50 Filipino teachers complete workshop with ENZ to create engaging science lessons

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – Some 50 science teachers from “Teach for the Philippines” are now equipped with knowledge and experiential learning on how to teach geosciences and the volcanoes as they completed the extensive training/workshop on how to use digital tools and resources to create more effective and engaging science lessons facilitated by Dr. Srirparna Saha, a PhD candidate in GeoEducation at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.

Saha shared her knowledge and experience in using digital resources throughout her work on Caldera volcanoes, leveraging New Zealand and the Philippines’ geographical similarities with volcanoes.

“It was an incredible opportunity to design and conduct the workshop for the teachers in the Philippines. During the workshop, we managed to bounce off ideas on the various ways to integrate information and communication technologies into different classrooms,” Dr. Saha shared.

Saha and the participants kept in mind the main objectives of the lessons that are not only to make learning enjoyable and meaningful for them, but also to satisfy their thirst for knowledge to the best of their abilities.

According to a news release from the ‘Teach for the Philippines’ teachers/participants were introduced to an array of various digital tools to teach science, with a focus on volcanoes. These digital tools include virtual field trips, online platforms, and digital storytelling that can further enhance science curriculums for students.

The workshop also encouraged teachers to develop a contextualized activity around a virtual field trip that can be used during their science lessons. Beyond that, interested teachers can choose to create digital storytelling lesson plans based on learnings from the workshop and submit short videos showcasing their key takeaways.

According to Curt Marvin Cruz, workshop participant and Learning Support Staff at International School Manila that the workshop was helpful in enhancing the teaching-learning process especially amid the challenges brought by the pandemic. It emphasized the need for cultural appropriation and contextualization when discussing scientific concepts.

Cruz added that through interactive tools, such as online field trips and interviews with locals, he found that integrating technology and storytelling in the lesson flow makes it significantly relatable for students.

“The session left an impact on me by teaching us the value of creative strategies such as digital storytelling to promote the veracity of science while ensuring we connect with our learners,” Cruz shared.

According to Education New Zealand (ENZ) Regional Director-Asia, Ben Burrowes that the workshop represented ENZ’s efforts in enabling more communities outside of New Zealand to experience the New Zealand way of learning.

“Mātauranga Māori, or Maori Knowledge is unique to us. It is holistic and refers to the knowledge, comprehension or understanding of everything visible or invisible that exists within the universe and volcanoes are part of this. Most importantly, the foundation of Mātauranga Māori sees knowledge being passed on from one generation to another through oral lore,” Burrowes explained.

Burrowes went on that the workshop led by Dr. Sriparna of University of Canterbury has made it possible for Philippines’ educators to learn how we teach in New Zealand and apply them in their local and current context of education, where digital tools are beginning to play a bigger role in teaching.

“We hope to continue organizing more workshops together like these with our experts in New Zealand and partners in the Philippines,” Burrowes added.

The workshop is the latest in ENZ’s series of School Influencer Workshops that first began in 2017.  The series of workshops reasserts ENZ’s goal of achieving knowledge diplomacy, sharing the expertise, courses, and skills that New Zealand has to offer international communities. (Photos: ENZ/Google Images)