The Ateneo Teacher Training Center hosted the 2019 CEACAL-PEAC Conference last 17-18, July 2019 at the Alingal Multi-Purpose Hall. With the theme Redesigning Pedagogy in a Digital Age: Creativity, Innovations and Values, the conference brought 263 teachers from all the parts of Bicol to acquire better understanding of the characteristics of the learners and the challenges they face in the context of the present times and changing generations. The teachers were updated on the tasks and skills that the learners are expected to develop at every developmental stage. Knowledge of these will enable them to utilize teaching and classroom management strategies that are appropriate to the learners such as skills, interests, values, and learning styles toward a more creative, innovative and value-based learning atmosphere.

The conference invited top caliber speakers Ms. Rhodora Angela F. Ferrer, PEAC Executive Director, who presented the scenarios, challenges, and vision of education on a digital age. Bishop Rex Andrew C. Alarcon, D.D. of the Diocese of Daet, talked on the shared vision on teaching. The morning sessions of the first day tackled both facts and faith and how both affect teaching approaches. Dr Ferrer provided the current context and data of a new industry and how it sparked the rise of new learners. Bishop Alarcon shared his wisdom on how to keep the Catholic truth amidst the continuing changes in paradigms and perspectives.

In the afternoon, Dr. Marcia Corazon Rico, Assistant Dean of Education of the Bicol University, walked through the participants to the journey of creativity, giving several fun exercises to participants between lectures as a means to mix fun and facts, and equipping them with teaching tools which deals with innovation and out-of-the-box solutions.

Finally, on the second day, Dr. Jerome Ouano, Associate Professor of De La Salle University, discussed two topics, namely: understanding digital natives in the classroom and learner-centered instruction, putting a spotlight on the views of the current generation of students, and finding various tools—old and new—to help strengthen teaching methods.

Fr. Roberto E.N. Rivera, SJ, CEACAL President, welcomed the participants and thanked those who made the conference successfully possible.

Photos by Ian Agawa