SMILE for HIs

The SMILE for HIs Extension Project is a non-formal education offering. The core of the program are short-term courses designed for the Hearing Impaired students (HIs). This activity is intended to acquaint the targeted participants about the nature of course offerings. They are given the freedom to choose from the three (3) options that includes short-course in computer technology, commercial cooking or culinary course with concentration in baking and basic electronics course. The project also considered the results of the Multiple Intelligences test administered during their workshop on personality development. This component of the program is in partnership with the College of Industrial Technology. The said college have qualified faculty to teach the said courses as well as the needed facilities and equipment.

The start of the seminar, was the welcoming remarks of Ms. Silvia S. Palmero, a personnel from the Extension Services Office of Southern Luzon State University (SLSU). Ms. Palmero discussed the plans tied up between the extension services office and SLSU College of Arts and Sciences, AB Psychology Department, and explained the flow of the activity. As Teacher Sarah Mendoza helped all throughout the day by interpreting the words into sign language for the participants to understand.

After Ms. Palmero’s explanation was the further discussion of Mr. Gino A. Cabrera about the overview of the weekly activities to be done with the Hearing Impaired students (HIs) from Mauban and Lucban Quezon. The first one who talked about the short course in Computer Technology was Mr. Reynaldo Danganan, a faculty of College of Industrial Technology’s (CIT’s) Computer Technology Department, he gave and overview of what is going to be the HIs activities like introducing and enhancing the skills regarding to the use of Microsoft Office such as MS Word, Power Point Presentation and Spreadsheets Excel, as well as the responsible use of internet in terms of Social Networking Sites and Researches.

Following, was Mr. Sherwin R. Pernia, a Professor from CIT’s Food and Beverage Technology, who discussed prior knowledges about baking. Furthermore, Mr. Pernia reiterated some points about what and which baking products are they going to make.

The last topic was discussed by Mr. Jose D. Sanvictores, professor in Electronics Technology. He introduced his plans and objectives for the said project, where Prof. Sanvictores will teach the H.I. students on how to work with basic electronics, he gave basic knowledge about the things that they will encounter during the activity.

The talks and discussions were followed by the tour to the CIT building where they will conduct their training sessions every Saturday. First off, they went to the Food and Beverage Laboratory where the HI’s were able to witness students who were working at the said laboratory.

Next, the HI’s went to the Electronics Laboratory, wherein they saw the examples of the tools and equipment that they will assemble when they finish the short course in electronics.

Lastly, on the facility tour, they went to the Computer Laboratory where they were allowed to use and utilize the computer units and the internet connection.

The HI.students together with some of their parents enjoyed and rested during lunch break. This is to prepare themselves for the next activities wherein two seminars are simultaneously held at one in the afternoon at the SLSU Library’s ground and 3rd floor.

Parenting Seminar

The SMILE for HIs Extension Project is an institutionalized community program spearheaded by the College of Arts and Sciences, AB Psychology Program in partnership with the Provincial Social Welfare and Development in coordination with the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices of Lucban and Mauban, Quezon in line of the existing memorandum of agreement between two municipalities. This is a seminar-type of activity which dwells on the topics on the role of parents in building confidence among children and the importance of parental involvement in educating a child. This included learning sessions facilitated by faculty members of the AB Psychology program whose expertise are in line with the nature of the activity and the objective of the program. The participants of the seminar are parents of the Hearing Impaired students (HIs) under the technical skills education courses of the same program. This complements the personality development workshop for the HIs.

The seminar commence right after lunch. As early as 12:30 the roll call of participants was done. Mr. Gino A. Cabrera mentioned the objectives of the activity and the expected outcomes. The seminar-proper started off with the introduction of the first speaker, Dr. Mari Jane Anglo-Lee, Dean of College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Lee asked the parents regarding their ways of communicating with their children and how they interact as a family. One parents narrated “Three years old nung mapansin kong may kakaiba sa kanya, hindi siya nagre-respond pag tinatawag ko ang pangalan niya”. Majority of the parents have no proper sign language schooling, they just communicate with them arbitrarily.

She also discussed on how to boost the self-esteem and self-confidence of a special child with hearing disabilities. She made mention that self-respect serve as a foundation along with respect of each family members to one another, another point she mentioned is that to keep their child happy, “Pag naging masaya ang anak, maganda ang patutunguhan pero may limit or boundaries din” she said.

