Manado Independent School (MIS) continues to improve educational services intensively even though learning is done online. Various innovations have been designed by MIS to help students continue to learn from home with easy, more interesting, and creative learning.
Starting from the teaching staff at this school from kindergarten, elementary, junior high and high school levels, they have been equipped with seminars and training virtually using the Google Platform and Wacom Tablets.
MIS also provides teachers with technology and hardware facilities to be used in every lesson, namely to speed-up the unlimited internet network in schools. The teachers own graphic tablets or drawing tablets which make it easier for teachers to draw by hand and input the pictures directly to the computer, such as drawing directly on paper using a pencil. MIS also has 3 rooms as the Media Centers like a recording studio and is equipped with new high quality cameras to make it easier to record and produce learning content and even activities that will be presented to students. There are also 5 Lab rooms like the computer lab with hundreds of computers that students can use if they have internet problems at home so they can come to MIS to use this facility; certainly still enforce the health protocol.
Grace Manoppo, MIS High School grade 10 student acknowledged that teachers are very helpful to students in providing lesson materials. “When the teachers explain the lesson, they use video, there is also a Powerpoint where there are variations in the presentation. Later the material will be sent to Google Classroom, so that students can easily access and study the material again. Hopefully, MIS will get better in the online learning process, hopefully the teachers will better understand their students during the learning process, that they need to be slower when explaining lessons, “said Grace.
In line with that, according to Nikita Rimpok, MIS High School a grade 11 student who is happy when MIS teachers present material in a unique and different way, so as not to make students feel bored in the virtual teaching and learning process. “Some teachers explain their lessons with fun things such as interactive jamboard, fun youtube, videos, games (Quizzes and Kahoot), another example during our Biology lesson we managed to decode DNA and it was cool. My hope is that MIS teachers will also consider more about reducing assignments and reducing items in exam questions. ” concluded Nikita.
When asked about virtual learning, Ms. Eleny Ann Rosado, Bachelor of Arts, MIS Middle and High School Speaking and Listening subject teacher said that she strives to add learning activities that are good for all different learning styles. “I like to research my material ahead of time and look for interesting websites and videos that can enhance the student’s understanding of the material. Creative quizzes on sites like Kahoot and Quizizz help to capture attention and make the lesson practical and engaging. Whenever I can, I will incorporate team review games or physical games that get the students moving. The more fun they are having the more they want to learn.” she said. Ms. Eleny added that she knows virtual learning is difficult. We get frustrated with things we can’t control and without someone being physically close by, it can seem like you are alone. “I want you to know you are definitely not alone and even better, each of your classmates and teachers is struggling with many of the same things as you! We are all in this together. Try your best to set a schedule with reminders on a calendar a couple days before the due date so you never miss an event. Also, set up time for study and time to play as this will help you really maximize your time. Overall, have a positive attitude and don’t forget to participate in class! The more everyone participates the more fun it will be.” she concluded.
