Join our Jogging, Please!

By Vic Odarve

How to get the students in shape, stay fit, and have fun? Madonna University has an answer… jogging! Every Monday morning for girls and Tuesday for boys! At 7am, around 5000 students must go out from the hostels and prepare for a 1.0 kilometer run affair. It’s a jogging time! Jogging keeps students always in shape; thus, promotes healthy life, and improves study concentration. It also keeps students stay fit; burning excess fat and enhancing the immune system. It is fun, and promotes camaraderie, as well. Now, join our jogging, please!

Morning Jogging-Madonna University,Africa

Jogging is running at a slow or leisurely pace; thus, increasing physical fitness with less stress on the body than from faster running, or to maintain students always in shape for healthy life.  Virtually all the students can do it. The school, on the other hand, believes that regular exercise enhances the student’s mental well-being along with their physical health. In fact, numerous studies indicate that a student’s achievement and physical fitness are positively related. It also helps to boost self-esteem, relieve depression, and improve concentration. That’s the way the students should be!

About 5000 students jogging

 It also keeps students stay fit; may enhance the immune system. It stimulates the brain to release chemicals which reduce anxiety and create a sense of well-being. The study demonstrated that regular exercise such as jogging brings considerable health gains that emphasized cardiovascular fitness. During jogging, sympathetic nerve fibers increase heart rate. For a 90- kg students running at 9 km/h (5.5 mph),

Manny Pacquiao jogs before fights

approximately 880 calories are burned per hour.

But for some of the students who joined jogging with thousands of their classmates are for fun. After a few minutes of important announcement the game started by stretching exercises evidently to loosen their muscles prior jogging properly. Then the students, with a loud voice chanting jogging along the 1.0 km circuitous paths in an oval university playground,

Bruce Lee jogs to keep his fighting form

offered the visitors a thousand smiling faces; and laughter could be heard along the way. It promotes camaraderie and friendship.

Today, jogging is established as both a recreational pursuit and a training tool; it is practiced by boxers and martial artists and similar sports minded individuals to get in shape, stay fit, and have fun. Manny Pacquiao, a Filipino professional boxer,  the first and only eight-division world champion, in which he has won ten world titles, as well as the first to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes, used to jog everyday in a high altitude mountain in Baguio City, Philippines months before the fights. Martial artists Bruce Lee preferred to run every day, rain or shine to maintain his fighting form. He used to run at Big Bear Lake because of the altitude-- it makes it an ideal location to train for any event. Running at high altitudes is one secret to building endurance for any fight.

For the students, jogging, as a physical education course, forms part of their curriculum. But the benefits are keeping the students in shape, stay fit, and have fun. Since physical exercise such as jogging and spiritual health are both important, one need to strike a healthy balance. 1 Timothy 4:8 puts it,” For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all affairs, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come”. So, it is clear that jogging is not only for students. God wants all people from all walks of life to have physical exercise to become physically and spiritually fit. So, join our jogging, please!

Why Workbook is Important in Math?

By Vic Odarve

Although usually smaller and lighter than textbooks, workbooks serve as an extension in classroom lecture on large class size, determine the quality of teaching and learning topics, and facilitate homework. Math courses with a class size of hundreds of students, which teachers have difficulty to facilitate a good interaction with the students, workbooks effectively filled the inadequacy. Workbooks, being a condensed course outlines from a standard textbook, serve as a teachers’ roadmap in classroom discussion and guide for the students on what topics to follow next. Further, workbook facilitates homework for the students to study at home and allow the teachers to monitor their progress.

Math Workbooks for Engineering Students

Unlike in most colleges and universities in western and eastern part of the globe, some African schools allow having larger class sizes. Here, schools allowed 200 to 1500 student class size for the general math courses in 100 levels. For engineering, mathematics 200 and up levels, schools usually have 200-500 students per class. Even with the aid of modern available equipments such as power points or slides and sound devices, a number of students which must listen and do some interaction during discussion already pose a problem. Some failed to catch up the lesson discussed on the presented slides or materials written on the board and others may not hear properly the discussion or explanation. With all these problems, workbook seems to fill up by reviewing and reworking exercises at home. Students who were less fortunate to grasp the discussion must look on the workbook and copy notes from their classmates. A scenario common in big African universities!

Workbooks for Computer  Science and Engineering

Most workbook topics are presented chronologically since math is cumulative. It is written in a clear, precise, and easy to understand as compared to textbooks. Each lesson carefully builds on the concepts students learned previously, with the problems and illustrations discussed steps by steps. Thus, this book guides the students on how the course discussion is pacing. The workbook serves as a road map for the teacher and a helpful aid for substitute teachers. Further, it provides information on the quality of teaching materials that lecturers or teachers must inculcate in the minds of the students, Students, too, would notice what is expected to learn for this semester in Math course.

