EarthWatching

NATSCA2 Final Project Instructions

2010-12-13T18:03:00.001-08:00

For the final project, my class is expected to do a project with the following specifications:

1.) A 4-5 min AVP on one(1) of the following topics:

i. Metro-manila air quality

ii. Metro-manila water quality

iii. Metro-manila plastic pollution

iv. Climate change in metro-manila

2.) The project is to be individual

3.) All video clips and photos are to be original.

4.) Project is due on Dec 23, 12:oo MN.

5.) By the set deadline, a youtube link is expected as a comment to this post.

NATSCA2 fieldwork update

2010-12-13T17:59:00.000-08:00

Just got word that the NATSCA2 field work for this term will be cancelled because of low turn-out. This means my class will meet on Monday Dec 20. This also means that we will be doing the metro-manila issues on air quality, water quality, plastic pollution and climate change for our finals.

Natsca2 Field Work

2010-12-05T15:22:00.000-08:00

It's field work time once again. This term, we will be going to Mt.Malarayat and Brgy Hugom, San Juan, Batangas. The estimated cost is PHP3050 inclusive of transportation,accommodations and food. As soon as the go signal for CSB VP Academics is given, payments will be accepted until Dec 15. Details will be posted in the dropbox location for Field work.

If you intend to go, sign up here:

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHZNZDJ4blNET043NWN0Q1pITHpQQVE6MQ

NATSCA2: The Cove

2010-11-07T20:18:00.000-08:00

My students are required to watch The Cove on November 11. This will be at the 12th floor cinema of the CSB-SDA building. Screening times are as follows:

9-11am
1-3pm
4-6pm
7-9pm

An activity on this movie will be done on Nov 15.

Natsca2 Term 2 2010-2011 First Assignment

2010-09-26T21:26:00.000-07:00

As discussed in class today, the class is tasked to do the following items:

1.) Watch James Cameron's Avatar.
2.) Answer the questions here.
3.) Create a Pandoran marine creature. Submit in the dropbox shared folder in jpg format.

Natsca2 Term 2 2010-2011

2010-09-26T21:18:00.000-07:00

It's another term...I have a new batch of hatchlings under my wings waiting to soar into the heights of exploration. If you're one of my students, kindly fill out the registration form here.

Natsca2: Course Cards

2010-09-06T04:28:00.000-07:00

For my NATSCA2 Students, I will be distributing course cards on Sept 11, 4-5pm at the SDA Faculty Lounge (14th Floor)

NATSCA2 Finals - Website

2010-08-27T08:45:00.000-07:00

For the website component of the final project. It is acceptable to have a free host such as blogspot or wordpress. I do not want any of my students to spend just for this finals. I think I already mentioned this in class.

NATSCA2 Final Project Instructions

2010-08-24T22:33:00.000-07:00

It's nearing the end of the term, so I'd like to remind my excellent students about the terms of the Final Project

1. The Final project is a campaign collateral package composed of 3 items:
i. a 5 min AVP
ii. a website
iii. a 1 page back to back brochure

2. The project is for groups of 3-5 members. (strictly enforced)
3. All components are to have a unifying message, specifically an action for the audience to do.
4. Those who went to the Batangas field work will do a topic taken from that activity. Those who did not go are to chose from a list previously given in class.
5. Submission will be as follows:
i. AVP will be posted on Youtube. Link will be posted as response to this post.
ii. Website link will also be posted as response to this post.
iii. Brochure will be uploaded into a dropbox location
6. DEADLINE is on Aug 30 1159pm.

For those who have not yet paid for the Field work. Final Grade will not be released.

NATSCA2 Field Work

2010-08-08T22:03:00.000-07:00

My class will be going on a field work activity at Malarayat in Lipa, Batangas. Letters to parents are now in the dropbox location. I also put a copy of our letter to Benilde accounting requesting collection until Aug 13. Fee is P3100 all inclusive. Accommodations will be at the Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club.

Itinerary as follows:

Day 1
6:30 - 7:00am Assembly/Departure from CSB
8:30 - 9:00am Arrival at brgy Tagbakin, Lipa City
9:00 - 11:00 Orientation to Community Based Biodiversity Monitoring of
the Taal Volcano Protected Landscape (Pusod Inc.)
11:00 - 12:00 Biodiversity Monitoring System
Visioning
Field Journal/Photo Doc
Water Quality Sampling
12:00 - 13:00 Lunch
13:00 - 15:00 Discussion of BMS Results, sharing of experiences.
15:00 - 15:30 Enroute to MMGCC
15:30 - 16:00 Arrival at MMGCC/Snacks
15:30 - Orientation of House Rules and Tree Planting Activities.
18:30 - 19:30 Dinner
19:30 - 21:00 Group Meetings for conceptual design/project brief.
Presentation to faculty-in-charge.

