There is a lot more to writing than just learning how to write. I believe that learning how to write down your thoughts also facilitates learning other than the development of the writing skill itself.
While learners improve their skills in organizing ideas and increase their vocabulary, they also gain a better understanding of the world around them. For one, since reading comprehension seems to be a consequential skill most budding writers develop in the process of learning how to write. It is through reading that writers learn much more than what the four corners of their classrooms can offer. Writers also learn strategies for invention and discovery as they try to fulfill their audience's intentions and needs. The process of writing hones this skill. Lastly, writing in the content area enables writers to know much more about the topic than simply reading it from one source. The writer's need to synthesize, summarize or paraphrase ideas from various sources triggers that mental process necessary for developing higher cognition. Thus, there is a lot more to writing than writing itself. Writing can further increase learning in any discipline.
So by all means, write we must.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Mishap and Blunder
Like many Filipinos, I was both enraged and grieved by how the recent hostage-taking incident at the Quirino Grandstand was handled. I was personally affected by the mishap not only because the whole world watched how untrained and ill-prepared were our Police force to handle the situation but also because I feel for the victims as well as for the thousands of Filipinos who are now working in China, Singapore, Taiwan and Hongkong and in many places in the world where there are Chinese. Many of them must have watched the sensationalised drama on TV while in their offices and surrounded by their colleagues or sitting beside their bosses. I could just imagine how unnerving the situation must be. I feel the same way because I teach Chinese online.
Here is a letter of apology written by one Filipino. This letter captures many of our sentiments.
A letter of apology from a Filipino teenager.
After reading the blog, I couldn't help but wonder what my students also feel about the tragedy. Do they also feel the same sense of accountability for the incident? Do they still take pride in their heritage despite our shortcomings as a people? Will they strive to better themselves so that when their generation will take their turn to lead this country they would know better what to do?
I wonder what your thoughts are.
I pause for a reply.
Here is a letter of apology written by one Filipino. This letter captures many of our sentiments.
A letter of apology from a Filipino teenager.
After reading the blog, I couldn't help but wonder what my students also feel about the tragedy. Do they also feel the same sense of accountability for the incident? Do they still take pride in their heritage despite our shortcomings as a people? Will they strive to better themselves so that when their generation will take their turn to lead this country they would know better what to do?
I wonder what your thoughts are.
I pause for a reply.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
New Semester Brings Delightful Surprises
I have taught English for 12 years. I have met all sorts of students and have been in various teaching scenarios. I thought this semester was going to be pretty much like the usual. I didn't have any particular expectations. I had so many things going on in my head at the start of the school year, like my boy is going to a new and a little more expensive school and all other stuffs that preoccupy a normal working mother. But I was particularly worried about a major subject I would be handling again for the second time. My previous experience was wrought with much dismay both from me and my students who had not heard nor had been taught most of the foundational concepts in language teaching and there they were in my language testing class and instructional materials design. Why in the world these two concerns in language pedagogy are lumped under one subject is altogether another matter that needed to be clarified.
Unexpectedly, the classes I have this semester have one of the most unusual set-up. One is the way they are scheduled. By force of circumstance, I had to place 4 of my classes on a 3 hour straight slot on Saturdays and Mondays. Nevertheless, I have the least number of students in my English 1 classes compared to the burgeoning and cramped sections of 45 students in most English 1 classes. One class is a block section of Biology students. The other is a mixture of old timers (already in their 3rd or fourth year) and new timers (back-to-school and 2nd courser students) in IIT.
Last week and this week brought delightful surprises. I was particularly amused by my English 1 students insights of the parable in their workbook - The Parable of an Eagle. I was also impressed by my education major students report and the demo/skit of teaching techniques by the AB-English majors.
I feel privileged to be in these classes. I am looking forward to a semester of learning and growing for me. Indeed, I have to keep growing to keep on teaching. I am definitely looking forward to meeting my classes regularly this semester.
Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on.