As this book is also specifically designed for student’s activity at home, workbooks are usually filled with illustrative examples from simple to complex problems presented in clear, step by step manner. Practice problems, which usually followed after the completion of each topic, can be worked out and  the answers can be written directly in the book. Often times these practice problems are taken as assignments or homeworks where teachers can follow up at classrooms. Workbooks allow students to compare their solution steps from the classroom lectures; use as reference when they got stuck on the topic discussed; and offer an opportunity for easy learning outside the classroom at the own pace. The homework activities motivate and challenge students; thus math becomes useful and enjoyable…never a dull and boring! The workbook is a haven for gifted students where they can enjoy the challenge of solving the difficult math exercises and problems on their own.

 What, then if the teacher is the one who wrote the workbook?  The results are simply amazing as workbook and teacher are helping the students in unison! The workbook they are using is the language of his mind…a best picture and the most effective means of transfer of knowledge. Everybody can expect the best results; maximizing the best potential for the good of the students. Workbook and teacher are one! Thus, workbook is necessary in math!

Dummies and Bribes; Corruption

Dummies and Bribes; Gates to Corruption

by Vic Odarve

Every day, we read and see in newspapers, televisions, and tabloids highlighting corruption. Main culprits; dummies and bribes! These are, indeed, instruments to hide hidden wealth and elude authorities for investigation especially taxation. Dummies and bribes are really gates to corruption. Dummies are persons or organizations serving as a front for another while pretending to be independent. On the other hand, bribes are to give somebody money or some other incentive to do something, especially something illegal or dishonest. With a masterful stroke from the government investigators for hidden wealth from among our politicians and public officials, these dummies and bribes are actually the gates of corruptions.

VP Jejomar Binay

Dummies, like wormholes, are done in stealth manner that detection to get a clue requires expertise. Politicians and other wealthy personalities, while amassing wealth due to the position in government offices, used “dummies” to corner government contracts and conceal the assets acquired while still in government office.  Such was the case of VP Jejomar Binay who allegedly earned something on the graft-ridden P2. 3-billion Makati parking building. Investigation pointed out that a company that won contracts is a front. He is also believed to be the owner of 350 hectares Batangas property fronted by a businessman Tiu. VP Binay who was a poor human rights lawyer during the dark days of martial law is now very rich, as reflected in his own declaration in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth. With no family business, incomes come mainly derived from the salary as public servants. This makes it difficult to explain how he amassed his wealth.

Like dummies, bribes which often develop from personal connections also lead to corruption. Such connections are important in getting things done within the public sector, and a majority of bribes going toward speeding up a service. It is a form of corruption! Receiving a big discount on their own purchases and receiving gifts or millions of dollars in the form of donations are also indirect bribery. Accepting such lucrative offers while in position meant to create an obligation on behalf of the public official to provide some benefit in return at some point in time. Diversion of the public fund to ghost projects also results to kickbacks or bribes. That was what happened to Ji Jianye, the mayor of Nanjing, a major city in eastern China, was arrested on suspicion of accepting bribes worth about 20 million yuan ($3.3 million). Mohamed Suharto, too, President of Indonesia from 1967-98, allegedly embezzled $ 15 billion to $35 billion according to Transparency International report 2004. One would recognize bribery easily, but many a time bribery makes its debut under the cloak of gifts.

Anti-corruption nonprofit Transparency International has released its 2013 Global Corruption Barometer, showed that for countries with more than 100 million populations, Mexico, Nigeria and Russia were considered as the world’s most corrupt nations. Residents reported corruptions in the public sector are very serious problems. Transparency groups blamed politicians for encouraging corruptions; corrupt political parties; and companies underreporting the value of the resources they extract and the tax incurred amounting to billions of dollars.

Corrupt practices may affect the reputation and further erode the people’s trust in the government officials. Parents must have an active role in raising children to instill honesty; schools must share the value of moral ascendancy; and government officials must engage in soul searching and examine their conscience and purify their culture.

It has been said that in these corrupt countries, every single law enacted by lawmakers presents an opportunity for someone to make money, directly or indirectly. Much more, corrupt people are proven smarter than government regulations, but dummies and bribes are always the components of corruption.

