making a thumbs up (or down) to say 'this is correct for me', 'this is what I need', or 'this is the best answer so far'!

late good night.. early good morning..
tweet..tweet..tweet.. :-)

The Metaphor of the Course Card Day in the DLSU System

2010-09-05T12:43:00.004+09:00

In the De La Salle University in Taft Avenue, Manila, it has been a practice at the end of the term that students meet their class adviser for the course card distribution. While it is an optional attendance for the students, it is necessary for the teacher or professor to be present at that time.

It is an opportunity for the students to get an understanding why she (or he) got a passing or failing grade, why she obtained better markings than her group mates or what were her shortcomings that prevented her to be in the dean's list.

Hence, there are many different kinds of reactions that can be observed during the course card day. Sometimes you hear crying and whining in the toilet. Sometimes you will just hear an outburst of giggle or sudden expression of relief like "Yes! I survived not only Math but Prof.__" The sound of satisfaction is there. I remember a student about to fail, his boyfriend who was also her classmate was trying to save her. He was giving a portion of his grade to save her girlfriend. In another instance, there was also this student asking for extra points. He was a graduating student and it was going to be the first time he will be included in the dean's list (a late bloomer I guess). If I give him the extra points he needed, he will make it to the dean's list, for the first time, on the last term of his stay in the university.

For the teacher or professor, in my opinion, the course card day is more than just making it clear to the students that she was fair and objective in giving the grades. It is also more than being responsible in the assigned schedule of distribution so the attendance checker will not mark her as absent.

The course card day carries a strong metaphor of what it is to be a teacher. It is a metaphor of HOPE. It allows the teacher to tell her students that good grades entail sacrifices, diligence and exerting efforts more than what is expected. It is a metaphor of COMPASSION. Students have different reasons for not being able to exhibit their best or perform well. Some of these reasons are true and some are evidently artificial. A teacher, with close communication with the students permit her to know if a student is being honest or not. And the teacher on this course card day, has also this opportunity to grant compassion to deserving students in various ways. The course card is also a metaphor of WISDOM. Students sometimes see only the list of requirements she has complied to. But the rationale of the teacher why she gave a low score or average score or an excellent score is part of the expertise and judgment of the teacher. The students oftentimes, cannot espouse this. So the teacher has to provide the objective explanation of all of these things. I also call it the wisdom of the guru. It is this wisdom that can appease the heart of a student in fire.

----------------

For the past one and a half year, the tradition of the course card day was removed by the Registrar's office. Thanks to technology, the faculty inputs their grades and the students view them online. The students have a chance to ask about their grade breakdown on a consultation day, the day after they viewed their grades online.

While it is a convenient way perhaps for the university administration to take away a very busy course card day, it meant removing a university tradition.

The course card day is a very exciting day for the students and the faculty. It is the last meeting at the end of the term. It is the 'thank you', the 'good luck', the 'keep it up', 'have a pleasant vacation', or 'see you next term' events. It is a closure of the formal teacher-student encounter but may also be the beginning of a good friendship or acquaintance between the student and the teacher.

Many progressive changes are taking place in the university right now. But for me, it is sad to see we are losing some of the better traditions we have. The course card day is a tradition we lost. If Saint John Baptist de La Salle, patron saint of the teachers, is alive today, what will he say about this?

Useful videos to undestand our college students

2010-08-24T19:33:00.002+09:00

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

The Proposed 21st Pinoy Classroom: no more armchairs

2010-08-23T20:43:00.009+09:00

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!

The Role of the Classroom

2010-08-23T13:46:00.003+09:00

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.

Practicing ICT among Filipino Teachers

2010-08-14T14:07:00.002+09:00

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.

The curriculum - MINI CRITIQUE By Isagani Cruz | The Philippine Star Other STAR Sections Education and Home

2010-08-13T12:03:00.000+09:00

The curriculum - MINI CRITIQUE By Isagani Cruz | The Philippine Star Other STAR Sections Education and Home

BASIC ICT TOOLS FOR THE FILIPINO TEACHER

2010-08-13T11:39:00.002+09:00

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!

1st in Teaching Evaluation SY 2009-2010-Grand Slam and the 2010 Metrobank Outstanding Teacher Awards

2010-07-31T22:36:00.005+09:00

For the 3rd consecutive school year, the Information Technology Department placed 1st among the departments of De La Salle University in Manila in terms of ITEO teaching evaluation.

Congratulations to the IT Department to this Grand Slam!!! Congratulations too, to Mr. Oliver Malabanan, department head.

I think our chairperson, Mr. Oliver Malabanan, should call for a big celebration! Imagine we defeated the different departments in the College of Education. It's not a contest I know. But it just shows that we have effective teaching strategies!

I'm proud to be part of this department! Cheers!!! :-)
___________________________

I would also want to congratulate a very respectable and very dedicated professor and university fellow in our college, Dr. Raymund Sison, likewise a National Scientist, as a recipient of the prestigious Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Teacher Award this 2010. I salute you Dr. Sison! Cheers!!! :-)

For the Filipino Teacher

2010-07-31T22:21:00.002+09:00

I spent a brief time in Camelot Hotel yesterday afternoon in Quezon City giving a lecture on Communities of Practice (COPs). I was moved by the simplicity of the delegates and the warm hospitality of the professors from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. And one of the questions thrown to me really struck me (not exactly to this statement but to this effect)-- Given my exposure on various uses of technology in education, what is the topmost problem we have locally and how can this be addressed?

And so I answered that I still consider economic problem as the primary issue. It was concurred by Dr. Lorenzo of PUP. But I guess economic issue should not hurdle us from building a COP for that matter. I also would like to dedicate extra time starting this week to post something to support the idea of ICT use in teaching--for my dedicated teaching colleagues in the country.