Unexpectedly, the classes I have this semester have one of the most unusual set-up. One is the way they are scheduled. By force of circumstance, I had to place 4 of my classes on a 3 hour straight slot on Saturdays and Mondays. Nevertheless, I have the least number of students in my English 1 classes compared to the burgeoning and cramped sections of 45 students in most English 1 classes. One class is a block section of Biology students. The other is a mixture of old timers (already in their 3rd or fourth year) and new timers (back-to-school and 2nd courser students) in IIT.
Last week and this week brought delightful surprises. I was particularly amused by my English 1 students insights of the parable in their workbook - The Parable of an Eagle. I was also impressed by my education major students report and the demo/skit of teaching techniques by the AB-English majors.
I feel privileged to be in these classes. I am looking forward to a semester of learning and growing for me. Indeed, I have to keep growing to keep on teaching. I am definitely looking forward to meeting my classes regularly this semester.
Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Read and comment on this
The following write up was posted on facebook by Sam Manlosa, a Chemical Engineer by profession and my former English 4 student at the MSU Marawi.
Congratulations! The yellow army has taken over! You now have, in your hands, the collective aspirations of 90 million Filipinos. Whether the rest of us should be thankful or cower in fear is something we'll postpone to 6 years from now. Just know that while we had somebody in mind who we felt was more qualified and was slighted due to our endemic and unique brand of popularity pageantry - the type where the death of one's esteemed mother earns you sympathy votes and a one-way ticket straight to the presidency - we are equally very much grateful that your collective will of 13 million strong managed to block the quest for power by one shrewd businessman who managed to mortgage half of his assets to buy the electorate and one former president who has been convicted of graft and corruption, plunder, and making bad movies but still has 8 million people who believe in his capacity to end poverty! Without your devotion to the ideals of all things yellow, we would have been more afraid today! We are truly grateful.
Now, I suppose all the petty arguments regarding Aquino not accomplishing anything while he was a congressman and a senator is now moot! There is now no reason to cry over what could have been because your actions have already brought us the future. We will now look to you to hold your bet accountable. We pray that like us, you will rehash in your minds over and over again the mantras "Dito tayo sa matuwid na daan", "Kayo ang aking lakas" and "Hindi ako magnanakaw." because we hold this to be new realities and no longer futile daydreaming. We implore you to wish with us that Noy learns the vagaries of political will fast because there is so much to do and only 6 years to do it! We pray that he grows the balls to be decisive, not like his dilly-dallying prior declaring his intent to run for office. We hope he actually learns the intricacies of politics and governance, not just the guile to winning an election, but actually giving credence, justification, and validation to his constitutionally bestowed obligations, responsibilities, and mandate.
I do not wish to remind you that never in the history of the world has there been expectations as great as this (unless your name is Barack Obama) but I know I have to. Your campaign egregiously capitalized on that one calling - CLEAN GOVERNANCE - and in that your guy will be measured. He will be held against the most lofty of expectations. He promised to rid us of the things that ail us; he vowed to put the villains behind bars; we will put our trust in him. May his term serve as an example of how to succeed in office without compromising your ideals or giving in to the enumerable temptations that come with power, not another glaring testament to the harsh reality that come every election that only change we can ever expect are the methods by which politicians screw us and how the outcome remains the same - greater, deeper, more gripping poverty!
We will stand beside you, we the ones whose wishes were not heard this time around! We believed in the same things - the thirst for change, growth, clean politics, and more food on the table. But we placed our burdens on the shoulders of another man! Whether our now-snuffed-out choice was better, we will never know. For that reason, we have lost our prerogative to throw "I told you so's" and "This is in your hands" at you. And for that same reason, we will be vigilant. We will not rest! We will defend our rights and cry for the things that this government ought to provide for us. We will be aware and informed, more now than ever before. We will be staunch critics, but only because we want Noy to do better! We will pray harder that God keeps Noynoy's conscience clean at all times, and should he stumble and reach a crossroad where he will be forced to pick between a moral and a political choice, that his conscience will guide him. These are tumultuous times, none more than the 6 years that's coming! We wish us all luck!