Quiz Measures and Promotes Learning in Math

Quiz Measures and Promotes Learning in Math

                                                                        By Vic Odarve

Although much of the math classroom activity such as lectures and board works is aimed at helping students acquire and store knowledge, a quiz measures learning as well as to promote it. Quiz, as a measuring educational tool, enables the teacher to gage how far the students learn the course topic and if ready for the next course to be taken up. In addition, a quiz also promotes stronger learning as students have improved retention of the topic and store it more securely in their memory. Quiz, therefore, as a part of a classroom routine, is yardstick on how far are our students learn as well as sort of mechanism in promoting stronger learning.

Quiz in Engineering Mathematics

Although quiz puts the students under pressure, it allows the teacher to measure their progress in a particular topic, locking in learning along the way, and redirecting effort to areas of weakness where more work and review are needed to achieve proficiency. It also yields hints for the teachers who the weaker and stronger students are - who requires extra attention and who needs more of a challenge. In math, it can change the calculus in time table that is, allowing the teacher a flexible time for discussion. Without it, teachers cannot evaluate whether the educational goals and standards of the lessons are being met. 

Pilgrimage Center at University Campus, Nigeria,Africa

In addition to as a measuring tool, quiz promotes stronger learning by encouraging students to practice their valuable skill of retrieving and using the stored knowledge. Several studies reveal that much of what we learn is quickly forgotten, but there is an improved retention of knowledge after taking a quiz. 

Studies further show that quiz serves students best when they are incorporated into the regular classroom classes. This takes into account, among other matters, the students to overcome anxiety when getting up for and taking government standardized exams or practice long examinations such as close of semester examinations. By putting into practice the accessing or applying the stored knowledge, the students build mastery of the course. 

Although this requires an ample time for the teachers to deal out and marking the scripts, quiz measures and encourages effective learning at all grade levels in math. So, the quiz is not just a tool to quantify and measure how effective the teaching method is, but also promotes students learning in Math.

Why China's Behavior Alarms Her Neighbors

By Vic Odarve

In history, it is the military might coupled with aggressive totalitarian leadership that increases the risk of an incident or miscalculation or fueled by overconfidence bring the world wars. And China has all these elements! China’s exponential military budget over the past few years; military posture over the South China Sea; and aggressive totalitarian leader that defies international norm on settling disputes thru United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea worries her small and relatively weak neighbors. 

Commercial airlines flight across South China Sea

Yes, China is militarily strong and is still growing. According to the survey conducted by Global Firepower report, China has the third most powerful army in the world next to Russia and United States. 

China military power rises exponentially in the past five years. Beijing is undergoing massive military modernization program widely regarded as among the most aggressive and advanced in the world; aspiring to build a truly powerful 21 st century military with budget excessive for the country’s legitimate defense needs. The elevated budget levels for the past few years may build even more potent forces; attempt to intimidate potential competitors in Asia; and suggests that the primary purpose is projecting power across long distances, not defending the homeland anymore. Today, China has its strategic missile forces combat ready and has also developed a broad array of space weapons designed to destroy enemy’s satellites; and also built the world’s largest army of cyber warriors, and drones. 

Moreover, Chinese government, with its Communist party in power, is authoritarian in structure and ideology usually headed by few influential people. Most often than not, authoritarian government can be abused by leaders who are corrupt; people under the leadership just follow the leader without questions; and may lead in making a bad decision. In authoritarian government, there's a political stability, but it is sometimes ruled with fear. 

History always reminds mankind that country with powerful military and authoritarian rule usually have expansionist policy and intimidate the smaller neighbors. That is what happened in Europe before World War II. Germany, with Hitler authoritarian rule backed up with the powerful military machine, invaded her neighbors without considering the international norm of respecting sovereignty. Few months ago, Russian under Putin absorbed Crimea by demonstrating her military might and authoritarian regime rule. Today, China’s behavior is alarming; claims that China’s territorial seas extend into much of the South China Sea and declare to be within their Exclusive Economic Zones and establishes a new demarcation line on the air and naval navigation. 

AS always shown in history, military might coupled with an authoritarian leader increases the risk of an incident or miscalculation or fueled by overconfidence bring the world in flames. China’s behavior is likened to Germany and Japan before World War II. This behavior alarms her relatively weak and small neighboring countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei.

History Repeats Itself

By Vic Odarve

Have you seen your television every morning? The world’s situation is a giant mess!  News on Syria, Egypt, South China Sea, and Russian invasion in Ukraine caught your attention. Russia and China, both looks like a Poseidon holding a trident, are ready to smite their own oppositions. And the world seems gasping its last breath! History is to repeat itself!

They had experienced World War II

Look at Crimea, Ukraine! It is an aftermath of Georgia. In 2008, Mr. Putin invaded Georgia and paid no price for that action. NATO and its western allies were on standstill. No action. And lately he proceeded to takeover Crimea, saying his country could not “ignore calls for help” from ethnic Russians in Ukraine.  Putin declared that he acted accordingly with the international law. That was his point.

