Science subjects are often a threat to students' grade. Why?... because the subject is being feared by many students. And that is due to lack of motivation. Teachers usually use board and marker technique. Students don't even know why they take these subjects as they enter the school. You would even hear from them: “What's the reason for having these subjects? How can we apply them in the future?”. For creative teachers, one way is to vary teaching techniques with the aid of different instructional materials. But even with the use of colorful visual aids it is really hard to get the students' interest with regards to science areas. So, I am thankful that in my 20th year of teaching I was chosen to represent our school to a two-day seminar-workshop on the use of VCDs and CONSTEC materials as sponsored by Foundation for Upgrading the Standard of Education, also known as FUSE, way back 2005. I tried the techniques and I have found it useful. I gained the interest of my students. Actually, even after class, I can still hear my students discussing the concepts which they have learned from my class as I've employed the techniques which I have learned from the training. The students have realized the relevance of the science concepts being tackled in the class. They easily recognized the role played by each concept in their life... even to their daily activities. That is so, because of the learning material that has been provided by FUSE to our school in recognition to the participating schools in the said seminar training. Such learning materials are really of great help to me as a teacher. With these tools of learning, my work as a teacher was lessen by becoming a facilitator of learning in the class. While, students learned and at the same time realized the role of the topic presented to them in their real life since most examples given in the materials were found at home. In addition, by viewing the videos, the students can really experience what is being conveyed to them. Through the examples shown in the video, they can see the “microscopic” behavior of the atom. That is, when the molecular movement of the substance in each phase of matter were shown. In addition to that, the sample substances are common in a way that these substances can be found in the different parts of the house. On the other hand, the students enjoyed playing the “guessing game” about the elements pertaining to their atomic masses, where student's scientific skills as well as mathematical skills are being developed as they guess the element through performing some mathematical operations that will give the atomic mass of the element. Indeed, FUSE materials are of great help in teaching science.

Actually, I, myself were inspired by these materials that were presented to the participants during the training. And because of this, I was able to make a material for Computer Aided Instruction, CAI, as it was being implemented in our school at present. The said material on Stoichiometry was patterned on the FUSE videos. That is, it was based on the real life situation of the students. And for the same reason, it really touches the student's life that really can find the role of the concept in their own environment. At present, I have made another material, this time in Physics on the topic about Thermodynamics. I have also edited some CAI materials in Biology. And this time, I was about to develop two materials in Chemistry: “Naming compounds” and “Chemical Equations”. Also, I have found out that FUSE materials are very useful in adapting a new curriculum in our school: “Understanding by Design” since the materials provide examples based on the practical life of the learners.

Really, teachers who are equipped with knowledge and skills are like stars that sparkle in his passion to produce competitive individuals. And that is what is being provided by FUSE.

ROSEMARIE E. ATENDIDO
Home Address: 1240 LARDIZABAL ST., SAMPALOC, MANILA
School Address: JOSE RIZAL UNIVERSITY
80 SHAW BLVD.,
MANDALUYONG CITY
Contact numbers: 5318031 loc. 18 (c/o JRU)
09287529233

Founded by Dr. Lucio C. Tan on December 1, 1994, FUSE seeks to improve the skills in English, Science and Mathematics teachers. Its programs include regular teacher training workshops; a post-graduate scholarship program for Science and Engineering teachers; production and distribution of telecourses in English, Elementary Science, Chemistry, Physics and Math; and a host of other educational programs in partnership with government and private learning institutions.