Computer Literacy as a Surefire Educational Investment

Computer Literacy as a Surefire Educational Investment

     FACT: the fast-paced creation of information and its subsequent dissemination in these modern times is miles ahead the ability of hard-copy teaching materials to assimilate the programmed lessons into organized volumes which will be then used as tools in instruction.

     Needless to say, the books remain to be tangible learning materials that are as indispensable as the chalk and the chalkboard, at least for the present era – and no one can discount the ability of hard-copy books to present knowledge in a steady manner, which both teachers and learners can always revisit for review purposes.

     However, given the changing times and the quickness of new knowledge to be developed and delivered to learning institutions by way of the world-wide web of information, or the internet, there is a serious need for schools to evaluate their ability to respond to the challenge of establishing access to these internet portals of knowledge – and later share them inside the classroom, thereby keeping the young learners up-to-date and well-informed.

     Not all schools, especially public schools in Kalinga Province, can readily provide a learning environment where the students can be given a free rein in exploring online sources of knowledge. It would have to take a lot of computer units, plus a reliable network connection, to accomplish that. Obviously, that spells budget. 

     This is the plight in most schools situated in the rural areas.

     Teachers in these areas, however, can instead be the ones who should endeavor to become attuned to the ever-evolving realm of education via the internet, and eventually filter the newly absorbed information, ready to be transferred to the young minds inside his or her class.

     Still, this necessitates the presence of the much-needed gadgets: computer unit and a network connection. However, considering the limited budget earmarked for public schools – which is understandable – having one or two units inside the classroom and the library is less costly than aspiring to purchase several units of computer. That is not practical at present, knowing that classrooms and additional teachers should take the topmost priority.

     One or two computer units, however, are affordable items, especially if administrators are resourceful enough to source out donors for such gadgets. When these are in place either inside the faculty or the library, the teachers can then take time in browsing for updates within their areas of specialization, and even have the initiative to explore researchable subjects which will further improve the acquisition and delivery of educational services to young learners.

     It is a fact in the rural areas of Kalinga that many teachers are somewhat technology-aloof, but once they get to appreciate the benefits of developing their computer literacy, they will sooner or later become tireless in hunting for the latest in their fields, while also giving them the opportunity to interact with fellow teachers all over the world – thus giving further truth to the value of sharing as basic concept in education.

     When this is attained, then students will surely leave their campuses trained under the current trends in education, loaded with the latest and practical know-how, and, to some extent, attuned to computer literacy themselves.

     With diligence and creativity, this can be done.

IS THERE HOPE FOR US PEOPLE OF TABUK?

It has not been a good year. By anyone’s standards, 2008 has been a year of suffering which threatened not only our belief in our capacity to do something meaningful – but which also threatened our belief in life itself.
We cried. We lost people that mean a lot to us.
For instance, the gays lost a friend. Well, some gays may not exactly consider Gillian to be a real friend – considering his character that exasperated us in the gay community – but he was a human person all the same. Capable of loving, thus with as much right as us to be loved in return. Knowing his penchant to make noisy entrances, I feel sad that he had to make a very un-grand departure by way of a bullet that failed to make an exit from his head.
We brooded. We were filled with regrets for things that we have not done – that could have turned out right.
This happens all the time. I know a lot of people who, by now, must be saying “Sayang, kasjay la kuman ti inaramid ko.” Late realizations for different people like a woman who should have accepted a suitor’s proposal, an employer who should have stuck to his original plans instead of taking another alternative, a bettor who should have placed her bets on 2-9 instead of 12-13.
Whatever course of action we may have chosen – when there had been other options – we look back at them now and we can only sigh as we squirm in our seats, filled with pangs of regrets, as the un-chosen option looks very much desirable now. Sayang, indeed.
We were disappointed. We have set our eyes on something which we strongly believe to be good for the many, yet we watched it pulled, like a plug, away from us.
The cityhood of Tabuk is now a matter for the highest court – the workings of which, we who had been unschooled on matters of law, can only grasp at a face-value level. Still, many of our aspirations were dampened and we can only look back and say “How disappointing.”
We were betrayed. We fought back. We lost. We stumbled. We fell. We rose up. Only to fall again. We shed tears. We cursed other people. We cursed life. We questioned God and His master plan. We turned back from our faith. We shuddered with fear. We became hardened with hatred. We were darkened by evil intentions. We wavered on our sanity. We wanted to take the easy way out, and end these miserable realities.
These are the sad facts of life. And they nay night have happened to most of the people around us – if not to us. But we must realize that life dose not always turn out to be one hell of a party where we laugh from sunrise to sunset. I have read at an old literature book in Tabuk National High School that “into each life, some days must be dark and dreary.” I have since embraced such principle.
And so interspersed in our happy days are those days that require our tear ducts to open up so we may shed those crystal-like secretions.
But take note: We looked for comfort. We found it.
I strongly believe that all of us can always find solace from all sort of pain. It is just a matter of knowing where to look for it. For those who have ready wellspring of family, friends and church fellows, this is not difficult. But even for those who consider themselves to be “alone in this world” – they can find this much-needed breathing space and relief if only they open up their world so that other people may peek in, come in and make changes.
And, as one thing I have learned in my younger days, “If there is no way out, look up.”
I hope we all had a blessed Christmas. Have a cheerful entry into the new year!