I will share different creative ways of using ICT in teaching as I have done them.

The 3rd Annual Conference The Philippine Association for Business Educators, (PAFBE) Inc

2010-07-31T20:35:00.002+09:00

My supervisor was one of the speakers in the 3rd Annual Conference The Philippine Association for Business Educators, (PAFBE) Inc held last July 30 and 31. Unfortunately, he had a sudden important engagement and I agreed to pitch for him. Dr. Lorenzo of PUP, the convenors, the officers, the teachers and delegates of PAFBE gave a warm response to my presentation.

Here are the excerpts of my presentation---

"Even with late notice, I tried my best to prepare something that you will bring home as part of a solution instead of posting many issues and concerns that may drag your weekend of pondering whether there is an answer to the never ending question of how do we implement technology.

For this afternoon, I am bringing to you a not very young idea. This is an idea typically used in business organizations in the light of sustaining the use and application of technology. And I will put this in the context of education. The title of my presentation is Creating Communities of Practice (COPs) through Practical ICT and Web 2.0."

"Context is putting and using technology on the right perspective of the subject matter. And the knowledge and skills of the business educators or even the teachers will be very important in this situation. Context is not using technology as suggested in the software tutorial. Context is making the students realize to use or apply the right technology as prescribed by the situation, the problem to be solved or the project to be done. And this is one of the creative challenges among teachers".

I hope I was able to inspire them of the idea of Communities of Practice. I have shared with them the concept, the characteristics as posted by Etienne Wenger, the proponent of the COP and I gave my own examples situating it to the local setting. I also hope that introducing Web 2.0 gave informative insights of various alternatives on how to use them in teaching. Some of these are--

Web 2.0 Teaching & Learning Tools
These are some of the common examples. There are still many tools and solutions.

Youtube – to showcase student experiences; to reuse good howto videos
An anthropological introduction to Youtube by Michael Wesch -- http://www.grokdotcom.com/2008/08/04/1462/
An ethical behavior and social responsibility video by Louie Sioco, James Sy & Johann Go http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EJW89mUagA
Blogs – to extend class discussions; to extend student interactions
http://whymanagetech.blogspot.com/2007/05/notes-on-external-business-environment.html
Forums, e-groups & social network sites – to post announcements; to share files; & to encourage healthy dialogues and responsible online behavior among students
Google maps – to visually enhance geography concepts
Online News – to know what is happening in the world
Wikis – to encourage collaborative writing and research
Photos – to encourage artistic expression and develop digital art skills
http://mobilemartha.multiply.com/photos/album/12/EM-TECH_Technology_Exhibit
Skype & yahoo messenger – to facilitate online discussions
Second life – to enhance remote role-playing activities

I also mentioned to them that mobile phones and music players are useful ICT tools--
o To capture proof of data gathering (e.g. interview)
o To capture procedures of the experiments
o To capture board notes
o To listen about the lessons or to produce outputs through podcasts
Podcasts are audio files in MP3 format that is used to hold various content like discussions, interviews, opinions or meetings.
Of course, PRACTICE makes PERFECT or EFFECTIVE OUTCOMES.

Very important hindsights to bring home---
1. Don’t get immersed in the technology, context is more important!
2. Make it a rule of thumb to apply your teaching techniques and styles.
3. Discuss your methods openly to your colleagues. It encourages “shared practice”.
4. Encourage student participation and collaboration.
5. Institutionalize “best practices” and build a “Community of Practice”! 

To confer or not to confer in a conference

2010-07-28T23:26:00.005+09:00

There are many reasons why an academic would want to participate in a conference. It could be to be able to validate her ideas and get insights on others' perception. It is also a way for her to become abreast of the new developments in her field, realize her ideas may not be new but still useful. It is also possible to realize that things that motivate her to do research may be the same motivations other academics have.

In a conference, it is either she will engage in a constructive dialogue or not. It is also possible that she will just be on that stage of just receiving, filtering and processing all the new things she is hearing and learning.

It is also a way to see the world, travel and learn about other cultures and try out new dishes. This is one of the attractive side of participating in a conference. She gets to be out of the classroom, on an official capacity, move in autonomy, manage schedules and accommodations, learn phrases of another language and interact with coercive taxi drivers.

But the other important thing that some conference attendees tend to forget or overlook is the opportunity of meaningful connections, having new academic friends (maybe real friends in the long run) and a possibility of continuous exchange of new ideas and experiences. These meaningful connections are not completely addressed by online interactions or even listening to a video or podcast of a very good social anthropologist. Nothing can replace a beautiful encounter in a worthwhile conference or symposium.

And I am glad I took such bold step of engaging in meaningful connections. I have a few but very good academic friends. And we still keep in touch.

*The first four photos were taken during the ICICTE July 2009 Conference in Corfu, Greece. Some of the academic friends I met-- Maria Spante, Liming Zhang, Karen Baskett (not in the photo), Uthman Alturki, Hind Alfadda, Keith Kirkwood and Svetlana Osipova.

Maria Spante and Keith Kirkwood were both gracious to come to Manila last March 2010 to speak in our conference. (The last photo was taken on the first day of the Manila conference.)

Touchpoint 2010 Photos of the Delegates

2010-07-28T22:46:00.008+09:00

TOUCHPOINT 2010 Invited Guests and Friends

2010-07-28T22:35:00.003+09:00

Keynote Speaker:

Maria Spante, Ph.D.
Chalmers University of Technology
Department of Technology Management and Economics

MARIA SPANTE holds a PhD position at Chalmers University of Technology, Department of Technology Management and Economics, Division of Technology and Society. Dr. Spante is a prolific researcher. Her current research expertise focuses on social interaction in technical systems, technical systems and human relations, and learning and interactive media.

