Moments at the Asian Literacy Conference x 52nd RAP National Conference 2024 (1 of 2)

Day 1 Morning Session at the AsianLitCon X 52nd RAPNatCon 2025

Snapshots and quotable quotes

- History is also about forgetting. ~ Ambeth Ocampo, Historian

- Free access to instructional vlogs and modules in Media and Information Literacy by the UP College of Mass Communication: https://youtube.com/@UPJournDept?si=CPL12KziQjUsABIn

~ Kara David, College Professor and Journalist

- Heritage Language and Literacy programs and studies can connect cultures and communities ~ Roger Stone of the Summer Institute of Linguistics UP Diliman

- Every learner matters and matters equally. ~ Dr. Ed Fermin, CHED

#alcxrap2024 #newliteracies

Day 1 Afternoon Session of the Asian LitCon x RAP NatCon 2024

I finally met Teacher Portia’s students whom I had the pleasure of speaking to last January 10, 2024 via Zoom. I shared with them trends and movements in children’s literature here and abroad. A group picture was necessary!

They presented the paper they wrote in class, “Beyond the Cover: Exploring Parents’ and Teachers’ Views on Sensitive Subjects in Philippine Children’s Literature”. One of their findings relate to the recent report in the Philippine Readership Survey that adults seldom read for leisure and at the very least, at stage that’s too late to nurture the joy and happiness in reading.

Congratulations, Carmen, Reggie, Rainier, Arlyn, Chrystille, Carissa, Leniza, Mariella, Shannine, Jessica and of course, Teacher Portia!

#alcxrap2024 #childrensliterature

The Asian Literacy Conference: A Proposal for Themed Panel

 Themed Panel: Research and Academic Writing, Information Literacy Skills, Literacy Skills Assessment, Library and Research Skills Instruction

Proponent: Zarah C. Gagatiga, Teacher Librarian, The Beacon Academy

The Pioneer: The Research Skills Hub of the Beacon Academy Library

The Diploma Program (DP) of the International Baccalaureate has three capstone projects requiring students to apply skills in research and academic writing. These are the Extended Essay (EE), the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) Essay and the Creativity Action and Service (CAS) project. Known as the DP Core, it is an exercise on creativity and critical thinking. The Beacon Academy (BA) Library, being an academic department facilitating research and reference programs conducts a yearly assessment of students’ research skills. 

Using TRAILS, Tools for Real Time Assessment of Information Literacy Skills by the Kent State University (KSU), the BA Library adapted and adopted TRAILS to identify and determine strengths and areas of improvement of students’ research and information literacy skills. TRAILS have six areas or skills for assessment which are: (1) narrowing and broadening topics of research, (2) selecting and locating appropriate sources of information, (3) evaluating sources, (4) identifying and following research steps, methods and processes, and (5) documentation, referencing and citing of sources.  

The results of the assessment inform the Teacher Librarian in crafting Reference and Research programs and services that meet the needs of the DP students; creating Information Literacy Skills modules that builds and enhances research and writing skills. The programs, services and modules are on a Google Site known as The Pioneer, the Research Skills Hub of the Beacon Academy Library.

Book Talks and Literacy Initiatives

The Reading Association of the Philippines' Asian Literacy Conference is on its second day of consummation. The program contained a mix of local and international teachers, practitioners, professionals and scholars in the field of education, reading instruction and library science. It has, if my memory serves me right, five to six break out sessions of paper presentations, panel discussions and poster sessions. There are also literacy categories for every paper presented, posters displayed and discussion panels.

Here's a photo of my friend, Kinchay Villafranca, who had two sessions on reading and IT instruction in the middle years. As for myself, I had a panel discussion on the literacy initiatives of the PBBY -- The Salanga and Alcala Prizes; Wan Dey Isang Araw; Salaysayan; the National Children's Book Day and the 1st National Children's Book Day.

Yesterday, I was at the National Library of the Philippines for a lecture on Reading and how it shapes the mind. It was organized by the Book Talk Society of the Philippines. It's president is Prof. Mike Cobaria who was my former professor at the Philippine Normal University.

I had the opportunity to book talk four of the books who made it to the Best Reads 2010 - 1st NCBA. I could tell that it was at that time when the participants were engaged all the more. Another highlight of the day was the inclusion of Sambat Trust's grass roots school library development project in Tanauan, Batangas. At the end of my lecture, donated books were turned over to Pathways to Higher Education for the high school libraries they help develop.

There are more library and literacy activities slated for the month of November. I'll be blogging about those I will attend and conduct. So stick around for more news on the literacy and literary scene in Manila!