Each year, no, each month as is the recent reality, we hear of an impending typhoon hitting our places, our hometowns. While some of us have gone through the typhoons unscathed, there are those of us who are not as privileged. While some have tried to move on, others' nightmares have just begun and many others have to be constantly haunted by the same fear.
Here is an account of the recent typhoon and an assessment of how we have progressed as a people since then. Read and watch.
The Bitterest Storm (Pablo)
"COMPOSTELA VALLEY, Philippines - This is a story that begins with a storm. It was black, they say, and screamed as it spun in the night. Some say the wind tasted like salt, others say it was bitter, like rust on a broken nail.
Those who lived to tell the story talk about crouching down inside tiny bathrooms, the safest, they say, small enough that roofs rip away instead of falling in. There is a glassy-eyed look to most of them, especially the children, who sit quietly in evacuation centers or outside shattered houses." (click here to read more)
In case you missed it like I did, here's an update of the Sendong aftermath. How are we now?
Watch this Reporter's Notebook
What do have you to say from your own experience? I hope you are not sensitized by these recurring events. I hope too that you are not overwhelmed by a sense of hopelessness.
May this season remind us to look up to God and completely trust Him for our lives.
Keep writing. Keep blogging.
Keep up. Keep on.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Friday, November 23, 2012
Welcome to Blogging
Welcome English 2 SY 2012-2013 students of MSU-IIT.
Welcome to blogging.
What is BLOGGING?
Who BLOGS?
How many people BLOG?
Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on.
Welcome to blogging.
What is BLOGGING?
Who BLOGS?
How many people BLOG?
Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Guidelines for the Submission and Defense of the Term Paper
After you have submitted your printed and complete draft of the term paper, you must make sure you re-write your paper following these guidelines:
On writing the introduction
Although the introduction may not always be the first you have to write when writing a research paper, it is the first to be read by your audience. Hence, you will have to write the introduction well in order to make a favorable first impression. Also, we are usually told that the introduction should catch the reader's attention; this will require some imagination on your part. While these are important, your main concern in the initial drafting is to make sure you fulfill the basic requirements of a good introduction.
Make sure to observe the following when writing or re-writing your introduction:
1. Give a general background of your topic. Be sure to introduce the reader to the topic of the paper.
2. Mention the thesis statement and research question your paper intends to answer.
On writing the body of the paper
1. The body of the paper must correspond to the the outline you have prepared. While you can add more support details, your paper must follow the sequencing and progression of the major ideas as indicated in your approved outline. Make sure that the development of the body of the paper follows the blueprint which is the outline. Otherwise, your paper will lack focus.
2. Make sure to paraphrase or summarize borrowed ideas and cite the author/s using the APA format. Citation for quoted texts should include the page number of the book or reference material.
3. Use a transition sentence or paragraph to connect major ideas.
On writing the conclusion
Make sure to summarize the body of your paper. The summary must be a restatement or rephrasal of your main ideas. Avoid copy and pasting from the body of your paper. Do not discuss a new idea or concept in the conclusion. Strengthen your stand.
On making sure you follow the format
The paper should follow the format for each part of the paper and must have these parts in the following order:
Title Page
Outline (Topic, Thesis Statement, Research Question and Outline of the Body)
Introduction
Body
Conclusion
References (Use the APA format)
Submit an electronic copy of your term paper to lynnieann.deocampo@gmail.com by sending it as an attachment to an e-mail with the subject -- English 2 term paper (your family name, first name and section). Deadline is on March 23, 20012.
Oral Presentation will be in class as scheduled. There will be no special schedule for oral presentation.
WARNING: Plagiarized papers will be marked with a failing grade.
Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on.
On writing the introduction
Although the introduction may not always be the first you have to write when writing a research paper, it is the first to be read by your audience. Hence, you will have to write the introduction well in order to make a favorable first impression. Also, we are usually told that the introduction should catch the reader's attention; this will require some imagination on your part. While these are important, your main concern in the initial drafting is to make sure you fulfill the basic requirements of a good introduction.