Plenary Speakers:

Emmanuel Lallana, Phd.
Chief Executive
ideacorp

EMMANUEL LALLANA is the Chief Executive of ideacorp, an independent, non-profit organization focused on the use (ICT) in governance and education, in business and the economy and in the transforming society. Currently, Dr. Lallana is the project leader of Pan Asia Network on Democratic eGovernance (PANeGOV), a nine-country research initiative on the use of ICT in good governance and citizen empowerment in Asia.

Keith Kirkwood
School of Learning Support
Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia

KEITH KIRKWOOD is a Lecturer in the School of Learning Support at Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia, where he is managing the design and development of the SNAP Platform, and has helped articulate the School’s Students Supporting Students Learning strategy. He is working towards the integration of learning and information skills in the development of a holistic and integrated participatory learning platform.

And there's Touchpoint 2010

2010-07-28T22:17:00.003+09:00

These are my thoughts and words for Touchpoint 2010--

TOUCHPOINT is a new word and concept coined to denote an engaging interaction, a learning epiphany, a fresh connection. It can still be defined further. And as we realize the idea of Touchpoint, the more it becomes meaningful.

When Touchpoint 2010 International Conference was conceived, it has the following goals—to encourage intellectual engagement among Filipino academic peers, to open and create opportunities for linkages and connections, and to support local teachers and educators on their quest for better teaching and learning practices with the use of ICT. The presence and participation of foreign academic peers have enhanced the quality of didactic exchange in this historical event.
________________________________

Here's the conference programme.

Conference Programme
March 4, 2010
Thursday
7.30-8.30am Registration
8.30-8.40am National Anthem
Invocation by Prof. Estefanie Ulit
8.40-9.00am Welcome Remarks
Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC, President and Chancellor, De La Salle University
9.00-9.15am The Touchpoint 2010 Rationale
Prof. Oliver Malabanan, Touchpoint 2010 Program Chair
9.15-9.20am Introduction to First Plenary Speaker
Prof. Oliver Malabanan, Touchpoint 2010 Program Chair
9.15-10.00am First Plenary Talk and Keynote Speech
“Interactivity, Visualization and Learning: Challenges and Possibilities”
Dr. Maria Spante (Invited)
Chalmers University, Gothenburg, Sweden
10.00-10.20am Questions/Reactions to Plenary Talk
10.20-10.40am Coffee Break
10.40-10.50am Introduction to Second Plenary Speaker
Prof. Sherwin Ona, CITe4D Chair, DLSU
10.50-11.25am Second Plenary Talk
Dr. Emmanuel Llana (Invited)
President, Idea Corp
11.25-11.40am Questions/Reactions to Plenary Talk
11.40-12.00nn Cultural Presentation by the La Salle Dance Company
12nn-1.00pm Lunch
1.00-1.10pm Introduction to the Third Plenary Speaker
Prof. Ma. Victoria Pineda, Touchpoint 2010 Vice Program Chair
1.10-1.50pm Third Plenary Talk
“Participating To Learn, Learning To Participate”
Prof. Keith Kirkwood (Invited)
Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
1.50-2.10pm Questions/Reactions to Plenary Talk
2.10-2.30pm Coffee Break
2.30-5.00pm Parallel Sessions

March 5, 2010
Friday
9.00-9.10am Introduction to the Fourth Plenary Speaker
Dr. Zelinna Cynthia Pablo-dela Cruz
Information Technology Department, De La Salle University
9.10-9.45am Fourth Plenary Talk
Prof. Charibeth Cheng
Director, Advanced Research Institute for Computing, De La Salle University
9.45-10.00am Questions/Reactions to Plenary Talk
10.00-10.20am Coffee Break
10.30-12.00nn Parallel Sessions
12.00-1.00pm Lunch
1.00-4.30pm Parallel Sessions
4.00-4.30pm Coffee Break
4.30-4.40pm Introduction to the Fifth Plenary Speaker
Prof. Estefanie Ulit, De La Salle University
4.40-5.20pm Fifth Plenary Talk and Closing of the Conference
Dr. Jose Lloyd Espiritu, Touchpoint 2010 Editor
De La Salle University, Manila
5.20-5.30pm Questions/Reactions to Plenary Talk
6.30-7.00pm Pick-up time for the Social Dinner
7.00-8.30pm Social Dinner with all the Presenters & Guests
with Intermission of the DLSU Cultural Arts Office
Social Dinner is sponsored by iSolutions

Prof. Renato Jose Molano
Master of Ceremonies

Updates in 2010

2010-07-28T21:59:00.004+09:00

It's been awhile since I updated these pages. September 2009-March 2010 were very busy months for me. First there was the devastating Typhoon Ondoy. It gave me the chance do urgent and dispersed volunteer work because the people, the families that need support were just too many.

Next, I was also part of the DLSU-CCS Technical Team that evaluated and monitored the Automated Election Systems in the Philippines; engaged in training roadshows, and served as one of the resource persons on the side of DLSU. This AES study was initiated by the Lasallian Justice and Peace Commission and by the College of Computer Studies of De La Salle University.

In parallel with the AES activities, I have been doing the preparations for the Touchpoint 2010 International Conference on Technology in Education as Conference Secretariat.

I am no superhero. But I guess the energy and the momentum keep me on my toes to just keep going. I am blessed to have very supportive supervisors like Mr. Oliver Malabanan, Mr. Sherwin Ona, Ms. Chari Cheng and Dr. Rachel Roxas. Along the way I was also blessed (again) with reliable support staff like Ms. Hazel Ventura and Mr. Roger Damo. And I had good working relationship with Mr. Rene Molano, Ms. Stef Ulit, Mr. Glenn Sipin, Ms. Christine Tavera and of course, Ms. Marivic Tangkeko as we accomplish our goals together.

And for school year 2010, several of my projects are focused on community-based disaster risk reduction.

