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Conclusions
In my main narrative and synthesis, I was able to discuss some challenges I encountered while doing the special project. To sum it up, most of the difficulties I encountered were already during the implementation phase which were somehow beyond my control. Although it can be frustrating, what I did during those moments was just keep going and not interrupt. Unforeseen circumstances that are beyond my control may be inevitable but that does not mean that everything I worked hard for will go to waste and will not make sense. I looked at it at a different perspective, that albeit the instructions were not totally followed, by assessing the learners' performance according to my evaluation, I can still confidently say that the design was effective.
With all the experiences I gained from this special project, my main takeaway is that things will not always completely go as how we see or plan it, but it does not mean that our plan is a failure or that it's a reason for us to stop. Like in life, we always encounter this situation wherein what we envision or expect is not how it's always like in reality; but we don't stop living. As for my project, when I encountered this situation, I just looked at the brighter side of it and tried not to think too much about what went wrong and instead focus on what went right.
As an educator and instructional designer, being open-minded especially to constructive criticisms is an important trait that one must have for the success of the design because it's one way for you to improve your craft. Listening to feedbacks of experts and more knowledgeable others is important for growth and improvement as an educator. In addition, we should not be too fixed on perfection to the point that whenever little things don't go as planned, we would get too clouded or overwhelmed by it that could shaken our focus.
Moreover with this project, I realized that there are a lot of alternative learning systems that exist in our community that need equal importance, help, and attention as our basic education system. As education experts, we have vast options to render our services to towards the realization of UN's sustainable development goal of quality education. The Philippine Education System in general can still be greatly improved to ensure that learners become not just individuals who are ready for the workforce, but more importantly learners who are critical thinkers; and I believe this begins with the way we educate them at the onset, i.e., in pre-primary education.
The shortage of budget allocation by the government for education is primarily the biggest factor as to why alternative education and/or instructional technology development and integration in the country is insufficient. Budget cuts in education lead to fewer scholarship beneficiaries and probably an even lower wage for teachers who deserve so much more than what they are currently getting. These issues all affect the quality of education that Filipino learners are getting up to the youngest ones; and it requires a solution from a national level. As an individual however, whatever skills I can render to the improvement of education in the Philippines is what I can offer as solution, especially being a beneficiary of the Free Tuition Law myself and as an Iskolar ng Bayan.
Personally, I can say that I have achieved my personal objectives and of the course because I was able to apply my knowledge of instructional design in developing and testing an instructional program to my project locale. Specifically, the knowledge I have learned from EDS 103 Theories of Learning, EDS 112 Principles of Instructional Design, EDS 113 Principles and Methods of Assessment, EDS 151 Instructional Media Resources, EDS 153 Design of Educational Multimedia Materials, and EDS 134 Community Education have been the most useful for this special project.
Further, my gatekeeper always acknowledges my efforts for their institution and expresses her gratitude for my special project that has helped in improving their La Huerta learning lab, which they also plan to incorporate into their other learning labs. For me, this is the most fulfilling part -- knowing that I am able to leave a lasting impact and a difference to my project locale; that I will leave my partner institution at a better position than from when I entered it. Of course, I will bring the attitudes, traits, and skills that I have honed from doing this special project in my future endeavors as an educator. I will continue to learn and improve on my craft because as cliché as it sounds, practice makes perfect progress; I will continue to strive for progress in everything I do.
Recommendations
📌 The teachers' manual can be further developed to include a Filipino translation/version for the instructions. It might have been easier for the teachers to implement the lessons had the instructions been given both in English and Filipino because it would have been easier for them to understand and interpret what is expected of them to do from the instructional plan.
📌 Modify the actual implementation of ECCD Required List of Lessons based on learners' current competencies. As observed from the pilot testing, it was difficult for the teachers to insert the lesson on Glow Food because the learners have not yet developed and established enough prior knowledge on healthy vs. unhealthy food in general. The teachers should gradually introduce these lessons to the learners such that they will not feel overwhelmed by it, but at the same time still grasp the lessons on different food groups which they need to learn according to ECCD Council's recommendation. This is why including games and play-based activities can be very helpful for learners' cognitive development and memory enhancement because they learn while having fun at the same time.
