A Reflection on "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind".
When life gets difficult and impossible to deal with, what do you usually do? Would you face it with overflowing courage? Do you quiver instead, and refuse to fight? Or, will you, although, fight but at the end, you give up? These questions are the realities we can associate when life gets intractable, the fact that we are all exposed to different environment. But in the true-to-life movie entitled "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind", there was a boy, who, was living in an environment with low chances of survival, managed to reach the peak of his success.
William Kamkwaba is a young genius living in central Malawi who improvises a windmill out of bicycle and other scrap yard parts to produce electricity for his family’s home, and he's the main character in the said movie. His village, Malawi, was hit by an intense drought that caused everyone's crops to fail, including theirs. Include their pro-business president who sold some of their lands, just for his own wellness. He was even forced to stop pursuing his studies due to the lack of financial support. However, William sought for other ways to learn, and spent his days in the library, trying to figure out how to bring electricity to his village. Persevering against the odds, William built a functioning windmill out of junkyard scraps, and thus became the local hero who harnessed the wind.
**Here are the reflections I can associate with the movie.**
**1.) There is nothing wrong to dream.**
As kids, we always dream a lot especially those impossible things. I,myself, I have always dreamt to become a successful engineer. I remember at the age of 6, when asked what would my profession be in the future, I would immediately state the word 'engineer' without even knowing exactly what that word meant. Like William in the movie, he had a lot of dreams. He even believed in magic or fairy tale. Who would have thought that those mere dreams would turn into a reality?
**2.) When life gets hard, be the hardest.**
All of us have faced many circumstances in life, and no one, betwixt the rich and the poor, are exempted. Despite all the hardships, be the hardest and never let these problems drag you down. William himself had encountered extreme hardships. But, he was harder enough to stop them from taking over his life.
**3.) Never stop looking for solutions.**
Problems require solutions. And, those solutions will not instantly show up and solve all the problems. It's us, who would look for them. William never stopped learning despite the financial crisis. He kept on reading in a library, and there he found the most realistic solution to solve the problem.
**4.) Share your success to others.**
*"Share your success and help others succeed. Give everyone a chance to have a piece of the pie. If the pie's not big enough, make a bigger pie."*— Dave Thomas
William shared his created windmill to his neighbors. Despite of the hardships he experienced in making it, he still shared it to others. In life, it is always important to help others regardless of how successful we are.
**5.) Continue, and keep on going.**
After William's success, a disease like Malaria spread across their place. It doesn't mean that, when you become successful, you will be instantly exempted and immune to problems. More problems will still follow, but, you are now bolder and braver enough to outsmart all of those.
Lyrically told and gloriously illustrated, this story is really an inspiration to all of us that even in the worst of times - a great idea and a lot of hard work can still rock the world.
Lead image source: socialjusticebooks.org
My Journey, Travails and Learnings as a Student Researcher
Growing up, I have never imagined that I would reach the point in my life to becoming a student researcher. Like, as a normal kid before, being a good and productive student at school was what really mattered to me. I, however, was fascinated everytime I thought about the complexity of this world. As I attempt to fathom all the phenomena, I can't help but just to make the puzzle in my head bigger and bigger.
It just happened during my days in 6th grade when, the head in Science department was looking for 3 representatives that would compete in the district level. Fortunately, I was one of them. We won in the district level against 5 schools, competed at the division and was hailed first against 9 schools and reached the prestigious Regional Science and Technology Fair. It was comprised of 12 schools, and we managed to achieve the fourth place. Although we failed it to make it in the national level and compete against the schools all over the Philippines, it was still a history made in our province being the first elementary students to compete and place in the regionals.
My journey did not end there yet. During my 8th grade, the Research coordinator in my present school was looking for representatives to compete again in a science fair. There, another challenge had just began. I was in the individual-physical science category that time, and to be honest, I had no knowledge about physical science at all. After months of preparation and hard works, my effort was finally paid off after I placed first and bested among the other 9 participants. The other challenge that time was, I was the only junior high school student in the category and all of them are seniors. Days after that, we prepared again for the upcoming regional science fair. I placed fourth that time, and I was so happy that I managed to stand up on the stage in front of massive number of people.