I want to thank for~~

2009-03-24T21:58:00.005+09:00

listening and learning from the bright and challenging ideas in the fora..
meeting the fine, intelligent, warm and cheerful Saudi ladies..
being able to see the very beautiful Riyadh..
experiencing the amazing and admirable Arab culture..
tasting some authentic Arabian food..
having the phone company of my brothers from Dubai and Qassim..
the nice Filipino "kabayans" whom I've talked to..
the generosity of the NCeL and the Min of Higher Educ..
Masha Allah, thank you for all the graces..

My Riyadh Trip

2009-03-24T21:52:00.004+09:00

Mar. 2. I received an e-mail from the KSA conference organizers that they will be sponsoring my participation.
Mar. 4. I received the documents required in processing my Saudi visa.
Mar. 10. I got my Saudi visa.
Mar. 12. I was sick and had an upset stomach. But I was able to finish my KSA presentation of about 32 slides.
Mar. 13. It was late in the evening when I received my e-ticket.
Mar. 15, 12.15 mla time. I left Manila for a straight flight to Riyadh via Saudia airlines.

Mar. 15, 20.30 ksa time. I checked in at the Al Khozama Hotel.
Mar. 16. I had the chance to see the Al Faisalaiah Mall, spent an hour at the Al Faisaliah Tower to see the highly urbanized layout of Riyadh. In the afternoon, made a 500meters walk going to the Panda supermarket. The Olaya roads are wide, clean and the sidewalks are very spacious. I saw a good number of very nice chocolate stores.

That night, I slept early around 8.30pm and woke up at 12.30am ksa time, to study and prepare for my lecture.
Mar 17. I felt good that day. I went to the grandballroom of the Al Faisaliah for the conference and heard very excellent plenary lectures. I also met and talked to some lady professors from the KSU and KAU of Jeddah. The Saudi ladies I met were very kind, warm, cheerful. One invited me to Jeddah and another one invited me to Medina.

In the afternoon, I delivered my lecture at Hall 3. I was the third speaker. I was very happy to have received questions and compliments from other academic colleagues. Mashallah! :)

I finished all the sessions in the afternoon, got a Starbucks frappucino and head back to the hotel.

Mar. 18. After listening to another set of very fine speakers, I had a nice lunch. I decided to take a short walk and found Dr. Kim, my mentor from Korea and Mr. Lee, a good academic friend from Korea too, having lunch. I had the chance to talk to them.

In the afternoon, we had a tour at the National Museum, so far the biggest museum I have visited.

Mar. 19. We were brought to the dates store and the small market near another museum.
23.15 ksa time, i left for Manila.

The Pains of Doing Research

2009-02-25T20:18:00.002+09:00

Doing research is a vocation. Why? While she is teaching (maybe with a full workload), she wants to do research. After data gathering and analysis, she writes the paper. Then she has to polish the paper. Then she submits the paper for possible participation in a conference. After which, the paper will be subject to two or three reviews and/or revisions.

Then she has to find a financial support to be able to evangelize her ideas.

In my university, a faculty member can avail of research funding to the amount of Php15k (or USD300) + payment for the travel tax (Php1,620) and Phil airport terminal fee (Php750) and a a maximum of USD250 for conference registration. All of these if you want to participate and present a research paper in an international conference.

Based on experience, this is a very modest budget. It may allow her to join a conference within southeast Asia but she will have to be in a very tight budget.

Then she has to prepare her trip. She has to plan in advance, this means advance hotel and airlines booking to get affordable rates (if possible). She also has to check the location of the conference area so that the means of transport becomes accessible to her. She also has to plan what she's supposed to wear, not forget the calling cards, the camera (although most of the time nobody is available to take her picture during the conference)and maybe bring small, native souvenirs for new acquaintances. And of course, she has to prepare her presentation and anticipate possible questions that will be asked.

After the conference, she has to submit a report and a proof of her participation.

Hence I say research is a vocation. Not everyone in the university will be interested with what she's doing. For the others it is easier to avail of a package tour if you just want to visit a neighboring country, try new dishes and go shopping.

And what is ironic, international people are eager to hear her ideas while the people in her university could not care.

Resourcefulness and Resiliency

2009-02-24T21:06:00.002+09:00

It took more than two months before I heard about the two abstracts I submitted in the first e-Learning conference of KSA. With God's help I was able to finish a 15-page paper about the e-Learning Best Practices of South Korea and Thailand. It took again another month to learn of the results. My paper was accepted. The paper after acceptance was submitted again to the conference' scientific jurisdiction, and finally after two weeks, my paper was approved for participation in the conference.

Still I couldn't be excited, I cannot find any financial support. I tried to be resourceful~~I am presently seeking the support of my supervisor, my college dean, our research director, my mentor in South Korea and even alliances from the Dept of Foreign Affairs. I am in search of countries or embassies who have extra funds and will be willing to support a zealous lecturer from Manila. Maybe I should also try to seek help from Thailand. The conference is 18 days away and I still don't have funding..

As my resourcefulness becomes futile, I have to become resilient to accept that the fruits of sacrifices will have different faces. I have to be resilient to continue writing and do research, not just for myself but for my teaching, my family, my university and my country. I have to be resilient to realize that there's a plan or a way to any endeavor. My timing right now is not just right..

