21st Century Perspectives of e-Learning

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 --
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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.. :-)

And there's Touchpoint 2010

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.
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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

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.

My Papers Presented in Thailand

**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!!

My March 2008 Trip to Bangkok

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 Perspective from the Guru

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

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

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

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.