A Short Precious Journey In Philippines With SEA-Teacher Batch 9

 

Hi friend, welcome to my journey. Firstly, let's get to know me 😊. I'm Saila Adni Laila Azzahrah Purba, a student of International Program on Science Education, Mathematics and Science Nature Faculty of Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia. I was assigned to Central Luzon State University, Philippines by participating in the SEA-Teacher program Batch 9.

Here is my first blog to share my experience during the SEA-Teacher program in the Philippines.  

SEA-Teacher Program (Pre-Service Student Teacher Exchange in Southeast Asia) An intergovernmental organization promoting cooperation in education, science and culture. This program is purposed to provide opportunity for preservice student teachers among universities in Southeast Asia to do their practicum (teaching experiences) in schools in other countries in Southeast Asia.  Aligned  with SEAMEO's vision to improve the quality of education in Southeast Asia through seven priority areas, the Southeast Asia Teacher Project places special emphasis on "Revitalizing Teacher Education." By working together, the eleven SEAMEO member countries aim to build and strengthen teacher capacity across the region, ensuring a brighter future for education.

Happy entering my story ! 😀.

1. School: General Information and Academic Administration

1. School Profile

Central Luzon State University (CLSU) is one of the most renowned and prestigious state-institutions of higher learning in the country, the only comprehensive state university in the Philippines with the most number of curricular programs accredited by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP) with Level IV accreditation. You can read more about this University here

My practice teaching activity completed at University Science High School (USHS) of CLSU . University Science High School, was established under CLSU Board of Regents Resolution No. 1622 dated June 14, 1976 as a flagship school for students wishing to pursue science and technology programs. In 1978, Board Resolution No. 1780 was passed to revise the curriculum and change the name to College of Agricultural Sciences. Further revision/enrichment of the curriculum was undertaken in 1979 to strengthen the agricultural component and cater to the needs of students seeking admission to Higher Institutions of Agricultural Education without compromising the original objective of preparing the younger generation for intensive training in science and technology. The school has been opening its doors to interested applicants who qualify through screening via entrance examinations to fill limited slots since 1978. In 1983, the school reverted to its original name, Science High School, in response to the school's intensive emphasis on science and technology. Now, after more than 2 decades of existence, despite being a small unit of the University under the College of Education. It is the most excellent school I have ever observed. USHS has been an asset that has continuously contributed in making CLSU a big name in the academic world where science and technology are at the forefront of its educational thrust by producing quality graduates.

2. Academic Support System

Classroom

This school has 12 classrooms which are for 6 grades and 2 sections for each. A classroom consists of 35-45 students. They have their own table chair with their name on it. Every classrooms is completed with Air Conditioning, projector, big whiteboard, students locker and audio-visual equipment.  

Laboratories and Facilities

The school provides 3 laboratories, which are Biological Sciences Laboratory, ICT and Computer Science Laboratory and Physical Sciences Laboratory. Each laboratory has enough equipment and materials that students need to demonstrate the lesson in the class. The former USHS Learning Resources Center that contains some of the learning materials. New USHS Learning Resources Center that also has a room for books and other materials. Umali Multipurpose Gym and Tambay-Aralan which used for study outside the classroom.

Offices

This school is of course also equipped with an office room for the staff or the teachers. There are, High School Registrar’s Office, High School Guidance Office, Faculty Office (Former office of assistant head), 2 Faculty rooms,School Head’s Office and Supply room for storage. 

3. Teaching System

Flag raising at USHS

Teaching and learning activities conducted 5 days in a week. A day has 6-8 hours for each section. Flag raising program has to be done every monday. 

Measurement and Evaluation System

This school has 4 quarters for teaching management evaluation cycle in a year. Each quarter has around 16 meetings for one subject.  

Curriculum and Materials Sources

The curriculum of the CLSU Laboratory for Teaching and Learning (CLTL)-USHS is STEM learning ( Science,Tech,Engineering and Math). The materials sources for science used were the Philippine’s local book source, like the science for Junior High School. Some teachers will use online sources in particular lessons based on the needs. 