Upcoming Conferences that Preoccupies My Attention

2009-01-27T23:21:00.007+09:00

ELI RIYADH 2009
First International Conference on e-Learning and Distance Learning
March 16-18-2009
Riyadh, KSA
Link: http://www.eli.elc.edu.sa/en/index.php

ICICTE 2009
International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies in Education
July 9-11
Corfu, Greece
Link: http://www.icicte.org/index.htm
Critical Dates:
February 13
Deadline for proposals.
February 28
Notification from Scientific Committee about whether proposal has been accepted.
April 10
Deadline for first draft of papers.
May 10

eISTA 2009
The 7th International Conference on Education and Information Systems, Technologies and Applications: EISTA 2009
in the context of
The 3rd International Multi-Conference on Society, Cybernetics and Informatics: IMSCI 2009

July 10th - 13th, 2009 – Orlando, Florida, USA
Link: http://www.iiis2009.org/imsci/Website/AboutConfer.asp?vc=5

ICIT 2009
The 4th International Conference on Information Technology
June 3rd – 5th, 2009
Amman, Jordan
The conference is organized by the AL-Zaytoonah University of Jordan
Link: http://newsite.alzaytoonah.edu.jo/ICIT/pages/index.aspx
_____________________

With all these worthwhile conferences, I pray I can attend any of them this 2009. I don't mind a few extra waiting hours in the airport, long hours of travel, sleepless nights to write and improve my paper, another set of sleepless hours to make a good presentation, read and brief myself of the place of the conference, and even shell out some extra money for the taxi and other expenses that my funding will not cover~~ ALL OF THESE just to be able to participate and learn from other ideas, see other beautiful places, taste different dishes, learn some other culture and meet bright minds and maybe have new friendships..

The 7th International Conference on e-Business 2008

2009-01-21T21:19:00.003+09:00

This is actually another late posting. I had the chance to join another conference in Thailand, on this occasion, an e-Business conference sponsored and organized by the Faculty of Information Technology of Rangsit University. The title of the conference is The 7th International Conference on e-Business 2008 (INCEB2008) held last November 6th – 7th , 2008 at the Grand Mercure Fortune Bangkok Hotel. I presented a paper entitled, "ClicktheCity.com Case study: Examining e-Yellow Pages". (Search the title in the search field of this page~~http://www.inceb2008.info/index.php?p=paper).

In this conference, the Thais are again commended for the organized and smooth conference, warm attitude of the organizers, staff and students~~in particular of course was Rangsit University. I was able to observe too, the cohesive synergy among different university directors and professors. Dr. Srisakdi Charmonman of Assumption University and Dr. Amornvan Limsommut of Suan Dusit Rajaphat University were around to grace, assist and support the event.

Thai universities had made a big leap from thinking only of their turfs but more on having a warm rapport and interactivity among them. Each university has identified its own strength while most of them have them have already welcomed internationalization in terms of university practice. Cheers to Thailand!!

**Special thanks to Dr. Chonawat Srisa-an, Program Chair of Inceb 2008.

The TARC International Conference on Learning and Teaching 2008

2008-08-13T19:36:00.005+09:00

The Tunku Abdul Rahman College of Malaysia organized the 2008 Learning and Teaching Conference held at the Marriot Hotel, Putrajaya, Malaysia last August 4 and 5, 2008. (Link to the list of abstracts)
It was a very succesful event. Congratulations to the organizers! It was very organized and time-managed from the call of papers to the actual conference. TARC tried its best to make it hassle free to all its delegates and presenters. The marriot Hotel as a venue was very conducive for a conference and acquired a relaxing ambiance as well. The members of the organizing committee were all cordial and cheerful. TARC is very lucky to have a very good staff.

The keynote speeches are all a blast! Any administrator who have attended will take a step back and rethink the very purpose of teaching, why a school or a university should exist and are we playing our roles to allow true learning to take place.

Cheers to TARC College! I wish you more success in your succeeding conferences.

Glad to make some acquaintances

2008-08-09T17:45:00.005+09:00

The two-day conference and the social dinner allowed me to make new acquaintances-- David and Valerie from Liverpool, UK; Katja from Australia; Lou from Guam; Tan, Mei, Juliana and Marlina from Malaysia; Ahmad from Alexandria; Saud from Saudi Arabia. Glad to have met also the warm and wonderful Dr. Oo Pou San, secretariat of the conference.

Trip to Malacca

2008-08-09T17:33:00.007+09:00

The organizers of the Enhancing Teaching and Learning Conference arranged a Malacca tour for the international delegates and participants. Here are some photos in the Aug 6, 2008 whole day tour. Special thanks to the Tunku Abdul Rahman College.

My Papers Presented in Thailand

2008-07-16T04:20:00.008+09:00

**It's just a shame I don't have pictures during the conferences. I'm usually perked but a bit nervous that I don't feel comfortable taking pictures while I have not presented. Hence, I borrowed a photo from the conference site.

1. "Videos, Blogs And Podcasts: Leverage Instruments of Teaching and Learning Assets"
Presented in the 4th International Conference on e-Learning for Knowledge-Based Society- Nov. 2007, Muang Thong Tani Convention Center, Bangkok, Thailand. Sponsored by the DLSU-VCA Office.

2. "Hypernarratives In Class: A Fusion of Creativity, Imagination and Technology"Presented in the 4th International Conference on e-Learning for Knowledge-Based Society- Nov. 2007, Muang Thong Tani Convention Center, Bangkok, Thailand. Sponsored by the DLSU-VCA Office.

3. "Promoting Innovative Technology-Based Class Projects Using a Knowledge Sharing Mindset"Presented in the Amazing e-Learning II Conference-Mar. 2008, Suan Dusit Rajaphat University Sponsored by the DLSU-VCA Office.
http://www.elearning.dusit.ac.th/conference2008
http://209.85.175.104/search?q=cache:l6g2UWQXoOQJ:www.db-s.co.th/conference2008/images/stories/the-program-schedule-of-activity-a.doc+ma+victoria+pineda&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=8&gl=ph

If you wish to get a copy of my paper, pls e-mail me at mavicpineda@yahoo.com.

