Revisiting the UP GE Program Construction of a

Revisiting the UP GE Program Construction of a Progressive, Comprehensive GE: “Heightening, Deepening, Broadening, Quickening GE” Gisela P. Concepcion, Ph. D. OVPAA GE Mini-Conferences July-October 2014

BALANCE… • COMPETITION VS. COOPERATION (BIOLOGY VS. ECOLOGY) • SELF and NON-SELF INTERESTS (SURVIVAL AND PROGRESS –> SUCCESS) • NATIONALISM VS. INTERNATIONALISM (PRIDE VS. HUMILITY)

THE UP GRADUATE IN PHILIPPINE AND GLOBAL SOCIETY • A PERSONAL LIFE OF COMMITMENT TO HONOR AND EXCELLENCE • LIFE LONG LEARNER WITH ZEST FOR LIVING, KNOWING, BECOMING, CREATING, CONSTRUCTING, PROGRESSING, AND HIGHER ORDER/LEVEL THINKING • FEARLESS OF CHANGE – OF IMPERFECT PERTURBATION AND EXPERIMENTATION, AND OF SELF-CORRECTION • STRIVING FOR BALANCE AND CONTINUITY OF LIFE, AIMING FOR THE GREATER HIGHER GOOD

A UP “Signature” GE CORE KNOWLEDGE, VALUES AND SKILLS (KVS) • pervasive life-long learning; constant self-improvement to attain competencies and innovativeness • ethics, civics and public mindedness (guiding philosophy, balance and continuity of personal, family, community, national, regional and global good), national pride and global orientation, (also GMRC, global civics, etiquette) • research and creativity (curiosity/sense of wonder complemented with critical, inquiring, investigative, quantitative, abstractive, integrative mind, and innovation, construction, language and other communication skills) – higher order thinking • progressive, constructive leadership (expert/specialist with broad foundational knowledge who can work with experts in other fields) • multi-, inter-, trans-disciplinary approach to creating holistic goods, products, services, systems, lifestyles and providing holistic solutions to complex problems in society (art, culture and science are one) • entrepreneurship (value chain/network of innovations/creative output translated to sustainable, productive use/applications for society )

LOGARITHMIC GROWTH OF KNOWLEDGE (K) log K WORLD NATION SOCIETY COMMUNITY FAMILY HUMAN UNIVERSE EARTH NATURE ENVIRONMENT LIFE FORMS log SPACE* log TIME* * physical dimensions ** metaphysical dimensions

A UP GE PROGRAM that develops the SKILLS and COMPETENCIES of students Scientific, Innovative, Creative: Experiential Intuitive/Sensitive Inquisitive Empirical/Observational Experimental Rational Investigative Critical Analytical Relational Directional Quantitative Mathematical Computational Statistical Probabilistic Interventional Creative Constructive Innovative Organizational Balancing Integrative Iterative Predictive Communication: Language: Reading Written Oral Electronic Beyond language: Multi-media Graphics “Body language” Visual Art, Music Total Performance Social Context: Spiritual Cultural Historical Social Political Economic Personal Development: of “Mind” “Heart” “Hands, Limbs”

Substance (Multi-, Inter-disciplinary Content) Form (Blended learning) Above Implies MULTI-, INTER-TEACHER COURSE E-learning (pervasive, liberating 24/7 student learning) Traditional didactics (lectures) and evaluation tools complemented with Modern blended learning methods (teacher inputs balanced with student learning outcomes) “FLIP” classroom

Blended learning methods (teacher inputs balanced with student learning outcomes) ACTIVE/INTERACTIVE • Small discussion groups (face-to-face and e-groups ) to hone argumentation and oral communication skills to build student’s self-confidence and leadership (groups of students w different majors/backgrounds) • Reading assignments and oral reports to foster love of reading and inquiry and search for new knowledge with guide questions from teacher (FLIP) • Research and creative project proposals to develop inventive, constructive, innovative, creative and discovery skills • Problem sets and case studies to develop analytical and critical thinking • Tutorials for essay/precis writing to develop integrative thinking and selfexpression • Field/extension work, laboratory visits, and constructive projects to promote relevant thinking and action, civics and public mindedness (volunteerism, NSTP) • Exams and quizzes to instil discipline of learning and test mastery of knowledge • Creative, innovative inter-disciplinary proposals developed by individual or groups of students on basic, fundamental unasnwered questions, solutions to problems in society.

PASSIVE/IMMERSIVE • Live lectures of outstanding professors, scientists, artists, professionals, leaders, innovators, creators • Outstanding MOOCS (massive open online courses) and e-materials

EXAMPLE: INTERDISCIPLINARY KNOWLEDGE IN AN ADVANCED UP GE COURSE • • • Learn Biology, Symbiosis and Ecology Learn Evolution Learn Biological Structures Learn Biomolecular Strategies Learn Principles of Specificity, Switching, Catalysis, Product Turnover Learn Cooperativity and Sigmoidal Kinetics Learn Signal Processing, Network Signaling, Amplification Signaling AND DRAW COMPARISONS AND INSIGHTS FOR SOCIAL, DYNAMIC, PROGRESSIVE CHANGE