4. School Tour

During the school observation, I was invited to have a little tour around the school. To get to know deeper about this school especially CLSU. A Publishing House is a place to produce academic school supplies such as books and papers production. Also I visited the ICCEM Museum which is a kind of animal museum. There are so many facilities that support students for study in CLSU like the library, biotechnology and analytical laboratory building and so many more. Last, I have a chance to see the other campus subjects, Agriculture College and Fishering College. The school also produces some foods and drinks from the milk of Carabao which is called by PCC (Philippines Carabao Center) and because this school keeps the agriculture for the way of life, they also produce the rice on their own or even by the students. 

The Agriculture High School

 The Living Fish Museum at Fishering University of CLSU

The Publishing House of CLSU

Listening The Explanation of Tour Guide from The ICCEM Museum

5. School Activities

There are a lot of activities that I participated in. Teachers day, CED Talks and Research, Innovation and Development Festival (Ride Fest). 

Participating The Ride Fest

Participate in CED Talks Making Kimchi

Participating The World Teachers Day Celebration

2. Pedagogical Contents

1. Observation

September 26, 2023 was my first day to know the USHS until I finished all my activities there. I was introduced to the principal of USHS, Dr. Aileen G. De Guzman who acquainted the school with school secretary Mr. Joseph P. Adsuara. Then, I was brought by Prof. John Paul E. Santos and Prof. Evelyn M. Ben introduced me to all the grades (grades 7-12), which had 2 sections in each grade.

 

The next day, I started to observe how the teaching and learning process was conducted here. All my observations were done in science class. Especially in grades 7,8 and 12.

 

Observing The Learning Activities at Grade 8

 I observed how the teacher teaches science subjects and how students respond or even their behavior during class time. They looked quiet and less active on the first day I observed their class activities. But, they were very active. Conversely with the next day, they were very active in following the entire class with fully present until it was finished. 

 

Observing The Next Day

Another thing that amazes me is the content of the material being studied. It looks like they are very happy to learn something new, as evidenced by how quickly they respond to what the teacher teaches. I can conclude that  mostly, students here will analyze well how the teacher introduces them to the new knowledge. After that, they can understand what the teacher means by actively answering questions and giving their thoughts during the lesson. 

2. Learning materials and Innovation 

Teachers provide textbooks, media, projectors, power points and worksheets to observe students' understanding of the lesson. 

Media, projectors, and power points made students easier for students to understand the lesson material especially, the teacher demonstrated the lesson so that students could understand the concept of the objective of the ongoing learning.

3. Sources of learning and technology used by the teachers

Students at this school are allowed to seek further information or knowledge about a subject in the computer lab. They use textbooks for daily lessons. In addition, students are also allowed to use cell phones to search for information they need about lessons outside of class.

Some teachers will ask students to do homework online by using the google classroom application. It is an attractive thing to apply information technology in learning. Moreover, sometimes teachers will ask students to make a project that is an application of students' understanding in the classroom. For example the life cycle of stars model in earth and space grade 11. 

4. Authentic assessment used by the teachers

Learning assessment at USHS can be categorized into in-class assessment, exam assessment or even project assessment. 

3. Teaching Plan 

A. Curriculum

 

The curriculum of the CLSU Laboratory for Teaching and Learning (CLTL)-USHS is STEM learning ( Science, Tech, Engineering and Math). 

 

B. Teaching plan related to your major 

After conducting lesson observations, I made my own lesson plans for teaching practice later. Because I will be practicing teaching at USHS, my lesson plan template follows the one used at this school. 

The lesson plan is very detailed and easy to understand. But I added the 5E learning model which is one of the objects of my research also on the influence of 5e in learning activities for students.  

My topic is about Cell and Microscope. The lesson plan has been revised by the teacher who teaches the lesson, Dr. Aileen G. De Guzman . The learning activities of my two lesson plans were different. The microscope activities require class to be conducted in the science laboratory. 