Day 2

5:00 - 5:30 Breakfast
5:30 - 6:30 Hike to Mt. Malarayat
Bird Watching Brgy. Talisay/Brgy Sto.Nino
6:30 - 8:30 Tree Planting, Bird Watching
8:30 - 9:30 Back to MMGCC. Rest
11:30 - 13:00 Lunch/Check out
13:00 - 14:00 Continuation of Group work, photo/video shoot, consultation with faculty-in-charge.
14:00 - 16:00 Enroute to CSB.

NATSCA2 Extension of Midterms deadline

2010-07-15T05:58:00.000-07:00

To my NATSCA2 students,
In view of the fact that some of you do not yet have power in your homes. I am extending the deadline of our exams to Sun 18 Jul 12nn. I hope this works out for everyone.

NATSCA2 Midterms and talk on 16 July

2010-07-11T22:13:00.000-07:00

I will be doing something new this term...My students will be having an online midterm exam. They have 48 hours to complete this test from 1745 12 July 2010 to 1745 14 July 2010. Link will be removed after test period. Time stamp will be checked. Test can be accessed here.

A talk on Aquatic species evolution will be done on Friday 16 July 2010. This will be held at the green room. 10 points bonus to the midterms will be given for those who submit a reaction paper by 1159 18 July 2010.

NATSCA2 Pandoran Marine Ecosystem

2010-06-23T19:28:00.000-07:00

My NATSCA2 students are tasked to submit their rendition of a Pandoran marine ecosystem. The work must indicate producers, consumers and decomposers. It should also have variations of the design themes from the original Pandoran designs in Avatar. The jpg file must be in the designated dropbox folder by Sunday 7/27/2010 1159pm

NATSCA2 Ecology and Biodiversity

2010-06-20T04:15:00.000-07:00

For the next two weeks, we will be discussing ecology and biodiversity. Please view this video lecture of Prof. Penny Chisholm of MIT to help you prepare for our classes. This is courtesy of MIT open courseware.

FAILANA

2010-06-14T03:11:00.000-07:00

FAILANA Students. Please accept my dropbox invites so you can access the share drive. All the presentations are already uploaded for your study.

NATSCA2: Pandoran Marine Creature Exercise

2010-06-14T02:56:00.000-07:00

Each student of my is tasked to create a Pandoran marine creature. The files should be in jpg format and uploaded in the appropriate folder in dropbox. This exercise is due on June 21 11:59pm. If you have not received an invite to dropbox please fill in your contact info here. If you have dropbox but don't see the shared folder please email me.

NATSCA2 Avatar Essay Homework

2010-06-07T08:46:00.000-07:00

As discussed in class, the Avatar homework has been extended until Wed 11:59pm. For those who just joined the class, the task is to watch James Cameron's Avatar and answer essay questions. You will find the new and updated essay question form here.

NATSCA2 Avatar Homework

2010-05-31T08:08:00.000-07:00

As the first exercise for this term, I have assigned my students the task of watching Avatar (the James Cameron Movie). They are supposed to answer the essay questions here. This is due on June 7.

I will be sending out invitations to join dropbox.com in order for the class to make use of its facilities. 2 invites will be sent. The 1st will be to join dropbox, the 2nd will be to join the shared folder. Response to these invites need to be given asap.

NATSCA2 Grading

2010-05-30T22:04:00.000-07:00

STUDENT ASSESSMENT
Midterm Grade 50%
Quizzes 15%
Participation 15%
Exercises 35%
Midterm Exam 35%
Total 100%

Pre-Final Grade
Quizzes 15%
Participation 15%
Exercises 35%
Final Project 35%
Total 100%

Final Grade = Midterm Grade + Final Grade

NATSCA2 Schedule of Activities Term 1 2010-2011

2010-05-30T21:53:00.000-07:00

TOPICS / SCHEDULE
TOPIC ACTIVITY / OBJECTIVES
Week 1 Introduction · Discuss course policies and requirements
· Group Activity:
1. Concept Mapping of 5 Environmental Issues
2. Art Diagnostic Test

Week 2 Elements of Design · Lecture discussion on the Elements of Design seen
in the natural environment

Week 3 Ecology · Discuss basic ecological concepts – Biotic & Abiotic
Components, Trophic Structures, Food Chains,
Food Webs, Energy Flow, chemical recycling/
nutrient cycling

Week 4 (Continuation) Ecology& Introduction to Biodiversity Loss &
Conservation
· Discuss Biomes, Community Ecology – Community
Interactions, Adaptations, Community Succession,
Population Ecology
· Discussion of various keystone species and their
impact on the ecosystem.
· Game: “Can it be real?”
· Discussion: Importance of Biodiversity and
Philippine Primer – description & importance of
Biodiversity, Threats & Causes of Biodiversity Loss

