e-Learning Trends in K-12 Education

E-learning had been rapidly growing and changing the entire field of education. From time to time, new technologies are constantly applied to greatly improve the teaching-learning process. It also creates  new dimension for education that will propel us to greater achievements, and as future educators, we should also be aware of these trends so that we can cope to the changes in our field of expertise.

The list below shows 5 eLearning trends in K-12 education according to an article posted on Techhub.com.

1. Apple iPads, Smart phones and Mobile devices in the Classroom

Apple iPads, smart phones and mobile devices are used by teachers on other countries in the world to easily monitor progress of their students, plus they can also provide their own lessons on the gadget itself. However, we cannot do the same here in the Philippines because this kind of gadgets are expensive and cannot be afforded especially for public schools teachers and students.

2. Tech-based Monitoring of Student Progress

Programs like Blackboard and online grade-tracking systems are making it easier for teachers to follow students progress, no matter where they are. Online and offline courses alike are making use of this great new technology and the explosion of available programs and websites.

3. Truly Educational Gaming

There are always educational games for students to play at home or in school, but these days the variety and accessibility of it grows rapidly. Educators who are hoping to increase interest in subjects like math, history and science have begun bringing games into the classroom, allowing students to play while they learn.

4. Social Networking for Learning

Blogs and social networking sites like Facebook are becoming more and more popular among educators all over the nation. They let students collaborate and give, even the most shy of students, a voice. Better yet, these social sites are perfect for online education, allowing students who can’t get classroom access to enjoy some of the same benefits as their counterparts who can.

5. Electronic, Interactive Textbooks

Traditional textbooks can be great, but they can’t match the power of new, interactive electronic books found online and on mobile devices. These textbooks, popular in both classrooms and in e-learning, can supplement the classic text and photos with videos, audio clips and even interactive activities for students to complete.

A Call for a Change

I believe that everyone, including the rich as well as the poor, were all part of this planet, and a true global change needs unity if we really look forward to a better future. I personally believe that we need to accept by heart the beauty of diversity because it will be the foundation to unite all areas of society; religious beliefs, social classes, political ideals and nations. To unite a world is not an easy thing to do, but it is obviously the primary requisite for us to truly solve all the unfolding issues, and provide a better world for our children and to the next generation.

There is so much potential in humanity to unfold a series of events which bring positive outcomes. Maybe if we can accept all the good and bad from ourselves, our governments, our religions, and those around us, rich and poor, we might have the opportunity to make a real and positive change for everyone. Not in the way that we all need to be exactly the same but united in our differences with a common goal of providing the very basic for us to  move in a positive direction.

Kaleidoscope

“Every color and every hue

Is represented by me and you

Take a slide in the slope

Take a look in the kaleidoscope

Spinnin' round, make it twirl

In this kaleidoscope world”

   

Kaleidoscope World by Francis Magalona

        In the song “Kaleidoscope World”, different races of the world were compared to the beautiful colors created by the mirrors. At the first glance, it is indeed stunning, but once we twist and turn the kaleidoscope, we will then realize that it can create more fascinating combination of colors that we can ever imagine. These simply tells us that despite of our differences in races, religions, views and interests, if we just learn to learn to live together, then we can create a better world for every one of us. 

Personally, I really believe that the world will be a better place to live in if we all realize our special functions that we need to do with positive attitude and cooperation. In work and in life, it’s important not to forget that everyone has value and they play roles that are bound to create an impact on the society. I found out that if someone treats other people, regardless of their status and physical appearance, it will be a good barometer of person’s characteristics.  In our society we have come to worship fame, beauty, power and wealth much more than we should which is the main reason why we struggle to create a society that is filled with harmony and cooperation. In fact, we can all achieve our goals and live in peace and harmony by simply allowing our fellow human being to maintain his/her dignity and self-respect regardless of the circumstances.

We should remember that all aspects of the world’s society and culture are just small fragments that make up a bigger construction, and these bigger constructions maintain harmony in the system. To me, this is a standard view of how society works, looking at it from a “building block” perspective. We are all part of a puzzle that will play important roles for the improvement of our society. We, ourselves, can witness how certain aspects–family, or religion, come to mind–represent specific facets of our culture that help us blend together in a cohesive manner.

 

The Fall of Political Dynasties

Philippine politics is really interesting and entertaining, yet, very intriguing.  It is a ground for people who can do anything for the realization of their dreams. It is built for those who want to serve others and for those who want to be served by others as well. It is the origin of wonderful promises that became the roots of enormous disappointments and eventually produce misery and poverty to our country.