Make sure to observe the following when writing or re-writing your introduction:
1. Give a general background of your topic. Be sure to introduce the reader to the topic of the paper.
2. Mention the thesis statement and research question your paper intends to answer.
On writing the body of the paper
1. The body of the paper must correspond to the the outline you have prepared. While you can add more support details, your paper must follow the sequencing and progression of the major ideas as indicated in your approved outline. Make sure that the development of the body of the paper follows the blueprint which is the outline. Otherwise, your paper will lack focus.
2. Make sure to paraphrase or summarize borrowed ideas and cite the author/s using the APA format. Citation for quoted texts should include the page number of the book or reference material.
3. Use a transition sentence or paragraph to connect major ideas.
On writing the conclusion
Make sure to summarize the body of your paper. The summary must be a restatement or rephrasal of your main ideas. Avoid copy and pasting from the body of your paper. Do not discuss a new idea or concept in the conclusion. Strengthen your stand.
On making sure you follow the format
The paper should follow the format for each part of the paper and must have these parts in the following order:
Title Page
Outline (Topic, Thesis Statement, Research Question and Outline of the Body)
Introduction
Body
Conclusion
References (Use the APA format)
Submit an electronic copy of your term paper to lynnieann.deocampo@gmail.com by sending it as an attachment to an e-mail with the subject -- English 2 term paper (your family name, first name and section). Deadline is on March 23, 20012.
Oral Presentation will be in class as scheduled. There will be no special schedule for oral presentation.
WARNING: Plagiarized papers will be marked with a failing grade.
Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Exercises on Parallelism
Click on the links below and answer the exercises:
http://www.towson.edu/ows/exerciseparal2.htm
http://www.chompchomp.com/structure01/structure01.htm
On a whole sheet of paper, write your answers to the exercise below and submit next week:
http://www.methodist.edu/english/parallel.pdf
http://write.siuc.edu/Handouts/Parallel%20Structure%20Exercises.pdf
Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on.
http://www.towson.edu/ows/exerciseparal2.htm
http://www.chompchomp.com/structure01/structure01.htm
On a whole sheet of paper, write your answers to the exercise below and submit next week:
http://www.methodist.edu/english/parallel.pdf
http://write.siuc.edu/Handouts/Parallel%20Structure%20Exercises.pdf
Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on.
Blogging Tasks
The next blog tasks are meant to push you to utilize your writing skills in a different level and enhance your critical thinking and analytical skills - both are requisites to successful academic writing. Through accomplishing these tasks, you become a medium for increasing access to quality information. You will have to take accountability for the information you post on your blog so make sure you GET THE FACTS and present them ACCURATELY and TRUTHFULLY.
The task is for you to write an expository essay. Read these writing tips on expository essay writing. This was one of the kinds of writing introduced to you in your English 1 class.
Post the tasks on your blogsite. Be sure to write the name of your co-author.
Task 1:
Work with a partner. Read about the Sendong aftermaths news and write-ups. Check out online as well as printed materials on this topic. Choose an issue you would like to write about based on your readings of the aftermaths. Conduct a one-on-one interview of the person/s involved to get a better grasp of the issue at hand. You may interview NGO volunteers, LGU officials or healthcare workers. Ask permission for possible disclosure of information. Be sure to verify information gathered. You may or may not cite the person/s name/s you interviewed especially when they do not want to be mentioned.
Be sure to focus on one or two issues only and expressed your informed reaction or ideas on the facts presented.
Here's a sample expository blog of the Sendong Typhoon in Cagayan de Oro City.
Task 2:
Work with the same partner. Interview a Sendong survivor and ask permission to feature his/her/their story in your blog. Write a news feature about the survivor's plight or condition then and now. Be sure to make your readers understand his/her/their situation.
Task 3:
Comment on two of your classmate's blogs.
Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on.
The task is for you to write an expository essay. Read these writing tips on expository essay writing. This was one of the kinds of writing introduced to you in your English 1 class.
Post the tasks on your blogsite. Be sure to write the name of your co-author.
