Insights

KAPITAN MOY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
(Marikina District II)

The pioneering program of the IBM which was the KidSmart Early Learning Program has formed its holistic learning strategies and approaches reaching-out its recipient in the primary level particularly the grades one and two pupils. As we, teachers, believed that through this program some traces of traditional learning method in the public school specifically in the primary level, the grades one and two has gradually reached its edge and paved the way to modern technology, familiarizing the pupils how to manipulate the computer.

Upon adopting the program in our school, we, teachers observed and experienced how pupils responded through the various activities presented in the different centers. Pupils really enjoyed doing their group work. As if they were just playing while learning. Making them realized that learning is fun and easy and not boring. The common impression that teachers noticed from the pupils- they were excited and curious to have something on hand, touching something and manipulating objects in their hands, more enhancing to them was the use of computer. But what was disadvantageous that the teachers encountered was the great number of pupils in each group. Due to this significant factor and also because of time constraint, not all the pupils in the group were given a chance to use the computer in one session. Teachers thought of dividing the children into 2 groups, A and B. Group A was the first to use the computer and Group B has to wait for another week. Somehow, the KidSmart Early Learning Program, in its first school year, served as a refreshing and enhancing source of learning, giving the pupils the benefits to learn in a different way.

A Narrative

LIBIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
(Libis, Quezon City)

The KidSmart Computer was donated by IBM and EduQuest sometime in 2000. Libis Elementary School was fortunate enough to be one of the recipient schools of the KidSmart Early Learning Program together with some other public elementary schools.

Under the said program, teachers of grade one and two together with their principal were trained to use the software and the module that goes with the computer unit that is encased in a child-friendly and very attractive compartment.

During the training, teachers were trained to use the software effectively and integrate the different interactive activities/programs in the KidSmart Computer with their lessons. Also, the principals were thought on how the program works and its importance to the teachers and pupils.

Considering that it was new and high tech in the perception of the grade one and two pupils, they were overwhelmed by the program and readily accepted it. It was a big success then and was considerably a great help for teachers, since they were readily provided with a very visual, hands-on and interactive teaching materials in addition with their existing daily teaching kits.

Because of this, the principal then, Dr. Pacita C. Manga provided one classroom for the KidSmart Computer where the teachers can conduct their classes using the said computer.

The program went well in about 3 years or so and shown great improvement in the learning of pupils most especially in the fields of Mathematics, English and Science. Notable effect of the program was the pupils' quick absorption of the lessons, since the KidSmart Computer software provided visually appealing, hands-on and interactive approach of teaching/introducing the lesson.

With the help of colorful characters, enchanting music, smiles, and giggles, the activities became more of playing than studying. Plus, reproductive activity sheets and artworks are included to provide additional learning opportunities before and after using the software. Using the computer as a tool, pupils gain a sense of accomplishment and skill...

Another, the pressure of performing well in the Division Achievement Test and National Achievement Test of grades three and six pupils that the school gets from the DepEd and the Division Office diverted the school principal' and teachers' focus on the said diagnostic tests. Also, the program "zero non-reader" made the teachers most especially of grades one and two concentrate and adopt division approved/recommended reading proficiency programs like Read-A-Thon, Summer English Reinforcement Class, Drop Everything and Read, Remediation Classes and many others.

Finally, the insufficient number of classroom to cater to all the pupils caused by the demolition of the two school buildings (equivalent to 5 classrooms) brought about by the C5/B. Serrano/Katipunan Interchange Project had driven the new principal to convert some of the auxiliary room including the room where the KidSmart Computer was completed.

These turn of events had caused the program to be idle. Until finally when the 16-room SB building was completed that the KidSmart Computer found its new home at the SB E-Library together with the 10 other computer units and some other reading materials.

Now, we are trying to revive the program with of course the help of our former partners and full support of the new principal Mrs. Thelma T. Co in cooperation with the Lotedibrarian/E-Librarian. It is hoped that the reintroduction of the program to grades one and two pupils will once again strengthen their basic foundation.


Cecilia L. Alinea
Master Teacher II
Libis Elementary School

Insights

KALUMPANG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

(Marikina District I)

The KidSmart Early Learning Program is one of the IBM's initiatives towards school reform and improvement; it provides appropriate technology tools and instructional materials to school as pedagogical instruments to prepare young towards later learning.

This program is a global initiative executed across regions in the Asia Pacific in the Philippines through IBM's Corporate Community Relations CCR team. KidSmart is a part of a very clear community strategy to raise the standards in education via technology and to bridge the digital device.

Last year Kalumpang Elementary School was very lucky for being one of the beneficiary of this equipment, selected teachers in Grades I and II were given a three-day seminar on how to operate this equipment.

Last school year the Grade I teachers of Kalumpang Elementary School were able to use the equipment in the subject areas taught using the technology especially English and Mathematics.

Forty-five pupils in each class were grouped from time to time upon using the device to make the class more engaging and exciting.

