SUGPAT rolls out capacity development program for ALS teachers in R9

To equip ALS implementers with action research skills and be able to develop instructional materials for ALS, the SUGPAT Program of Ateneo de Zamboanga University launched “GoALS Capacity Development Program for ALS teachers on Instructional Materials Development and Action Research” last March 17, 2021. 

“GoALS is one of innovations SUGPAT does as Covid-19 pandemic opened windows of opportunities to bridge gaps in education,” SUGPAT Program Director Kiko Miranda said during the program orientation on March 16. 

Twenty (20) ALS implementers were accepted in the Instructional Materials Development Course, and 12 were accepted for the Action Research Course. 

Action research as a guide to solve problems in community

“I applied in the GoALS Program because I want to address the problems that I encounter in my community learning centers (CLC), and hopefully to find solutions on how to solve the problems of my learners,” Weavster Blano, District ALS Coordinator and GoALS Action Research fellow said.

In the one and a half month training the fellows of the Action Research Course, they have undergone modules on Phenomenon and Research Questions which helped them identify their communities’ phenomena and the research focus they want to pursue. 

In the identified topics of the fellows, absenteeism, difficulties in attending classes, supporting ALS through community linkages, and developing communication skills among ALS learners are some of the topics the fellows want to research.

In the next months, the fellows will be able to select appropriate research methods to be utilized in the action research study to be conducted and present their action research proposal.

Blanco said that the things he learned from this program will not only benefit his CLC but also the communities of his learners, “Aside from resolving the problems of my community, I can apply the things I learned from the GoALS Program by sharing it to my colleagues, and also by introducing what I learned to my community, especially to my LGU. Working hand-in-hand with our government especially with the community linkages, I know that there is nothing impossible to solve.”

Enhancing ALS materials to suit learning in the new normal

The 20 fellows of the GoALS Instructional Materials Development Course underwent their modules on Contextualizing and Framing Culture-Sensitive Curriculum, Current Pedagogical/Andragogical Practices, and Multimedia Production so far in their 6-week journey. 

These modules all gear the teachers in improving the existing materials for ALS, in the context of the new normal learning. 

ALS mobile teacher from Isabela City, and GoALS Instructional Materials Development Course fellow Jamila Hawani said, “I applied in this course because I really want to learn how to enhance the materials that I need in teaching, especially in the time of this pandemic. I already have existing materials but I want to learn more how and what I can help my students with their learning so that they will not lose interest, and at the same time they will realize that it’s not hard to learn and study,”

In the next months, the fellow for Instructional Materials Development Course will learn more about instructional materials development, introducing ALS teachers to different innovative techniques and strategies in developing community-based instructional learning materials.

“I’m very much excited with every upcoming lesson. You will be learning a lot every module because each module offers a different topic, which will really aid us in teaching,” Hawani said. 

The fellows have five more months left in the program, with their coaches and trainers guiding them every step of their journey. #