One year fast forward, a science fair was to be held again. Same routine, same category but not exactly the same fate. I, along with my coach, prepared well for the upcoming competition. That time, I only placed second. But, it did not matter to me knowing that I still could compete in the regionals. I was grateful contented about it. The 2019th regional science fair took place again, and we tried our luck. Unfortunately, I failed to enter the top and ended-up having no awards. It was saddening, but I had to accept it and move on. The worse part is, I did not expect that this would be my last content because of the interference of COVID-19. But, life must still go.
However, behind all those positive things I mentioned above, hide too much travails and emotions that I had to surpass.
**1.) I had to submit multiple research plans.l, before my coach approved my final project.**
When starting a research project, there should be a research plan to be submitted by the student researcher. That would include all the details like proposed title, goals, method and etc. If not wrong, impossible to achieve. If possible to achieve, the concept is wrong In my case, I had my all my research plans thrown in the trashes until my final plan was approved. There, I learned to achieve perfection, although nothing is perfect.
**2.) During the 2018 Science fair, we had a misunderstanding with my coach.**
My coach that time was meticulous, and he rarely helped in doing all papers and doing the actual conduct of experiment. He left all those tasks to me, perhaps he had so much trust in me. There came a time that I made a mistake, and he was so disappointed. During the awarding, he was not the one I was with on stage. And, he cried when he knew I won the first place. Then, I learned that it's okay to make mistake. What is not okay is when you allowed that mistake to take over your life.
3**.) I almost gave up.**
My schedule was hectic. I was excused at class all the time, and I had to cope up in academic to be not left behind. I had to balance academic and extracurricular activities. Doing all the paper works alone made me so stressed. From a research plan, to conducting an experiment with different trials, to analyzing the results, to making a research paper, and to making a board. Fortunately, I did not mind all of these and I fought even the situation is too complicated.
Our journey is associated with travails and, travails create learnings. As a student researcher, I have been through a lot, but also learned so much from it. What's more important than winning is not giving up. Fighting is somehow equivalent to winning. In order to become a winner, be a fighter, like a student researcher as me.
Cryptocurrency in the Philippines amidst 2018 Bitcoins' Crash
Cryptocurrency, at first glance, is a wide-ranging term that requires the need to acquire deeper understanding. Accordingly, it is a digital currency created and stored electronically. Meanwhile, there has been a news in the year 2018, reporting the crash of Bitcoin, a best known cryptography. Just last year as well, the news of welcoming cryptocurrency was like a wildfire that spread across the country, 2 years after Bitcoins' downturn. Now, how come and why did the Philippines managed to approve cryptocurrencies after the incident? What is the role of the Filipinos to bringing back the country's trust to any cryptocurrency? And, how does this scenario reflects the type of government Philippines has?
Before we get to know all the answers to these questions, it is good knowing that the Philippines does not shut its door to any sorts of cryptocurrency, and has actually embraced it. For example, PDAX or Philippine Digital Asset Exchange is the Philippine's homegrown cryptocurrency exchange that empowers Filipinos to trade cryptocurrencies backed with dedicated local support.³ Also, in the summer of 2020, the Philippines central bank approved 16 cryptocurrencies exchanges, paving the way for a true boom in the markets.⁵ In fact, it is estimated that over 4.3 million people, 4.0% of Philippines' total population, currently own cryptocurrency.⁴ As a result, the country also obtained the third-highest uptake of crypto globally and is one of the world’s fastest adopters of cryptocurrency.⁴ In addition, according to data, the current situation like the COVID-19 pandemic, has become a driving force of the trend, with Filipinos releasing the value of crypto as an investment and income generating currency.¹
***Now, how come and why did the Philippines manage to approve cryptocurrencies after the incident?***
Cryptocurrency, with its most notably standard bearer Bitcoin, became an investment vehicle in much of the world about a decade ago. But a 70% drop in Bitcoin prices last year weakened enthusiasm for crypto overall. However, the Philippines, despite a downturn last year in the value of the virtual currencies, due to growing popular demand and lenience among regulators.⁶
*"These exchanges feed into the development of a fast-growing financial technology, or fintech sector in the Philippines",* said Jonathan Ravelas, chief market strategist with Banco de Oro UniBank in Metro Manila.
***What is the role of the Filipinos to bringing back the country's trust to any cryptocurrency?***
The Filipinos became one of the main reasons why the government reconsidered introducing the cryptography in the Philippines once more. On the other hand, Filipinos generally prefer more traditional investments such as equities. Also, seven in 10 Filipinos have no bank account, thus, virtual currency gives those consumers a new option for making payments in an easy and accessible way.²
***How does this scenario reflect the type of government Philippines has?***
This scenario only portrays how considerate the Philippine government is, to both the people and crypto. To people, because they did not disregard those people who once used to cryptocurrency, and the benefits it can give to the people. And to the cryptography, because, it did not invalidate the good side of it yet rather, was given the chance to perform its goal.
