A Proposal on the Establishment of an Online Resource Center forthe Malikhaing Guro Program under ARTIST, Inc.

Samuel Jay Pasia

Vannessa San Juan

Introduction

BACKGROUND AND HISTORY

Malikhaing-Guro is an offshoot of the program Likhandula:

Improbisasyon sa Sining Pantanghalan. As a short overview,

Likhandula was launched in 1989 under the Sanaysining Summer Arts

Program. Likhandula involved music, visual arts, and most

importantly theater arts workshops aimed at honing cultural

workers, theater advocates, and practitioners.

The principle behind the workshop is that every theater

advocate or cultural worker can be and should be an organizer

(ability to mobilize people and create programs related to arts

and culture), a researcher (ability to search and discover new

information that would cater to the needs of arts and culture in

the community and the nation as a whole), artist (ability to

embody and appreciate creativity in its various forms and

expressions), trainer (besides the ability to perform creative

pieces, he/she must be able to mentor others, facilitate

workshops geared towards proliferation of arts and culture), and

educator (abiltiy to share the knowledge and create a meaningful

teacher-learning environment)---these collectively known as

ORATE.

Even then, facilitators and participants of the workshops

felt and saw the opportunity and possibility of incorporating key

ideas in theater into the classroom as tools for motivation,

learning strategy, and mode of evaluation. Hence, Malikhaing Guro

was evetually designed as a course for teachers and educators who

aim at integrating arts (visual, music, theater) into the

classroom not only as learning motivation, strategies, and

evaluation, but also an avenue for the participants to be the

ultimate performer that they can be---in the classroom.

Malikhaing Guro (MG) was formally launched by the Arts Research

and Training Institute in Southern Tagalog, Inc. (ARTIST, Inc.)

in 1994 as an attempt to establish a creative pedagogy training

program for elementary and secondary school teachers. Over the

years, MG has evolved into a week-long creative heritage-based

pedagogy workshop not only for teachers and educators, but also

for cultural workers and has been conducted every May in various

provinces, particularly in select areas of Makiling, Banahaw, and

Laguna and MIMARO (Mindoro Occidental and Oriental, Marinduque,

and Romblon).

MG envisions to impart in its participants the advocacy of

creating a meaningful teaching–learning environment for the

teachers and students, and hopefully, produce empowered citizens

in the end.

The primary aim of this project is to put up an EDCOMTECH

unit in the form of an online resource center which shall be

called GURONG MALIKHA as the second phase of the Malikhaing Guro

program.

The name gurongmalikha.com was coined by one of the MG

proponents and executive director of ARTIST, Inc., Edward Perez.

The website gurongmalikha.com would serve as an avenue for

the workshop participants to communicate and interact with each

other and the trainors as well in the virtual world as a follow

through. As an overview, the online resource center would include

the following: a description of the Malikhaing Guro workshop and

its principles; the art forms that teachers, educators, and

cultural workers can use in promoting a meaningful learning

environment; the cultural heritage in which lessons can be

anchored into; sample lesson plans using heritage-based pedagogy;

photo and video gallery; program schedule; networks and linkages;

forum; and the contact details to which concerns can be addressed

to.

VISION

Malikhaing Guro’s vision is to be a premier training

institution for the promotion of culture and the arts by molding

teachers, educators, and cultural workers to be efficient vessels

and conveyors of change by instilling mutual respect for people’s

rights and culture and create socio-cultural and political

empowerment to the public through creative heritage-based

pedagogy.

MISSION

Expand the operations of Malikhaing Guro from being just a

summer program into a year-long program.

Advocate for culture and the arts and theater in promoting

the pillars of development and democracy.

Strengthen the organization through online presence that

will widen its scope of service.

Establish a strong linkage with local and international

cultural workers, educators, and teachers working toward the

same goals.

Hone skills and empower teachers, educators, and cultural

workers through trainings.

PRINCIPLE

Malikhaing Guro upholds the virtue of ORATE: The teacher as

an ORGANIZER, RESEARCHER, TRAINER, and EDUCATOR.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

Gain deeper understanding and appreciation of the theater

and other heritage-based creative expressions for knowledge

structure.

Demonstrate the ability to develop instructional materials

rooted from heritage-based creative expressions,

particularly, the theater.

Experience creative processes which can help locate cultural

knowledge essential in enhancing activities.

GOALS

To execute the workshop material already developed by

ARTIST, Inc.

To put up an infrastructure/building for the institution for

the continuous operation of the Malikhaing Guro training

program.

To set up a website, to be dubbed as gurongmalikha.com for

alternative distance learning option.

To employ professional consultants and trainors in order to

provide quality training for future teachers, educators, and

cultural workers.

To device a viable mechanism for evaluation.

To set up a network that may be utilized to showcase the

skills and talents of graduates from the program (schools,

universities, theater organizations, communities).

LOGICAL FRAMEWORK

Narrative Summaryof the Project

Measureable or Objectively Verifiable Indicators

Means or Source of Verification

Important Assumptions

To execute the workshop materialalready developedby ARTIST, Inc.

Number of registrants and attendees of scheduled workshop

Registration FormAttendance SheetFull documentation

Workshop material will beadjusted and revised to fit the call of the times.