Some people I wish to acknowledge in Thailand--

Dr. Amornvan Limsommut
Director of E-Learning Center
Suan Dusit Rajabhat University

Professor Dr.Srisakdi Charmonman
CEO, College of Internet Distance Education, Assumption University
Chairperson, Organizing Committee of the eLearningAP2007
Assumption University

Dr. Taminee Shinasharkey
Assumption University

UPCOMING CONFERENCE: The Fifth International Conference on eLearning for Knowledge-Based Society - December 11-12, 2008, Bangkok Thailand
Check out the site!!

KOP KOON KA!!

The Jim Thompson Museum

2008-07-16T03:56:00.009+09:00

The Jim Thompson Museum is situated across the MBK (a popular shopping place in Bangkok). A lot of people may have gone to MBK but not in the Jim Thompson. This JT museum preserves the home of JT, an American soldier and architect who decided to retire in Thailand. The house is made of wood, decorated with antiques and furniture coming from India, China and Thailand. The other side of the house is actually the river of Bangkok.

Dining in the JT cafe is highly recommendable. They have fine dining service at affordable costs. :) And the Thai food is very good! :) Want to try the fried ice cream for dessert??..hmmmm...

My March 2008 Trip to Bangkok

2008-07-16T03:08:00.007+09:00

I had the chance to present another paper on KM in education in the Amazing e-Learning II Conference in Bangkok, Thailand last March 7, 2008. The conference was hosted and organized by the Suan Dusit Rajaphat University. It is a big, progressive university similar to DLSU where I teach. As a rajaphat university, it also receives subsidy from the government. And the subsidy becomes higher once the rajaphat gets recognition from ISO and other accrediting bodies. Here in Manila, while DLSU has achieved Level 4 accreditation from the government (wherein level 4 is the highest level so far), not much benefit is felt by the university coming from the government.

Suan Dusit has its own e-Learning Center which is housed in a 3-floor building. The conference rooms and function rooms are designed and equipped for international engagements. Suan Dusit has also its own hotel, the Suan Dusit Place. It is likewise a training venue for the HRM students of Suan Dusit. The hotel is situated beside the university. It is clean, peaceful, with available internet in the different floors, and the rates are cheap. Buffet breakfast does not have a wide selection but offers American and Asian breakfast with fruits and overflowing coffee, milk, juice, and chocolate. The hotel attendants, mostly students, are courteous.

One block away from the university is the Vmanmek Mansion, a historical place. Thailand is very known for preserving their cultural heritage. And this mansion situated in a big land with several structures, preserve and house some of the old, significant items of the kingdom of Thailand.

How do they preserve these places? First, all guests are required to remove their shoes or footwear in entering the mansion. This is to preserve the wood floors with no nails, attached by wood glue. They also group the guests by batches and are commonly guided by tour guides.

A Good FAQs for Teachers

2007-10-23T21:01:00.000+09:00

More Questions from Teachers
by Dr. Isagani Cruz
http://criticplaywright.blogspot.com/2007/06/more-questions-from-teachers.html

Some trivia and keepsakes

2007-07-09T07:48:00.000+09:00

Koreans don't like plastic materials. They used this as water disposable cups. :)

If we have chicken Mcdo with rice, they have Bulgogi burgers. :)

In all banks, they always have candies for the clients..

And I used the coins to buy street food -- baked egg, veggie spring roll, nuts with flour wrapping and the spicy seafood balls on long, thick, bbq sticks--very satisfying :)

PNU is a nice university. It's easy to ask directions, the students are accommodating. The people in the bookstore are also hospitable. :)

Good Hygiene- a Korean Trademark

2007-06-26T08:51:00.000+09:00

When I was in Busan, I was able to observe that the Koreans observe good hygiene. It is a common practice to wash their hands after going to the washroom (or bathroom or toilet whatever name they call it). I personally observed this in the hotel and even in the washroom near our training room within the Main Library of the Pusan National University. Not one Korean female student left the washroom without washing her hands. Even if it is a necessity, not all Asian countries (including the Phils unfortunately) practice this washing of the hands.

Aside from good hygiene, there are other things to learn from the Koreans. They love and patronize their own products. LG and Samsung dominates the electronics and appliance arena. These companies also are the topmost benefactors of the public shools. No wonder the public schools are advanced in school and computer equipment. Hyundai, Sannyong and other Korean manufactured cars are also patronized well. Most of the banks are local Korean banks.

While Korea as a country thinks global, its practices and mindsets are mostly local. The people generally know how to promote, take pride and patronize its own products.

Lines from Son of Man, sang by Phil Collins

2007-05-21T21:19:00.000+09:00

“In learning you will teach

And in teaching you will learn..

Son of man, look to the sky

Lift your spirit, set it free

Some day you’ll walk tall with pride

Son of Man, a man in time you’ll be.”

Son of Man was played and written for the Disney movie Tarzan.

What do you think of this song?

A Perspective from the Guru

2007-05-18T10:41:00.000+09:00

The Korean e-Learning Experience From the Eyes of a Filipino Teacher

by Mavic Pineda

Government e-Learning Initiatives

The e-Learning practices of Korea will be very much attributed to strong leadership and existence of national policies[1] geared towards the high utilization and fusion of ICT in all sectors of life in Korea. Policies on e-commerce, e-cluster, e-community, e-Learning collaborative system are few of the recent agenda.

The Ministry of Education is very vital in the current success of Korea’s e-Learning endeavors. While the MOE is getting only around 15% of the national budget, it is able to establish strong partnership with big private companies like Samsung and LG to support the ICT infrastructure needed in schools and state universities. The MOE also takes time to send their teachers to various training outside the country for effective ICT fusion in teaching and learning. [2]

Generally, the e-Learning applications and the learning management systems developed are in Korean language. Presently, MOE is finding ways to translate or convert these programs and other learning materials to English.