The central bank and Securities and Exchange Commission are "working towards regulating cryptocurrencies to protect the Filipino people," domestic Bitcoin and blockchain news website Bitpinas said in November. *"This is a positive step towards adoption as this move will give users security and confidence in dealing with it.*"²
In conclusion, we are safe to say that cryptocurrency and Philippines have a good relationship amidst Bitcoins' crash. The Philippine government was considerate enough to weigh things equally, like considering the people and the cryptocurrency. Consequently, this does not only present the country's relationship with cryptocurrencies, but it zooms out the openness and the healthy approach of the government at welcoming it in the country.
References:
1.) England, J. (2021, March 23). Cryptocurrency to become mainstream in the Philippines. Fintech. Retrieved at: https://fintechmagazine.com/digital-payments/cryptocurrency-become-mainstream-philippines
2.) Jennings, R. (2019, April 12). Why Cryptocurrency Is Gaining in Philippines Despite 2018 Bitcoin Crash. South Central Asia. Retrieved from: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.voanews.com/amp/why-cryptocurrency-is-gaining-in-philippines-despite-2018-bitcoin-crash/4873275.html
3.) PDAX. (n.d). Buy and Sell Bitcoin and Crypto Directly with PHP!. Retrieved at: https://pdax.ph/
4.) Singapore Fintech Association. (n.d). How many crypto owners in Philippines?. Retrieved at : https://triple-a.io/crypto-ownership-philippines/
5.) Tuwinir, J. (2021, December 10). Buy Crypto & Bitcoin in Philippines. Buy Bitcoin Worldwide. Retrieved at: https://www.buybitcoinworldwide.com/philippines/
In the Mouth of a 6.9 Magnitude Earthquake
Like any other day, it was just a typical Tuesday morning for a student as me. I woke up from bed, went to the bathroom and took a bath, ate my breakfast, had my toothbrush, wore my school uniform, and waited for a tricycle heading school. Cars' horn were blaring, and drivers were yelling at each other on the middle of the national highway. Traffic. Well, I was used to it already anyway. Minutes passed, cars can move and at last, I arrived at the school.
Our school was situated nearby the sea. Just by looking at the window, you can witness the bluish reflection of the clouds on the surface of the water. Its massiveness can really make you dumbfounded just by looking at it. To add more description in my school, there is a four-storey building beside the school gymnasium. And, my room during that very time was on the fourth floor. Honestly, you don't need to exercise at home because just by walking up and down, it can make you perspire already.
First subject of Tuesday morning was English. The teacher was kind of strict, and we had an issue to settle that time. The other day, we just finished taking the first periodical exam. Some of my classmates were caught cheating, and, the whole class was in danger and was doomed. 8:00 AM, she arrived wearing her typical 'mad and strict' face carrying a pile of textbooks when all of a sudden, she slammed all of those books on the table and yelled so loud. Because of her anger, she let us all stand up one by one, and made us explain why such blunder was committed.
After all my classmates have spoken, it was my turn so I stood up and courageously said, 'cheating has always been part of the education system'. She rolled her eyes towards me and insulted me in front of the class that made me emotional. I remember, everyone was so nervous that time and others were even crying. I was on my process of sitting back on my chair when, all of the sudden, a very strong earthquake occured. We did not know how to react, literally. Like, we still could not believe that the four-storey building is swaying already.
My classmates were shouting, we did not know what to do. We went out of the classroom, even if it was still shaking and left all our bags I was holding an iron bar to stop me from collapsing because, I really felt dizzy that time and I felt like collapsing on the floor. I had too much things inside my head like, building collapsing and we were trapped inside. All I did was just pray. When we reached the third floor, a stampede happened. It was still shaking and we had hard time passing out the stairs. I could not also breathe well that time. On the second floor, it was still continuously shaking and a student even attempted to jump off the building and held at the flag pole. There, he was able to get out of the building. Minutes passed, we finally went outside. I was able to breathe properly.
We hurried into an open field, and I saw a lot of students who fainted including some of my classmates. I looked for my little sister, and fortunately, she was safe. We were advised to go home immediately; afraid that aftershocks might happen and a tsunami might occur. All of us boys in the section were tasked to get all the bags inside. I realized how strong it was when I saw all the roof ripped, and the big crack on the walls. A lot of stuffs above the roof also fell. Afterwards, we headed home.