To put up an infrastructure/building for the institution for the continuous operation of the Malikhaing Guro training program.

A three-storey building complete with the facilities required are setup

A completed building

There is enough budget to put upand sustain the building as planned.

To set up a website, to be dubbed as gurongmalikha.comfor alternative distance learningoption.

A working website readily accessible to interested stakeholders

Total number of hits/ access to the website; Number of registrants via distance learning option

Website was launched, marketed and gathered enough public attentionto allow the flourishing of the distance learning option.

To employ professional consultants and trainors in orderto provide quality training for future teachers, educators, and cultural workers.

Professional consultants and trainors are hired to train future teachers,educators and cultural worker

Number of hours rendered by professional consultants and trainors

There is a budget to hire professionals, or professionalsare willing to render service on a voluntary basis.

To device a viable mechanism

Evaluation results voicing

Evaluation sheetthat underwent

Stakeholders arewilling to

for evaluation. out the concernsof stakeholders

consultation foreach kind for intended purpose

participate in the evaluation through the proposed mechanism.

To set up a network that may be utilized to showcase the skills and talents of graduates from the program (schools, universities, theater organizations, communities).

A network, sufficient in terms of scope and reach which include schools,universities, theater organizations and communities has been set up

A directory and contracts manifesting partnership

The organizationis mature and ready enough to partner with other institutions.

ARTIST, Inc.Executive Director

ARTIST-PARS(Production Accessoriesand Resource Services)

Coordinator

DARE(Department of Arts and

Research)Coordinator

PSP(Production and Special

Projects)Coordinator

MALIKHAING GUROProgram Coordinator

WebsiteAdministrat

or

MG LiaisonOfficers

Head

Figure 1. Organizational Structure of Gurong Malikha in relation to

the organic structure of ARTIST, Inc.

MG TrainorsHead

MG AdministrationHead

gurongmalikha.comOnline Resource

CenterHead

Networks &Linkages

Head

ForumModerator

Head

TechnicalDepartment

Head

Administrative Aide

Head

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

DARE (Department of Arts and Research) Coordinator. The DARE

Coordinator will serve as the direct link of the Malikhaing Guro

Program to the general organizational structure of the ARTIST,

Inc. He/She will directly supervise in all activities that shall

be initiated by the Malikhaing Guro from its establishment down

to its networking and online presence. He/She shall act as a

recommendatory personnel for all proposals that shall emanate

from the Malikhaing Guro Program.

MALIKHAING GURO Program Coordinator. The Malikhaing Guro Program

Coordinator shall serve as the general manager of the Malikhaing

Guro Program in all its activities and actions. He/She shall act

as the primary representative or spokesperson of the Malikhaing

Guro Program to the general organizational structure of the

ARTIST, Inc. He/She is also the chief executive officer for all

provisions, programs, and projects and the main overseer of the

operations of the Malikhaing Guro Program.

MALIKHAING GURO Trainors Head. The Malikhaing Guro Trainors Head

serves as the leader of the Training Committee. He/She initiates

trainings that will aid in the analysis of current methodology of

teaching the stakeholders. He/She may recommend and facilitate in

the revision of the training medium used in the Malikhaing Guro

Program, as well as provide materials that will be uploaded in

the website.

GURONG MALIKHA Online Resource Center Head. The Gurong Malikha

Online Resource Center Head makes sure that the Program has

consistent and efficient online presence. He/She takes charge of

collection, taking custody of, and authentication of all

materials that are uploaded through the gurongmalikha.com. All

materials to be uploaded, he/she shall forward to the Program

Coordinator for final approval. He manages the strategy for

maintaining the website.

Website Administrator. The Website Administrator takes care

of all the technical aspects of the gurongmalikha.com.

He/She designs, re-designs, and improves the layout on a

day-to-day basis. He/She keeps track of the profiles of

those accessing the site. He/She is also responsible of

encoding and uploading data and materials to the site.

He/She responds to immediate needs and concerns of those who

access the site.

Forum Moderator. The Forum Moderator responds to queries of

stakeholders accessing the site. He/She serves as the thread

managers on pertinent issues that may be classified to the

following: academic, marketing, and public relations. He/She

raises pertinent questions for feedback and evaluation of

the Malikhaing Guro Program.

Networks and Linkages Officer. The Networks and Linkages

Officer explores ways through the World Wide Web in further

strengthening partnerships with agencies and individuals

that will help Malikhaing Guro promote its cause and raison

d’etre. He/She is also the over-all manager of the external

affairs of the Malikhaing Guro Program.

MALIKHAING GURO ADMINISTRATION HEAD. The Malikhaing Guro

Administration Head charts strategies to accumulate financial and

logistical support to fuel Malikhaing Guro Projects. Likewise,

he/she keeps track of paper trails of all processes that involve

acquisition of properties, donations, maintenance, partnerships,

and the like. He/She also serve as the keeper of the records of

all students and personnel under the Malikhaing Guro Program.

