TEaCH REVIEW: ACER ICONIA W3

I’m not a techblogger, so I may not be able to point out important technical aspects of the Acer Iconia W3, but if you’re a teacher like me, perhaps you’ll find this post helpful.

I first saw Acer Iconia W3 in a technology news (can't remember if it's in Flipboard or other news apps in my phone) that I was reading. It was launched in Computex and it caught my attention particularly because it claims to be a cost efficient hybrid machine (i.e. laptop+tablet). When I read its specifications, I immediately concluded that it will be useful for teaching.

Acer Iconia W3 vis-a-vis Cherry Mobile Titan

Acer Iconia W3 with his big brother Acer Aspire 4715Z. At home, I use the Aspire to make powerpoints and write documents.

Acer Iconia W3 with his big brother Acer Aspire 4715Z

Acer Iconia sports a Windows 8 OS

Aside from sporting a Windows 8 Operating System, what really caught my attention is the bundled Microsoft Office 2013, i.e. it has a Word, Excel, and Powerpoint—three of the most important productivity applications in the teaching profession.

Whenever I tinker with tablets in malls, e.g. iPad Mini and Android tablets, I always find them not so functional because they lack productivity applications. While it is true that you may install free office applications to Android devices, such as Kingsoft, it still doesn’t function the way I expect it to be. Apple, of course, has very good office applications, but they are just so pricey.

To continue, another strong feature of the Iconia is its ability to connect with projectors and other screens through the micro-hdmi port. However, it is just annoying to find out the malls do not sell a Micro-HDMI to VGA cable (I scoured SM North’s Cyberzone to no avail!...oh…and yeah...not even the “powerful” CDR-King has it! Imagine?!). Good thing there’s a Sulit.com seller, and I got the cable for PHP 800 (See pictures below)

Finally, another very impressive feature of the Iconia is its battery life. I start my class at 9:00 AM (one class is equal to 1 ½ hours) and end at 6:00 PM. While it’s not entirely lecture, I also do not need to charge any time of the day (provided that I start the day with a 100% battery life). When my day ends, the Iconia still has an average of 25% battery life!

In conclusion, the Acer Iconia W3 is delivering what it is supposed to deliver. I can present my lectures through it and do some occasional writing as well as other school works, plus of course, recording grades in Excel. It works the way I thought it would. Moreover, it has saved so much space and weight in my backpack!

I wouldn’t be posting the specs of this device as they are available in any other tech website. I’ll just post pictures of how I use it in class to give an idea to other teachers who might be interested to buy it. I’ll also post the link of the Sulit.com vendor who sells the very important Micro-HDMI to VGA cable.

How to Connect the Iconia to an LCD Projector:

1. You'll need a Micro-HDMI to VGA Cable, which is something very difficult to find because stores in malls don't have them. I purchased mine from Mr. Johnny B.

2. This cable will be connected to a regular VGA cable (PHP 50.00 in CD-R KING)

The pictures below show how I use my Iconia in FEU Cavite. Fortunately, all classrooms in FEU has a mounted LCD projectors, so it's really a breeze to use the Iconia for lectures and other teaching activities.

LCD Projectors are mounted in all classrooms of FEU Cavite

Beside the whiteboard is a switch where the VGA cable is connected to display the image through the projector

LEFT: On/Off switch of the LCD & 220V plug. RIGHT: VGA Port for the LCD Projector

The Iconia with the Micro-HDMI Port. I'm also using my girlfriend's gift to me, a Logitech clicker w/laser pointer so that I won't need to go back and forth to the teacher's table when I'm delivering lectures.

Screenshot of the Powerpoint 2013. It's good that powerpoint has upgraded to this, on the left is what is shown on the screen, the smaller view on the right is a preview of the next slide.

Logitech Wireless Presenter R400

DYNAMIC DUO: Logitech Wireless Presenter and Acer Iconia W3. Teaching has become more fun because of these tools!

(DISCLAIMER: This is NOT a paid advertisement. But if ACER will give me credits or gift certificates, I will gladly accept them. =) )

Responsible and Intelligent Voting

Hello everyone,

10 days before the elections...

Have we been doing our homework? As voters, we are the ones who are supposed to decide if these applicants are worthy of the post. Every voter must be intelligent and responsible. Have you done your research? This morning, I have received a very appalling news that a candidate for Mayor here in Silang, Cavite have assigned "coordinators" who are basically tasked to buy votes. Disgusting!!!

