Over 200 pre-service teachers from different colleges and universities in Region 9 gathered together in the 23rd Pre-Service Teachers’ Regional Conference hosted by the Ateneo de Zamboanga University’s School of Education (SED) on November 17 and 18, 2023, at the Marcian Convention Center and AdZU Salvador Campus, respectively.
Dean of the School of Education, Dr. Dorothy Joann Lei Labrador-Rabajante, welcomed the delegates by giving an overview of the developments of education, providing ways to cope with the current trends in the field of education amid the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Dr. Rabajante pointed out in her remarks the reality and crisis in the field of education and further gave the objectives of the conference that focused on the trends in education such as the use of AI in education, action research, and curriculum development.
“What we just presented is the reality in the field and that is why this conference is designed to give you introductory concepts that hopefully stimulate and inspire you to learn more about AI and technology, action research, and about curriculum development—the MATATAG Curriculum,” Dr. Rabajante said.
MATATAG Curriculum is the newly revised curriculum of the Department of Education for K-10 Learners, which aims to decongest the present curriculum by reducing the number of learning competencies.
Plenary sessions were followed focusing on trends, ways, and practices in the field of education.
Engineer Eugene S. Kanindot, Dean of the College of Science in Information and Technology Engineering (CSITE), delivered the first session entitled, “Machine Learning in Education: Optimizing AI for Teaching and Learning,” focusing on using AI as a medium in teaching and learning both for teachers and students and explaining the downside of AI, especially in the context of plagiarism.
“AI is a tool. It depends on the users on how they use it,” Engr. Kanindot said.
SED Research Coordinator Perla S. Ledesma, PhD Candidate delivered the second session entitled, “Classroom-Based Action Research (CBAR) Amalgamating Knowledge: Practicing Process.” She explained the process of doing action research and pointed out that aside from it being a requirement for graduating pre-service teachers (PSTs) per Commission on Higher Education (CHED) mandates, it is also imperative that pre-service teachers should come up with action research as it helps to provide solutions or interventions in the classroom and the institutions in general.
It was then followed by the CBAR concept paper presentations from among selected AdZU PSTs, namely, Joban Aparicio and Jerrelyn Barlaan with their concept paper entitled, “Utilizing Concept Map to Promote Sequential Learning and Critical Thinking;” Jericho Capitle and Ashley Marie Valdenibro’s “Improving Student’s Engagement in Science Classes through Alternate Gender Identity-Based (masculine and feminine) Seating Arrangement;” Jeremy Bucoy, Corelle Trixie Tancay, and Aelle Bayot’s “Integration of Gradual Release of Responsibility (GRR) Framework in Teaching 8th Grade Chemistry;” and Bryan Vergara and Jetrick Pantasan’s “Positive Classroom Discipline: Focused on Assertive “I” Messages.”
The selections of these concept papers were deliberated by the Professional Education (PED) Department, led by Pilar C. Agraviador, PED Department Chair. The purpose of this presentation is to give ideas as to how CBAR is done and followed by the process to draft one.
Panel reactors, EDD Candidate Liza M. Garrido and Marjorie S. Emmanuel, Ph.D. gave their feedback on the different concept papers presented, followed by a synthesis from Perla S. Ledesma.
Fellowship Night also happened with the theme “Gurong Filipino: Kultura’y Magkaiba – Adhikai’y Iisa,” which aimed to highlight the diversity of cultures and backgrounds of the pre-service teachers coming from different places across the region. PSTs had the chance to have a dialogue with each other through a group activity prepared by the AdZU PSTs.
The second day of the event had concurrent sessions. Dr. Marjorie S. Emmanuel, Assistant to the Vice President for Higher Education, gave a session on Mapping of K-10 MATATAG Curriculum, highlighting the changes in the curriculum development of the Department of Education (DepEd).
Melvin M. Ledesma, MA, Faculty of CSITE under the Mathematics Department, also gave a session on 21st Century Skills in Creativity, Problem-Solving, and Critical Thinking. He centered his discussions on his experiences as a teacher in the United States of America by anchoring how 21st-century skills could be applied in the teaching process of teachers in the Philippine context.
After the concurrent sessions, a showcasing of Best Teaching Practices happened, which was executed by selected AdZU PSTs namely, Ma. Erica Orabe, Sharmaine Bulaong, Sheila Mae Alas-as, and Khrystal Venus Munar.
The convention concluded with a Regional Quiz Bee, where each participating college and university had the chance to participate. Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology, Mindanao Autonomous College Foundation Inc., and St. Mary’s College of Labason Inc. won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, respectively in the said competition.
The questions revolved solely on professional education and general education courses, which served as a preparation for the upcoming Licensure Examination for Teachers.
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Written by: Bryan Vergara