Task 1:
Work with a partner. Read about the Sendong aftermaths news and write-ups. Check out online as well as printed materials on this topic. Choose an issue you would like to write about based on your readings of the aftermaths. Conduct a one-on-one interview of the person/s involved to get a better grasp of the issue at hand. You may interview NGO volunteers, LGU officials or healthcare workers. Ask permission for possible disclosure of information. Be sure to verify information gathered. You may or may not cite the person/s name/s you interviewed especially when they do not want to be mentioned.
Be sure to focus on one or two issues only and expressed your informed reaction or ideas on the facts presented.
Here's a sample expository blog of the Sendong Typhoon in Cagayan de Oro City.
Task 2:
Work with the same partner. Interview a Sendong survivor and ask permission to feature his/her/their story in your blog. Write a news feature about the survivor's plight or condition then and now. Be sure to make your readers understand his/her/their situation.
Task 3:
Comment on two of your classmate's blogs.
Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Choosing a Topic for Research
There are things you need to know about academic writing. Let us review the guidelines for choosing a topic.
Assess your chosen topics based on the points raised in the article below:
Academic Writing and Questions to Consider in Choosing a Topic
An academic writing should be based on thoroughly selected references. Identifying and selecting sources could be a tedious process for a novice researcher but it can be done with ease if one keeps in mind what to do and what not to do in looking for and deciding to choose sources for research writing.
The Seven Steps of the Research Process
Here are more helpful information for each step:
First Step: How to Find and Develop a Viable Research Topic
Second Step: Finding Background Information
Third and Fourth Steps:
Fifth Step: Evaluating Sources
Sixth Step: Evaluate What You Find
Seventh Step: Cite What You Find and Use A Standard Format (See the APA Format)
After having gone through these readings and the must-watch videos, improve your sources (there should be at least 10 reliable sources) and decide on ONE topic for your final research. Submit at least 3 possible titles or major questions you would like to answer in your paper along with a list of reliable references in APA format. Under each reference, write a brief description of the source or reference, specifically mention what information or support does it hold to your chosen topic.
You may use yellow or white paper. Don't forget to write the date, your section and name. Deadline is on the first meeting next week (January 16-20, 2012).
"Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on."
Assess your chosen topics based on the points raised in the article below:
Academic Writing and Questions to Consider in Choosing a Topic
An academic writing should be based on thoroughly selected references. Identifying and selecting sources could be a tedious process for a novice researcher but it can be done with ease if one keeps in mind what to do and what not to do in looking for and deciding to choose sources for research writing.
The Seven Steps of the Research Process
Here are more helpful information for each step:
First Step: How to Find and Develop a Viable Research Topic
Second Step: Finding Background Information
Third and Fourth Steps:
Fifth Step: Evaluating Sources
Sixth Step: Evaluate What You Find
Seventh Step: Cite What You Find and Use A Standard Format (See the APA Format)
After having gone through these readings and the must-watch videos, improve your sources (there should be at least 10 reliable sources) and decide on ONE topic for your final research. Submit at least 3 possible titles or major questions you would like to answer in your paper along with a list of reliable references in APA format. Under each reference, write a brief description of the source or reference, specifically mention what information or support does it hold to your chosen topic.
You may use yellow or white paper. Don't forget to write the date, your section and name. Deadline is on the first meeting next week (January 16-20, 2012).
"Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on."
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
The Benefits of Blogging
I hope you've read and watched the video which were the content of my previous post. If you haven't, please go to my previous post before you continue reading on this post. It's important to understand what blogging is and how you can go about it. Most importantly, you need to keep in mind what you should and shouldn't be doing in blogging. If you have gone through my prior post (the post just before this one), you may read further and, should you have any questions or clarifications to make, please don't hesitate to ask me in class or leave a message through chat or post. Don't forget to check out my response on your online queries.
While you are getting ready for the research paper, this blogging activity will hopefully give you opportunities to express yourselves and be heard by others. It will also give you a chance to look at how others express themselves and provide you with input you may have missed or overlooked in the learning process.
Here is a MUST READ article on the benefits of blogging. Remember that as you surf through the blogs, you will find both experts and amateurs who are blogging, sharing their thoughts and ideas. Take time to read posts on topics that interest you or that concern your field of study. Right click on the title below to open a new window and read the article.
