Methodology

How we get started
         
          Not well aware that elementary smart schools are now included in the DPSA Learning Quest, and luckily the Naga Central School-1, being the only public elementary school in Naga City registered in this project, we started a bit late, that was in the early month of August, 2010. Initiating the project, DR. TERESITA IRMA S. DY-COK called for a conference to all the would-be teacher/coaches to lead the team. At first there were 7 teacher coaches selected from all grade levels and 15 selected pupils from V and VI.
           
            We talked about next, was the title or DPSA Topics. Here we met problems as to what topic to try; Events and Places to see or the People/ Person we admire. After a thorough discussion, we came up with the decision to have 2 separate entries: one about the 300 years of Devotion to Ina and the other, Robredo, Naga City’s Pride. 
           
            The teacher-coaches in this particular entry were Mrs. Josefina J. Reyes, School English Coordinator, Mrs. Jayla Mendoza (Grade 2), Miss Angie Canuto (Grade 3), Miss Dawn Caña (Grade 2) and Mrs. Editha Obligacion (Grade 6), while the 15 pupils group comprises all GR. VI-GATE class namely: Venes Aurellano, Trisha Anne Betito, Kristine Alvina, Alix Samantha Matute, and Phoebe Anne Mallapre; the writers, and interviewers group, Kirche Mendoza, Chalotte Crilet Correo, Glowsy Cabral, Sharlene Kaye Cosa, Sharmaine Pearl Cosa, Rizza Mae Pardiñas; photographers group, Mc Fernandez, Sam Lorenzo, Sean Joshua Carillo and Edgar Klyde Coralde, IT group.
            
             Immediately after the groupings, two coaches were assigned for the 2 groups, while a coach was assigned to the IT (technical aspects). Delineating members of the group as to planning of activities, budget of works and listing / assigning of interviewers as their locations was the next step.
            
             In a short span of time of at least 1 ½  months interviews were conducted to different key officials of the city, including Atty. Leni Robredo, the wife, Vice Mayor Gabriel Bordado, City Planning Offices, Secretary to the Mayor, parents, and sister. With the help of modern technology and media and other gadgets and equipments, the task were done with ease in its optimum time requirement.
          
               Consolidation of the data gathered came next and the preparation of the narratives which formed the longest stage including editing and encoding that followed.

Data gathering
      
  Interviews were classified as to various functions, viz.
Person
Family (father to his kids, husband to his wife)
Parents (son to his parents)
Siblings (brother to his siblings)
Mayor (to his constituents)
    
          Interviews conducted to various respondents.

Ambush interviews were done on the streets to people on walks of life including;
School officials (principal)
Teacher
             Pupil
Vendor
Jeepney and tricycle drivers
             Policeman
             LGU employee


source: NCSI ICT Hub




Accessing Files/Information

          

Upon the conduct of the interview concerned persons gave various email addresses to get more information and needed data, to complete our query. We also made use of different reading materials, old and new which were published by accredited publishers to support and document information gathered. Apart from these interviews to person holding office and the ordinary ones gave concrete and positive responses to our queries.
                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                
Writing the Narratives

These wasn’t any more different task than putting words into writing. Many brain-cracking moments were spent in order to collect and bring events, together forming one whole idea. In this aspect, coaches were on guard to make the best of grammar that it can make the best holistic idea that one creates, apart from so many interruptions and breaks. But noting that these little brains are the school paper staff themselves, teachers did not find difficulty in arranging /organizing ideas into their write-up, and considering too, that these groups are the crop of the school.


Web-work of art
           
While Grade VI pupils were taught about computers how it works and how to work on it, they still have limited capabilities to do the web-designing. So that the teacher coach herself has to sit side-by-side with the “techies” to come up with the desired outcome. 
This web designing phase indeed took longer time in the process.  Several strategies / designs were tried until the graphic design was completed using Blogger blog posting services.



Doing other technical aspects

             The technical group including photographers and video cam "men" did the uploading of all the pictures on the computer while the others were doing the encoding, teacher – coaches doing the editing. Each write-up was encoded, edited then saved.


Encoding Phase Photos 
(click to see pictures)

source: NCSI ICT Hub


Polishing phase

             It was not easy indeed doing our very first try in this entry. The minutest detail has to be taken into great consideration. Picking out pieces of information and constructing a whole complete idea is equally difficult for us neophytes.