There is nothing more to say. You know very well why we digress. Whether the power to galvanize the nation and the gift of a clean, spotless, near-blank track-record is enough to pull us forward remains a polarizing debate that will now finally be answered. Our only consolation, underrated as this may sound, is that your guy won over other, more dubious, personalities! If this were a pick between lesser evils, Noy certainly fits the bill! Whether that is enough, that is something we postpone for another time!
So here we stand; a new era, a new term, a new model of governance! May this yellow represent the sunrise, hope.. The start of something new! Not some other yellow we'd all rather not talk about!
Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on.
Congratulations! The yellow army has taken over! You now have, in your hands, the collective aspirations of 90 million Filipinos. Whether the rest of us should be thankful or cower in fear is something we'll postpone to 6 years from now. Just know that while we had somebody in mind who we felt was more qualified and was slighted due to our endemic and unique brand of popularity pageantry - the type where the death of one's esteemed mother earns you sympathy votes and a one-way ticket straight to the presidency - we are equally very much grateful that your collective will of 13 million strong managed to block the quest for power by one shrewd businessman who managed to mortgage half of his assets to buy the electorate and one former president who has been convicted of graft and corruption, plunder, and making bad movies but still has 8 million people who believe in his capacity to end poverty! Without your devotion to the ideals of all things yellow, we would have been more afraid today! We are truly grateful.
Now, I suppose all the petty arguments regarding Aquino not accomplishing anything while he was a congressman and a senator is now moot! There is now no reason to cry over what could have been because your actions have already brought us the future. We will now look to you to hold your bet accountable. We pray that like us, you will rehash in your minds over and over again the mantras "Dito tayo sa matuwid na daan", "Kayo ang aking lakas" and "Hindi ako magnanakaw." because we hold this to be new realities and no longer futile daydreaming. We implore you to wish with us that Noy learns the vagaries of political will fast because there is so much to do and only 6 years to do it! We pray that he grows the balls to be decisive, not like his dilly-dallying prior declaring his intent to run for office. We hope he actually learns the intricacies of politics and governance, not just the guile to winning an election, but actually giving credence, justification, and validation to his constitutionally bestowed obligations, responsibilities, and mandate.
I do not wish to remind you that never in the history of the world has there been expectations as great as this (unless your name is Barack Obama) but I know I have to. Your campaign egregiously capitalized on that one calling - CLEAN GOVERNANCE - and in that your guy will be measured. He will be held against the most lofty of expectations. He promised to rid us of the things that ail us; he vowed to put the villains behind bars; we will put our trust in him. May his term serve as an example of how to succeed in office without compromising your ideals or giving in to the enumerable temptations that come with power, not another glaring testament to the harsh reality that come every election that only change we can ever expect are the methods by which politicians screw us and how the outcome remains the same - greater, deeper, more gripping poverty!
We will stand beside you, we the ones whose wishes were not heard this time around! We believed in the same things - the thirst for change, growth, clean politics, and more food on the table. But we placed our burdens on the shoulders of another man! Whether our now-snuffed-out choice was better, we will never know. For that reason, we have lost our prerogative to throw "I told you so's" and "This is in your hands" at you. And for that same reason, we will be vigilant. We will not rest! We will defend our rights and cry for the things that this government ought to provide for us. We will be aware and informed, more now than ever before. We will be staunch critics, but only because we want Noy to do better! We will pray harder that God keeps Noynoy's conscience clean at all times, and should he stumble and reach a crossroad where he will be forced to pick between a moral and a political choice, that his conscience will guide him. These are tumultuous times, none more than the 6 years that's coming! We wish us all luck!
There is nothing more to say. You know very well why we digress. Whether the power to galvanize the nation and the gift of a clean, spotless, near-blank track-record is enough to pull us forward remains a polarizing debate that will now finally be answered. Our only consolation, underrated as this may sound, is that your guy won over other, more dubious, personalities! If this were a pick between lesser evils, Noy certainly fits the bill! Whether that is enough, that is something we postpone for another time!
So here we stand; a new era, a new term, a new model of governance! May this yellow represent the sunrise, hope.. The start of something new! Not some other yellow we'd all rather not talk about!
Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Content and Style
I would like to welcome my English 5 students this summer of 2010 as they will be blogging their thoughts about issues read. I'm so looking forward to reading your blogs.
Keep writing. Keep blogging.
Keep up. Keep on.
Keep writing. Keep blogging.
Keep up. Keep on.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
congratulations
Today, I witnessed the pre-commencement exercises of the MSU IIT CASS graduating students. I housed the parent and kins of one graduate, a sister of one who has become more like a sister/daughter to me. I heard the guest speaker talked about his very own experience as an alumnus of the Institute, specifically of CASS. I heard him reminisce the valuable lessons he learned from sociology to history to literature to the panitikang Filipino. All of which he cherished. All of which molded him into the person he has become.
I cannot help but remember for a splitting moment, my students - those that have yet semesters and years to muster before they finally wear that most coveted academic regalia. I wondered for a moment how they'd remember our class or if they'd remember anything at all. What with all the holidays, official trips and official meetings I had to attend which occasionally meant canceling classes? Even if the second semester seemed like a rushing wind, I hope they have remembered something worthwhile in our classes. I hope it is enough to help them make that significant difference the world needs.
Congratulations to the MSU graduates of 2010 and congratulations to my English 2 students who made it in class last semester.
Keep writing. Keep blogging.
Keep up. Keep on.
I cannot help but remember for a splitting moment, my students - those that have yet semesters and years to muster before they finally wear that most coveted academic regalia. I wondered for a moment how they'd remember our class or if they'd remember anything at all. What with all the holidays, official trips and official meetings I had to attend which occasionally meant canceling classes? Even if the second semester seemed like a rushing wind, I hope they have remembered something worthwhile in our classes. I hope it is enough to help them make that significant difference the world needs.
Congratulations to the MSU graduates of 2010 and congratulations to my English 2 students who made it in class last semester.
Keep writing. Keep blogging.
Keep up. Keep on.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Guidelines
In case you missed this one out. Here are the guidelines:
Keep writing. Keep blogging.
Keep up. Keep on.
1. Deadline for final term paper is at 4:00 p.m. on Friday March 19, 2010.
2. Last acceptance of Drafts based on graded outline is on March 18, 2010 not later than 10:00 a.m.
3. There will be meetings in class this week and next week.
4. For graduating students, indicate graduating on your outline, draft and term paper. Submit final
term paper this Wednesday, March 17, 2010 not later than 10:00 am.
5. No graded outline by March 18 means NO chance for submission of draft or term paper.
6. Only drafts based on graded outline will be accepted.
7. Drafts submitted on March 19, 2010 will be considered as final paper.
8. Final paper should be stapled once on the upper left corner and submitted along
with the outline/s, notes and draft all enclosed in the color coded envelope.
9. Format for term paper:
a. Margin is 1.5” on the left and 1.0” on all other sides.
b. Title page (follow format shown in the workbook)
c. Outline
d. Introduction (bold, center; paragraphs justified)
e. Body (separate page, bold and center; paragraphs justified)
f. Conclusion (separate page, bold and center; paragraphs justified)
g. References (follow APA Format)
h. Loose page
10. Final paper is rated using the following criteria:
a. organization (coherence, clarity of writing, unity, etc.) - 20
b. technicalities (punctuations, format and referencing) - 20
c. grammar and spelling - 20
d. completeness - 20
e. depth and originality – 20
100
11. Defense is on Monday-Wednesday next week
12. Those who cannot submit a paper should take a removal exam on March 25, 2010
at 9-10:30 a.m. Verification of grades will be on the 30th.
Keep writing. Keep blogging.
Keep up. Keep on.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Moving Deadlines
My daughter caught fever Tuesday night. I only have one house help who is very young and, thus, I couldn't possibly leave to her care my 3 year old girl, especially that I have a 7 year old boy to attend to as well. So I missed my Wednesday and Thursday classes. This means I will have to move some deadlines again as the scheduled consultation hours of some which fall on those days will have to be moved as well.