Philippine politics brings hope to the Filipino but it is the same reason of despair and downfall of this country. Throughout the time, it became the jumping board of unlawful and corrupt practices instead of a response to the needs of struggling Filipinos living in our land and other countries as well. It also became a high profitable means of livelihood for some greedy politicians whose priority is to be wealthy rather than to serve their country and their people. This is the main reason why some of them tends to cling on their position for a very long period of time and in turn give birth to the so called political dynasties. Through their time of service, they have a lot of family interests to protect. Thus, to be able to hold the power longer than it should be, they tend to pass the torch to their relatives and other members of their families. Honestly, it is quite intriguing how they were able to do it considering that our populations have reached a hundred millions and there are certainly a lot of other people who can serve our country a lot better than them.

I personally believe that political power should not be controlled by only few families whom for the longest time deprive others of having an equal opportunity to run for public offices. This dynasties undermine the principles of political equality and in turn limits the liberating potential of the democratic process. Although political dynasties have been with us for less than a hundred years, it is foolhardy to think they will go away on their own. Everyone should act against it and we should call for a major reform on our system of government. It’s about time to break this stranglehold of the family dynasties on Philippine politics and should give chances for those who are willing to sacrifice their personal interest just so serve our country better.

Limerick

There was an Old Man of Nantucket

Who kept all his cash in a bucket.

His daughter, called Nan,

Ran away with a man,

And as for the bucket, Nantucket.

- Anonymous

Sisa is a lady, who is crazy,

She never gets tired or lazy.

To find her children dearly,

She will get up in the morning early.

She loved her children very much for a lady who is crazy.

Sonnet

Dante Alighieri (1265-1321)

Ye ladies, walking past me piteous-eyed,

Who is the lady that lies prostrate here?
Can this be even she my heart holds dear?
Nay, if it be so, speak, and nothing hide.
Her very aspect seems itself beside,
And all her features of such altered cheer
That to my thinking they do not appear
Hers who makes others seem beatified.

‘If thou forget to know our lady thus,

Whom grief o'ercomes, we wonder in no wise,
For also the same thing befalleth us,
Yet if thou watch the movement of her eyes,
Of her thou shalt be straightaway conscious.
O weep no more; thou art all wan with sighs.

One Sided Love

I laid my eyes upon him, before me.

Something tells me to go near him closer,

So I can take a look at him better.

 I want to drown on his look like see,

Want to bite him that leaves a sting like bee.

Can’t think of anything good like Chaucer,

Nor bad as the idea of Hitler,

I want to ask him, with me, for a tea.

But I know asking him wouldn't be wise.

He got everything, including the chance,

To pleasure, to delight, a woman’s heart,

And yet it’s up to him to compromise.

Whoever he choose, together they dance,

If it’s not me, I choose to be apart.

Waiting In The Rain

Have you ever tried waiting for someone in a midst of a storm? Have you ever tried to wait so long for someone whose arrival that seems uncertain? Have you ever tried to wait for someone who’s not familiar with you? Have you?

Once in our life, we do things that seems so unreal. As if, it’s an event that is only told on romantic novels and fairy tales. But once you’ve experience one, it will bring memories that will last a lifetime.

It was a thing that happened more than a year ago, but still fresh from my memory, as if it just happened yesterday. In the near end of a street, I stand waiting for someone to arrive. Despite the rain that pours down so hard and the hands of the clock that moves so slowly, I kept on waiting. I pray for someone who will fetch me, share his umbrella, carry my bag, and hold my hands to keep me warm, and after a few more minutes, my prayer was answered. The person that I’ve been waiting for had finally arrived. He came closer to me, took my hands, gave me a gentle smile, and walk with me. When he realized that my shirt was already wet, he quickly offered his jacket and came even closer to me for us to feel warmer.  On that moment, everything seems so perfect. The rain that continues to fall and chilling wind that blew created a certain atmosphere that I could not explain. It was something special—so special that even on that very moment, I know that it will hold a great meaning in my life.

For me, it’s not the event that creates a certain impact in my life, but the realization that after a long wait, there will come a person that you’ve prayed for. A person that will turn an ordinary day into something special and will eventually took away all the negative emotions that you felt deep inside. It feels great and honestly, I am really thankful that I am with him even after the rain had finally stopped. I am pretty sure that it will certainly be one of those moments that will be stored along other countless joyful memories that we will gather along the way. 

It’s more fun in the Philippines!

I just want to share how blessed I am to witness one of the awesome and breathtaking places here in the Philippines, the Taal Volcano. God showed me the volcano not just in a faraway view but I saw it face-to-face! Isn't it amazing?! Well, it happened November 2012, it’s my semestral break. The Executive Director of our church awarded us for helping the missionary doctors of St. Lukes to hold a medical mission in our place. That day was so tiring and fulfilling, as we guide each patient to their doctors and to get their free medicines. I didn't expect that we will go to Batangas just for helping them.

God provided everything—as in everything! I didn't spend any single penny on our trip. We had the coaster, no fare needed, the foods were all awesome, they’re all delicious and they were all provided by our church!

