eJournal # 5 My Learning Experience: Audio Materials

Every week is always a hectic week for me. Juggling having a full-time work, being a full-time mom, and studying in a distance learning is still  a challenge for me. I was actually thinking not enrolling anymore on the next semester. But then I realized a lot of things when I was researching for answers for the fora.

When I was researching on the questions on the fora about audio materials, I came across several articles and paper on how audio materials can help out the blind on how to read Braille eventually. It's really a challenge for those teachers who teach students with disabilities. I remember Roselle Ambubuyog, the blind valedictorian, a fellow Atenean, who was one batch lower than me. I see her all the time with her mother assisting her in going to the classroom. She had special materials and equipment so she could take notes. Her motivation to really excel despite her situation is really inspiring. 

I know that it would be difficult for teachers to teach, since each student, in one way or another has their own "disabilities". Whether they easily bored, or they don't have the motivation to learn. 

I know I want to be a teacher who could change and improve her students. The one who could inspire them to reach their full potential and not let obstacles get in their way. 

When I saw our assignment on creating an audio material, I wondered how effective that would be since it was said before, that we retain only 10% of what we hear. I realized as well, what would be the best way to teach sonnets than to let them hear it. Of course, in creating the lesson plan, it wouldn't be all auditory all the time. It should be mixed up with other activities as well to make it more effective.

I had fun creating the audio material. Audio materials would be great for distance learners as well, since as a student I know I would hang on to every word my teacher would say so I  could better understand the lesson. It would help very much to have audio materials for those learning a new language. It would be a great supplement and you can even listen to the audio when you are in bed or when commuting going to school or work.

Listening is a skill that most people need to develop. It is something that would be very useful in this day and age where people just talk a lot, and listen less.

Until the next eJournal! 

eJournal # 4 Thoughts & Reflections

When I was in college, I joined an organization that teaches catechism to children in informal settlements. I was nominated to be the Instruction Officer of the organization. I know one of my responsibilities was to keep tab of the books, activity materials and visual aids so that it's returned once someone uses it. 

Also, another responsibility, was to create new visual aids. I could have used my knowledge of Instructional Media and a little bit of Instructional Design back then. I could have developed materials and visual aids that will help my fellow org-mates in teaching.

When we were teaching the children, we didn't have a sheltered classroom. Most of the teaching was done on an open field, or under a tree. It was so disorganized because the focus of the children was not on what we were saying. 

A non-projected visual aid could have helped in having the children focus. Also, we could have brought realia as well since we had to be resourceful of what we had. In order to teach the parables, we drew cartoon strips on Manila paper and afterwards we did an activity like a play to re-enact the events in the story. Time was a limited resource for us as well. We only teach every Saturday in areas like San Mateo and Escopa. We lack the technology and budget back then to just print out materials or banners. 

Now, it's so easy to find materials and the software technology to create non-projected visual materials. I realized as well, as teachers, we should continually keep up with the changes in technology. Students now have iPads, mobile phones, tablets, etc. We cannot stop these technology, we have to be a few steps ahead on knowing how these can help us and help the children learn.  

I'm even seeing now a lot of mobile applications (from Apple and Android) that are meant to help in learning. These are instructional media as well. Later on, we might see, holographic and 3D projections of the atomic structure being taught and used inside the classroom. I would love to be there when this happens! 

I'm closing this journal entry with the quote below that made me think and come up with a lot of possibilities.... 

“Curriculum tells you what to teach, but doesn’t tell you HOW you have to make the shift to the 21st century learning environment.” – Stacy Behmer

eJournal# 3 Creating Handouts

Time flies! 


The 3rd week of class in EDS 151 went by so quickly. I learned a lot on this week about creating handouts. Sadly, I had no time to answer the questions on the fora (by the way, I should be able to catch up this week on answering  the fora).  Again, I plan to fulfill at least 100% of the requirements of this course. 

I enjoyed creating the handout and also evaluating my peers' work. I learned that creating a handout is not just copying and pasting the text off the book (or resource) and putting them on paper. It should be well-thought of, clear, understandable and most of all the information should be accurate. 

Whenever I get positive feedback from my classmates, I feel more confident that I'm on the right track. When I do get constructive criticism, I get more motivated to do my best and learn more. 

There's been a confusion as well on the fora between printed materials and visuals. I believe printed materials offer more text than graphics/pictures. Reflecting on this further, I believe printed materials (those that were published) provide more accuracy than those information from the internet. 

Whenever a book/magazine/newspaper is published it undergoes scrutiny of several editors, and it is being revised several times. In the internet, take for example, Wikipedia, it's actually an open resource where anyone can edit or add. The internet is open for everyone, and may be difficult to filter which information is accurate and which is not. 

It would be up to the reader to judge and double-check on the information.

Let me share a quote that I found funny...

The Internet is just a world passing around notes in a classroom.  ~Jon Stewart

Maybe not notes, but ideas :-) 

Until then...