I added something new this term.
Instead of the usual hardcopy paper at the end, I challenged my students to "produce" a documentary "youtube.com" worthy on top of the hardcopy paper.
The direction was for them to get a host company, apply what was discussed in class and produce a documentary about it.
I saw the first two batches. Well, let's just say that there's always room for improvement :)
There are groups who thought that the academic requirement were an ode and their chance for their respective close-ups :)
Some, simply did what was required but missed and coming up with a cohesive line of thought. There was no story. Just bad editing. Which is a more direct measure of cluttered thinking.
But gems were found.
And the hypothesis I had at the start was proven correct.
I have always believed that when students write a report and presents it in the usual "powerpoint" methodology, something is left out. A certain essence goes out of the window.
One, in written form, we put a lot of pressure on the the students to have a certain set of vocabulary. A rhetoric. Two, we are actually giving the listener a dangerous creative freedom to "visualize" what the student is actually saying. This usually, if mishandled, leads to a lot of un-cluttering. Such as waste in time.
So, I asked, why do we write a paper when the effort to create a moving picture is so easy and so cheap at this day and age? Why be stuck using a methodology that assumes that computing was so expensive when in fact it is so cheap now?
Plus, wasn't it written somewhere, a Chinese proverb perhaps, that a picture paints a thousand words. And that was a static picture. What if it were moving pictures? Does it follow that it paints a hundred thousand words per minute? :)
But what I like about the "10 minute film" presentation instead of a written report is that the class can watch 8-9 "reports" in one seating. It's so casual. So natural. The reflection is instinctive. Feedback automatic.
Just in case we have forgotten - language, words and letters, collectively was simply a designed methodology, a tool, used to convey thought and meaning. What was instinctive and natural were drawing pictures, wall painting :)
So, why limit the proof that learning happened to the unnatural and the synthetic way when technology allows us now to convey meaning and thought in its natural form?
"... why think like mere men?"
Monday
Saturday
on Philippine presidential "leadership"
What does it tell you when a former President maligns an incumbent?
What does it tell you when an incumbent President maligns a former?
May we all please stop?
There's a job that needs to get done.
Have you ever heard of a former US President maligning an incumbent?
Have you ever heard of an incumbent US President maligning a former President?
Do we understand why it is a no-no for Presidents, former and incumbent, to malign one another?
Leaders know the reason behind this. Bosses do not.
You sat in that Office. You understand what it means. You know that the toughest and the most difficult decisions are made in that Office. You know how it is.
A year into his Presidency, David Letterman once asked US President Barack Obama, "What are the things you know now that you did not know before?"
President Obama, in effect, said something like "There's a reason why the toughest and most difficult decision are made at the Oval Office. Because if it wasn't the toughest and the most difficult, it will not reach the Oval Office."
"...why think like mere men?"
What does it tell you when an incumbent President maligns a former?
May we all please stop?
There's a job that needs to get done.
Have you ever heard of a former US President maligning an incumbent?
Have you ever heard of an incumbent US President maligning a former President?
Do we understand why it is a no-no for Presidents, former and incumbent, to malign one another?
Leaders know the reason behind this. Bosses do not.
You sat in that Office. You understand what it means. You know that the toughest and the most difficult decisions are made in that Office. You know how it is.
A year into his Presidency, David Letterman once asked US President Barack Obama, "What are the things you know now that you did not know before?"
President Obama, in effect, said something like "There's a reason why the toughest and most difficult decision are made at the Oval Office. Because if it wasn't the toughest and the most difficult, it will not reach the Oval Office."
"...why think like mere men?"
Tuesday
we begin with our future :- )
I could be wrong. But I could also be right :- )
Way back in the 80s, there was this management trade book called In Search of Excellence. It was a bestseller. USA's answer to the onslaught of Japanese management buzzwords entering the lexicon of corporate America at that time.
I read that book when I was still on my undergraduate years. Yes, I am a super freak when it comes to anything to do with business and management literature. And if there's one thing I remember about that book is this one liner to open a chapter - "Ready. Fire. Aim!".
The authors, Tom Peters being one of them, wanted to underline the fact that excellent companies are biased for action.
Check. Got that.