Do not be easily swayed by the sweet words of these politicians.

Check out the attached candidates. You might be surprised to find out that there are more options than those EPALS you see around you. (For more information, click here ---> COMELEC)

Study the profiles of the candidates, click this link to read and study which candidate best suits your ideals and morals ---> RAPPLER

Also, in case you don't know which district your town/city belongs, click this link to know ---> CAVITE DISTRICTS


Be a responsible and intelligent voter!!!
Please feel free to forward or post this message to your friends, relatives, etc.

Facing the Giants

Vacation is a very important part of student (and teacher's) life. It allows us to have a breather from the suffocating requirements brought by teachers (like me, of course). But to me, vacation is also an important time to ponder upon life and learning; it is that transition stage that should push us towards an even greater level compared to the previous school year. Otherwise, we will never level up, literally and figuratively. 

As I grope for some stuff to read over the internet, I stumbled upon an article in Yahoo (Blind student graduates magna cum laude), and I cannot help but smile and at the same time shed a few drops of tears (of joy of course!). 

Marco was my student in PNU when he was in 1st year and 2nd year. (As mentioned in the article, he left for the States during the 2nd sem of his 2nd year to study under the Fulbright scholarship, so his graduation got a little bit delayed). On the first day of our first meeting, I felt a little off because seated beside him was his mother who would always be there to literally guide him throughout college life. I was a young teacher back then and my worry is that the mother might call for a PTA meeting in case I mess up! But I was wrong, mommy was really very appreciative and supportive.

What's more problematic during that time was that he was enrolled in a READING CLASS!!! I'm not a SPED major so I really had a lot of inquiries and research as to how I would teach a BLIND man to read. We eventually resorted to some READ ALOUD strategies (i.e. his mother reads to him, he processes, and his mother writes the answers to my tests, so the magna cum laude goes to his mother too.)

As I reflect, I remembered King David in his youth (1 Samuel 17). Young David was a shepherd boy who's about to face the giant Goliath. However, if you read the entire chapter, never will you read an iota of doubt or fear from David. In 1 Samuel 17:26, he even taunted Goliath by asking "...who is this uncircumcised Philistine?" (In Tagalog... alam nyo na yon)

David never allowed Goliath's size and might to destroy himself and his country simply because he knows that he has a bigger God; that they are not destined to be defeated, to be destroyed. David had a very strong faith. He just knows that he can do it; that he can face the giants.

Similarly, I have never heard or seen Marco doubt. When he was about to leave for the U.S. I asked him "Pano yan, di na kasama si Mommy don? OK lang ba sayo?" Jokingly, he answered, "OK nga po yun eh. Para walang bantay!"

Marco was literally blind but his goals were crystal clear. Despite not seeing his physical world, he has always seen that he will eventually WIN (just like David did). It took him a lot of time to achieve his goals, but he did. 

Have you ever thought about your limitations? Have you ever thought that you are bound to fail? Have you ever considered yourself a sore loser? Have you ever thought, "Wala eh. Hanggang dito lang talaga kaya ko. TAO LANG" 

Think about David. Think about Marco. They have seen beyond the walls that block them from reaching towards the goal. 

They have learned how to face their giants. 

You can do the same, too! If you trust God while doing your best, you will never fail.

REMEMBER: "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."  (Philippians 4:13)

God bless you all! =)



P.S. 

(CONGRATULATIONS Marco! If you're reading/listening to this)

Passport Requirements

A woman holds her tears as much as she can as she sips the steaming hot, perhaps bitter-tasting coffee--as bitter as her feelings. She was angry more than regretful. But her anger is all the more aggravated by the fact that she can't blame anyone, other than herself.

It was a quiet Wednesday morning. I was reading the newspaper and eating breakfast in a fasfood chain, while waiting for Papa to finish his passport renewal. Suddenly, the stillness of the place was disturbed by a woman (most probably in her early 20s) as she sobs about her "epic fail" attempt to apply for her passport.

The reason? She lacks one requirement (NBI clearance from what I have heard--yeah eaveadropping is my hobby)

As I watch her being comforted by her companion, I cannot help but reflect and think about my students and about that documentary shown in "Bawal ang Pasaway".

According to the research of the People Management Association of the Philippines (2012) , fresh graduates and other applicants fail to land on a job because of basic (but seemingly perennial) problems. "The study showed that 40 percent of fresh graduates do not immediately get hired because of the deficiencies in these soft competencies (i.e. critical thinking, initiative, and effective communication skills) ,” PMAP director for academe-industry linkages Gigi Alcasid.