📌 Adopt the instructional design to other learning labs. The instructional design developed can be used not only by the MovEd La Huerta learning lab but also by other MovEd learning labs since they all follow the same curriculum.
📌 Continuous teacher training on pre-primary education particularly on implementing play-based and multi-sensory learning approaches. It's important for the teachers to develop new strategies and teaching styles for effective preschool teaching, especially since preschool learners have very short attention span. Teachers must be knowledgeable on play-based learning and multi-sensory learning approaches for them to appropriately implement these teaching strategies.
📌Continuous support from donors and partnerships with LGUs. In order to sustain the program, MovEd must continuously secure partnerships with the LGUs that also provide educational support for the learners, such as by giving out free books, feeding programs, school supplies, and the like. Likewise, donor support is crucial because MovEd is a non-profit organization. Donors' financial support is vital in the actualization of the design because of the expenses in developing the materials, especially if the design will also be adopted by other learning labs.
VERSION 2.0 OF THE INSTRUCTIONAL PLAN
Based on the pilot testing I conducted, if I were to develop an improved version of the design, I would include a sample expected output for each of the worksheet activities so that the learners and teachers could easily and readily visualize what they are supposed to do with the learning materials. For the sing and dance activities, I would also replace the songs with music videos because of the added visual aspect to encourage active participation of learners.
As for the teachers/implementers, I would include a Filipino translation in the teachers' manual and develop worksheet answer keys to make it easier for them to accurately implement the instructional plan. This way, it would be easier to gauge and evaluate the effectiveness of the design.
Personal Reflections
When I started working on my special project back in June, I admit feeling so pressured, confused, and frustrated because it was kind of hard looking for the perfect institution to partner with based on my interest and is at the same time really in need of our service. From getting zero responses to being passed on to different point persons, I almost thought that I would not be able to finish the first half of EDS 199 securing a partnership. To me, this was the hardest and most crucial part of the project because this jumpstarts everything.
Lo and behold, I really believe that God listens to our pleas and that there was Divine intervention somewhere along my journey because just when I was starting to lose hope, I came across Move.Org Foundation Inc. online. When I emailed them, they instantly replied to me the following day, unlike the others that I emailed wherein it took several days or worse no replies at all. It was like God knew that I needed to find a partner institution in that nick of time because time was almost already running out for me. And so, I’d like to express my deepest gratitude to MovEd for agreeing to partner with me and I hope that my efforts will be of great help to their young learners today and in the future.
After gaining partnership with MovEd, I cannot say that my journey has then become smooth sailing, but I just figured things out along the way one at a time. There have been several instances that I also felt lost and confused while doing the project; like I did not know what to do next or I was not sure if I was doing the right thing, that’s why I’m so grateful to my FIC Sir Ley and my content expert Program Chair Dr. Celeste Tayzon for guiding me and directing me, which helped put me back on track.
My special project journey was not perfect. In fact, there have been departures from my project plan during the pilot implementation, but I’m just glad that I got through it with the help of my gatekeeper, Ms. Diana, and my implementers, Teacher Anna and Teacher Gerlie. They have also been so cooperative and supportive ever since I started working with them.
The design and development phases were the most time-consuming of all, especially since my design is good for 8 weeks so that’s 8 modules in total. I admit that it has been exhausting, but it’s definitely fulfilling and rewarding seeing your design and materials come to life, being implemented by teachers and enjoyed by the learners. I’d be willing go through every frustrating feeling again and again just to see the delight and enjoyment in the faces of the learners during class. With this project, I feel so humbled, fulfilled, and a person of substance and purpose. Kudos to this special project for allowing us to transform and make a difference in our community, especially to the young ones.
With love,
Shaina 🧡
"Let all that you do be done in love." 1 Corinthians 16:14
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