A lot of news were flooding the social media about the said earthquake. There I knew, it was a 6.9 magnitude earthquake and, it was the first time I experienced in my entire life. To be honest, the trauma is still here. Even just a small shake, makes me nervous already. And guess what happened to that teacher? She fled to the first floor already while were still on the fourth floor trying to survive. She left us all alone. Fortunately, we all survived and no life was taken and that's way more important. From, being a normal to day, turning out to be the most unforgettable moment in the mouth of a 6.9 magnitude earthquake.
Viewing Globalization at Various Lenses
I came across with an American girl while watching at my stories in Instragram last night. And of course, I took that as an opportunity to make new friends. In the verge of our conversation, we had an informal form of communication and exchanged informations about ourselves. When she knew that I'm from the Philippines, she immediately asked me about Anne Curtis, a Filipina actress and said that she is a fan. I was surprised that she also watched her movie "Buy bust" that was aired few years ago. What shocked me the most was, her favorite food is"adobo", a Filipino dish and she used to eat it in a Filipino restaurant somewhere in Los Angeles, California.
There, I realized that the encounter I had with her was a plausible exemplification of globalization. The spread of Filipino movie in the America suggests how fast this renowned culture has proliferated and cris-crossed in Western country. Now, the concept of globalization in this scenario just begins with the intuitive sense that something is going on, however, it does not affect anyone in homologous way. Here comes the concept of viewing globalization in different lenses.
Firstly, let's take a look at globalization in a brighter lens.
In general, many accounts view globalization as primarily an "economic process". Manfred Steger provided a best scholarly definition of globalization as the expansion and intensification of social relations and consciousness across world-time and across world-space".⁴ Accordingly, the term expansion pertains to the "creation of new social networks, and the multiplication of the existing connections that cut across traditional, economic, cultural and geographic boundaries".¹ For example, social media has established novel global connections between people. What happened last night was because of social media. Further, international groups of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) arr networks that connect a more specific groups, like social workers across the different corners of the globe.
Moreover, intensification is an expansion, stretching and acceleration of those aforementioned networks.² It's not just the global connections that are multiplying, but are also becoming closely-knit and are expanding their reach. For example, in 2019, Philippines and Japan has always had a strong financial market connection.³ Due to the advent of electronic trading, the volume trade increases exponentially. Thus, they 2nd out of 225 countries with total trade amounting to USD 21.38 billion.³
However, globalization also has its downsides. Let's take a closer look in a darker lens.
Activists register to the "anti-globalization" movement of the 1990s, and they are resisting the trade deals among countries facilitated and promoted by global organizations like the World Trade Organization. For example: governments that decide to allow foreign investments on the belief that they provide jobs and capital for the country, and offer public lands for industrialization. As a result, poor people in "urban poor communities" are greatly affected, and are even coerced to leave the lands. Ironically, these poor people arebthe labor force sought by foreign companies. Globalization scholars do not disagree with them. In fact, they are sympathetic to the critique of economic globalization.globalization
All of these things may be confusing. Now we begin to develop and ask questions such as, is globalization bad? Is it essential or detrimental? But, let's take it from anthropologist Arjun Appadurai who states that various types of globalization takes place on multiple and intersecting dimensions of integration he mentions as "scapes". Like ethnoscape, mediascape, technoscape, financescape and ideoscape, they are distinct windows into the broader phenomenon of globalization. In simpler term, Apparudai means there are multiple globalization.. And, it would be hard to deny Appadurai's central thurst of viewing globalization through various lenses. Therefore, instead of asking those questions above, try asking, "what is/are being globalized"?". Crafting questions dependent to this questions, the vista and conclusions of globalization can change in various lenses.
References:
Ibid., 13
Ibid.,14
Department of Trade and Industry. (n.d). PHILIPPINES-JAPAN ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT (PJEPA). Retrieved at: https://www.dti.gov.ph/philippines-japan-economic-partnership-agreement-pjepa/
Steger, M. (2013). Globalization: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 3rd edition. pp.15
When Failure Becomes Intractable
If you have ever read my second article entitled 'Get to Know Him: He Who Used to be a Child, you'll probably know that from kindergarten to my present grade (11), I have always been a class achiever. I can even remember how being on top became so big deal to me. You may be wondering now why on Earth; simply because I consider it as a reward for myself and to my parents. Not just that. I will never miss every grade level without representing my alma matter in different competitions like declamation, math, science and history quiz bee, readers' theater, science fair and journalism. Sometimes I win and sometimes, I lose. Failure was no new to me back then.
