The Department of Educational Communication (DEC) of the College of Development Communication (CDC) took various stakeholders on a voyage towards exploring the importance of reading literacy in its forum titled EdCom Talks 2024: Layag, held on November 25, 2024, at the UPLB Makiling Film Lab.
With the theme “Pagbasa Tungo sa Pagtuklas ng Bagong Kaalaman at Karanasan” (Reading Towards Discovering New Knowledge and Experience), this year’s EdCom Talks discussed the challenges of reading illiteracy in the Philippines and highlighted the opportunities available to deal with them. The forum featured three experts who shared their insights, research results, and public service initiatives aimed at promoting reading as a response to the learning crisis in the country.
Mr. Jose Limbay Lahi O. Espaldon, Director of the UPLB Ugnayan ng Pahinungod and Chair of the Reading Enhancement and Appreciation Development (READ) Program, discussed the experiences, efforts, and accomplishments of the UPLB READ Program as a university flagship public service initiative to help address the “learning poverty” in Laguna. He also invited students to share their stories, which will be published and distributed to schools in the next school year.
The second speaker was Asst. Prof. Ariel U. Bosque of the Department of Humanities, who presented key considerations when developing reading materials and modules. He emphasized that reading materials should align with the worldview of each child to ensure they can easily understand and relate to them.
Finally, Asst. Prof. Elijah Jesse M. Pine, Chair of the DEC, shared his research that focused on the role of comics in the classroom. He discussed how comics can be used as a tool to bridge the reading literacy gap while keeping students engaged and, at the same time, developing their analytical and critical thinking skills.
Students from DEVC 145 (Distance Learning Systems) also invited the teachers to participate in their distance learning system projects. Jerome de Jesus from DEVC 145 AB-1L presented “MAHICA” (Malikhaing Paghabi ng Impormasyon sa Canva), a project designed to help teachers unlock the full potential of digital technologies like Canva to enhance classroom engagement and promote digital literacy. This project will be launched on Facebook and YouTube on November 26, 2024.
Meanwhile, Carlos Hermoso from DEVC 145 B-2L introduced “i.Turo”, an online refresher course on Educational Technology (EdTech). The course will cover topics such as EdTech tools, game-based learning and gamification, Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education, and inclusivity in learning, featuring EdTech experts and specialists. This course will run for two weeks, starting November 28, 2024.
After the presentations, Ms. Imelda T. Mejia, a teacher at BN Calara Elementary School, praised the event, particularly the two DEVC 145 projects, which she believes will be of immense help to educators. She also thanked the UPLB CDC for organizing forums like EdCom Talks and for their 12-year partnership with BNCES.
Similarly, Ms. Jazmine Claire D. Olorvida, a member of the UPLB Development Communicators’ Society (DCS), expressed her gratitude to DEC and highlighted the need to recognize the different learning needs and styles of each learner. She also shared their experiences with the iRead Program, a student-led activity of the UPLB DCS that has promoted reading in various communities in Los Baños for more than a decade.
Dr. Maria Stella C. Tirol, Dean of the CDC, in her opening remarks, discussed the impact of the pandemic on reading literacy among elementary student. She emphasized the need to seek transformative solutions that make reading and learning more accessible and engaging, creating a ripple effect that motivates children and inspires action.
Asst. Prof. John Mervin L. Embate delivered the closing remarks on behalf of Dr. Rhodora Ramonette D.V. Custodio, Co-chair of the EdCom Talks 2024 steering committee. He expressed his hope that EdCom Talks would continue to be a platform to forward quality education. He also announced the launch of EdCom Talks 2023 Proceedings, which would soon be announced on the UPLB CDC Facebook page.
The event was attended by educators and students from various institutions in Los Baños.
EdCom Talks is an annual extension activity that fosters scholarly discourse in partnership with other institutions to gather insights and recommendations from experts, as described by Dr. Liza A. Cabrera, Chair of the EdCom Talks 2024 Steering Committee, in her program overview (Chelsea Saniano).