Seven Benefits of Blogging to Your Personal Growth
Students also find blogging really helpful. Here's what they have to say:
Explore for yourself what blogging can do for you. Blogging tasks will not be very often but you can, on a personal level, blog all you like on any topic that interests you as often as you want to.
Just to give you an idea on what people do when they blog, here are sample blogs written by different people for different purposes:
Family blog
Poetic expressions
Book reviews
Hobbies
On nursing
On lingusitics
The first blogging task will soon be given. For now, you may try posting anything you want on your blog just to get started and get a feel of the blogging experience.
Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on.
While you are getting ready for the research paper, this blogging activity will hopefully give you opportunities to express yourselves and be heard by others. It will also give you a chance to look at how others express themselves and provide you with input you may have missed or overlooked in the learning process.
Here is a MUST READ article on the benefits of blogging. Remember that as you surf through the blogs, you will find both experts and amateurs who are blogging, sharing their thoughts and ideas. Take time to read posts on topics that interest you or that concern your field of study. Right click on the title below to open a new window and read the article.
Seven Benefits of Blogging to Your Personal Growth
Students also find blogging really helpful. Here's what they have to say:
Explore for yourself what blogging can do for you. Blogging tasks will not be very often but you can, on a personal level, blog all you like on any topic that interests you as often as you want to.
Just to give you an idea on what people do when they blog, here are sample blogs written by different people for different purposes:
Family blog
Poetic expressions
Book reviews
Hobbies
On nursing
On lingusitics
The first blogging task will soon be given. For now, you may try posting anything you want on your blog just to get started and get a feel of the blogging experience.
Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Welcome English 2 Students of SY 2011-2012
Welcome everyone to this semester and the experience of blogging.
To start with, watch this video on how to blog.
After you have created your blogsite and are ready to start with your first blog, please read this.
Click on the topic to open a new window.
Five Blogging Etiquette Tips for Beginning Bloggers
So looking forward to your blog posts.
Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on.
To start with, watch this video on how to blog.
After you have created your blogsite and are ready to start with your first blog, please read this.
Click on the topic to open a new window.
Five Blogging Etiquette Tips for Beginning Bloggers
So looking forward to your blog posts.
Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Questionnaire on Blogging
Fill out this questionnaire.
Click on the lick to access it.
Download or save as document
and send the filled out form to english-1-blogging@googlegroups.com
Write as subject of the email: Questionnaire (Family Name)
Perception on the Blogging Activity
Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on.
Click on the lick to access it.
Download or save as document
and send the filled out form to english-1-blogging@googlegroups.com
Write as subject of the email: Questionnaire (Family Name)
Perception on the Blogging Activity
Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Post Test Activities
I hope you did well in the departmental exam.
While grammar is important in writing, it is not the only important component in writing. Grammar is a tool to help you shape your expression so that you can better deliver your message with ease and clarity. Grammar makes your readers understand better your message. On the other hand, it takes more than just correct grammar to deliver effective messages. Written discourse requires ability to weave your thoughts in a such way that they form a single impression. A writer needs focus and careful planning which are skills only developed in actual writing.
Thus, the next online tasks will be skill-building activities for you. They will require you to read your workbooks again, browse online sources, synthesize what you have read and share them to the public.
These activities are meant to prepare you for the next level of writing, specifically writing demands in your English 2 classes.
Each task is hyperlinked. You need to click on each to know what you need to do. The following tasks will be treated as major exams with corresponding points.
1. Descriptive Writing
2. Definition Writing
3. Video Commentary
Deadline of all these tasks is on October 23, 2011.
Once you have completed all the tasks, you will be sent a short questionnaire which you need to fill out and send through email at english-1-blogging@googlegroups.com
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to leave me a message on the chat box.
Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on.
While grammar is important in writing, it is not the only important component in writing. Grammar is a tool to help you shape your expression so that you can better deliver your message with ease and clarity. Grammar makes your readers understand better your message. On the other hand, it takes more than just correct grammar to deliver effective messages. Written discourse requires ability to weave your thoughts in a such way that they form a single impression. A writer needs focus and careful planning which are skills only developed in actual writing.