After the talk with Dr. Lee, the parents are given a short working break before the second speaker start. Prof. Fides Joyce O. Llegado, head of Scholarship and Financial Assistance Office prepared an activity for the parents before she started her talk, each parent is asked to write the responsibility of a mother to a child in a meta card and told them to say it in front of others. After the activity, Prof. Llegado started her talk about how to build relationship not only for the mother and the child, but also for the family as a whole.

The parents participated with the talk of the two speakers, opened up some of their experiences and problems, some cried, and some listed down notes and tips.

The day ended by the awarding of certificates to the participants and the facilitators.

Personality Development Workshop

This workshop, held on October 20, 2016, served as preparatory activity for the Hearing Impaired students (HIs) for their technical-vocational trainings. It was conceptualized to boost their self-esteem, improve their values and learning habits, develop a positive thought pattern as well as healthy physique. The lecture discussion was based on the nature of their personality for them to be open-minded of the things that they have to accept and to change. This learning session was a parallel seminar of the parenting workshop and a complimentary course for the skills training. Psychological assessment of their needs was done to identify their strengths and weaknesses. Self-awareness, building confidence, interpersonal skills, decision-making, problem-solving and creative thinking were part of the design of the activity which were discussed by psychology teachers and guidance counsellors.

The seminar’s theme was “Exploring New Possibilities and Building Confidence through Life Skills Education.” It was held in the SLSU Library, Ground Floor near the SLSU Mini Museum. The first speaker was Dr. Ma. Elna R. Cosejo, the Program Chairperson of AB Psychology program. She first asked the students to answer a Multiple Intelligences Survey, a survey adapted from Walter McKenzie in 1999 Surfaquarium Consulting.

When the HI students are able to answer the survey, the students facilitators—Samahan sa Sikolohiyang Pilipino Organization Officers, helped Dr. Cosejo to interpret the results. In this manner, the students were able to know their strengths and weaknesses following the Multiple Intelligences Survey.

After, Dr. Cosejo discussed and explained the different kinds of Multiple Intelligences naming a few students who are prominent in the intelligence she is discussing. She also gave a few advices on how to use their dominant intelligence oh their favour of advantage. She stressed that the activity is one way to know onself. She also discussed tips on how to have a winning confidence and some important social skills that will facilitate healthier interpersonal relations.

Following Dr. Cosejo was Prof. Michelle V. Ramirez, RGC, the university guidance counsellor. First off, she invited the audiences to stand up and dance the Gummy Bear dance. In this manner, the audiences cheered up and had the energy to listen to her talk.

Her speech went around about the decision making, problem solving, and creative thinking. She also emphasized on how to deal with unexpected scenarios in life.

Furthermore, she reiterated the importance of choosing which of which things are supposed to be their priorities given their disability.

The day ended with the awarding of certificates to the participants and the facilitators.

Short Course in Computer Technology

The SMILE for HIs extension project offered its first skills training on the fourth quarter of the year 2016 (October 22-November 26, 2016) on the first semester of the university’s new calendar year. The computer technology course was offered as a response to the needs assessment conducted in 2012.Through an interest test, results revealed that one of the top interests of hearing impaired respondents is in computer manipulation. This training was intended for the HIs to learn skills associated with key application software, basic computing fundamentals and appropriate behavior while using the technology as a tool for employment.

The training was organized by the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) where the said extension project is based. The trainers are the instructors from the College of Industrial Technology (CIT) Computer Technology department. In order to facilitate the training, the officers and some active members of the CAS Samahan sa Sikolohiyang Pilipino (SSP) and the CIT Association of Computer Technology Students (ACTS) served as the assistant trainers and shadow teachers for a more efficient teaching methodology. Aside from the SSP facilitators, the SPED teachers were also present for the sign language translation. The training program lasted for 6 weeks limited to Saturday classes to complete 42 hours of training.

The skills training for Computer technology lasted for 6 Saturdays completing 42 hours of learning sessions. The fundamental features of computer such as word, excel, powerpoint and publisher have been taught by competent and dedicated teachers from the College of Industrial Technology. With the possible impediment of language, the SPED teachers and the SSP Officers willingly lend time to translate the instruction from the trainers to the HIs. Also, the ACTS members served as shadow teachers for the participants to be guided in every single step to complete the computer exercises. The outputs of the students are either printed or saved into a rewritable CD.

