Author: admin_irjstem

K-12 online education during COVID-19 pandemic: Private school teachers’ perspective

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Eric M. Ragpala
Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University- MLUC, College of Graduate Studies
City of San Fernando, La Union, Philippines
Corresponding Email: eragpala@student.dmmmsu.edu.ph 

A B S T R A C T
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, most educational institutions had been compelled to make an abrupt transition to online classes, which provided opportunities and challenges for students and teachers. To make sure the validity and reliability of this research study, a descriptive design was used. The researcher utilized an online semi-structured interview to gather the needed data from the participants. The researcher adhered to random sampling in selecting the participants of the study. A total of 17 private school teachers were randomly interviewed using Google Meet and Zoom. After the online semi-structured interview, the researcher analyzed the data using thematic analysis. The three major themes generated from the responses of the participants are perceptions of the private school teachers, the challenges in online teaching amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and coping mechanisms. The study found that online teaching had an impact on the responsibilities and roles of the participants in K-12 education due to the changes in teaching platforms, procedures, and techniques. The study presented that the internet connection of students and teachers is one of the most important tools in online teaching. This study revealed also that pure online teaching will not help K-12 education achieve its goals due to the lack of hands-on activities. The study highlighted that the various challenges in online teaching encourage them to be adaptable and resourceful in their teaching careers. Furthermore, the study consists of coping mechanisms that determine how the participants coped with the changes introduced by the rapid move from face-to-face delivery of lessons to online teaching. The researcher recommends that teachers must regularly attend training and seminars on educational development and students must interact with their teachers to perform effectively in the teaching-learning process.

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Incorporating strategic management and competitive intelligence into library practice

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Olabisi Fadeke Adesina, Zainab Olanihun Ambali, Medinat Dolapo Laaro,Tunde Toyese Oyedokun1
Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology, Philippines
University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
Kwara State College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies, Nigeria
Corresponding Email: Toyex4eternity@gmail.com

A B S T R A C T
In the information value chain, libraries face competition from the Internet and web information providers, including online information vendors, information brokers, and others. To stay ahead of their rivals, libraries must use strategy and intelligence gathering to ensure dynamic information services that can meet a wide range of current and emerging users’ information needs. This is especially important in an environment where libraries’ operations are growing more challenging and competitive. This study is a review article that provides an overview of current thinking on the applicability of strategic management and competitive intelligence to contemporary library practice, as well as a critical examination of prior studies, opinions, and research. According to reports, competitive intelligence is a tactical endeavour that is closely related to and integrated with librarianship. Competitive intelligence in libraries comprises determining user profiles and information needs, as well as gathering and analysing external data to plan for the competitive delivery of information services. For a very long time, people have viewed librarians as gatekeepers who serve as intermediaries between information users and the world of information. Changes in information sources, management techniques, and advancements in information technology are converting the library’s intermediary function into an enabler, providing the instruments to distribute information more rapidly and directly. To maintain or improve libraries’ level of competitiveness on a global scale, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of competitive intelligence in modern information delivery as a synergy to expand intelligence availability.

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Detection of Ascaris suum on Visayan warty pig Sus cebifrons in Negros Island, Philippines: A case report

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Wilfredo V. Andico Jr.
Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology, Philippines
Corresponding Email: wvandicojr@nonescost.edu.ph

A B S T R A C T
This paper presents a report on the occurrence, gross pathology and transmissibility of Ascaris suum on Visayan warty pig in Negros Island, Philippines. An approximately 3-year-old Visayan warty pig was presented for death examination. History revealed that the animal was rescued from the local hunters, and is enclosed in a pen with soil flooring, fed with fruits and root crops, and, without veterinary care, was given even prior to the onset of the disease. Gross pathology revealed extensive ecchymoses in the left dorso-caudal lung lobe and multifocal fibrosis on other parts. Multifocal splenic infarctions, empty stomach, and mild fibrosis in the liver parenchyma were observed. The entire small intestine displayed catarrhal enteritis, accompanied by mucosal reddening, and numerous adult stages of Ascaris suum were identified. The results of the case showed that the transmissibility of A.suum in Visayan warty pig is generally the same on what is reported on domestic pigs. Furthermore, this case poses a public health threat due to its zoonotic potential, which is of greater concern compared to the transmissibility of the parasite in domestic pigs due to the nature of living by the Visayan warty pig. As a result, various preventive measures involving innovations in agriculture in rural areas and modifications in the attitude of every person living in the vulnerable place are formulated. To the author’s knowledge, this is the first report of A.suum infection in Negros Island, Philippines, and this should raise awareness among veterinarians, animal conservationists, and public health experts to consider A. suum infection as part of differentials whenever the same case will happen.

