When watching TV can be good for kids

The importance of education cannot be emphasized enough – this is something I learned during my first job as a teacher. As a young teacher back then I did everything I could to make sure that my students not only memorized the lessons, but hopefully that they understood and learned from them, too.

It was no easy task facing 25 kids and entertaining them so that what I said would stick in their minds.

So it was like a trip down memory lane when I joined Globe Telecom recently on a trip to two schools that have been beneficiaries (Soong Elementary School in Lapu Lapu City, Cebu and Mlang Primary Elementary School in Mlang, North Cotabato) of the Educational TV project (ED TV).

Globe Telecom CEO Gerardo Ablaza says of the company’s commitment to being a good corporate citizen: "Our work must contribute to the broader good of society. This is why it is important that we engage in activities that uplift the quality of life of the communities we serve."

As part of its corporate social responsibility, Globe gives support to the communities where it operates. One such way is through the ED TV program which provides chosen schools with a TV set, a VHS player and 70 volumes of VHS tapes which cover various subjects for all grade levels. Through ED TV, Globe aims to build and sustain meaningful relationships and involve itself in community social responsibility projects that address the key challenges in education and community development.

Globe has targeted 100 schools to be the beneficiaries of the project, which was launched in October 2003. To date, 14 schools are part of ED TV. Globe is committed to reaching out to another 86 schools this year thus completing the 100 schools target of the program.

It was a warm welcome we received as we arrived one hot afternoon last week at Soong Elementary School because the students were happy to see us. "Good afternoon, visitors," they chimed in unison. Silvestra Arce, principal of the school, led us to the room where some kids were watching one of the VHS tapes which is part of the ED TV package handed over to the schools in December last year. And, because this is the first time for the school to have a TV set, there was a need to prepare a special room where the students could watch the educational programs. The VHS tapes had lessons in Math, English, Filipino, Social Studies and Science. There are 1,515 pupils in Soong with 52 students per class.

"In this room we can accommodate one class at a time," said Arce. "We started showing the films in the last week of February. The children are supervised by a teacher during each show."

Plans are underway to include the ED TV materials in the lessons of the students but that will have to wait until next schoolyear. But this does not mean that the students are not allowed to watch the films now. But they do this not as part of their lessons yet, but more as additional information on lessons they are studying at present.

The faculty at Soong are happy with the ED TV materials, saying they will serve as good additional information for the students in relation to their lessons. "I believe that with these additional educational materials the kids will learn more than just what is in their textbooks. Already, the kids enjoy watching the films even if what is being shown is more information about a lesson they learned in class," said Arce.

Grade 6 pupil Fritz Aying had this to say: "Ang napanood ko ay tungkol sa buhay ni Marcelo H. del Pilar at mas madali kong naintindihan and buhay ni Del Pilar sa pamamagitan ng panunuod. Marami akong natutunan."

Although the teachers at Soong were quick to point out that the ED TV materials could not replace the lessons the kids learn in the classroom, the added information the VHS tapes provide are a good way to enhance the learning of the kids.

We all know too well how important TV has become in the life of the kids of today. "We are aware as teachers that much more information is retained when the pupils watch them on TV," shared Lourdes Lood, Department of Education elementary supervisor of the North district. "If our pupils can easily recall what they watched on TV the night before I am sure that they will be able to do the same with the lessons they learn from the ED TV project of Globe."

‘Nuff said.

The other school beneficiary of ED TV was Mlang Primary Elementary school in Mlang North Cotabato. We took a three-hour bus ride from Davao City to Mlang. The school has a student population of 1,670.

It was very refreshing to be in a school which had such wide open spaces and lots of green grass where the kids could play.

Gloria M. de Guzman, school principal, told us that the ED TV package of Mlang was given to the school on Dec. 10, 2003. Since then, "what we have done in our school is to schedule a viewing for the kids during their lunch break," said De Guzman. "This way the students who want to watch can do so after eating instead of just playing."

Just like in Soong Elementary School, the ED TV materials have yet to be incorporated into the curriculum for the year but they are sure to be included in the lesson plans for next year. The teachers at Mlang have also set aside time for themselves to become familiar with the lessons in the tapes so that they can fully integrate them into next year’s school plans.

"Since the students have been able to watch some of the films we overhear them quizzing each other about what they had seen," said De Guzman. "This is a clear sign that the children not only enjoyed the films, they also remembered what they watched."

"I like the effects that are used for the different subjects. I am sure that these will keep the pupils attention focused on the lesson," said Grade 1 teacher Mrs. Abonado. Grade 6 teacher Mrs. Garay had this to say: "Malaking tulong ang ED TV because the kids are able to see their lessons and therefore do not easily get bored."

Indeed.

Students spend so much time in school and it is there that a lot of life’s lessons are learned. The medium of instruction is important and since TV has become a way of life, for many there is no way of escaping it. Since TV will not disappear, the next best thing is to use the TV in a way that will better help the kids learn their lessons and perhaps get a glimpse into solving some of the problems they face in school.

"We are fortunate to have been chosen by Globe as part of ED TV," said De Guzman. "It is a great experience for our students because it is when they watch these shows that they are able to learn many lessons and observe many values, too."