Everyday of my teaching life, I would reiterate to my students problems 1&2 stated above. But it seems that they are either dazed or in limbo because no matter how much I remind them, no matter how much I bombard them with activities that aim to hone their communication and thinking skills, there are still some who fail to cope.

At times, I would begin to doubt my teaching skills.

At times I would be irked, but at times, I would also feel pity. I can't help but think about their possible "crying scenes" after job interviews or passport applications (much like that crying lady) just because of trivialities that could have been avoided only if they have utilized their common sense.

As I reflect, more than those paper documents that the Department of Foreign Affairs require for passport applications, the most important requirement is common and (supposedly) readily available to all normal human beings: communication & thinking.

Sadly, Voltaire seems right when he said, "Common sense is not common."

After the graduation ceremonies and parties, students must begin to realize and understand that they are not students anymore; that they are not supposed to be supported by their parents anymore; that they are supposed to work and put whatever they have learned to practice. 

Diplomas and Transcripts are only paper documents that employers would require. Graduates must realize that above all these, skills and competencies are paramount.

***

I just hope and pray that when I see my students cry, it would be tears of joy rather than wails of fails.

The ultimate dream of parents is to see their child become successful in life. The ultimate dream of teachers is to see their students learn.

Pasko naman...

It was a long line in a fast food chain in Baclaran yesterday. The place was too crowded that people are literally waiting for others to finish eating to have their seats and eat their meals. I was reminded of the night market in Divisoria and the food court in 168 mall. Everyone seems hungry (judging by the look in their faces), but interestingly, everyone was also quietly and patiently waiting for their turn to place an order, have their seats, and eat.

I was so hungry that time since I just had a 2-hour travel from Cavite. I was in the line and the cashier was too slow and a bit dazed. She told me she’ll just deliver my food because it’s still being “assembled”. I told her I’ll just wait for it to be assembled, but she insists to just deliver (which I personally believe is impossible given the long line). So I looked for a seat and waited.

5 minutes…

10 minutes…

15 minutes…

I’m starting to get pissed off because as an ex-crew, I know that it shouldn’t last that (i.e. assembly and delivery) long. I think the others are also getting impatient as they wait for pending orders. As I was about to stand up to confront the cashier or the manager or anyone, a sudden flash of reminder stopped me…

“Pasko naman…”

So instead of bombarding them with complaints, I patiently waited while thinking about how Christmas changes perspectives; how the “spirit of Christmas” creates “random acts of kindness” patience, love, and all that positivity.

However, we also have a saying in the Philippines “hindi araw-araw, pasko”, which basically means that we cannot get all the “fun, gifts and all that” everyday.

How do we view Christmas? 

How do we understand its message? 

And how does it affect our lives.

Christmas eve and Christmas day are mere traditions that remind us of the Birth of Jesus. Scholars until today are not convinced whether December 25 is the real date of Christ’s birth. To me the date doesn’t really matter; what’s important is the fact the Jesus was born; that He was sent on Earth not just to save us but also to teach us.

The real spirit of Christmas is our ability to understand why in the world Jesus came to save us and give us life..and to understand it NOT YEARLY but on a DAILY BASIS.

I thank God for making me experience anger amid hunger because that situation made me realize a lot of things. If only we would prioritize CHRIST instead of the gifts and revelry, if only we would stop thinking that Christmas is just a yearly event, if only we would say “PASKO naman” everyday, then maybe, just maybe this world would be filled with more love, respect, and all that positivity that Jesus brought and taught.

Christmas begins tonight. Let us continue living by it everyday. 

Pacquiao's Downfall

Sunday seems to be a nightmare to the entire Filipino nation as they watch Pacquiao kiss the ring right in front of their awestruck noses. Mixed reactions immediately spread in various social media: some were in shock, some were disappointed, some were sad, while some were even angry (and I assume these are the gamblers who lost thousands, perhaps millions).

I wasn't able to watch the fight because I was heading back to Cavite from Fairview when this happened. But the moment I received the news from my good friend Luis, I immediately remembered John 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease.". As I read the verse from my Bible App (thanks to technology), I started to ask a number of questions. What happened? What is God's purpose for letting this happen? What is Manny's reactions? How will the Filipinos take this?

It wasn't too long when two old men at the back part of the bus were throwing curses down on Manny.

