Ayra Inventura from San Vicente Central School is a first time iMac user. Like any millennial exposed to the ever changing and evolving technology on hand, it was a welcome surprise for Ayra to find out that the new iMac is more high tech and offers new operating software, has more applications and has faster Internet browser than its competitors.
For Ayra, the new iMac is indeed the answer to today's demand for faster communication, knowledge to better arm techies like her on the road to quick, highly accessible and free information.
It was therefore a good opportunity for Ayra and the others who participated in the recently conducted iMac seminar jointly made possible by Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation (RTNMC) and Coral Bay Nickel Corporation (CBNC).
The iMac seminar feted the winners of the various academic competitions during the Groundbreak Series 2016 in Palawan. Forty units of iMac desktop computers were given away as grand prizes.
To prepare the schools for the arrival of the new desktop computers, RTNMC and CBNC asked the winning schools to send a representative to attend the train the trainer seminar conducted by Bohj M. Amerila III from the Apple Store.
The representatives would then relay the information they've gathered to the students. As with any new technology, a select few need to be oriented and introduced to its new features, thus, the seminar.
Before the units are turned over to the schools, it is imperative that everyone has the basic information/know how, features fully understood and the uses of the iMac desktops better maximized.
Majority of the representatives said that it was their first time to use an iMac computer.
It was quite alarming to discover that most of them have zero knowledge on the iMac desktop. As we all know, most of the gadgets and gizmos that are constantly coming out are as high-tech and innovative as the Apple product.
Fast and furious changes are needed to quickly satisfy the growing and constant demand for these, especially for today's generation. There is no room for being outdated.
The seminar turned out to be just what the participants needed, and was seen as their right "partner" to the road to greater access to new and useful information.
Asked if it would be difficult for the students to adapt to their new iMac desktops, Rhea Romero, the representative of Palawan National School, said, “Dahil sa technology ngayon, yung mga students ngayon oriented na sila. Mas magaling pa nga sila sa mga teachers. And itong mga ‘to mas very adventurous. I think mas madali nila matututunan.”
Rhea's reaction was spot on, and gives everyone, teachers and representatives included, a clearer view and understanding that the iMac desktops will hopefully play an important role in achieving good, quality education for the students of Palawan, a premium step in securing their future.
Fatima E. Janoras, one of the participants and a teacher from Aborlan Central School (ACS), one of the winning schools, said the training was very much helpful for them who have no knowledge on how iMac computers operate.
“This training is very much helpful to us teachers especially we are used to computer units which are not Apple. So, the applications, the system and everything are different from it,” she said.
Since these iMac units will be used in their teaching, Janoras said through the training, they are now aware on how to use and how to facilitate these iMac computers in their daily teaching.
For her part, ACS principal Glenda O. Mendoza said they have already planned how to maximize the use of iMac desktop computers so that all their students can use them.
“We can maximize the use of these iMac desktop computers by proper scheduling so that all our pupils can experience using them. Kahit lima lang yan sisiguruhin naming lahat ng mga bata ay makikinabang,” she said.
Janoras and Mendoza were both thankful to RTNMC and CBNC for giving their school the opportunity to have iMac desktop computers that could be used in producing ‘21stcentury’ graduates.
“This training is very much helpful to us teachers especially we are used to computer units which are not Apple. So, the applications, the system and everything are different from it,” she said.
Ernesto Llacuna, External Affairs consultant of RTNMC and CBNC, said the donation only proves the commitment of the two mining companies in helping the government in enhancing the educational system even in the remote areas of Palawan.
“This is one big factor that could contribute to the skills and knowledge of our students and could be part of our computer education and computer literacy program,” said Llacuna.
Llacuna explained that it is important that school representatives undergo such training because Imac computer is rarely used especially in Palawan schools “so they need to familiarize its mechanics and operations.”
“This training is indeed very significant because participants will impart the knowledge that they have acquired to teachers who will be using these Imac computers in their lessons,” he added.
Amerila said since participants have a zero-knowledge about Imac computers, they were oriented on the basic parts and interface of Imac and how to operate the unit.
“The participants were very cooperative during the training and they were willing and eager to learn. In fact, they were all excited already to bring the units to their respective schools,” said Amerila.
The academic contests were participated by students from elementary and high schools as well as colleges in Palawan North, Palawan South and Puerto Divisions.
It was divided into three categories that include Emahe, a poster-making contest; Excavate, an essay writing contest and Emanate, an extemporaneous speech contest with the theme centered on responsible mining.
The schools that emerged as the ‘best of the best’ and received five units of iMac desktop computers include San Vicente Central School (North Palawan), Aborlan Central School (South Palawan) and East Central School (Puerto Palawan) for the Elementary Division.
For High School Division: Central Taytay National High School (North Palawan), Narra National High School (South Palawan) and Palawan National High School (Puerto Palawan).
For the College Division: Western Philippines University (South Palawan) and Palawan State University (Puerto Palawan).
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