Model Schools and Infrastructures

With the broadband internet available in all sectors of the society, e-Learning broadcasting like web casting, video on demand and video-conferencing; and home computing which they call as “cyber home learning service” are the common tools in Korean teaching. Screen casting, holographic simulation and animation tools are also available.

Korea has also established and sustained a dynamic, huge, online teachers’ community in the presence of ALCOB, the APEC Learning Community Builders. This is a good campaign of e-learning practices and a form of empowerment among the teachers. Because of the ALCOB Teacher’s Community, the teachers are able to form their groups, showcase their teaching style, and communicate with teachers around the world.

Below is a table of some of the schools/centers that I visited together with the other participants.

The Busan Information Center may be commended with its model of uniform curriculum and centralized development of lesson materials. I find the development of lessons in forms of video clips to be very effective in several ways. Video clips come very handy because it’s CD based, and consumes short time that allows students to enjoy what is viewed while absorb what is being conveyed in the video. Both teachers and students can easily review the lesson again and again. The language used is in the vernacular which makes it highly understandable.

The Center of Teaching and Learning is an ideal institute. It is able to support teachers and students with interests to improve their learning abilities.

Some Interesting Instructional Techniques

While a lot of teaching strategies and methods were discussed, there were some techniques that caught my attention. Aside from e-mail and chat, the use of videoke to learn a second language is very effective.

Student exhibits and competitions harness the best among the students. Competitions are very common in all the schools. Competitions get the best not only from the students but even from the teachers who coach the students.

Online and/or computerized exams push students to prepare and study well for exams.

The Kimchi Wrap Concept

The kimchi[3] is a staple healthy food in Korea. The kimchi comes in different varieties using different vegetables like raddish, cucumber, turnip and others. The kimchi is commonly served with a bunch of other side dishes, sometimes with bean curd and other vegetables.

What is interesting that most Korean food websites do no tell is the special way of eating kimchi. That is, you get a vegetable leaf, put the kimchi on top, wrap it, and eat it like you place butter inside a dinner roll. Personally, I call this as the kimchi wrap concept. You can replace or mix the kimchi with meat or another side dish suited to your taste, put it on the leaf, and enjoyably eat it.

This is how e-learning is fused in the Korean educational system, it is the same as the Kimchi wrap. While the base food will be kimchi, there will be over a dozen of different ways to eat or relish the kimchi. Education has a high premium in Korea and there are various methods and ways, as well as ICT tools to use to improve teaching and learning.

Not all cities or schools will have excessive funding but the government ensures the schools have uniform curriculum and lesson materials to be used. The structure allows different methods of eliciting creativity and versatility in teaching while students find learning in and outside the school as an inevitable fun and work. And the teachers are empowered, exhibits a lot of confidence.

Conclusion

While my stay in Korea had only been two weeks in November of 2006, the wisdom of the kimchi wrap extends to how the Filipinos can pick up from the Korean practices.

1. The Filipino educational system may want to follow the model of uniform curriculum and lesson materials. The development of video clips can be adopted. Lessons in video are cost-effective and simple to develop than having a courseware made in Flash or a presentation made in Powerpoint. DVD or CD players and televisions are very affordable equipment and are present in leading public schools in the Philippines.

Language used should be in Filipino and not in English. The use of the vernacular language allows students to compose ideas freely and express them without reservations or any form of translation handicap.

2. The Alcob community is a model that the Philippines can also adopt. A Filipino teachers’ community can be a good way to empower teachers across the archipelago and share all their innovative ideas in teaching.

The De La Salle University of the Philippines, the College of Computer Studies as a Center of Excellence in IT, can initiate the formation of an Online Filipino Teachers’ Community that will have the goal of empowering teachers from both the privileged and underprivileged places of the country.

3. While the Filipino local teachers are very dedicated and committed to imparting knowledge to their students, I think the idea of competitions can bring the best out of the students. Both private and public schools should engage in various competitions, inside and outside their own schools. Competition promotes independence, camaraderie, creativity and excellence among students and mentors.

Finally, the vision of shared prosperity of the Apec e-Learning is starting to be realized. It is not only having the chance of having a bird’s eye view of some of the best e-Learning practices of Korea but learning the wisdom from these practices. And as for the kimchi, jal muk ut sup ni da – that was very good.□

[1] The most recent education policy is stated in the National Education Information System 2004. It comprises a timeline of 10 years.
[2] The use of ICT in teaching resulted to very good performance of students in problem-solving, math and reading in high achievement tests conducted in Korea.
[3] The kimchi typically uses soaked, fermented or pickled cabbage with red, ground chili powder and ginger.

Interesting Technology-based Instructional Tools

2007-05-18T09:51:00.000+09:00

Instructional Tools

Web-casting

The Cyberboard, the Big Brother and the Library Kiosk

The Screencasting Tool

The Simulated-visual Tool

Student Support Tools

Electronic lockers

Library Reservation system

originally posted on 02/16/07 3:59pm

post time and date adjusted for presentation purposes

Remembering My Korean Teacher

2007-02-16T14:54:00.000+09:00

Dear Ms. Kyung Hee Lee,

The short time you spent with us exhibited the kindness, warmth and hospitality of the Koreans. Special mention are the friends from Giam-hae. We had a good museum visit, a nice car ride and a sumptous dinner. :)

The dinner at your home brought us, your guests from China, Vietnam and Indonesia to become in touch even at far distances. I communicate with Dr. Jia of China, Suri of Indonesia, and LeNgoc Bich of Vietnam. I hope to start communicating with you and your friend, Ms. Jo Mi-Hye.

My shopping spree became convenient with the help of your husband assisting me with the things I'm looking for. I think the Korean stainless chopsticks, coffee stirrer and fruit forks are of the best quality.