 Here is my lesson plan for Cell Topic

      Here my lesson plan for Microscope Topic 

Teaching The Microscopic topic in Grade 7

Lecturing The Cell topic in Grade 7 

4. Teaching Practice  

A. Procedures of teaching

After I observed how the teacher here delivered lessons, especially science material. I was motivated to prepare myself for teaching practice carefully. I did not find any difficult obstacles in practicing learning because the students there really understand English and respond quickly to the lessons. I did a little ice breaking in the classroom to keep the students happy during the lesson. 

I teach a cell chapter and the method that I did, I asked  students to be interactive during the lesson. By asking students to answer questions, share their thoughts about something and sometimes I asked some students to answer questions in front of the class.  

Engagement :  

    Routine activity 

Greetings

Prayer

Class management

Checking of attendance

Review the last topic 

Exploration :

Involving student’s prior knowledge

Motivation

Objective learning

Explanation / Elaboration :

Presentation of material

Evaluation :

Application

Generalization

Here is my lesson plan for Final Teaching Demonstration 

Lecturing The Cell Topic in Explanation Step

Asking student about Cell Component Location 

Take a picture with The Mentors and The Coorperating Teacher

B. Time management and organizing activities

 

To manage the class, I controlled time in each step of learning. I range the engagement and exploration steps about 5-7 minutes for each. 25 minutes for core activity, explanation and elaboration then the rest minutes for the evaluation steps. The amount for teaching and learning in a section class is 60 minutes in a day for one subject. If the time is not enough to do the evaluation quiz due to their work in the group needing a longer time, I will make the evaluation session  will be done in the next meeting as well as a step to review the learning that has been learned. 

 

C. Classroom management

 

To gain another learning point in my class, I make them work in groups to solve any questions. It helps students learn how  to work in a team well and solve problems together. 

 

D. Problem-solving while teaching and staying in the designated school

 

The problem that I experience is the uneven distribution of students who actively participate. So, I make a game to make them participative and provide a candle as a reward for those who have been active. 

Another problem is the unclear picture that I provide in the slide presentation for components of the cell. So, my cooperating teacher Dr. Aileen G. De Guzman give me a suggestion to use another cell model to make them understand about the topic. 

 

5. Summary and Suggestions

A. Purposes of practicum (meets or not meets your need)

 

This SEA-Teacher program is purposed to provide opportunity for preservice student teachers among universities in Southeast Asia to do their practicum (teaching experiences) in schools in other countries in Southeast Asia. So, I got something that I never got before, teaching practice experience in a Philippines school, University Science High School. I am very thankful to SEAMEO for making this program very useful and gave me a precious experience . After this program, I became more confident to become a teacher not only in Indonesia but also in other countries in the world to bring knowledge anywhere in the world, especially in poor countries where children do not have enough conditions to attend school. In general, all the objectives of the SEA-Teacher program fit my needs, and all the objectives of the SEA-Teacher program were achieved.

B. Procedures of practicum

 

SEA-Teacher has 4 activities that must be done by the participant. 

• Observation 
• Teaching Assistantship
• Practice teaching and Final teaching demonstration
• Evaluation and Reflection

Observation The Teaching and Learning Activities at Grade 8

Assistant on Examination Day at Grade 11

Practice Teaching about Cell at Grade 7

Practice Teaching about Microscope at Grade 7

Final Teaching Demonstration at Grade 7

Evaluation and Reflection with Mentors and Coorperating Teachers

From what I analyzed, the four activities required by the SEA-Teacher program are important and have a good impact on each of them. Observation helps us to observe how learning takes place and is the first step to adapting to a new environment. Teaching assistantship gives us a step-by-step to become a real teacher as we will have time to get closer to the students to find suitable teaching methods. Teaching practice gives us the opportunity to teach in a classroom as a teacher in a foreign country by trying to practice methods that are suitable for use in the final teaching demonstration. Evaluation and Reflection helps us to see the things we need to improve to be a good teacher.

