Staff News

NISMED Staff Attend Various International Conferences

4th Global Forum

NISMED Director Dr. Merle C. Tan participated in the 4th Global HR Forum 2009 under the theme “Creative Education for All.” The forum discussed education reform, government policy, evolution of the business sector, efforts of public sector, and international alliances to cultivate creative talent. The forum was held on November 2-6, 2009 at the Sheraton Grande Walkerhill, Seoul, Republic of Korea. The participants from East Asia and the Pacific Countries were allotted time to discuss issues that their country team would like to take up during the forum. Third International Conference on Science and Mathematics Education Three academic staff presented papers during the Third International Conference on Science and Mathematics Education held at RECSAM, Penang, Malaysia on November 10-12, 2009. Dr. Teresita R. Mañalac and Dr. Aida I. Yap of the Elementary School Mathematics Group co-presented a paper titled Collaborative Lesson Research and Development for Teaching and Learning Mathematics while Ms. Jacqueline Rose M. Gutierrez of the High School Chemistry Group presented a paper titled Response Pattern Analysis on the Burning Candle Experiment: TIMSS-based Study. The theme of the conference was Improving Science and Mathematics Literacy: Theory, Innovation, and Practice. The conference aimed to provide a forum to review issues, exchange ideas and share experiences especially on the development of scientific and mathematical literacy at all levels; review and recognise the integration of ICT to develop science and mathematics literacy; review and enhance continuous professional development as a means to sustain the development of science and mathematics literacy; encourage the sharing of knowledge, skills and experiences of experts working on new strategies to sustain science and mathematics literacy reforms in teaching and assessment; strengthen professional networking among science and mathematics educators both locally and globally, and; maintain professional contacts to enhance cooperation among a consortium of international organizations and educational institutions to facilitate greater dissemination and exchange of expertise at an international level. International Science Education Conference 2009 Dr. Merle C. Tan, UP NISMED Director, and Mr. Dennis L. Danipog of the High School Chemistry Group attended the International Science Education Conference (ISEC) 2009 as paper presenters held at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University in Singapore on November 24-26, 2009. Dr. Tan presented a paper titled Curriculum Reform Towards Scientific Literacy Enhancement while Mr. Danipog’s paper was on Art-based Chemistry Activities: Effect on Students’ Conceptual Understanding and Attitude. The conference theme was Science Education: Shared Issues, Common Future which implies that the universality and centrality of science has the capacity to link the different cultures and countries of the world. Science education can enhance the process through emphasis on shared issues and a common future. Participation in the conference allowed more than 700 science educators, professors, researchers, curriculum developers, administrators and teachers in different parts of the world to share practices that work, to interact with their peers as well as to learn about the most current research movements in science education. World Association of Lesson Studies International Conference 2009 Dr. Erlina R. Ronda of the High School Mathematics Group presented a paper titled Lesson Study for Teaching thru Problem Solving at the World Association of Lesson Studies International Conference 2009 held at the Hongkong Institute of Education last December 7-10, 2009. The theme of the conference was Collaborative Knowledge Creation through Lesson and Learning Studies. Dr. Ronda presented the result of her research with a group of high school mathematics teachers to show how Lesson Study, a form of professional development for teachers and Teaching thru Problem Solving, a strategy for teaching mathematics, can support each other to improve mathematics teaching and learning. NISMED Staff Participates in the Japanese Government Teacher Training Scholars Reunion Program Ms. Ma. Lourdes S. Agad, Chair of the Audiovisual Group, joined the delegation from the Philippines in attending the reunion of former Japanese Government Teacher Training Scholars from Southeast Asian countries and China on November 29 - December 5, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. Ms. Agad was a recipient of the Japanese Government Teacher Training Scholarship at the University of Tsukuba in 1991-1993. Forty-two participants from ASEAN countries and China attended the program. The objectives of the reunion were to strengthen ties between former students and Japan; build networks among alumni associations of neighboring countries, and; promote the activities of alumni organizations in each country. Highlights of the activities included visits to academic and research institutes, industrial facilities, and other venues in Tokyo. During the program, Ms. Agad visited the University of Tsukuba where she met and exchanged views with her former adviser and other professors who are partners of NISMED. Publication Dr. Erlina R. Ronda’s paper titled Growth Points in Students’ Developing Understanding of Function in Equation Form was published in the Mathematics Education Research Journal, Volume 21, Number 1 (2009). MERJ, an official journal of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australia, Inc. (MERGA), is an international refereed journal that provides a forum for the publication of research on the teaching and learning of mathematics at all levels. The paper proposes a framework for describing students understanding of function when it is in equation form. The study combined the process-object theory and property-oriented perspective to analyze students’ performance and solutions to tasks involving function. From this analysis, “big picture ideas” or major nodes in students developing understanding of this concept were identified and described. These “big picture ideas” were set in a framework to describe students’ typical learning paths leading towards generality and abstraction in students’ thinking about function in equation form. The data were collected from Grades 8, 9 and 10 students using a set of tasks involving linear and quadratic relationships in order to identify and describe “big ideas” in this domain. The framework can provide teachers with structure for analyzing and monitoring students’ understanding of functions in equation form. Dr. Ronda is a member of the High School Mathematics Group.

Congratulations

New Graduates Mr. Guillermo P. Bautista Jr. of the High School Mathematics Group obtained his M.A. Mathematics degree from the University of the Philippines College of Science, Diliman in October 2009. His research is titled Parameterization of Heron’s Triangle and its Distribution in the Moduli Spaces. Ms. Jacqueline Rose M. Gutierrez of the High School Chemistry Group graduated with a degree of Master of Education at Hiroshima University in October 2009. Her thesis is titled Response Pattern Analysis on the Burning Candle Experiment: TIMSS-based Study. NISMED Bowling Team The NISMED Bowling Team placed 6th runner-up (Class A category) in the recently concluded 2009 UP Open Mixed Team Bowling Tournament. The members include Ms. Wilhelmina L. dela Paz, Mr. Alberto C. Falcon, Mr. Ferdinand C. Damasco, Mr. Nilo M. Rocas, Mr. Doddie C. Bergado, Ms. Cherry A. Velasco, Mr. Regino L. Lamorena, Ms. Mariel T. Atregenio, Mr. Mario C. Gallardo, Ms. Ester A. Bautista, Dr. Merle C. Tan, Ms. Nancy T. Gandeza, and Mr. Renante N. Lunas. The championship game and awarding ceremonies was held on November 21, 2009 at the UP Alumni Center Bowling Alley.

Ms. Teng Bautista prepares to throw the ball.

Since the tournament was a big success, the UP Alumni Association decided to hold another one starting in January 2010. NISMED will be joining the tournament again with higher hopes of winning the championship trophy.

NISMED's Christmas Party

Christmas celebration started early at NISMED. The Institute held its annual Christmas party on December 8, 2009 with the theme Pasko sa Nayon. The celebration, which was organized by the Socials Committee, started with a get-together lunch at the STTC inner garden. Afterwards, the staff proceeded to the auditorium for the games and raffle. The staff, which was divided into four groups, presented short cheers and competed in group games and dancing. Gifts and raffle prizes were distributed in between the numbers during the program. Before the winners of the contests were announced, the usual exchanging of gifts was done. The ceremonies ended with a brief Christmas message from the director, Dr. Merle C. Tan.