And of course, the best part and very unforgettable, a very rejuvinating experience is the jimjibang or the Korean sauna. I also think it's one of the best sauna in the world, very wholesome, very warm and spacious saunas with healthy baked eggs and drinks! Aside from the red ginseng tea, I actually brought home some of those healthy red juices for women. :)

I hope I will have the chance to see Busan again, to see all of you. :)

Thank you for the friendship, the hospitality and the cultural experience.

Cheers,
mavic pineda
Manila, Philippines

The Princess of Public Schools: The Dae-shin Elementary School

2007-02-16T14:36:00.000+09:00

The Dae-shin Elementary School, a public school in Busan, was made to be an ubiquitous model school. The school has a big campus for a public school, clean and spacious classrooms, and well-designed internet lounge for the students and teachers.

It has a huge cyber board, as big as the usual classroom blackboard. The screen makes it convenient for any teacher to teach. It can change the background-- can become graphical notepad for math subject, a musical note for music or a simple blue-red-blue paper background for teaching hand scripting.

The school also uses smart cards for ID and book borrowing in the library. Students are trained to be independent, self-regulated and honest. Students are free to borrow and return the books in the small library using their IDs to tap in this kiosk.

A health machine is also used to make simple physical health assessments of a person. This is good because you don't need to have a doctor always around. The machine can also finish taking physical make-up of a person at a more efficient speed.

The Big brother system is a must in most schools in South Korea. Bullying incidents are very common. Hence, use of CCTV security cameras are all around. This is something I don't want my child to get accustomed with. It's either a child becomes dependent on sombody watching over him or he is contantly curious whether somebody is watching him while picking his nose.

The PROSUMER

2006-11-14T23:21:00.000+09:00

A Prosumer is somebody who is a knowledge provider and at the same time a consumer of the knowledge. This is the premise of Dr. Young-hwan Kim. He gave a lecture today on the Vision of APEC Future Education with eLearning for Asia-Pacific.

The Value-based Society
Developing countries are now moving to a knowledge-based society. But "knowledge is significant inly under the umbrella of the VALUE system" accdg. to Dr. Kim.

My ideas: Value is something an individual acquires through time. It is not simple to instill value or values to a person. Values will consist of beliefs, principles and even practices that an individual would adhere to even on occasions of moral dilemma. Values can also be based on culural traditions or religious beliefs. And we have to preserve the value-system. Value system is something that separates us from other living beings. More importantly, value system helps us to become better persons, better citizens of the nation.

The move to the "value-based society" will enable a "responsible knowledge=based society".

The Edutainment Park

The Edutainment Park is a grand, vigorous concept of mixing education and play. I wish the success of APEC and Korea in this endeavor.

My ideas: In the Phil setting, the Filipinos can make attempts to create such kind of edutainment park in a smaller scale like the children's museum. This can be a good alternate from the malls. In the Phils, people do not go anymore in the parks. They find the mall as the place to unwind with the possibility of endless consumption. This park can be a good vehicle of the value system if planned, designed and constructed well..

Professor Young-hwan Kim is the founder of IACE and ALCoB. His research interests include constructing international learning communities, making healthy future education systems, development of AI-applied learning management systems and running APEC-wide edutainment park. He is a very inspiring man, passionate and animated on how eLearning can make a better world.

A Free Sunday

2006-11-13T00:44:00.000+09:00

The group had a good breakfast of Korean coffee, egg, bread, butter and jams, and cereals. The group also met for the first time Professor Young-hwan Kim, President/Director of the APEC eLearning Program. It is his second term as the head.

Prof Young-hwan is able to express right away informally the intentions of the program. He sounded passionate to this volunteer work and is rich with ideas on identity preservationa and anti-development concepts. (This is the first eLearning encounter.)

The group went to a Catholic church to hear mass, a 5 minute walk from the training center. The mass seemed to take so long. Maybe because all the prayers and songs were in Korean, and the priest had a long homily. Mass attendees wear Sunday dress and the women wear veil. This is another Cul-enc (cultural encounter).

Lunch was in another Korean restaurant. The delegates are now used to leaving their shoes infront of the resto entrance, using low tables and no chair in dining, and lots of side dishes, vegetables and bean-based sauce.

The group took the subway afterwards to head in Lotte dept store and Home Plus.

I had my share of green tea ice cream and Korean bbq. The bbq was tender and worth tasting again.

Going to dept stores along Busan Road after dinner is quite interesting. The Korean salespersons are very corteous, mostly trying their best to communicate. Popular brands I saw--Aasics, Adidas, Nike, Tommy Hilgifer, Elle, Kswiss. ABC Mart has cheap shoes. Art Work has lots of nice items. This store should be recommended to tourists and visitors.

The side streets are filled with good and cheaper items. The mixed rolls in long sticks with hot and spicy dip are also intriguing. I just ate them not knowing what they really are.

Last stop. Starbucks. Tall hot americano is W3800 and Cinnamon roll is W1600. It's good Robbie, Gio and Mars were around to share me company.

No training for the day, just window shopping around. Training will start Monday afternoon.

Arrival in Busan

2006-11-13T00:11:00.000+09:00

It's Nov 11, 2006, 7:30pm, Korean time. The pilot of PR 416 announced the arrival at Busan and it's 12 degrees. The Philippine delegates headed by Robbie Macalde were warmly greeted by Jade Kim and two other university students who volunteered to assist in the training program.

The delegates consists of Robbie Macalde of AIM, Andre Dacanay of UST, Maritess Ramos of TESDA, Laury Arca of UPLB, Marcelo Robosa of EACOMM, Gio Candelaria of AIM and Mavic Pineda of DLSU. The accommodation is in Sang Nam International House located inside Pusan National University.

The group had their first experience of the Korean early winter chill and Bulgogi dinner. The kimchi is fabulous.

This is the first cultural encounter of the group.