The difference the IBM KidSmart have made to me and to my pupils.

I was once an anti-television / computer installation at home or at school. To me this technology rivals the pupils time in studying and doing their homework. It also rivals my teaching. At homeroom meetings I even discourage parents in buying television.

Now I realized it wasn’t the technology but how the parents or the teacher use it.

After the training and during the implementation of the program, I found out that kids enjoy the activities more than they do in my well-prepared classroom lesson. No matter how I present my lesson in my normal class they will always remember better the lessons in the IBM KidSmart using the CBL plans. Much to my dismay, I realize nothing in my efforts can compete with the animated, colorful and interactive lessons that are presented in every lesson. The kids even call it games. How can I compete with games?

I was forced to learn more of the technology that I once was wary of because grade VI kids know better than me. Now, I can proudly say I can lay-out cards and brochures, make my grades, and graphs. And all of that is by mere trial and error method.

I even encourage and coach some teachers in making there grades. In me they have an example. I was once scared to touch the computer thinking I would ruin it.

My kids also have gained confidence in doing the activities in the computer. It boosted their confidence a lot. If they know how to manipulate computer, which some of their teachers can’t, how much more the other lessons? They became independent that on vacant hours they would again do the activities they have learned previously.

The only problem it gives me is that it forces me to do some overtime. Kids having no regular computer schedule try to also do the activities after class hours, and I just can’t say no those eager hands and minds. The earliest that I can go home is six in the evening because of the constant 5 minutes more of the kids.

From the NAT of 39% three years ago we soared to 79.81% this year. Grade six kids would very gladly stay for an hour everyday for review in exchange of one hour a week computer manipulation.

Thank you IBM KidSmart Early Learning Program for making my teaching a little less hard for me and more enjoyable and interesting for my kids. ( I have 256 grade one pupils all determined not to be absent on their 30 minutes CBL and 30 minute per week computer activities)


GENEVIVE P.PERINO

Sumpong Elementary School, Sumpong, Malaybalay City