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Analyses on three-wheeled vehicles in relation to congestion: A case study in Bishoftu City, Ethiopia

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Tenna Tesfaye Abebe, Mekete Deresso Garuno
Assosa University, Ethiopia
Corresponding Email: tennatesfaye9@gmail.com

A B S T R A C T
Transportation engineering aims at creating the best route between two locations within three considerations: safety, time, and cost. Drivers’ behavior on roads is one of the main concerns for any traffic engineer for its effect on safety. The main objective of this topic was to investigate the impacts of Bajaj (three-wheeled vehicles) driving behavior on traffic flow and safety. The study area is located in Bishoftu City. Data were collected from a survey questionnaire, where the number distributed questionnaire was 600. The main causes of bad driving habits related to Bajaj drivers are the experience of the drivers, age of the drivers (younger drivers), low quality of license giver agencies, and road types (common road) with other vehicles. Its results were about 95% of traffic congestion caused after accidents occur at road segment rather than traffic volume occupation. This indicates that from 85% to 95% of traffic congestion was caused due to driver’s wrong driving behavior habits.

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Assessment of servant leadership and ethical climate: The case of administrators and supervisors

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Geff B. Sagala, Ismael A. Haguisan III, Ene J. Bauden
STI West Negros University, Bacolod City Philippines
University of Antique, Philippines
La Consolacion College Bacolod, Philippines
Corresponding Email: ihaguisan3@gmail.com

A B S T R A C T
Servant leadership and ethical climate are philosophies in which the leader’s goal is to serve humanity ethically. This study assessed the level of servant leadership and ethical climate of the administrators and supervisors in a private hospital. This descriptive comparative correlational research study surveyed 111 employees using a validated and reliable researchers-made instrument. The researchers used the mean, standard deviation, t-test, and Pearson Product Moment of Correlation Coefficient to analyze the findings. The results showed that administrators and supervisors have a high level of servant leadership and adhere to ethical practices. This implies that the supervisors were into pro-social development to perform their moral obligations in their working environment. This study also proved a positive correlation between servant leadership and ethical climate. It is therefore recommended to further promote servant leadership and practice of ethical climate in the workplace through training programs that will raise awareness about these concepts.

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Quality assurance in selected medical schools in Metro Manila Philippines: Current practices and future directions

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Nadia Rose M. Sison
Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology, Philippines
Corresponding Email: 459504054@qq.com

A B S T R A C T
The descriptive research looked at the Quality Assurance (QA) practices of Twenty (20) medical schools in Metro Manila, Philippines, considering their various statuses, systems, and practices. As institutions concentrate on achieving their vision and objectives, QA is essential. In addition, the Commission on Higher Education requires that all academic institutions establish QA in their operations to maintain international competitiveness. As a result, QA must be institutionalized in Philippine medical universities. Based on the findings, most medical schools established QA Departments. The accreditation office is normally situated under the President’s or Vice President’s Office for Academic Affairs. In terms of the QA organizational structure, the term “director” is assigned to the office’s head. The nature of the employment as a director necessitates the use of a plantilla item while personnel have been appointed to assist with the accreditation process. A staff was assigned to the QA Department at the majority of medical universities. Moreover, the QA department’s main responsibilities were preparing program accreditation and coordinating their departments, as well as assisting colleges with program accreditation, formative evaluation, and monitoring program accreditation standards. Since accreditation is an unavoidable QA indicator, it was recommended that university administrators must engage to accreditation in order to achieve higher SUC Levels and maintain excellence. When fully dedicated to QA, presidents must guarantee the participation of all stakeholders in all accreditation operations; and to maintain QA’s long-term viability, the organization, processes, and practices must be standardized; there may be policy campaigning for centralized QA among medical universities.

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Affective strategies in teaching and learning English as a Second Language (ESL)

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Nadia Rose M. Sison
Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology, Philippines
Corresponding Email: nsison@nonescost.edu.ph

A B S T R A C T
Learning a language is both an academic and an emotional process of coming to terms with oneself and building relationships with others. This study aimed to determine the extent of affective strategies in lowering anxiety, encouraging oneself, and taking emotional temperature in teaching and learning English as a Second Language (ESL) among language students and teachers of Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology, a state college in the Philippines. This descriptive-comparative study employed validated survey questionnaires to determine the extent of affective strategies for English language teachers and students. The results showed that language teachers and students use affective strategies to lower anxiety, encourage oneself, and take emotional temperature in teaching and learning ESL. Moreover, females use affective strategies more to lower their anxiety and take emotional temperature than males, who had an average outcome. Interestingly, all year levels indicate a great extent in all three areas. Furthermore, sex and year level are significant in the use of affective strategies specifically in lowering anxiety and encouraging oneself. No significant difference was found in the extent of use of affective strategies among teachers and students. This study recommends the use of affective strategies in teaching ESL, integrated in the materials and methods to further enhance the language learning process of the students.