"Hindi yan mangyayari kung hindi sya nagpalit ng relihiyon..." said one (That wouldn't have happened if he didn't change religion)

"Tsaka wala na kasing bisa ang agimat nya..." said the other. (And his amulet will not work anymore...)

As I browse the net for reactions, I read the same from various people. Thankfully, there are still a lot of encouragers amid discouragers.

As the bus rolls, I reflected: Did the "changing of religion" really affect the fight?

First, I don't believe that Manny changed religion. He just re-established his faith. He just got more intimate with his relationship with God. He just got to know Jesus more than before. Something that Catholics, Protestants, Baptists, etc. can do ANYTIME THEY WANT, if they choose to.

Second, I think this precisely happened because Manny is on the process of dying to oneself. This is something very difficult for other people to understand, especially for those enjoying a luxurious life like Manny did. Why in the world will he give up his gold, girls, and guns? But you see, increasing and decreasing is in a continuum. They're binary opposites. One cannot boast that he has "faith in God" if he/she still brags about his achievements, talents, skills, wealth, etc. Manny's downfall is his death from the Manny most of us knew.

I was actually happy to realize that a lot of people saw this change. Now, everyone becomes curious (some skeptical, but that's OK) about what kind of encounter (perhaps "transfiguration??!!") Manny had.

Third, I was also happy to realize that his "agimat" (amulet) (if he really had one) is not working anymore. This means he has surrendered it to God, and nothing and no one else works in him but God alone.

Anthropologically and Psychologically speaking, humans are always in search for something concrete that would represent the abstract. We search for things that would "carry" and "give" us power. Something we can "hold" as if faith can really be held with bare hands without realizing that we can freely get this from God, if we only seek for it through prayers and devotions.

Thus, contrary to the flurry of discouragements and curses, I say "Congratulations Manny!!! As you decrease, Jesus will increase! Keep it up and may the Lord continue to bless you and the people around you."

Pacquiao's defeat and downfall is not a failure. It's victory over oneself.

Robbie's Language Development (Part 1)

I plan to document, as much as I can, my observations (and hypotheses?) regarding my nephew, Robbie's language development. This is my first attempt. Hopefully, it won't be the last.

***

When Robbie was born last year, I had an initial idea of "experimenting" about his Language development. I thought, this is the best way to apply and test whether all those language learning theories I have learned and read are true or not. I tried coming up with a documentation by videotaping him using my cellphone. But I can't capture his antics all the time.

As he grows up (and as I grow busier by the day), I have concluded something at the onset of my attempted longitudinal study: IT IS REALLY TEDIOUS! I have then become more appreciative of Skinner and Chomsky (and their disciples) from carefully doing observations and experimentations on child language development.

I decided not to observe closely, and merely do random observations.

However, there are basic truths that I have realized upon my short-lived observations. One of them is the power of listening (which would later on bring us to the power of spoken words upon children). The first thing I "tested" when Robbie was born was his ears. I tried flicking my fingers near his left and right ears to find out if he would respond. He did, and I realized that his ears are very sensitive to sounds because he would later respond/react to TV ads even if he is inside the room and our TV is in the living room (about 5-8 meters away).

Later, he started to discern the pictures posted on the walls of their room. This is proven to be helpful in developing a child's visual skills. In a matter of 7-9 months, Robbie starts responding to commands such as "Where's the monkey?" Due to constant training, perhaps, he one by one, learned to point out the animals in the poster.

***

However, what prompted me to finally write this blog was his telephone conversation with his mother just a few minutes ago. My ate asked (in Filipino)

"What are you doing baby?"

To which he quickly responded, "TOYS!"

Could Chomsky be correct in his Innatist/Nativist Language Learning theory, which pushes for a Language Acquisition Device that processes Primary Linguistic Data that learners receive?

"Toys" may be interpreted as "playing". But no one told him that Toys=Playing. But indeed, if we do basic Semantic Analysis, aren't toys meant for playing? How in the world did Robbie realize that TOYS is an appropriate, if not acceptable, response to mean PLAYING?!

This very simple scenario that I have observed today really made me more fascinated with the brain's capacity to accommodate language inputs, process them, and later on use them for communication.

Indeed, talk is never cheap. Because at the backroom, there are millions of neurons being used to get information, process them, and transmit them back via responses--verbally or non-verbally.

For now, I shall pause here. I hope to find other free time to write my observations and hypotheses.