Fast forward to the Philippines. To my limited view of reality :)
Anything taken to extreme is a bad thing. Right?
I am amazed by the number of studies that inundate our local press. Studies done by all this foreign entities that pegs the Philippines, almost always, near the bottom of that study.
And because we are not rooted to who we truly are, as a people, we panic. And we do the next best and expected thing - we act. Because we are taught to be biased for action :-)
Nothing wrong with that per se.
But if our actions further leads us to the dependence of others and in so doing enabling them to have their way with us, then - the biased for action rule of thumb becomes a yoking tool. A very silent and carefully veiled form of enslavement :-)
There is one industry that I understand more than others, our local education industry.
I do not disagree with the drive that we should produce graduates readily employable with the demand of the developed world. This road has its use and socio-economic value. Some may even be called to walk and travel on this particular journey.
What I am worried about is when the message of the local industry is sounding like this is the only road.
Isn't it that the educational institutions are supposed to educate and enlighten? Though "employable graduates" is a very good metric to indicate education quality, is that the most important metric?
What happens when we "unwittingly" and "unknowingly" divert the best minds of our land to be of use to what is important in the developed world that we end up robbing our country with what it needs - someone who will "multiply" the abundant natural and endemic treasures of the Philippines, our soil, our land and our seas?
Are we not contributing to our further enslavement, to our further dependence when we do this? Which in turn "strengthens" our much maligned status quo?
Are we really and truly educating when we do this?
Are we truly biased for action? Or are we biased for action for the sake of simply being biased for action?
The West and the most developed part of Asia is either scrambling or well-entrenched in Information Technology (IT) or in anything manufacturing. First, IT to our generation is what the car manufacturing was during the time of Ford and of Alfred Sloan. And manufacturing is one business system that needs a lot of bodies to run. Both fields that China and India covet because of their population size.
Can we compete with them? Or should we simply continue with the niche strategy we have?
But as we hold fort in these fields and produce minds for this, who takes care of our version of Middle East oil - our very soil, our seas and our land?
I am not limiting this to the environment loving Maria Makiling spirit. This extends to how can we make the most out of our lands in a very sustainable way.
Our land is being bought/ leased by our cash-heavy Asian counterparts who understand how rich we are. Have we ever heard of a Saudi prince selling a part of Saudi Arabia to foreigners? This is what's happening to us as our limitly educated farmers are selling their lands.
Statistics say that by 2022, the world will have to support 7 billion people. Will we, the Filipinos, be a niche player in that socio-economic system? Still taking on calls of the West and supporting their back-end offices? Still adding only labor to the Supply Chain of multinationals?
Or will we choose to be the premier supplier to the food basket of the world?
This path is filled with fears and with uncertainties. But wasn't it the case also for those who cross the Atlantic to build America?
This path needs will. This path needs courage. And it starts with what future do we want to build.
This is the same spirit that drives our Western counterparts and the more economically developed Asians to say and demand from us, Filipinos, that they need researchers on this and on that. And that they need talents and competencies on this and on that.
They are building the future they want.
When will we begin to build the future we want?
"... why think like mere men?"
Way back in the 80s, there was this management trade book called In Search of Excellence. It was a bestseller. USA's answer to the onslaught of Japanese management buzzwords entering the lexicon of corporate America at that time.
I read that book when I was still on my undergraduate years. Yes, I am a super freak when it comes to anything to do with business and management literature. And if there's one thing I remember about that book is this one liner to open a chapter - "Ready. Fire. Aim!".
The authors, Tom Peters being one of them, wanted to underline the fact that excellent companies are biased for action.
Check. Got that.
Fast forward to the Philippines. To my limited view of reality :)
Anything taken to extreme is a bad thing. Right?
I am amazed by the number of studies that inundate our local press. Studies done by all this foreign entities that pegs the Philippines, almost always, near the bottom of that study.
And because we are not rooted to who we truly are, as a people, we panic. And we do the next best and expected thing - we act. Because we are taught to be biased for action :-)
Nothing wrong with that per se.
But if our actions further leads us to the dependence of others and in so doing enabling them to have their way with us, then - the biased for action rule of thumb becomes a yoking tool. A very silent and carefully veiled form of enslavement :-)
There is one industry that I understand more than others, our local education industry.