Week 5 Sustainable Development – Food & Agriculture
· Discussion on SD practices locally & internationally
· Discussion on case studies/readings

Week 6 Sustainable Development -Technology & Energy
Conservation
· Lecture on latest technology & energy conservation
efforts, discussion on practical applications on
energy conservation
· Sustainable Cities versus Megacities -Discussion on
how businesses adapt to achieve SD, Waste
Exchange Program, Toxic Substances and
Hazardous Waste Management, Solid Waste
Management
· Activity:

Week 7 Midterm Exam · Written Exam – Essay and Conceptualization Type

Week 8 Social Worldviews

Week 9 Social Worldviews, Social Marketing,
· Discussion on two dominant worldviews seen in the
movie
· Discussion on personal worldviews on resource
use, effects of worldviews on resource use
· Discussion on Social Marketing, applications of
Social Marketing, Environmental Education & other
environmental careers

Week 10 FIELDWORK

Week 11-13 Processing of Fieldwork data and Consultation
· Present fieldwork data and unedited trimedia
presentation
· Consultations

Week 14 Presentation & Submission of Final Projects

NATSCA2: Course Objectives

2010-05-30T21:48:00.000-07:00

NATSCA2 is an Appreciation, Awareness, and Advocacy class for the natural
environment.
A triple-A course that will help empower students to use their talents and skills in the
conservation of their natural environment

COURSE PURPOSE OVERVIEW:
It is the goal of this course to generally inculcate in students a global environmental
understanding that will produce highly conscientious and empowered individuals who
sincerely respect and appreciate the natural environment. Being able to produce
effective advocacy and learning tools using different mediums of interest is just one
derivative of the
general goal. Likewise, it is necessary to equip the students with a foundational
understanding of the different benefits humans get from their natural environment and a
good grasp of various global environmental issues caused by the way humans utilize
their natural resources.

COURSE OBJECTIVES / VALUES:
By the end of this course, the students are generally expected to develop into
conscientious
individuals who sincerely respect and appreciate their natural environment, and are
empowered to create significant contributions to the conservation of the environment. At
the end of this course, the student is expected to manifest the following as per Blooms
Taxonomy:
1. Remembering - To know the various components of and inter-relationships within
the different ecosystems;
2. Understanding - To understand the relevance of ecosystems components
and inter-relationships in addressing local and/or global ecological problems;
3. Application - To apply knowledge of ecological systems in conceptualizing a
multimedia project that addresses a relevant local and/or global environmental
issue;
4. Analyzing - To map out the causes, effects, and stakeholders involved in different
environmental issues and formulate an effective plan to address a need reflected in
the issues;
5. Evaluating - To integrate knowledge and analysis of ecological systems with
multimedia technical skills to produce effective educational or advocacy materials;
6. Creating - To produce an advocacy or educational material for a specific target

Term 1 2010-2011

2010-05-30T21:33:00.000-07:00

To all my new students,

Welcome to my blog! Here, I will put critical information regarding your course. I will post key exercises, assignments and quizzes here so I can spend more time to make you understand fundamental concepts during class. This blog contains content for my 3 subjects: NATSCA2 (DLS-CSB) , FAILANA and LBYPH12 (DLSU) as well as my own personal insights on sustainability issues. I will be putting title indicators and tags if a blog entry is for a specific subject. If there are no tags, an entry is for everyone's consumption.

I firmly believe in asynchronous collaboration. I have seen this work well last term in my NATSCA2 class. I expect to work much better this term.

I look forward to the learning experiences we will have this term.

NATSCA2 term 1 2010-2011

2010-05-30T21:29:00.000-07:00

Welcome NATSCA2 students! Please fill out this form so I can contact you efficiently. You will also be getting your assignments from this blog so check this regularly

FAILANA

2010-05-30T21:26:00.000-07:00

Welcome FAILANA students. Please fill out this form so I can contact you efficiently.

Final Grades

2010-05-02T07:03:00.000-07:00

I have just completed the final grades of my NATSCA2 class. I considered the scores of the final project components as bonus exercises. This means that on top of the scores I gave for the final project, I treated the AVP, brochure and website as 3 separate bonus exercises. This was done in appreciation for all the hard work my students have done during this term.

Inspite of this, I regret the fact that two active students have failed. 10775854 was active during the first half of the term but seemed to have dropped out during the latter part. He got only 43% for his final grade. 10662111 tried to do the work during the latter half of the term but was handicapped by his absence during the midterm exam. He was asked to present a document to prove his sickness during the exam so a special exam could be given. He never did so. In the end, he only garnered a final grade of 56.5%, 13.5% short of the passing grade. Too bad because this student did very well in his finals.

Grades can be viewed in the grades folder of the class dropbox location.