Nonetheless, with all the postponements of classes - there was this KASAMA election related activity, the CSM departmental exams, field trips of my Psyche majors and my attendance to a conference in CDO and the extension of deadlines, my students surely had enough time to work on their outline and drafts.
So I hope they busied themselves during times we can't meet in class. Time flies so fast. Before you know it, the semester has ended.
Keep writing. Keep blogging.
Keep up. Keep on.
Nonetheless, with all the postponements of classes - there was this KASAMA election related activity, the CSM departmental exams, field trips of my Psyche majors and my attendance to a conference in CDO and the extension of deadlines, my students surely had enough time to work on their outline and drafts.
So I hope they busied themselves during times we can't meet in class. Time flies so fast. Before you know it, the semester has ended.
Keep writing. Keep blogging.
Keep up. Keep on.
Monday, March 1, 2010
A blog by an IITian
So this where parting may not be a sweet sorrow after all. That is if you've never grown to like blogging. However, for those of you who are thinking of continuing on with this activity as part of your outlet - you know, where you air your frustrations, release deep seated emotions or simply unwind while trying to polish your writing skills, that might be a good thing to do.
So if you planning to do that, let me acquaint you more. So what is it like to really blog? Here's one by an IITian like you. Check on Philip's Snapshots of an English Major. Nope, I didn't ask him to do this blogging and he surely did not ask me to follow him although he was once my student. I chanced upon him and thought of sharing it with those who are interested.
By the way, I haven't found the blogsites of most of you. Update your settings to reflect your site or simply follow yourself so I can see your link.
Till then.
What Keep writing. Keep blogging.
Keep up. Keep on.
So if you planning to do that, let me acquaint you more. So what is it like to really blog? Here's one by an IITian like you. Check on Philip's Snapshots of an English Major. Nope, I didn't ask him to do this blogging and he surely did not ask me to follow him although he was once my student. I chanced upon him and thought of sharing it with those who are interested.
By the way, I haven't found the blogsites of most of you. Update your settings to reflect your site or simply follow yourself so I can see your link.
Till then.
What Keep writing. Keep blogging.
Keep up. Keep on.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Managing Time
One of the things a college student must learn to master is the management of his/her time. Assignments, exams and other paper work are all part of the rigors of being in an academe. As a student of a university, he or she must immerse in the culture of knowledge transmission and creation. In the institution for higher learning, he or she must not be a passive voyager but an active participant in pursuit of academic excellence and human transformation. Such ideal goals do not happen by chance. They are achieved by those who stay focused and determined to make his/her time in the University a worthwhile, albeit very challenging, learning experience.
The struggle to manage time continues and extends beyond the portals of the university. It is every man's daily challenge. A student has TODAY to learn the craft that will ensure his/her TOMORROW.
After all, as God has so designed it, there is always a time for everything.
Have you made wise use of your time today?
Keep writing. Keep blogging.
Keep up. Keep on.
The struggle to manage time continues and extends beyond the portals of the university. It is every man's daily challenge. A student has TODAY to learn the craft that will ensure his/her TOMORROW.
After all, as God has so designed it, there is always a time for everything.
Have you made wise use of your time today?
Keep writing. Keep blogging.
Keep up. Keep on.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Writing as a Process
Basically, any type of writing requires careful planning, selection and decision making. Whether one is writing for business or pleasure, writing takes time. Thus, anyone who intends to write must be willing to spend time for it.
Writing is really a process. If you want to be able to write effectively, there is no shorter route just faster pace.
Writing in the discipline demands time and focus. Hope you have both.
Keep writing. Keep blogging.
Keep up. Keep on.
Writing is really a process. If you want to be able to write effectively, there is no shorter route just faster pace.
Writing in the discipline demands time and focus. Hope you have both.
Keep writing. Keep blogging.
Keep up. Keep on.
Friday, February 5, 2010
The Other Side of Blogging
Blogging makes people connect and share not only their thoughts but also their hobbies. Here is one very cool blogging site by one who makes unconventional crafts. Check it out!
Keep writing. Keep blogging.
Keep up. Keep on.
Keep writing. Keep blogging.
Keep up. Keep on.
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