C. Outcomes of practicum 

There are a lot of outcomes that I got from this program. Before we do something we have to analyze and observe to know what we are going to do, what will be our obstacles in doing something. Beside improving the skills in teaching, the SEA-Teacher program requires participants to write a blog based on their experience as one of the evaluation points and share the experience for other participants who want to join the next SEA-Teacher program. It may be difficult for those who have no experience in writing blogs. But after completing the blog, we can improve our writing skills.

D. The challenges of practicum

The challenges of practicum that I did, the compact lesson in a limited time. We have to manage the lesson properly in one hour. We must ensure the students get something new in our class. 

Suggestions : Make a complex lesson plan and good time management. Make a method teaching that students more doing and understanding by their own thinking not only the lecturing from the teacher.  

E. Overall impression

The SEA-Teacher program gave me the privilege of studying abroad, understanding the customs or cultures of different countries. In addition, the SEA-Teacher program helped me to improve my communication and socialization skills, and most importantly, I became more confident after joining this program, especially to become a teacher. 

F. Suggestions for future improvement

To be very honest, this program is very helpful for preservice teachers to train their skills to become real teachers. Based on my experience during one month of participating in the sea teacher program, there are many who want to become participants in this program but they lack of the own accommodation to take part in the full activities. Everyone has the right to take part in a program like this. Cost should not be a major problem to take part in this program but this is not the case. The economy is the biggest factor that has an impact on the contribution of participants who want to train their abilities. Hopefully in the future SEAMEO can help participants who lack the money to take part in programs like this. Thank you Po!

Educational Tour

1. Nueva Ecija Province

• Pantabangan Dam View Deck

Pantabangan Dam is an earthfill dam on the Pampanga River located in Pantabangan in the province of Nueva Ecija , Philippines. This multi-purpose dam provides water for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation, while its reservoir, Pantabangan Lake, is capable of flood control.  Also a source of water in this province. 

• Tagpuan Sa Lumang Gapan

The famous landmarks in Vigan Ilocos Sur are the old houses restored by the national government for their Hispanic colonial look. As the years passed, the Ilocos region was controlled by the family of former President Marcos. Little Vigan (Lumang Gapan Nueva Ecija) is called Vigan Ilocos because they imitate the old houses that can be seen in Ilocos Sur which is known as its mini version.

2. Baguio Province

• Igorot Stone Kingdom

The Igorot (one of the various ethnic groups in the mountains of northern Luzon, Philippines,) Stone Kingdom is a man-made park that showcases the Igorot's stone-laying skills, their creativity as well as their indigenous culture, values, way of life, and traditions. According to Velasco, his concept for his man-made kingdom was "the fantasy of the Igorot child's castle, his childhood in the Mountain Province, and the caring God and family culture brought about by the Igorot skill in stone laying," as mentioned in a news article published in the Philippine News Agency. The rock garden was also built in honor of Velasco's mother, who taught them patience and strength.

• Bencab Museum

Construction of the BenCab Museum building began in 2006. The museum institution itself was established in 2009 by National Artist Benedicto Cabrera with the BenCab Art Foundation managing the facility. Cabrera intended to establish a private museum to house his personal art collection consisting of his own works, Cordilleran indigenous art that he considered underappreciated, erotica, and works by other artists that interested him.

• Mines View

Mines View Park is a scenic park in the northeastern Baguio suburb of the Philippines. It is five kilometers from the Heart of Baguio, past the Baguio Botanical Garden, Mansion House, Wright Park, and Pacdal Circle.

• Strawberry Farm

The strawberry farm is located in Barangay Betag in La Trinidad , Benguet and is owned and managed by Benguet State University (BSU).BSU leases some of its land to local farmers for strawberry cultivation. Since strawberries are an important part of La Trinidad's economy with the Strawberry Festival held in the town every March.