Thus, the next online tasks will be skill-building activities for you. They will require you to read your workbooks again, browse online sources, synthesize what you have read and share them to the public.
These activities are meant to prepare you for the next level of writing, specifically writing demands in your English 2 classes.
Each task is hyperlinked. You need to click on each to know what you need to do. The following tasks will be treated as major exams with corresponding points.
1. Descriptive Writing
2. Definition Writing
3. Video Commentary
Deadline of all these tasks is on October 23, 2011.
Once you have completed all the tasks, you will be sent a short questionnaire which you need to fill out and send through email at english-1-blogging@googlegroups.com
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to leave me a message on the chat box.
Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on.
Monday, July 11, 2011
My Fascination for Short Films
Tonight, I have the privilege to enjoy watching the 10 short films prepared by Nestle for its 100 years of providing good food to the Filipino people. I like watching short films because they are usually simple yet very meaningful and usually laden with a message. I like films that make me think a little and ponder more on life and living.
If you missed watching them, you can have a look at them through this blog Kasambuhay-Habangbuhay.
Watch them and tell me which film you like best and why.
See you in class!
Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on.
If you missed watching them, you can have a look at them through this blog Kasambuhay-Habangbuhay.
Watch them and tell me which film you like best and why.
See you in class!
Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Food for Thought: The measure of success
After you've finished reading the first story in the English workbook, "Nobody Stops to Say Thank You Anymore," I'd like you to watch a very short film on youtube video.
Then answer the following questions:
1. How do you think people value family these days?
2. How would you show you value your parents 10 years from now?
3. In what way can you say "Thank You" to your parents now?
Blog the answers as task#3 and title it, "I stop to say Thank you (the person you want to thank)."
Click on this link to watch Rich son Poor son
Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on.
Then answer the following questions:
1. How do you think people value family these days?
2. How would you show you value your parents 10 years from now?
3. In what way can you say "Thank You" to your parents now?
Blog the answers as task#3 and title it, "I stop to say Thank you (the person you want to thank)."
Click on this link to watch Rich son Poor son
Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Introducing Daily Dose of English
Then go to English phrases with "cat"
This is good for building vocabulary.
Follow it on youtube and learn.
See you!
Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Reading Strategies
Hi! In class, we've talked about reading strategies and the ways by which you have been applying or will be applying these to your own reading experience. Because you are now in college, you are expected to increase your reading time as the academe demands this from you. How you will succeed depends on your determination to really put to heart what you have learned here.
Allow me to share with you some Reading Comprehension Tips and Speed Reading Strategies. Some of the points discussed here have also been discussed in class but it would be good to re-read them so you'd likely to remember the tips that will aid you in your academic success.
You may also check the list on METACOGNITIVE BEHAVIORS OF GOOD AND POOR READERS and see which one are you.
Well, I hope you have set a goal for yourself as the first semester opens. By now, you should start looking for a good book to read. I might ask you to read a book soon and then share in class what you've read about.
Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on.
Allow me to share with you some Reading Comprehension Tips and Speed Reading Strategies. Some of the points discussed here have also been discussed in class but it would be good to re-read them so you'd likely to remember the tips that will aid you in your academic success.
You may also check the list on METACOGNITIVE BEHAVIORS OF GOOD AND POOR READERS and see which one are you.
Well, I hope you have set a goal for yourself as the first semester opens. By now, you should start looking for a good book to read. I might ask you to read a book soon and then share in class what you've read about.
Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Welcome English 1 Students to the First Semester of SY 2011-2012
Welcome freshmen students to MSU IIT. Welcome to my English class and to blogging.
For some of you, blogging could be an entirely new experience. It may take awhile for you to get used to it or accept it as part of your life, at least for this semester.
So what exactly is blogging? Cambridge online dictionary defines it as a diary where one regularly records one's thoughts, opinions and experiences on the internet for other people to read. In the online computer glossary of terms, a blog, also called a web blog, is a person's journal on the web. "Blogging" means an activity of updating one's blog and the person who does this is called a "blogger".