As we’re on our way to Batangas, we were all happy and excited that we were singing and someone was playing the guitar inside the coaster. When we were near the place, I already saw the Taal Volacano surrounded by lake water. It’s very peaceful; the water reflects the blue sky and it adds on the beauty of the volcano. I felt a pang of jealousy for the people living there because they can look at the Taal Volacano anytime they want. Well, in fairness of their houses it’s all stylish.

When we reach our destination, we started to gather our things, and there were many things to gather because we stayed there for two days. We parked the coaster to the nearest place possible to our cottage; I think its one kilometer away from our place. Anyway, our church bought a place there near the lake, that’s why accommodation wasn't a problem for us. Imagined how far we will carry our things, and some of the boys came back and forth to get our things; the casserole, the band instruments, mattresses etc., and the way to our cottage wasn't that easy, it’s bulky, muddy and there are several stairs, it’s a mountain forest to sum it up. It’s scary, and really scary just for a person to pass by.

And once we got there, the first thing we did was to sit on the sand and sing praise and worship songs for God, for we were all thankful for being there. After singing... swimming time! Though I don’t know how to swim, I still enjoyed the water under the sun. I swam till noon because I don’t want to get tan. Just kidding, I helped the elders to cook and prepare the foods, and after eating we picked some mangoes in the forest. The fruits were just falling on the ground and the people there didn't even bother to harvest them.

When the sun goes down and we were finished eating dinner, we study the Bible and shared our thoughts and feelings especially the thankfulness of being there. And when it’s time to sleep, we prepared for our mattresses and talk endlessly until we get tired and fell asleep.

The next day, it was more fun! We got the chance to explore the forest place and talked to the people living there who were very seldom, and we got the chance to share the Gospel to them. After lunch one of my first-time happened, we rode a boat! OMG! Our church rented three boats and we stroll around the Taal Volcano. I’m so happy, I can’t put into words how happy I am to rode a boat and be near the mini volcano. Well, it’s not “mini” when I got closer, it’s huge and we also got the chance to see the place on the other side of the Volcano, Tagaytay, the waves are bigger and there were many fishing ponds. And while we were riding the boat, the center part of the lake was very still, and as I looked on it, it gives me the creep because I know it’s very deep when the water was still, and I don’t know how to swim. Thank God we were all safe and sound, we got to see some birds that weren't familiar to me, they’re white and I have no idea what to call them, and I saw the mountains afar and near.

God’s creation is really amazing, I can look at it all day. The air is fresh; I can smell the lake and the tress. I imagined the volcano the first time I saw it on our way and I also got the chance to be close to it, it makes a difference. Though it’s beautiful and lovely, it is lonely in the middle of the lake. How I wished I could live there in the volcano so that it won’t be lonely.

The time came and we had to say goodbye to the place. I’m praying that God will permit me to go back there. Though the place is very isolated, I still want to stay there; the scenery can really gives you the peace of mind away from the city of noise and pollution. When I get rich, I will buy a place to stay there, because I know that I belong there.

I Love You

I love you..

Though you’re very far to me,

You’ll always be my baby.

Who likes to touch my belly,

And kiss me when I’m lonely.

I love you..

You’re always making me happy,

Never failed to amazed me.

Though I’m not that pretty,

Still, I’m your one and only.

I love you…

You promised not to break my heart,

And we will never be apart.

You promise to hold on forever,

Leaving me won’t happen ever.

I love you…

This love drives me into madness,

W’tever happens, I wont love you less.

I really thank God for you,

Thank you for loving me too.

SERENADE (My Fairytale Begins)

I am nothing special, when I die, only few people will remember me. I am just an ordinary girl dreaming for my own fairytale and for a prince charming who will always save the day, and I will be his princess…

 

Typical day for everyone: reporting, quiz, discussion, exchange of stories... it would also be the same for me, when one of my classmates stood in front and spoke, “Hindi lahat ng basketball player magaling mambola, marunong lang talaga silang mag-appreciate ng mga bagay na nakikita nila.” Then he went to me and gave me three red beautiful roses. I’m so shocked, and I can’t help myself not to smile so wide so I cover my mouth with my shaking hand. Another guy came to me and gave me a cute teddy bear, and I’m shaking terribly, thought it was over, but someone spoke again, “Maikli lang ang two years.” Then he gave me a card. All eyes on me, oh my gosh! What now?! I asked myself. I’m so shy, so speechless, so gay… I thought my hair was longer than Rapunzel!

            Finally, the person responsible for all these things stood up and went to me smiling, giving me a bottle of C2 and poked me on my forehead. He just said, “Alam mo na ‘yon.”, because he always said everything when we’re together. They asked me what to say, thank God I still managed to say Thank you! He really made that day so special, very special indeed!

Though I am just a common girl, still, I am special with the one I love. Thank you Marco! Thank you for letting me know that I’m special.