• Burnham Park

Burnham Park is most famous for the magnificent centuries-old artificial lake at its center called Burnham Lagoon. Burnham Park was envisioned by American architect Daniel Hudson Burnham as part of a larger plan for the city of Baguio in 1905.

• Colors of Stobosa

Colors of stobosa This artwork was commissioned as part of the Rev-Bloom Urban Redevelopment Tourism Campaign, a project conceptualized by the Department of Tourism - Cordillera Administrative Region (DOT-CAR) under Regional Director Venus Tan and the local government of La Trinidad under Edna Tabana. Cabrera also painted the building and displayed it in his Museum.

3. Bataan Province

• Mt. Samat National Shrine

The Mount Samat National Shrine was established as a memorial to Filipino and American soldiers who fought against the Imperial Japanese Army in World War II.Dambana ng Kagitingan or Temple of Valor was erected at the top of Mt. Samat to commemorate the gallantry and symbolize the heroism of the Filipino and American troops who fought relentlessly from January to April 1942 on the Bataan Peninsula.

• Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar

Las Casas is the brainchild of construction magnate Jose "Jerry" Acuzar of New San Jose Builders. According to Las Casas' list of Historic Hotels Around the World, the area is a rebuilt city with around 20 heritage homes from across the Philippines. Each Spanish Colonial structure was chosen for its unique cultural, historical and design features. If you've long been fascinated by the intricacy of ancestral homes, then you're sure to be mesmerized by the selection of the house or its style.

• Zoobic Safari

Zoobic Safari is the Only Tiger Safari in the Philippines located in the heart of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone jungle. It is a 25-hectare jungle adventure park where guests are treated to exciting adventures.

• Bataan White Corals Beach 

A beach in Morong, Bataan , North Philippines.

4. Manila

• Intramuros

Intramuros comprises a centuries-old historic district, entirely surrounded by a fortress, which during the Spanish Empire was considered as the entire City of Manila had the function of the seat of government of the Captain General of the Philippines, a component region of the Spanish Empire, which housed the governor-general of the colony from its foundation in 1571 until 1865, and the Real Audiencia Manila until the end of Spanish rule during the Philippine Revolution of 1898.

Messages

Dear Teachers and The Faculty Members of CLSU 

First, of course I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Dr. Regidor and Mrs. Hiyasmin for introducing us from our university to the place where we are now completing this sea-teacher program, USHS. although they could not be present today, but it's okay we understand their work. We feel very welcome and always feel comfortable here. Thanks to Mrs. Aileen who has helped us both a lot, facilitating what we need in completing this exchange program. We are very grateful to her. There is Mrs. Ben who has been a good cooperating teacher also and thanks to Sir John Paul for providing a lot of knowledge and cultural sharing to us. Hopefully we can still share stories even though we are no longer there. And of course there are other teachers who also participate in helping, nurturing and teaching some tagalog vocabularies there is Mrs. Tina thank you. Thank you to all SayHay teachers who I cannot mention by name. We learned a great deal here.

Every places, every schools must have its own advantages, its own uniqueness. During my 26 days here, I have learned many things. 

" Being a teacher is not easy. Teachers not only deliver lessons in the classroom, but teachers also have to be friends with their students outside of class . To teach a lesson in one class with various ways of thinking of students is a challenge for the teacher to be able to convey the lesson. A child's learning character is formed mostly by the role of the teacher at school. We can get the position of a teacher easily. But carrying out the role of being a teacher will not be able to be only dreamed of. it takes effort, thought and great treatment". ~ Saila Adni Laila A. (2023) 

 And all of that I have found out from the teachers who are here. once again I thank you.

 It seems that one month is not enough to explore more knowledge here and also give a good impression. 

Once again, I would like to thank you very much for the knowledge we have gained. Hopefully, it will be a provision for us someday either in the world of education or other worlds that will be our destiny. 

See you next time Po!

Hey, if you are interest let's be friend on Instagram and Twitter. Or you may could subscribe my Youtube channel because i will post the things i got there,soon. Thanks in advance 😊