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS 1 STUDENTS 7 EXTENSION 13 UP’s PRODUCTS: GRADUATES 2 FACULTY 8 PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, EQUIPMENT, FACILITIES 14 PUBLIC GOOD 3 RESEARCHERS/CREATORS 9 ACADEMIC ASSESSMENT/ACCREDITATION 15 PUBLIC ISSUES 16 GOOD GOVERNANCE 4 COLLABORATORS 10 PUBLIC SYMPOSIA/e-COMMUNICATION 5 TEACHING 17 ENABLING ENVIRONMENT 11 RECOGNITION, COMPETITIONS & AWARDS 18 EXTERNAL SUPPORT - ALUMNI, GOV’T. , PRIVATE SECTOR, LOCAL & INTERNATIONAL 6 RESEARCH & CREATIVE WORK 12 PUBLIC DISSEMINATION & SHOWCASE OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Transparent, accountable, and participatory governance Just and lasting peace and the rule of law Rapid, inclusive, and sustained economic growth Higher Education and R&D Poverty reduction and empowerment of the poor and vulnerable Integrity of the environment and climate change adaptation and mitigation

K to 12 Implementation Schedule junior high senior high college/university 2012 -2013 1 st yr freshmen (17) sophomore (18) junior (19) senior (20) 2013 -2014 2 nd yr freshmen (17) sophomore (18) junior (19) senior (20) 2014 -2015 3 rd yr freshmen (17) sophomore (18) junior (19) senior (20) 2015 -2016 4 th yr freshmen (17) sophomore (18) junior (19) senior (20) 2016 -2017 5 th yr (17) sophomore (18) junior (19) senior (20) 2017 -2018 6 th yr (18) junior (19) senior (20) 2018 -2019 freshmen (19) senior (20) 2019 -2020 freshmen (19) sophomore (20) 2020 -2021 freshmen (19) sophomore (20) junior (21) 2021 -2022 freshmen (19) sophomore (20) junior (21) senior (22)

Propose to: Continue GE mini conferences Identify GE teachers as fellows of a GE Center Hold system wide GE conference Create UP GE website Share GE materials across CUs Arrange summer months in another CU to teach GE courses • Offer to train teachers handling K 11 and K 12 GE courses • • •

2001 CDD Awardee Caesar A. Saloma Professor of Physics College of Science Chancellor UP Diliman 2007 CDD Awardee Eduardo A. Padlan Adjunct Professor Marine Science Institute College of Science UP Diliman 2002 CDD Awardee Romulo G. Davide 2012 R Magsaysay Awardee Professor Emeritus of Plant Pathology College of Agriculture UP Los Baños 2008 CDD Awardee Ameurfina D. Santos National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology College of Science UP Diliman 2003 CDD Awardee 2004 CDD Awardee Edgardo D. Gomez Glecy C. Atienza University Professor. Emeritus Departamento ng Marine Science Institute Filipino at College of Science Panitikang Filipino UP Diliman Kolehiyo ng Arte at Literatura UP Diliman 2009 CDD Awardee Priscelina P. Legasto Professor of Comparative Literature Department of English & Comparative Literature College of Arts and Letters UP Diliman 2005 CDD Awardee Martesio C. Perez Professor of Neurosciences College of Medicine UP Manila 2010 CDD Awardee Evelyn Mae T. Mendoza Institute of Plant Breeding College of Agriculture UP Los Baños 2006 CDD Awardee Jose Y. Dalisay Jr. Professor of English Department of English & Comparative Literature College of Arts and Letters UP Diliman 2011 CDD Awardee Carmencita D. Padilla Department of Pediatrics College of Medicine UP Manila

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OVPAA former AVPAA Marilou Nicolas former AVPAA Antoinette Hernandez AVPAA Alyssa Peleo-Alampay AVPAA Rhodora Azanza OVPAA Staff PAEP Team UP System GE Council OVPAA PDAs for GE in 2011 -2012 Dr. Alleli Domingo, Dr. Miguel Fortes, Dr. Helen Yap, Dr. Rolando Panopio, Dr. Gilda Uy, Dr. Nes Rañeses, Dr. Merle Tan Dr. Perry Ong

Fireflies Fresh from being cats we walk The dimming pavement. The air is hung with softly purring rain. Lightning falls to earth only midway, or perhaps it is simply waiting for us to meet it with pointy rods, our bodies stretching out from eyes raised skyward. Ah, we have become too small even for that, like lizards slinking past the gaze and feet of lovelorn people. We like the ground and keep close to it, our hearts beating among the rocks. We fear our shadows casting themselves Against the woodwork flanking us, weaving in and out of the spindly selves of bamboo. But tonight promises we may not be known, and we feel strangely, if temporarily, at peace. We hug the darkness like a happy thought. But it may not so easily be had, this nothingness that warms on a night that looks like rain. The lesson here is meridian: halfway into the wooden road we make our own, a dot of airborne light. A tunnel's end flinging itself at us? Suddenly no path stretches darkly beyond our pussyfooting steps. has opened to us a misty corridor of stars. (Or have we stumbled into it by chance? ) I say I no longer will tease my Death you can't get me, sticking out my tongue. ou say nothing, which doesn't go to show someone is telling the truth. Oh, why talk about truth that blinds with its dazzling cloak of sun, or darkness lying through its blackened teeth! To think of them is pure folly, my friend, when fireflies show us love is so much of both, just before the rains come to wash our fragile twinkling stars away - J. Neil C. Garcia.

Parable of Stones by Gemino H. Abad l l Every time I go into lthe world’s morning, my pockets lare full of stones. l You cannot see them where my hands are hid, lsometimes bruised by their edge. l l And a quick and deadly aim I have, and ask no questions. l. My hands are cold. l l And few stones left I have lat each day’s end, land groan as my hands bleed. l My state — who can endure? l. As morning breaks, I know again l. I have more stones to cast. l You cannot see them lwhere my hands close land all my days bleed. l Who will close my morning? O, who will empty lmy pockets of my stones? l l Parable of Stones, published in his book In Ordinary Time in 2004, won the Premio Feronia Citta de Fiano in 2009, which is Italy's most prestigious literary prize. l