After I graduated in the elementary, I enrolled myself in a popular, public school in our municipality under STEM or Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics strand. At first, there was no question about my grades because,it was really high. However, there was this entrance exam that every student who choose STEM strand, must take. With chills and less confidence, I entered the room, sat on the chair and answered the exams. Minutes passed, everyone stood up and passed their test papers, that included IQ tests. Meanwhile, with hope and prayers, I stood up and passed mine as well.
Days passed, the schedule for the list of passers was to be announced. We fell in line, and waited until our names will be called. Time passed and at last, the girl in uniform mentioned my name. I came to her, smiling while holding all my documents. I was so excited to hear for my desired result, but, when she was searching for my name in the official list of STEM students, my name was nowhere to be seen.
I had no choice, but to choose another section and back out from the said strand. The only option was, a general curriculum section. With a heavy heart and teary eye, I backed off. I can't exactly describe what I felt that time. Mixed emotions were circulating all throughout my system. When my tears were too heavy to stop it from falling, I couldn't help but to cry on a bench. It did not matter about how many people would see me cry.
I did not go home immediately. I was afraid to tell it to my parents; afraid that I would make them disappointed. When I went home around 6 PM, I saw my mother smiling at me from afar even if it was dim. And yes. She knew it already and I don't know how. Although she did not comfort me literally, but the way she smiled and talked me, was like telling that 'it was okay'. One thing that also made me so affected was that, I did not expect that the news would spread like a wildfire in our village. A lot of people were talking about me. Others belittled and made fun about it. But,what shattered my heart the most was knowing that some of my friends mocked at me as well.
There I realized that people, in spite all the things you have done, people will still mock at you if you've failed, or did a mistake. Fortunately, one teacher in that same school, messaged me on Facebook upon seeing all my records and knowing what happened. She mentioned that my intellectual capability deserves to be in the STEM strand. She then transferred me to my chosen strand, and there, I promised myself not to fail her. She became part of all my achievements like reaching a regional science and technology fair, and placing 4th among 50 schools.
Now, I'm on my path to taking an engineering course. I want that, proving myself will not just end up being a consistent top student, but, until I'll become an engineer. I learned that failure becomes hard to deal with, only when people you expected the least to make fun of you, are the ones who would actual mock you at your lowest. I may have failed, but I stood up with flying colors. How about you? What will you do , when failure becomes intractable?
Lead Image Source:
https://ied.eu/project-updates/how-to-deal-with-failure-in-business/
Russia vs. Ukraine: Where does the Philippines Take its Stand?
The whole world was in great in shock upon perceiving the Russia's inhumane attack, lack of clemency and erroneous invasion against Ukraine. Like the loud explosions heard in the country's capital city, the news also created a loud boom around the world. Every news stations stresses the headlines inclined with the present issue. The status about the situations, laments, panics and explosions in the country, as well as the prayers extended by the concerned citizens, flooded the various social media platforms.
Meanwhile, along with these stuffs happening, are people who are creating their respective conspiracies and theories. While others have that freedom of expression, some also tend to put blames on both of the country's leaders and the organizations like North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and European Union (EU), and others were cheering for either Russia or Ukraine's success. Evidently, it's not just both countries involved in the war were affected by its sobriety: this war affects the living and spares no one.
Furthermore, Philippines, one of the countries in Asia, can be taken down having its bilateral ties with Russia. It has also grown remarkably over the past few years, and there is an enormous potential for further cooperation according to acting Undersecretary Buensuceso (DFA, 2021). Moreover, it can also be considered that the Philippines established a formal diplomatic relations with Ukraine on April 7, 1992.
Now, the spotlight would point at the questions, 'amidst Ukraine vs. Russia, where does the Philippines take its stand?'.
First, the Russian president has mentioned that countries that interfere with Russian actions will face "consequences you have never seen," The Associated Press reported. https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-russia-moscow-kyiv-626a8c5ec22217bacb24ece60fac4fe1
Secondly, the Philippines has denounced what it considers as the “invasion of Ukraine,” voting to support a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution that condemned Russia’s actions against its neighboring country according to Tommacruz, 2022 of Rappler.