Short Course in Cooking (Baking)

The second training course offering under the SMILE for HIs Extension program is a short-course in cooking that concentrates mainly in baking. This activity opens another possible sheltered employment or source of income for the beneficiaries of the said project. The course was executed in 3-day week end classes between February 19-March 5, 2017 that completes 24 hours of lectures and hands-on exercises in the food technology laboratory in the GAB building. The skills training was made possible through the initiative of the AB Psychology program of the College of Arts and Sciences in partnership with the College of Industrial Technology where the facilities needed and the technical experts came from. Student-facilitators both came from the CAS Samahan sa Sikolohiyang Pilipino, the student organization of psychology students and the CIT Feast Experts and Analysts of Science and Technology, the organization of students of food technology students. This project was in partnership between SLSU and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office.

Students/trainees came from Luis Palad National High School – Tayabas City, Paaralang Sekondarya ng Lucban – Lucban, Quezon and Mauban South Elementary School – Mauban, Quezon SPED classes and some are out-of-school youth from the same cities and municipality.

The short-course in baking lasted for 3 training days on a weekend schedule completing 24 hours of learning sessions. The fundamental skills in baking was taught on the first day where Ms. Aurita A. Laguador, food technology instructor, lectured on the micro skills necessary for hygienic and sanitary baking practice. The use of 3 towels of different color-codes, hairnet and apron has been stressed.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sherwin R. Pernia, HRM instructor, demonstrated the skills in hands-on baking. He assisted in the accurate and precise measurement of all types of ingredients whether solid, dry and liquid. Mr. Pernia and Ms. Laguador jointly facilitated the first 3 hands-on activities that includes chocolate crinkles, chocolate chip cookies and banana cinnamon muffin. Afterwards, the students and teachers enjoined the tasting of their food products.

On the second day, Ms. Shyrille O. Lopez demonstrated the steps in doing cinnamon rolls and toasted siopao. The concluding part on the third day includes orange chiffon cake, swiss roll and diner roll which was delivered by Dr. Ricaryl Catherine P. Cruz, Mr. Pernia and Ms. Laguador. After all the hands-on activities, a closing ceremony was done recognizing the contribution of the lecturer-trainers and facilitators and the success of the completers.

Basic Electronics Course

The SMILE for HIs Extension project envisions hearing impaired individuals who are equipped with technical and life skills for sheltered employment or source of living. With this commitment, the third and last course offering was conducted in four (4) Sundays in October 2017. This 32-hour training is devoted to inculcate basic manipulative skills in electronics technology and servicing. The said training is organized by the AB Psychology program with some of its faculty and student-facilitators from Samahan sa Sikolohiyang Pilipino (SSP) in partnership with CIT’s BSIT Electronics Technology programs through its faculty members and members of the Electronics Student Society (ESS) as shadow teachers.

The Basic Electronics Course of the SMILE for HIs Extension Project lasted for 4-Sunday session covering a total of 32 training hours. Professors and Instructors from the Electronics program of College of Industrial Technology generously devoted their time and expertise in providing lectures and creating hands-on exercise among the participants while SPED teachers from PSL, MSES and LPNHS facilitate the sign language translation. With the help of the BSIT Electronics students (members of ESS) served as the shadow teachers who assisted the students in the completion of the hands-on activities. After 3 sessions, the last day of training was devoted for the final exercise that served as their final examination. They were instructed to bring home appliances needing to be repaired. They brought and repair desk fans, flat irons, electric kettles, speakers and other common devices at home. All of them felt accomplished for having successfully repaired their home appliances. A short evaluation followed.

Selected References

Alcoreza, Virginia S. and Zubieto, Rene P. (2012). Need-assessment of hearing impaired adolescents and young adults: Basis for designing a non-formal education program. Siyasig: Official Research Journal of Southern Luzon State University, 8(1). 121-135.

Lehtomaki, E. (2001). Inclusion and deafness: Linking the family, school and community. Retrieved from: http://eenet.org.uk/resources/docs/lehtomaki.php.