I do not disagree with the drive that we should produce graduates readily employable with the demand of the developed world. This road has its use and socio-economic value. Some may even be called to walk and travel on this particular journey.
What I am worried about is when the message of the local industry is sounding like this is the only road.
Isn't it that the educational institutions are supposed to educate and enlighten? Though "employable graduates" is a very good metric to indicate education quality, is that the most important metric?
What happens when we "unwittingly" and "unknowingly" divert the best minds of our land to be of use to what is important in the developed world that we end up robbing our country with what it needs - someone who will "multiply" the abundant natural and endemic treasures of the Philippines, our soil, our land and our seas?
Are we not contributing to our further enslavement, to our further dependence when we do this? Which in turn "strengthens" our much maligned status quo?
Are we really and truly educating when we do this?
Are we truly biased for action? Or are we biased for action for the sake of simply being biased for action?
The West and the most developed part of Asia is either scrambling or well-entrenched in Information Technology (IT) or in anything manufacturing. First, IT to our generation is what the car manufacturing was during the time of Ford and of Alfred Sloan. And manufacturing is one business system that needs a lot of bodies to run. Both fields that China and India covet because of their population size.
Can we compete with them? Or should we simply continue with the niche strategy we have?
But as we hold fort in these fields and produce minds for this, who takes care of our version of Middle East oil - our very soil, our seas and our land?
I am not limiting this to the environment loving Maria Makiling spirit. This extends to how can we make the most out of our lands in a very sustainable way.
Our land is being bought/ leased by our cash-heavy Asian counterparts who understand how rich we are. Have we ever heard of a Saudi prince selling a part of Saudi Arabia to foreigners? This is what's happening to us as our limitly educated farmers are selling their lands.
Statistics say that by 2022, the world will have to support 7 billion people. Will we, the Filipinos, be a niche player in that socio-economic system? Still taking on calls of the West and supporting their back-end offices? Still adding only labor to the Supply Chain of multinationals?
Or will we choose to be the premier supplier to the food basket of the world?
This path is filled with fears and with uncertainties. But wasn't it the case also for those who cross the Atlantic to build America?
This path needs will. This path needs courage. And it starts with what future do we want to build.
This is the same spirit that drives our Western counterparts and the more economically developed Asians to say and demand from us, Filipinos, that they need researchers on this and on that. And that they need talents and competencies on this and on that.
They are building the future they want.
When will we begin to build the future we want?
"... why think like mere men?"
A Father's Love :- )
Do not fear what may happen tomorrow. The same loving Father who cares for you today will care for you tomorrow and everyday. Either he will shield you from suffering or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings.
~ St. Francis de Sales
Monday
A question for the future Service Engineering Manager from Mapua :)
We studied the Open Systems view of Service. Let's put that into good and practical use. Read the article below, which was posted in "www.goodnewspilipinas.com".
Now, if you "google" Verde Island Passage, you will know that this is one of the busiest Philippine sea lanes. But in 2006, the whole world acknowledged that this place, a place we all pass through as we go to Puerto Galera from Batangas, is the WORLD'S CENTER OF MARINE BIODIVERSITY!
What comes to mind now? What jumps out? How do we move forward?
The "thing" that jumps out is proof that you learned something new. Money well spent :)
Now, put it to good use:)
"... why think like mere men?"
Laughing cicada among 300 new species found in Philippines
A shark whose markings make it appear camouflaged for the desert and “laughing” cicadas are among 300 new species discovered by scientists in the Philippines.
The six-week expedition of 35 US and Filipino experts led by the California Academy of Sciences discovered 200 new marine invertebrates, 11 new fish, and at least 40 new spiders.
The scientist John McCosker told AFP the team discovered several small catsharks with brown backs, dark stripes and white bellies, colours which he had never seen on any other shark before.
Dr Terry Gosliner, curator at the California Academy of Sciences, said the Philippines’ complex geological history made it a goldmine of new life forms: “This is the place where the action is. The Philippines has more diversity on land and sea than any other place on earth.”
Most of the marine exploration was focused on the Verde Island Passage, a deep-water channel separating the island of Luzon from Mindoro for at least 60m years. “If the Philippines is the centre of marine biodiversity, this area is the centre of the centre. It’s been very stable for so long that marine life has really flourished,” said Goslinger.
