Photo taken from World Vision International 

Let the children see the world: Contextualizing the use of Localized Instructional Materials in Rural Areas

Transpire effective teaching by bringing back the use of Localized and Indigenised instructional materials

S

olving the country school’s problem with the lack of teaching and learning resources is one of the biggest challenges in the Philippine Education so far. 

And here lies the question:

“Nag unsa mo sa klasi ganiha?”

There goes the answer:

“Ah, nagbasa rag lesson oy”

gisulat ra ang naa sa libro, copy dayun namo”

“walay loptop bay, sulat ra nako”

“yaga, way internet oy, gibasa rang ma’am”

And entering the very famous line: (drum rolls)

“walay gamit, TAPLAK METHOD ra oy.” (Mic drops)

------ End of convo ------

https://janvipala.wordpress.com/2015/05/16/lets-move-on-from-the-traditional-ways/

My POV: See! We are very much exposed to that kind of conversation especially when we lack enough materials at hand or we are in a state of ROG ‘running out of gas. And it is not wrong to use the traditional ‘taplak method’. However, given the scenario aforementioned, it is very painful to see individuals who don’t seem to learn because of the lack of educational resources. How can education lead a positive impact to students if we’ll continue with this kind of mediocrity? 

(Ipagpapatuloy mo parin ba ang nakasanayan kahit alam mong wala kang mautututunan?)

retrieved from: www.livinginwellbeing.com

But, before answering that question, let us 1st discover what education really looks like. 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHyA3pp4G_Y

Educational boons

Education is basically the process of teaching and learning. In addition, it provides instruction that would enhance students’ skills and competencies. It is generally accepted that quality education is the tool in reaching the apogee of this world thus; it is one of the most essential necessities in human life after food, clothing and shelter. And the profundity in which ‘Education’ signifies can be weighed through effective teaching.

In connection, effective teaching happens when a result of the intended learning outcomes is positively met. In line, teaching is more efficient when students’ competency skills and needs are catered that would eventually result to a better performance of a child even outside the four walls of the classroom. Furthermore, a wide-range of instructional materials should be carried out to promote the efficacy of the teaching and learning. Because introducing various instructional materials is of great significance towards meeting the needs and goals of the learners. The question lies ahead on to what would be the possible materials to be used? Will we continue to use the ‘traditional method’ given the fact that student’s interest is diverse? How will you attend to the learner’s needs in today’s generation if that’s the case?

My POV: I can say that Learners of today’s generation are becoming acquainted to the use of technological media.  And with that, how about let’s make use of technology as a medium of teaching-learning instruction? 

(Wala namang masamang magtry diba?


Click to watch Introduction to ICT

An attempt to technological intervention 

Moreover, Educational Technology is a systematic and organized process of applying modern technology to improve the quality of education.(Dr. Lazar, 2015)

Integrating technology in education is a trend nowadays especially that the 21st generation is in its heights of adapting ICT or the Information and communication Technology. Technology can help teachers into the making of differentiated medium of instruction. And it has a vast impact to the efficacy of teaching and learning. Through the use of technological media, students can be exposed to different learning styles and environment because technology does not impede the learning of the student. It opens a great horizon to the students to see life outside the box. It also provides students with a lot of information in different styles; through presentation, videos, documentaries, film and any other educational media. Students can now have a wide range of learning tools. Through technology, students can become independent learner because it offers constructivist way of approach. It does not mean to alleviate mainly the role of the teacher in the class but unlike the traditional way of teaching wherein teachers are the main source of knowledge, teacher now becomes a facilitator of knowledge. 

 Accordingly, technology has the ability to bridge distance, increase administrative efficiency, and customize experiences at relatively low cost holds and works to improve outcomes for students and leverage their existing resources toward even greater impact (Rural Education and Technology Consensus Panel, May 2015). “The use of educational films, plays, and drama in rural schools can help in building national integration and awareness. Radio talks, television shows, and lesson can encourage students to witness and participate outside their domain”, stated Onche, A. (2014) in her study on Meeting the Challenge of Accessibility and Utilization of Modern Instructional Materials in Rural Secondary Schools in Nigeria. 

My POV: Yes, technology’s help in Education is very much adamant. But if we consider Philippines in its geographic view, we can see a lot of remote areas which are very much inaccessible in terms of the internet and very remote that no great amount of learning resources can be delivered. 