On opposite side of the globe China bullied his small neighbors by making her own demarcation line on the South China seas and claimed to be its integral part of the mainland. China has bullied the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei and unilaterally staked claims to wide swaths of international air space and sea lanes. China also

This generation  has not yet experience the cruelty of  war

claimed Senkaku Islands from Japan in the East China Sea. 

Both their actions are against the UN Charter and international law. Russia’s action in Crimea is a clear “violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” China’s rejections to its settlement thru UN arbitration are also against the international law like the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS. And she shows no sign of backing away from its growing assertiveness in disputed waters in the East China and South China seas.

Today, these powerful nations Russia and China are becoming more frightening because of the various excuses such as reuniting their own speaking people and thru intimidation, flex their muscles over their small neighbors.  

This is exactly what happened before World War II. Yes, history seems to repeat itself. Germany under Hitler launched his own expansionist drive with the annexation of Austria in March 1938; Czechoslovakia, the Sudetenland and its 3.5 million ethnic Germans in September 1938; and Poland in September 1, 1939. Japan, too, by late 1938 had seized control of most of northeast China and imposed several measures designed to assimilate the Korean population.

As always in world history, United Nations and the western allies are the last walls to deter the expansions. Red lines establishments, calculated sanctions, and enforcements of the international laws and UN charters are some of the measures to save peace rather than to force military experts to their own drawing boards.

These current situations are very delicate and a mite too late to resolve may result to another apocalypse. Like matter and anti matter which annihilates each other, there are always pros and cons, as violators and followers to international law. Nobody wants to fight like the World War II.

As shown, Russia and China are like Germany and Japan of old. Both appear to lose the touch of reality of our real world. History seems to repeat itself!

How E-Learning Combined with Traditional Teaching Method Works in Math

By Vic Odarve

Although traditional classroom based instruction works well in math, the method can be improved with the inclusion of e-learning technology. This teaching strategy is advantageous in math courses as computers or laptops bring the students to a new heights of modern technology application in mathematical calculations; blogs and  websites facilitate learning instructions outside the classroom lectures and allow the students to study at their own pace. As a result, university can be a world class teaching institution.

University needs E-learning

Yes, math lectures must go hand in hand with our advancement in science and technology especially with computers. This combinative math teaching method allows students to use computers or laptops and its application to mathematical computation. Laptops have programs, such as MS Excel, etc., that would make calculations in courses such as statistics, economics, matrices, linear programming, etc., easier and faster. 

For example, after our traditional board and eraser presentation in classrooms, students must countercheck the results using the computer program. In economics, students learn how to apply the software in computing depreciations, simple and compound interests, and annuities.  In linear algebra, they learn in matrices on how to compute unknown quantities using inverse method, eigenvectors and eigenvalues, and a sort of programming on vectors. In stats, students learn on how to compute measures of central tendency and dispersion using software, and many more in descriptive and inferential. In this manner students will appreciate the importance of computer in math calculations, time savings it entails, and benefits it brings as more accurate, faster and easier. Math solution is at your fingertips!

Modern Technology is a part of our life

Lecturers or teachers can do more tricks!  Quizzes and exams must be solved by manual computation and by computer generated solutions.   It’s another challenge and they will love it!

In addition to the use of computer to do mathematical computation, this math teaching method also encourages the use of websites or blogs to further the course discussion not finish in the classrooms. With web or blog sites, lecturers can post, for example, unfinished classroom business, areas of concentration for students to study on final exams, additional instruction, and exam results of a particular course and post the top performers. Or even post the grades a few more weeks after the exam and let the students see their grades before submission to the Head of Department and Record Office.

Further, students can scan the web or blog and revisit from time to time as often as they want to review the lessons and topics discussed; study at their own pace outside the classroom; believe they have more retention in the lessons especially if we posted video tutorials in a particular course. With blogsites students can ask their questions, discuss their ideas, and even offer some more suggestions thru e-mails and responses. This is something classroom instruction cannot usually offer. 

It is now a rapid changing world where an education acquired 10 years ago is no longer relevant or maybe obsolete today if not upgraded. It is a paradigm shift!

This combined traditional and e-learning method in math teaching is indeed a great help to the students as well as the lecturers. Students appreciate the use of computers in math calculations and lecturers, too, benefited by posting important additional instructions in websites where students can enjoy learning at the own pace outside the classrooms. A whole new package! 

Whether we like it or not, it’s simply the way the technology is heading! And we have to embrace it and slowly and slowly we have a world class university in the making!