So how did blogging begin? One blogger shared the history of blogging which could be highly technical and full of IT terms most average internet users wouldn't understand or even care. The idea of blogging evolved naturally as people sought each other's thoughts, opinions and feelings. More and more average users caught up with the idea as the need to communicate and get connected with people builds up each day. Its origin cannot be solely claimed by anyone. Brilliant people have since innovate on existing internet tools and so the options and opportunities to be a voice and listen to voices out there continue to increase.
So what does one get out of blogging? The question, of course, is rarely raised by most bloggers who have thankfully found a new way to pen their thoughts down and share their ideas on anything from cooking the best pasta to being a mom of three kids. But if you are seriously asking the question, here are a few benefits shared online by www.a1technology:
Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on.
For some of you, blogging could be an entirely new experience. It may take awhile for you to get used to it or accept it as part of your life, at least for this semester.
So what exactly is blogging? Cambridge online dictionary defines it as a diary where one regularly records one's thoughts, opinions and experiences on the internet for other people to read. In the online computer glossary of terms, a blog, also called a web blog, is a person's journal on the web. "Blogging" means an activity of updating one's blog and the person who does this is called a "blogger".
So how did blogging begin? One blogger shared the history of blogging which could be highly technical and full of IT terms most average internet users wouldn't understand or even care. The idea of blogging evolved naturally as people sought each other's thoughts, opinions and feelings. More and more average users caught up with the idea as the need to communicate and get connected with people builds up each day. Its origin cannot be solely claimed by anyone. Brilliant people have since innovate on existing internet tools and so the options and opportunities to be a voice and listen to voices out there continue to increase.
So what does one get out of blogging? The question, of course, is rarely raised by most bloggers who have thankfully found a new way to pen their thoughts down and share their ideas on anything from cooking the best pasta to being a mom of three kids. But if you are seriously asking the question, here are a few benefits shared online by www.a1technology:
1. Real time discussion: The information that we get from blogs is usually week’s ahead of the press releases and newspapers because bloggers keep looking for new development areas to publish i.e. something which is very new. Discussions and interactions happen on the spot. So there is no delay of information sharing. Blogs act as Real time Forums and one may find answers to one’s queries with a fraction of a second.
2. Back Links: Through blogging, you can find number of business partners together because people having different interests and thoughts are closely knit with each other.
3. Regular readership: Blogging helps in gaining regular readership traffic. If a visitor comes to your blog and he likes the stuff, he can permanently subscribe the blog through RSS feeds.
4. Boost Traffic: Blogs and RSS feeds can make excellent positive change in your web traffic. By adding new content to your site on a regular basis, you ensure that search engine’s spider crawls your site more often. Consistent updating the rich content matter of a keyword chosen by you gives you an added lead also by increasing the number of search terms or keywords that regularly show up in search results.
5. Research tool: Blogging is a very powerful tool to collect and aggregate research work, assignment information as well as a powerful means to gather and search the information collected by worldwide researchers. This phenomenon is known as Syndications and RSS is derived from this feature.
6. Cheap Marketing: By Blogging you can raise your website profile and increase visits to your site. Like we are doing atwww.offshoreoutsourcingworld.com
7. Easy Web Publishing Solution: Blog Softwares are easy to use. Updating the weblog is a faster process than seeking a web designer for various changes or managing the coding part and uploading it yourself.
8. Blogs as intranet: Blogs, in an intranet environment, can be an excellent way of sharing knowledge within the organization. You can have secure folders in which you can assign different access rights to different users of blog as per your requirement. You need to get yourself build on an application as to share your resources.
9. Blogs as CMS: Blogs are best content management systems. You can upload videos files, photos, word documents, pdf files, anything you want to store. Navigation system of blogs is very strong as everything is categorized and for every entry there is a permanent link , every entry can be named with a keyword and in built search feature in blogs has made it simply cool to look for any records.
| So... |
Keep writing. Keep blogging. Keep up. Keep on.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Writing to Improve Learning
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.
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.
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.
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