A PUBLIC teacher from Zamboanga del Sur has been recognized by Microsoft Corp. as one of the innovative teachers in the country for using social networking site to gather support for her students\u2019 mangrove conservation project.
\nShateen Senara, 31, a teacher at the Taluksangay National High School in Zamboanga del Sur, said she could not believe that the project she initiated for her senior high school students will earn recognition from computer giant Microsoft Corp.
\nShe said the project was developed to help the community preserve its mangroves. However, she said, she and the students were deterred initially as they didn’t know how to start.
\n“I did some research on what the students can do to help the community and I thought mangrove planting could be a feasible project since it would be beneficial in protecting our coastal areas from erosion. Since none of the students has ever experienced tree-planting before or used the Internet a lot for school projects, then this could be an interesting experiential project for them,” Senara said.
\nWhile mulling on how to start the project, Senara said she decided to take a page from what she learned from the Global Filipino Teacher (GFT) training program initiated by telecommunications firm Globe Telecom and the Coalition for Better Education (CBE) last year by tapping the Internet to gather support.
\nGFT is an intensive 54-hour, six-day teacher training program that promotes the use of Information Communications Technology (ICT) via online collaboration and project-based learning (PBL) approaches across different subject matters and teachers.
\nFor the project, Senara taught the students to utilize the Internet to garner support from local stakeholders, including local officials, urging them donate for the project and to join the students.
\n“We created Facebook groups where we updated on each other on the progress of the project and the tasks they had to do. One group was assigned to document the project online using Multiply. Since resources were limited, the team who learned how to use the Internet taught their other classmates what they know. They also asked for donations and they borrowed laptops from the school to work on the project,” she said.
\nThe mangrove tree-planting was recently recognized by Microsoft in its 7th Innovation in Teaching Leadership Awards (ITLA) besting nine other finalists from across the country. With the award, Senara is flying to New Zealand to represent the Philippines in the regional Microsoft ITLA Competition.
\nSenara said aside from the benefit to the community, the project has also opened the eyes of the school and the students to the wonder of Internet and modern technology.
\n“I am glad my project was recognized. My students also become more confident because of their newly-acquired skills. School is not always about grades but of new experiences and memories,” she said.
\nShe added that their school has also become more appreciative of innovation in teaching, especially after the project’s success as well as her being chosen to represent the country in the New Zealand competition.
\n“Even if it isn’t in a formal way, I am happy that I can influence my co-teachers on how to teach better by using modern technology,” she added.
\nSenara, however, is not the only GFT graduate to be recognized by Microsoft Philippines.
\nRob Nazal, head of Globe Corporate Social Responsibility, said that this year, eight out of 10 finalists of ITLA are all product of the program.
\n“This speaks a lot about the impact of the GFT program and the training our teachers receive on project-based learning and ICT integration. It demonstrates how ICT can provide teachers and students with more accurate and quicker access to information, tools for easier learning, and a chance to collaborate with the rest of the world,” Nazal said.
\nEarlier, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Armin Luistro lauded the help of the private sector, non-government organizations and civil society organizations in their effort to upgrade the delivery of quality basic education through the use of ICT.
\nLuistro said they are now setting their focus on their ICT program on the country\u2019s more than 38, 000 elementary schools as the project for high schools is set to be completed this school year.
\nOnly three percent of the 6, 750 high schools nationwide are not connected to the Internet, figures from DepEd showed. (AH\/Sunnex)
\nSource: http:\/\/www.sunstar.com.ph\/manila\/local-news\/2012\/03\/26\/zamboanga-teacher-gets-microsoft-award-213269<\/p>\n
This Pampanga resort hotel is different from other hotels in Clark Philippines or hotel in Angeles City. This Clark Hotel has large outdoor space for children to play and adults to enjoy some peace and quiet in the picnic grounds near the lake. Guests like the Hotel\u2019s caf\u00e9 breakfast garden which serves the best breakfast in Pampanga. Clearwater Resort has nice ambience and wide space, much better than the other hotels in Angeles City and Manila Philippines. <\/p>\n
Many guests like staying at Clearwater Family Inn Hotel Room in the picnic grounds of this resort in Clark Pampanga. Some like the trees in the resort camping grounds of this place of leisure. One can stay in other hotels in Angeles City but it is not often one finds amenities and ambience like Clark, not like Clearwater Resort in Angeles City Philippines.<\/p>\n
Clearwater is a highly recommended place of leisure and a most frequently visited hotel resort in Pampanga. This Clark hotel is a famous private resort outside Manila for corporate planning because of its exclusivity. Although the function rooms for planning and meetings are simple and basic, the surrounding gardens and ambience more than make up for what it lacks in lavish interior decoration. Clark is home to some of the best golf courses in Pampanga. Although golf continues to be one of the reasons why visitors from Manila travel to Pampanga, residents of Angeles City, Subic and Bulacan travel to Clark not just to play golf in one of the best golf courses in Pampanga but also to relax and unwind in the best resort in Philippines.<\/p>\n
Those who are lucky enough to get a room at this lake resort in Clark Philippines will be able to enjoy the magical sunrise across the lake of Clearwater Resort at dawn. This is the only hotel in Clark Pampanga that guests can really enjoy viewing sunrise.<\/p>\n
For reservations, comments and inquiries, <\/p>\n
Clearwater Resort & Country Club
\nCreekside Road corner of Centennial Road,
\nCentral Business District, Clark Freeport Zone,
\nPampanga, Philippines 2023<\/p>\n
Tel: (045)599-5949 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177<\/p>\n
Manila Sales Office
\n3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
\nExchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
\n(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay<\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com<\/p>\n
Email: Inquiry@ClearwaterPhilippines.com<\/p>\n
Getting to this hotel in Clark Philippines
\nAfter entering Clark Freeport from Subic, Manila, Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along Clark\u2019s main highway MA Roxas, passing Clark\u2019s largest wine shop called Clark Wine Center on your right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, you will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on your right just 200m down. Traffic in Clark Philippines is light so it should be quite easy for get to this hotel in Clark Philippines.<\/p>\n
For inquiries and bookings, click here to contact Clearwater Resort now<\/a><\/p>\n Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com<\/a><\/p>\n While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http:\/\/www.YatsRestaurant.com<\/a><\/p>\n YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http:\/\/www.YatsLeisure.com<\/a><\/p>\n While in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges. Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.LondonPubClark.com<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.ClarkPhilippines.com<\/a><\/p>\n
\nhttp:\/\/www.ClarkWineCenter.com<\/a><\/p>\n