The hunt for new species on land was focused on four relatively unexplored mountains on the southern island of Luzon, which face threats from climate change, deforestation and poaching.
Among the other discoveries, the entomologist Ireneo Lit said his team had found a cicada that made a sound like high-pitched laughter.
“The local residents were afraid of them. They thought the laughter was from dwarves, laughing dwarves,” he told AFP of the insect found on 2,158-metre Mount Banahaw, a volcano on Luzon.
Gosliner has been studying the Philippines for 20 years and says he is encouraged that many protected shallow water areas are in better shape than when he first arrived.
However, the expedition was concerned by the state of deeper waters. “There were a lot fewer fishes than I would have expected and a lot more plastic,” said Goslinger. “We used nets dragging from our trawler to explore areas deeper than 80 metres and each of our 40 trawls brought up lots of plastic in their nets – in some cases more plastic than life. The ocean is being overfished and clearly used as a garbage dump.”
Now, if you "google" Verde Island Passage, you will know that this is one of the busiest Philippine sea lanes. But in 2006, the whole world acknowledged that this place, a place we all pass through as we go to Puerto Galera from Batangas, is the WORLD'S CENTER OF MARINE BIODIVERSITY!
What comes to mind now? What jumps out? How do we move forward?
The "thing" that jumps out is proof that you learned something new. Money well spent :)
Now, put it to good use:)
"... why think like mere men?"
Sunday
on business metrics
How we measure and what we measure show how limited or expansive is our view of reality :)"...why think like mere men."
Friday
for my students who plan to lie their way in doing their projects
Know that even Lebron "The King" James found out the hard and the painful way that there are no shortcuts to success. So, why would you even try to hasten your way towards graduation by taking a shortcut? By lying?
I know you and you will be found wanting :- )
"... why think like mere men?"
I know you and you will be found wanting :- )
"... why think like mere men?"
Tuesday
basketball entry
I love basketball. I played it on the cemented roads of Tundo when I was younger :- )
I had my share of "championship" moments that defined who I am as a man today but that is infinitely nothing to the world compared to what was at stake Monday morning (in the Philippines) - the 2011 NBA Title.
Though my love for the Mavericks roots from the fact that I really didn't like how Lebron handled his departure from Cleveland, Dirk was simply unstoppable during the fourth quarters of this Finals and the Dallas bench was phenomenal when Dirk was struggling.
As the pundits wrote it - Miami had the better talent but Dallas had the better team.
Aside from the James dislike, I wanted the Mavericks to win for Jason Kidd. I love the way he plays. His freelancing ways and his wanting to have everybody involved. A team player. And the fact that he had to reinvent himself during his 15th season, is something else. My hats off to him. This is the same sentiment why I rooted for Miami back in the 2006 Finals. At that time, it was for the fierce Alonzo Mourning.
Well, congratulations to the Dallas Mavericks for winning the 2011 NBA Title! Champions, at last! :-)
I had my share of "championship" moments that defined who I am as a man today but that is infinitely nothing to the world compared to what was at stake Monday morning (in the Philippines) - the 2011 NBA Title.
Though my love for the Mavericks roots from the fact that I really didn't like how Lebron handled his departure from Cleveland, Dirk was simply unstoppable during the fourth quarters of this Finals and the Dallas bench was phenomenal when Dirk was struggling.
As the pundits wrote it - Miami had the better talent but Dallas had the better team.
Aside from the James dislike, I wanted the Mavericks to win for Jason Kidd. I love the way he plays. His freelancing ways and his wanting to have everybody involved. A team player. And the fact that he had to reinvent himself during his 15th season, is something else. My hats off to him. This is the same sentiment why I rooted for Miami back in the 2006 Finals. At that time, it was for the fierce Alonzo Mourning.
Well, congratulations to the Dallas Mavericks for winning the 2011 NBA Title! Champions, at last! :-)
Wednesday
on jobs
Keeping the job and doing the job are two separate things. Sometimes the effort to keep it stops us from doing it :- )"... why think like mere men?"
the Sir Winston Churchill arc
Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees all others."... why think like mere men?"
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