Liaison Officers. The liaison manages the external affairs

of the Malikhaing Guro Program. He/She constantly keeps in

touch with the agencies, schools, universities, theater

organizations, and communities whom he/she identified

previously. He/She is the non-online counterpart of the

Networks and Linkages Officer. He/She shall also take part

in the resource mobilization campaigns. He/She shall also

recruit or convince professional artists and trainors to

render their service to the Malikhaing Guro Program on a

voluntary basis to generate savings for the organization.

Administrative Aide. Administrative aide(s) are responsible

for taking care of the maintenance aspect of the entire

physical facility. They regularly report on facilities that

require proper upkeep and maintenance. They also make sure

that cleanliness is maintained.

Technical Department Head. The head of the Technical

Department keeps an inventory of all gadgets and electronic

or electrical facilities of the Malikhaing Guro Program.

He/She takes care of the maintenance and upkeep of laptops,

computers, lights, and sounds facility, among others. He/She

has the privilege of recommending what gadgets and

electronic or electrical facilities need to be acquired by

the Malikhaing Guro Program.

THE WEBSITE

Perhaps more than any other distance media, the Internet and

the Web help overcome the barriers of time and space in teaching

and learning. Educational uses of the Internet are burgeoning.

INTERNET WORLD's October 1995 issue gives examples of "The

Internet in Education," including online degree programs offered

by traditional institutions such as Penn State and Indiana

University as well as nontraditional entities such as University

Online and the Global Network Academy.

Distance learning on the Internet usually takes one of the

following forms (Wulf 1996):

(1) electronic mail (delivery of course materials, sending

in assignments, getting/giving feedback, using a course listserv,

i.e., electronic discussion group);

(2) bulletin boards/newsgroups for discussion of special

topics;

(3) downloading of course materials or tutorials;

(4) interactive tutorials on the Web;

(5) real-time, interactive conferencing using MOO (Multiuser

Object Oriented) systems or Internet Relay Chat;

(6) "intranets," corporate websites protected from outside

access that distribute training for employees; and

(7) informatics, the use of online databases, library

catalogs, and gopher and websites to acquire information and

pursue research related to study.

Advantages of delivering distance learning on the Internet

include the following (Bates 1995; Eastmond 1995; Wulf 1996):

(1) time and place flexibility;

(2) potential to reach a global audience;

(3) no concern about compatibility of computer equipment and

operating systems;

(4) quick development time, compared to videos and CD-ROMs;

(5) easy updating of content, as well as archival

capabilities; and

(6) usually lower development and operating costs, compared

to satellite broadcasting, for example.

Carefully designed Internet courses can enhance

interactivity between instructors and learners and among

learners, which is a serious limitation of some DL formats.

Equity is often mentioned as a benefit of online learning; the

relative anonymity of computer communication has the potential to

give voice to those reluctant to speak in face-to-face situations

and to allow learner contributions to be judged on their own

merit, unaffected by "any obvious visual cultural markers'"

(Bates 1995, p. 209).

The medium also supports self-directed learning--computer

conferencing requires learner motivation, self-discipline, and

responsibility.

In line with these strategies and advantages mentioned, the

GURONG MALIKHA website would include the following:

1. The Malikhaing Guro Training Program

History

Principles

- ORATE

- PIFC

Heritage-based Pedagogy

2. Our Heritage

Natural

- Land and water forms

- Flora and fauna

Built

- Churches, buildings, schools, monuments, houses,

roads, bridges, etc.

Intangible

- Beliefs, attitudes, values, etc.

Movable

- Works of art, books, memorabilia, photographs,

costumes, weapons, music, dance, technology, games,

rituals, food, literature, language, etc.

3. The Arts

Visual Arts

Music

Theater Arts

4. Lesson Plans

5. Networks and Linkages

6. Program Schedule

7. Forum

8. Gallery

9. Contact Us

PROPOSED GANTT CHART FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF GURONGMALIKHA.COM

(ONLINE RESOURCE CENTER) UNDER THE MALIKHAING GURO PROGRAMProgram/Activity 2011 2012 2013

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

Planning, brainstorming, and assessment of current resources for the establishment of anonline resource center for the Malikhaing Guro program

Designing/Re-designing the online resource center for the MG program, dubbed as gurongmalikha.com

Approval of the website design for gurongmalikha.com

Launching of the online resource center, gurongmalikha.com

Production & revision of instructional materials/modules

Training of MG trainors, facilitators, and/or forum moderators

Raising funds for the establishment and construction oflearning centers

Establishment and construction of learning centers

Establishment of linkages with otheragencies

Recruitment of additional personnel

Procurement of additional equipment

Establishment of Web-based learning/communication platform

Marketing campaign

Evaluation

REFERENCES

DEVC 231 (Educational Communication Systems Management) reading

materials and class reports, Second Semester AY 2005-2006,

College of Development Communication, UP Los Baños, College,

Laguna.

UK OPEN UNIVERSITY. Undated. Open to people, places, methods and

ideas. [Available: htttp://www3.open.ac.uk/about]

accessed March 21, 2011.

UP OPEN UNIVERSITY. Undated. University of the Philippines Open

University. [Available:

http://www.upou.org/about/history.html] accessed March 24, 2011.

APPENDICES – The Website (screen caps, done using iWeb)