Researchers from the USA, Philippines, and other ASEAN countries converged for the Action Research, Action Learning (ARAL) 2016, the first international congress of Action Research in Education, held at De La Salle University, Manila, last March 3-5, 2016.
Ms. Princess Fe C. Caballes, a student under the Master of Arts in Education Program, presented her paper entitled “Using Mnemonics in Enhancing Memory.” She was accompanied by Dr. Randy A. Tudy, dean of Graduate School, who also presented his paper entitled “Integrating Financial Literacy and Stock Investing in the Graduate School.”
The congress, with the theme “Action Research and Innovation: Improving Educational Practices in the ASEAN Region”, was sponsored and facilitated by the Lasallian Institute for Development and Educational Research (LIDER) of the Br. Andrew Gonzalez FSC College of Education of De La Salle University.
Keynote speakers included Dr. Mary Brydon-Miller, Director of Action Research Center of the University of Cincinnati, USA; Prof. Kamisah Osman from Universii Kebangsaan, Malaysia; Dr. Mya OO, Rector and Director General, Department of Education, Myanmar; and Prof. Sigit Supadmo Arif from University of Sadjah, Indonesia.
In his message to the participants of the conference, Br. Armin A. Luistro, FSC, Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) said, “DepEd lauds this conference that provides venue for discourse and enables field experts to engage with each other in widening the horizon for research and development of education.”
With the movement towards global education community, Dr. Maricar Prudente, the Director of LIDER, said that ARAL 2016 provides participants with the opportunities of learning from the best minds in Action Research. “May this congress not only enrich our knowledge as action researchers but prod us to learn from and work with our colleagues in Asia,” Dr, Prudente added.
Most of the 188 participants are teachers, supervisors, school administrators and some graduate school students. When asked about her experience, Ms. Caballes says she is happy for the opportunity. She also said, “The three-day conference allowed me to take courage in strengthening my approach in teaching through the use of action research. I also learned from other presenters and ,surely, what I gained from the conference will be shared with my colleagues and students.”
“I am very proud of Ms. Caballes. She presented her paper very well,” Dr. Tudy commented. “She showed great confidence in answering the questions from the audience with supporting theories and authorities,” Dr. Tudy added.
Cor Jesu College encourages its personnel and students to do research and to present it in research conferences. In fact, Dr. Rogelio A. Bayod and Br. Ellakim P. Sosmeña, the school president, will be going to Beijing in April to present their respective research outputs in an international research forum. Another researcher, Dr. Ida G. Tudy, is going to Japan also in April to also present her research paper in another international research congress.