(Pero minsan, may mga bagay talagang kailanma’y hindi naging sapat)

Views of insufficiency in rural context: country schools’ battle for accessibility  

htminated-by-2026/tps://news.microsoft.com/apac/2016/04/20/how-could-education-inequality-be-eli

“Walay wifi”, “walay internet”, hinay signal”, “sigeg brown out”

Apparently, these are just few of the issues encountered when we talk about integrating technology. And we cannot blame ourselves for that, because...

In view of the Philippine context, it is shown that Rural Districts still have the difficulty in carrying out educational equipment in terms of quantity and quality, how much more in gaining the access to technology? It appears that, those who belong to the rural areas do not have the same educational experiences compared to those students who are in urbanized locality. And the main reason is that, people living in urban or suburban districts and schools show greater access to technological medium while those in the countryside struggle for it considering the location and its inaccessibility. Thus, teachers and most importantly the students lack varied teaching resources. Apparently, there are a lot of talented teachers getting hired but when put into the real rural context; it becomes difficult for them to impart their knowledge due to the fact of the scarcity. 

People in big cities take broadband internet access for granted. Not only is it easy fairly easy to sign up for fast access, people in cities are frequently spoiled for choice. America, however, is still experiencing a digital divide, with, by some measures, more than a third of rural residents lacking access to broadband internet. (Challenges facing Rural Schools, 2017). In this manner, it really affects education because employing technology with an internet access is a great privilege to those who have luxury of it but how about those who don’t have the access?

 This is the reason why the rate of educational and employment of the population in the Philippines is very much uneven. And if this is the problem, how will effective teaching transpire? How will teachers meet the needs of the students? And how will the students be competent enough to survive in this competitive world?

 (May mga tao mang nagkulang, meron din namang gumagawa ng paraan)

Click to watch the use of Localized IMs

Rebirth of Localized and indigenized cost-efficient IMs

And when meeting the learner’s needs means carrying out appropriate and varied instructional materials... 

This is where localized and indigenized teaching resources manoeuvre. There are a lot of obvious things which we did not know exist. Just like these Ims, the matter is just within our reach but we are being hindered with a lot of existing factors. Or worst, we did not just observe. We must consider making use of our own creative and critical thinking skills in designing Instructional materials.

These ae hand made materials which is very much cost-efficient and accessible. It can be made through using the old and used materials which can be found nearby or within the locality such as used manila papers, newspapers, magazines and the likes. It can be modified to provide instruction that is needed by the students. Localized and Indigenized IMs do not just promote cost-efficient tool in teaching but it would also enhance the teacher’s creativity upon the matter. These IMs promote teachers to become innovative and versatile teacher because it would really test the teachers’ capability in handling and carrying out instruction while considering the place and the availability of materials.

It doesn't just attain students intelligence but it also fits to the students level of interest because these are customized materials designed for the students' goals to be achieved. And, it has a lot of usage which vary from different course or subjects you are handling.


and here are some example of localized instructional materials:

Math Aquarium

Click to watch Origami Making Demonstration

Localized Materials in Teaching Math

and some pictures:

https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=localized+and+indigenous+instructional+materials+sample+and+usage&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiXtuXe3erdAhUNPXAKHYhtDlEQ_AUIDigB&biw=1064&bih=492#imgrc=uVTL41MCxQflsM:

My Reflection:

from Global Digital Citizen Foundation

Additionally, it is written in the 1987 constitution of the Republic of the Philippines- Article XIV, Section 1 stipulated that the States shall protect and promote the right of every citizen to quality education at all levels... So, educated is not limited to those who have money and access because it is for all.  And regardless of all the disparity, shortage of materials and problems encountered, teaching-learning goes on.

Just by considering the location on where some of the schools are situated, I can say that it is very painful to see students who are not given enough learning resources that would enhance their skills holistically. As a future teacher, I did not know yet where I’ll be assigned and with that, I won’t allow my pursuit in delivering instruction be deterred by the issues on the lack of learning resources. Because I believe that teaching is a matter of giving two ideas where only idea grows before and it has been my principle. And when I say I want to transpire good and effective teaching, I mean to say that no learning resources is lacking. 

Furthermore, teachers must be versatile in making varied instructional materials regardless of the shortage of materials in the area and must be resilient enough to stand still despite of the adversities encountered in the context of Philippine Education. Because above all, given the lack of resources in rural areas, TEACHERS ARE THE BEST AND THE MOST SIGNIFICANT MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION IN Transpiring EFFECTIVE TEACHING.





References 
Retrieved from https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/the-problem-with-staffing-rural-schools


https://www.tutordoctor.com/blog/2017/june/challenges-facing-rural-schools/




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