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Performing homework using of ICT for graphical presentation of trigonometric functions: A qualitative analysis

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Senad Orhani
Faculty of Education/University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, Prishtina, Kosovo
Corresponding Email: senad.orhani@uni-pr.edu

A B S T R A C T
Trigonometry is a mathematical field whose basic concepts are sine and cosine and have many different representations, some of which are covered at length in the Kosovo curriculum in high schools. Unfortunately, many of its aspects are taught procedurally, forcing students to learn without meaning and memorize formulas. The use of ICT enables the implementation of this unconventional proposal, through a series of activities. So, modern ICT provides an excellent tool to explore many of the concepts related to trigonometry, namely the graphical representation of trigonometric functions. Therefore, this study explores some of the potential of such ICTs to influence the performance of homework on graphing trigonometric functions. Qualitative research was chosen as the methodology for this study. Whereas, for this study, the selected sample is represented by about 30 students attending the eleventh grade at the music high school “Lorenc Antoni” in Prizren/Kosovo. Data collection for this study was conducted through online portfolios and an interview. The results of this study show the positive effect that ICT had on the students’ motivation for doing homework during the graphical presentation of trigonometric functions.

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Treatment outcome and follow-up pattern of breast cancer patients with locally advanced and/or metastatic disease receiving intravenous chemotherapy during COVID-19 Pandemic: A descriptive correlational study

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Paulo Martin B. Villanueva1 Judy Ann B. Surtida, May Sabando
English as a Foreign Language Teacher, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Polytechnic State University of Bicol / Manila Doctors College of Nursing, Philippines
Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH), Philippines
Corresponding Email: paulomartin3006@yahoo.com

A B S T R A C T
The study determined the impact COVID-19 pandemic on treatment outcomes and follow-up patterns of breast cancer patients at Bicol Cancer Center of Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH). The study utilized a retrospective and descriptive study. Of the 108 breast cancer patients, 73 or 67.59 percent had followed up as scheduled during the pandemic; while there was 35 or 32.41 percent who had delayed follow-up. Of the total number of subjects with treatment delays, there were 7 or 6.48 percent with the stable disease while 24 or 22.22 percent were already found with progressive disease. For breast cancer patients with no treatment delays, there was 71 or 65.74 percent with stable disease and 6 or 5.56 percent were found to have a progressive disease. A chi-square test of independence was performed to examine the comparison of outcomes between those with treatment delay and those with no treatment delay. The relation between these variables was significant, X2 (1, N = 108) = 49.9951, p = <0.00001. Patients with no treatment delays were more likely to have a stable disease compared to those with treatment delays. There is a high percentage of follow-ups as scheduled despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The incidence of progressive disease is higher among patients who received treatment delay as compared to those who did not have treatment delay. Patients with breast cancer who do not follow up as scheduled which causes treatment delays are at higher risk of having more severe or progressive disease.

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Communication strategies of English majors in Philippine classroom discourses: Basis for an enhancementmodule on strategic competence

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Henry E. Lemana II
English as a Foreign Language Teacher, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Corresponding Email: henrylemana_23@yahoo.com

A B S T R A C T
Both high and low language proficiency learners encounter communication issues, so they use verbal and nonverbal communication techniques to make up for communication failures brought on by performance factors or a lack of competence. This study described the communication strategies employed in the utterances of Filipino students in their classroom discourses as a basis for an enhancement module on strategic competence. Furthermore, it utilized a descriptive-quantitative approach. Third-year college students under the Bachelor in Secondary Education major in English program of four purposively selected higher education institutions in Region XII, the Philippines were the participants of the study, who were observed with video recordings. Transcription of students’ utterances provided the data for analysis through the use of the taxonomy of communication strategies. Based on the results, English majors possess strategic competence as evidenced by their use of varied communication strategies, with fillers being the most lavishly employed. However, the analysis also conveyed that students incline to overuse three communication strategies (use of fillers/hesitation devices, self-repetition, mumbling) which resulted in observable message distortions, unsuccessful information transfers, and even total communication breakdowns. The results of this study became the basis to come up with an enhancement module on the strategic competence of English majors. The findings suggest that the proposed enhancement module on strategic competence be implemented in the selected higher education institutions in the Philippines and further studies on other aspects of communicative competence (linguistic, socio-linguistic, and discourse) be conducted with a more significant sample of students taking other courses and coming from various groups and ages.

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