How 3 Guimaras Teachers Transformed Their Classrooms Through Multimedia

The Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. (KCFI) conducted one of its first roll-outs of Learning Effectively through Enhanced and Evidence-based Pedagogies (LEEP) Training in Guimaras, June of 2013.

This pilot run, done in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) Division of Guimaras, trained 213 teachers and principals from 71 schools in the province which aimed to guide teachers and principals in creating a student-centered learning environment, made more fun and relevant by familiarizing teachers with enhanced pedagogies.

Two years later, Knowledge Channel revisited Buenavista National High School.

With support from Ms. Presentacion Lopez-Psinakis, the team ran another comprehensive, three-day LEEP training with 210 participants from 70 schools.

It was a dynamic shift since Knowledge Channel Foundation first entered the island province. From the typical chalkboard discussions, three teachers shared their stories of how a regular classroom set-up was transformed into something one can regard as, “Ibang Klase!”

Engaging learners through videos

Michelle Casco teaches Grade 10 Earth Science and Physics. Two years ago, before being assigned to a town proper school, she had to cope in keeping her students engaged by implementing different teaching strategies and approaches.

Michelle would recall the strain of travelling end-to-end to a local internet shop after her last class just to download videos she will be using the next day. “two years ago- hindi pa ako sa paaralan na ito kung nasaan ako ngayon– I was there at the dead-end of our municipality, medyo mountainous na siya. So doon, medyo traditional talaga palagi and if I need videos, kailangan pupunta talaga ako dito sa town proper so I can have the access to the internet to download the videos,” she says.

Ma’am Michelle is one of the participants of the first LEEP in Guimaras where she was trained to use Knowledge Channel videos in class. After testing it out, she shares that her students would ask for more videos. It was evident for her that the Knowledge Channel multimedia learning resources captured the interest of her students.

“Kasi po yung LEEP ay talagang nagfo-focus sa pedagogies so nadagdagan pa kung anumang strategies meron ako sa pagtuturo. Tapos as supported by the videos, mas klaro kung anong nararapat para sa mga bata. And even I, learned a lot from the videos because it doesn’t only focus on a certain topic. It is trying to touch even the values formation of the children. The set up is really localized, where students can even reflect on their lives as teenagers,” Michelle relates.

Miriam Tolentino teaches English, Science, Musika, MSEP, Character Education and Mathematics at the district of Nueva Valencia North. She shared that before LEEP, they employed a very traditional way of teaching their students. “Noon po, gumagamit po ako ng mga charts at illustrations lang, drawings ba.”

After attending the LEEP training, the once merely illustrated visuals of Miriam with the integration of the Knowledge Channel educational videos came to life and simulate an interactive learning experience. “I am using the videos for my lessons. Pwedeng i-integrate sa anumang bahagi ng lesson. Halimbawa sa blood circulation within the heart at ang function ng heart sa Science: kapag sa drawing lang, i-illustrate lang ng teacher yung mga galaw sa pamamagitan ng mga linya. Kung may video clip totoong nakikita ng mga bata kung paano gumagalaw yung blood within the heart, “ Miriam shares.

“Para sa akin,ang pagiging teacher ay masaya at saka inspirado ka kapag yung mga pupils mo ay may nakukuhang leksyon at merong development sa kanilang pag-aaral,” Ma’am Miriam adds.

Marina Damasco, who also teaches several subjects, tells that before LEEP, she employed a very traditional way of teaching their students.

“Dati po, Manila paper saka Pentel Pen- usual na traditional na gamit mo sa classroom- kasi yung school po namin malayo sa kabihasnan. Parang nasa rural area po na kulang kami sa technology kahit kuryente noon hirap,” Marina says.

Marina also revealed their school’s National Achievement Test (NAT) performance has improved from around 50 percent to 85 percent. “Ibig sabihin yung itinuro ninyo gamit yung LEEP nagamit talaga namin sa academic performance ng mga bata. Dahil yung LEEP po enhanced pedagogies siya, naging moderno po ng kaunti ang aming pagtuturo mula sa traditional na pamamaraan. Yung interes po nila, yung engagement nila naging iba.”

Knowledge Channel Foundation’s LEEP Training is continuously reaching and training more schools.