English chair attends iEARN gab in Japan
By Martin Louis Cunanan Condes
and Aldrich Ransleigh Mojares Hui

JOINING THE FIRST International Education and Resource Network (iEARN)-Asia Pacific Conference last year, Mrs Ma Luisa Hernandez-Larcena, Makati Science High School English Department coordinator and iEARN Philippines country coordinator, again, represented the Philippines in the Second iEARN-Asia Pacific Conference in Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 23-25.

Sponsored by the Japan Education and Resource Network, Mrs Larcena attended the conference with the theme “Global Initiative for the Future in Collaborative Learning,” along with Japanese teachers and students and six other country delegates from Iran, Australia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands.

“As the iEARN-Philippines country coordinator, I presented the Makati Science telecollaborative project outputs in the iEARN-Asia Pacific Learning Circles last school year. I also showcased A Vision 2007: An Anthology of Creative Writings, which was facilitated by the Philippine team from the Makati Science during my session on Aug. 25,” Mrs Larcena said.

“I have always felt so honored in representing the Philippines and the Makati Science in international conferences. I have always felt so proud in presenting the excellent works of my students because I knew very well that these were the results of their admirable skills and unconditional hard work,” Mrs Larcena added.

According to Mrs Larcena, iEARN helps teachers and young people to work together through the Internet and other modern information and communication technologies and to develop cultural awareness and international understanding and the habit of getting involved in community and international issues.

“The first conference gave birth to the Asian Learning Circles while the second one provided results of implementation as part of the monitoring process. Activity plans for the learning circles this school year were also discussed. Activity plans for the next school year include the holding of the First iEARN-Asia Pacific Youth Summit in Kansai, Japan, which will be an all-expense paid trip for the chosen country youth representative,” Mrs Larcena said.

As the iEARN-Philippines country coordinator, Mrs Larcena manages the people and project databases and helps describe possibilities for iEARN involvement and development in the country.