During the first few days teachers were very busy in preparing the class/sessions to make the learners more exciting in the use of the technology.


Grade I Teachers

Insights

GAWAD KALINGA SISON VILLAGE

Jemimah I. Paug
Sibol Teacher
GK Sison Magdaong Drive Poblacion
Muntinlupa City

The KidSmart Early Learning Program is a child center program which helps the Pre-school to learn and enhoy the different subject areas needed by a child.

We use this Learning Program during our Free play time, whereas our Sibol students are free to choose whatever they want to do in different areas of the classroom. Each student is guided by a teacher in choosing different subject areas in KidSmart Early Learning Program, the subject or skills needed to improve. Through KidSmart Early Learning Program the students learn how to identify number and letter (upper and lower case), sound of letter, read a C-V-C word, identify shapes, colors, how to counts and understands numbers. In other words it helps to improve each student on their cognitive development and reading readiness using Educational Technology.

Insights

Insights (Verbatim- lifted up from the narrative implementation report)

“It is very hard for an adult to grasp a concept if it is not concrete or just an idea alone much more for a six year old pupil. This is the case were KidSmart helped me a lot last school year.

As what have been said, a concept will be much accepted and retained if it is learned when a pupil had fun while learning it because the process by which the idea was conceptualized is aided by a tool that gave the pupil the opportunity to manipulate, operate and explore. By this way, the child was able to have a much more meaningful and profound experience which will be remembered and retained.

A concrete example is when I used the following in the course of my teaching:

Alphabet – Bailey’s Book House
Size of Objects – Millie’s Math House
Adjectives – Thinking Things Collection I
Prepositions – Bailey’s Book House
And many others

With the use of KidSmart I have grown personally and professionally. I used to teach using pencil and paper, chalk and chalkboard, colors and manila papers and other recycled materials in my community. But with the coming of KidSmart into my life my lessons became more diverse and meaningful to my pupils. I became more creative, imaginative, resourceful and innovative in the course of my teaching. Aside from that, I became a better facilitator because I let my pupils become engaged and map their way rather than spoon-feeding them with our daily lessons thus I became a more efficient and effective teacher.”


Ambray Elementary School
San Pablo City

Teacher-Implementers
Glessie Bondad-Reonal (pre-elementary)
Roselle Marie A. Glorioso (Grade 1)
Madel E. Abril (Grade 2)

Insights

Insights (Verbatim- lifted up from the narrative implementation report)

“…The teachers used various softwares in teaching different concepts. Our pupils especially Grade 1 were more active and eager to learn through the use of computer based learning. Our enrollment in Grade 1 last year was 48 and it increased to 60 after parents learned that were using CBL. We heard parents remarked, “D’yan n’yo na enroll mga anak n’yo meron na d’yang computer!” Also, this year our non readers and non numerates were decreased. Our intermediate classes were more musically inclined, creative and critical through the use of Thinking Things Collection. The HEKASI class became more interesting to them through the use of Trudy’s Time and Play house. Our Science and Health class became more concrete through the use of Sammy Science. Teachers had no problem in motivation and presentation of the different concepts. Our Math and English classes became more enjoyable through CBL. They can create their own story through journal writing. Also, their vocabulary increased…Our pupils through using software in Math grasped the learning competencies faster as compared to the traditional way of teaching Mathematical concepts. Also, our problem with the scarcity of books was compensated through CBL. Our pupils were not ‘technophobic.’ Based on our experience upon using CBL, we are committed to continue using it for our pupil’s development…”


San Lorenzo Elementary School
San Lorenzo, San Pablo City

Teacher-Implementers
Lerma G. Cruz
Liza B. Arida
Joseph Bryan E. Binas-o
Gilda V. Cortez
Gemma D. Flores

Insights

Insights (Verbatim- lifted up from the narrative implementation report)

“…we discovered that by using the KidSmart program our pupils became more interested in our lessons, they are eager to handle computer so to see the different activities it will offer. Pupils are very fond of the visual and audio effects. They also love to solve puzzle and answer exercises from easy to difficult level.

The KidSmart program helps teachers in many ways. It helps us fight absenteeism, encourage the timid or isolated pupil to join in different activities. And the most important is, it increases the level of learning of each pupil. Last Feb. 22, 2008, by using the Bailey’s Book House, one of our Grade 1 pupils won in the Battle of the Pens contest in District and in Division level. In the name of Dave Nathaniel De Vera won First Place in the contest…We also won in the Spelling Bee contest last March 17, 2008 at San Pablo Central School. Queen Trisha Marie Alcantara also a Grade 1 pupil won first place in District level and fourth place in Division level…We used the Sammy’s Science House, Millie’s Math House, Bailey’s Book House and Thinking Things as her reviewer...”

Bagong Bayan Central School
San Pablo City

Teacher-implementers
Rosalie D. Villanueva
Rona L. Benitez
Ma. Realyn A. Macatangger