In Dire Straits: The Role of Family and Religion in Addressing the Philippine Youth’s Mental Health Crisis during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Noel G. Asiones
Center for Social Sciences and Education, University of Santo Tomas
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The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated quarantine measures have engendered an environment of clear and continuing risks to the general population's mental health worldwide. Using phenomenological inquiry, this study aimed to provide an eidetic portrait of the lived experience and perspectives of 36 college students from a private university in the Philippines of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated quarantine measures. Using thematic content analysis, online written interviews surfaced the students’ frustrations and griefs due to the stressful pandemic environment. However, their families and religious faith enabled them to find meaning in their dire situation, adjusting well to their challenges. Based on the study's findings, it is recommended that programs that can strengthen the supportive role of family and religion should be implemented to enable the youth to respond well to the current pandemic and beyond.
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MSCCA Island and Archipelagic Studies: Transition from Studies Center to Creative Hub with CCP, KWF and NCCA
Randy T. Nobleza
Marinduque State College
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Marinduque State College is undergoing several transformations to become a full-fledged University. The main objective of the research is to articulate the MSC Culture and the Arts thrusts and agenda, primarily to build a community-based museum and resource center that serves the community and generate resources for the community. In collaboration with selected cultural agencies like CCP, KWF, and NCCA in congruence with the specific objectives of the said hub are as follows: 1. Conduct cultural mapping in selected towns to produce local culture profiles in Marinduque 2. Carry out cultural inventory through baseline data-gathering of selected towns of the province 3. Produce learning materials for cultural education by GDCE teacher-scholars and BCAEd students 4. Offer online and short courses on heritage studies based on Museo Kordilyera, West Visayas Studies Center, and Tambayayong Hub Network 5. Partner with local counterparts and the private sector with creative economies, industry, and hub projects. As emphasized by the curator Dr. Patrick Flores, it is of paramount importance to higher education institutions such as universities to have a university museum and museums to become a learning environment for the university. Since MSC has been engaged with several cultural mapping projects in the province with 4/6 towns, the lone state college would soon be going full circle by establishing creative hubs within the region. Since there are also internationalization initiatives not only in MSC but also across the board of Philippine HEIs, despite covid19 and new normal state affairs, MSC remains steadfast with having a niche in island culture and archipelagic studies. Hence, it would be a key development for Mimaropa and the rest of the Philippine islands and archipelago. Imbedded with the College’s Goal, to implement innovative, inclusive, and sustainable lifelong learning strategies under the new normal state of affairs. In response to the scenario the NCCA, KWF, and CCP have established a center for further development of the national language and culture and are offering a graduate diploma. Then the MSCCA Creative Hub’s core objective is to embed the unique Marinduque (island and archipelagic) culture by incorporating it across all curricula and the four-fold functions (instruction, research, extension, and production) of the college.
Pedagogical Appraisal of Eng 111 Purposive Communication Syllabus Implemented in Davao del Norte State College: Insight to an ESP-grounded Module for Eng 111
Samsel Rhys A. Pampilon
Davao del Norte State College
Jeremy B. Barnido
Davao del Norte State College
Ivan N. Gallegos
Davao del Norte State College
Guided by the aim of the Philippines to support the globalization of Filipino youth in the ASEAN region and beyond and the lens of Content and Language Integrated Learning, the study aimed to describe the current state of the implementation of Eng 111 Purposive Communication in Davao del Norte State College (DNSC) in the perspective of teachers and to determine the baseline of the framework for creating an English for Specific Purposes (ESP)-grounded syllabus and module for Eng 111 using a qualitative research design employing In-depth interviews and focus group discussion. Eng 111 is a general education subject offered to all programs in DNSC aiming to enhance communicative competence and cultural and intercultural awareness. Eight (8) themes emerged as revision recommendations: congestion of content topics which prioritize theory over application and needs-based activities; tendency for generic desired learning outcomes to cater to lower order thinking skills; mismatch of generic desired learning outcomes to the needs of learners; mismatch of desired learning outcomes to the teaching-learning activities indicated in the syllabus; incoordination in the conduct of assessment among faculty due to the incoherence of sequence of desired learning outcomes; integration of educational technology found lacking; generically described assessments without a feedback mechanism; and departmentalized syllabus-writing to ensure alignment with Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Policies, Standards, and Guidelines for Eng 111. Six (6) themes emerged as the basis for the framework in creating an ESP-grounded syllabus and module: specificity of content and activities to cater to program needs; general to specific approach on arrangement of topics; adoption of current learning desired learning outcomes; learner-centered approach in teaching-learning activities; assessments catering to higher order thinking skills; and focus on linguistic needs for future occupation. The study concludes that the Eng 111 syllabus needs to be revised gravitating towards an ESP-grounded approach.
Dimensions of Academic Resiliency In Facilitating Flexible Learning: Davao del Norte State College in Focus
Jevannel G. Borlio
Davao del Norte State College
Ronald S. Decano
Davao del Norte State College
Arnold M. Duping
Davao del Norte State College
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Each institution has travailed to combat the negative impacts of COVID-19 pandemic. This paper explores the dimensions of academic resiliency of Davao del Norte State College in facilitating flexible learning. There were 675 respondents, represented by 95% of students, 3% of faculty members and 2% staff, wherein the number satisfied the saturation point on the usage of the research instrument for Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). With the usage of JASP software, 47 item loadings gave off three (3) dimensions of academic resiliency namely: Institutional Adaptability, Administrative Support and Academic Intervention. After further analysis of the dimensions, subcategories emerged which include Establishment of DNSC CoVID-19 Task Force, Refocusing Academic Priorities, and Safeguarding Academic Health; Provision of System of Communication and Provision of Holistic Care; and Resources for Flexible Teaching and Learning and Effective Alternative Teaching and Learning Plan, respectively. Based on the generated results, all Item Loadings have the KMO values 0.9, which suggests that the 675 respondents are adequate to extract the constructs in reference to the Item Loadings tested. Bartlett's test of sphericity is significant with a p-value of < 0.001.The results indicate that factor analysis of the data is appropriate. Based on the result, the RMSEA value is 0.05, thus the factor loadings have a good a fit index. It is strongly suggested that the College consider to develop alternative means of distribution of food to students and their families during lockdown or equivalent amount of help, especially those marginalized learners. Parent involvement is strongly recommended. Furthermore, this paper suggests the College to develop alternative means of delivery, which included TV programs, if a partnership with television stations is feasible, podcasts, radio broadcasts, and learning packets either in digital form or on paper and the College should explore partnerships with community organizations and the private sector to deliver those.