*“Mr. President, the Philippines votes Yes to the UNGA resolution and expresses explicit condemnation of the invasion of Ukraine,” Manila said in a statement to be delivered at an emergency meeting of the UNGA on Monday night, February 28.*
In simpler words, the country was in favor for Ukraine. Moreover, in the verge of voting to support the UNGA resolution, the Philippines, in accordance to Tommacruz, 2022, laid its attention and considered once more to the Manila Declaration on the peaceful settlement of international disputes, which was adopted by the assembly in November 1982. Thus, this document reiterates the obligation of states to settle disputes by peaceful means and through the rule of law. Further, in spite the president's statement 'better off in saying that my favorite hero is Putin' (Baclig, 2022), him, along with his country, stood to what they thought was the right thing to do.
Lastly, just days after the Philippines backed a United Nations resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Duterte said the Philippines would remain neutral on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He firmly believed that all countries would be affected if nuclear weapons are used in the crisis.
*"I just pray to God that this will not really go out of control. I already told you, maybe, probably you might have heard me on TV, that if it is not put under control, the world is in danger. Once they start to push the button of nuclear warheads or nuclear bomb, well, as one commentator said, it will melt the world," Duterte said during the inauguration of the Narvacan Farmers' Market in Ilocos Sur last Friday.*
In a world where different point of views about a certain issue are rampant, there is this so-called 'gray area' where someone can be either neutral, or choose whether which is the most accurate thing to do. It is worth-knowing that in spite of Philippines' relationship with Russia, the country did not think of the relationship they have and the things that are at stake. War is an execrable debacle, and not an answer to any conflicts we have. It's non-erasable blunder that can never be removed in the history. After all, what's the point of winning when many innocent lives have been taken. The true winner will always be the one who manifests kindness and implements peace.
Reference:
Baclig, C. ( n.d). Putin war on Ukraine: Will it change Duterte’s love for his ‘idol’?. Inquirer.net. Retrieved at: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1563509/for-posting-edited-putin-war-on-ukraine-will-it-change-dutertes-love-for-his-idol/amp
Department of Foreign Affairs. (2021, May 27). PHILIPPINES, RUSSIA CELEBRATE 45 YEARS OF RELATIONS, DISCUSS ACHIEVEMENTS, PROSPECTS OF BILATERAL TIES. Retrieved at: https://dfa.gov.ph/dfa-news/dfa-releasesupdate/29018-philippines-russia-celebrate-45-years-of-relations-discuss-achievements-prospects-of-bilateral-ties
Tommacruz, S. (2022, February 28). Philippines condemns ‘invasion of Ukraine’. Rappler. Retrieved at: https://www.rappler.com/nation/philippines-condemns-russia-invasion-ukraine/.
Get to Know him: He Who Used to be a Child
The serenity of a neighborhood somewhere in the pearl of orient seas, Philippines, was obstructed in the middle of the night. Different emotions filled the atmosphere: excitement, tense, and fear. The whole neighborhood heard the scream of a girl excruciating with pain, the voice of an old woman motivating the girl, and the masculine voice of a man comforting her.
Minutes passed, these loud noises vanished. It was followed by a tiny voice that replaced them all, and echoed so loud that people in distant can hear it. It was a voice of a newly born child. A child that would later on witness the beauty of the world. A child that would later on see the reality lying beneath the tantalizing views, and would carry his own burden someday. And who would have thought? That child is presently writing this piece at this moment of time.
*Greetings to everyone who happened to come across this piece of writing right now. I am a new and hopeful writer in this website, and this is my second time publishing my works. So now, you get to know myself by reading the 6 different facts/details about me.*
**1.) I was born on August 30, 2004.**
Honestly, I consider my birthday a lucky one because I always celebrate it in school. It just hits different when you get to celebrate with your classmates, teachers and friends. Plus, your family waiting for you at home. Further, I also consider myself a fortunate one since my parents would always find a way to have something on table to celebrate my birthday. And, I'll be turning 18 years old next 5 months.
**2.) My favorite music is 'Line Without a Hook' by Ricky Montgomery.**
It was not that popular this song before, but I've truly appreciated its meaning, the emotions and syndrome it left in my mind. Now, I couldn't stop playing it in my phone for many times.
**3.) I'm a consistent honor student at school.**
I started studying in Kinder, and I took it twice. I graduated valedictorian at that very young age. From grades 1-11 (presently), I always topped 1 or 2 in the class. It's one of the things I am most grateful of. Having good grades means so much to me, especially to make my parents and as an act of paying back all their sacrifices for me.
