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BUKATalk for Sharing of Best Practices

The College of Education (CED) of Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) has organized an annual online activity called BUKATalk to encourage the College’s community of learning (CoL) to reflect on their teaching experiences and discuss and share good teaching practices as part of the implementation of innovative flexible learning (InFLeX) in the College.

BUKATalk is part of CED’s pilot program under the EU-funded Better Universities & Knowledge for All (BUKA) project. The activity is underpinned by the REACH (Relevant, Engaged, Active, Connected, and Holistic) framework proposed by CED Dean Amelia Buan and colleagues as part of the implementation of the InFLeX modality at MSU-IIT.

At a recent BUKATalk Dr. Rhea Febro-Confessor shared a brief lecture on “Thinking Together through Communities of Practice (CoP).’’ She talked about the essential features of CoPs and the important dimensions of “practice.” She emphasized that cultivating a CoP must include: designing for evolution; opening dialogue between inside and outside perspectives to see opportunities and possibilities; inviting different levels of participation and not expecting everyone to participate at the same level; focusing on value; combining familiarity and excitement; and creating a rhythm for the community. Her talk prompted the faculty peer mentors to reflect upon the various peer mentoring activities conducted in the College for possible revisions and enhancement towards more progressive communities of learning and practice.

Also at the BUKATalk faculty members from the different departments of the College shared their virtual classroom set-up in the University’s Moodle-based LMS; best practices in assessment, lesson delivery, student support, and interaction; and challenges encountered in implementing InFLeX. The presenters were: Kayce Maye Michelle D. Casas and Victor Rosales of the Department of Technology Teacher Education, Giselle Dangdang and Felix Gaviola, Jr. of the Department of Professional Education, Odessa Aberilla and Elesar Malicoban of the Department of Science and Mathematics Education, Leo Santillana and Darlton Ace Tero of the Department of Physical Education, and Dante Joma Zabala and Neal Alfie Lasta of the Integrated Development School.

In her synthesis statement, Dean Buan challenged everyone to pursue quality and equity in instruction despite the challenges of the new modality of teaching and learning, and to be involved in achieving the goal of MSU-IIT’s pilot program under the BUKA project, which is “to be a delivering institution of quality accessible education for Mindanao through innovative modalities.”