**4.) I'm a student researcher.**
At the age of 12, I was already indulged in Research. There were three of us who were selected by our Science teacher. At that very age as well, we reached the Reional Science and Technology Fair (RSTF), and we placed 4th. At the age of 14, in 8th grade, same thing happened, but as an individual researcher. Things somehow became harder for me, especially doing it alone. I, again, reached RSTF, and placed 4th. In my third attempt when I was 15, in 9th grade, I was more hopeful and dedicated to compete in the national level. But, I failed. I just reached RSTF with no flying colors. Today, I'm still hoping to reach the nationals, or internationals (INTEL- ISEF).
**5. I'm not socially and physically active, and I love playing guitar.**
At a very young age, we were really not allowed to play that much outside. Our parents were so terrified about us being injured or what. Since we have a guitar in our house, I taught myself alone and voila, I'm somehow good at it now.
**6.) I was not fond of writing before, not until i became a campus journalist.**
Honestly, I find it boring. But, as I grew older, I was able to express the emotions. It's the only way I can express my feelings since I hate conversing with other people. No until, I was chosen to compete in the Division Schools Press Conference (DSPC). I placed second and managed to compete at the Regional Schools Press Conference
Also, I used to join competitions before in our community for the sake of the prize. Sometimes, I win the first place, sometimes I don't.
That child who was born in the middle of the night has already witnessed the beauty of the world, has already saw the reality lying beneath the tantalizing sceneries, and has carried his own burden already and many more to come. And that very child, will right more articles to express all of his overflowing emotions.
Massive Open Online Courses ( MOOCs): Definition & Impact to New Mode of Learning and Society
As the world rotates on its axis, certain changes, consequently, have been made. It can be of any physical features, or the technologies that were once impotent but turned to something much powerful. For such instance, during the 21st Century, the most important invention was digital electronics, which has changed the mode of transmission of information in some sort of ways. This paved the way for the creation of massive open online course (MOOC), which has impact towards education, student's achievement and society in general.
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are any courses available online and can be accessed by anyone at any specific time, anywhere. The acronym MOOCs consists of word “massive” which is exemplified as te enrollment of participants in large numbers, thus principle MOOCs has no finite scalability. The word 'open' is related to 'massive', which particularly means that there are no restrictions in enrollment to a MOOCs, excluding the use of a device such as mobile / computer and the Internet. 'Online' in MOOCs, is online availability, and most of the courses are freely available. And, being organized into a whole course refers to 'courses'. For example, MOOCs, as an online learning environment in which a learner having a computer and internet connection can enroll online any course without any restrictions.
Now, what are the impacts of Massive Open Online Courses to our society?
Firstly, MOOC or massive open online course has created impact in terms of students' education. Education, as one of the crucial rights and property of every human, is a beneficiary of MOOCs, The innovations in technology we have right now, are integrated into the education, which crafts a conductive environment for teaching and learning. This is one of such teaching and learning environment is massive open online courses(MOOCs) which is a new innovation in distance education, and has turned out to be very popular in a short span of time. Especially with the rage of this pandemic we are all experiencing at this point of time, it is a vital and powerful tool to suffice the knowledge of the students.
Secondly, it is considered as an efficient tool for students and their academic achievements. Basing at the feedbacks of most students who used MOOCS, we can therefore say that the students who spend more time and do activities in a MOOCs session were to complete their courses. Furthermore, students’ probabilities of getting achievements in a form certificate courses, are more when the same quantity of activities was completed in lesser sessions. Thus, Mohamed, 2015, suggests that spending more time in activities on MOOCs make learning more effective.
Lastly, to the impact it has on the society in general. MOOCs enables access to quality education to as many as people possible, and to make education possible to various social groups. It can also be addressed to the jobless, by which it can make them develop certain skills needed in order to be employed. Further, as the world is getting more modernized, MOOCs has the ability to be bridge the gap between advanced technological tools and high-quality, low-cost education.
And as our planet will systematically achieve its complete revolution, certain struggles will interfere inevitably. But, the advent of technologies will be one of our greatest assets to combat these. Massive open online course, driven by the effects of these technologies, is one of these. Overall, it is an efficient way of learning amidst the pandemic. This will not only suffice the minds of the students, but will also be one of our greatest weapon of achieving success in the near future.
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