WRITTEN REPORT

(Synthesis)

Ms. Bethel Batallones

Group (JAMY) Members:

Arabia, Duchess Saudia T.

Jayco, Hazelyn Joy A.

Manahan, Myka Eloisa C.

Yanson, Johnela M.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Introduction

II. Holistic Map

III. Solution

IV. Conclusion

V. References

VI. Appendix

i. Rules of Trust

ii. Individual Concept Map

iii. Group FINR

iv. Individual Reflection

I. Introduction
Introduction

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a 10-member international

body that represents more than 600 million people living in the region. It is established in
1967 by Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand. Predominantly,
its function is to organize security policy during the Cold War; it was significantly
developed when it took in low-income countries such as Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia,
Laos, and Vietnam (Nay Pyi Taw, 2014).

In August 1967, when ASEAN was founded, Southeast Asia was at the center of
world events. Indonesia had recently been at war with Malaysia, trying to prevent the
creation of Malaysia out of former British colonies. The Second Indochina War was
raging, following the withdrawal of France in 1954 and the end of the First Indochina War
that year. In Malaysia, a powerful communist insurgency had only recently been defeated,
while in Indonesia an army coup, launched in part to head off the rise of left-leaning
political parties, had unleashed massive communal bloodshed. The Cultural Revolution
and China’s support for several communist movements in Southeast Asia, as well as the
region’s fears of the United States abandoning its commitment to Southeast Asia, led the
noncommunist countries in the region to form ASEAN. The original five members—
Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines—varied from military
dictatorships to city-states to nascent democracies (Kurlantzick, J., 2012).
ASEAN was founded with a limited charter, even compared to many other regional
organizations. The goal was to preserve long-term peace in Southeast Asia and, by
unifying, to balance the roles that outside powers, including the United States, China, and
Japan, played in Southeast Asia. Even though the Second Indochina War ended in 1975,
the region remained mired in Indochina politics until the late 1980s, and ASEAN’s mission
evolved only marginally from its original goal. ASEAN also made little effort to push for
greater regional integration or trade liberalization. Despite China’s economic opening in
the late 1970s, China did not have formal relations with many South- east Asian states
and was a minor trading partner for the majority of the countries in the region by the late
1980s (Kurlantzick, J., 2012).
Asean aims to promote collaboration and co-operation among member states, as
well as to advance the interests of the region as a whole, including economic and trade
growth. It has negotiated a free trade agreement among member states and with other
countries such as China, as well as eased travel in the region for citizens of member
countries. Asean claims the opening up of Myanmar (also known as Burma) as one of its
more significant recent achievements, having pursued a policy of constructive
engagement and non-confrontation. It also promotes peace and stability in the region.
Members have signed a treaty pledging to not have nuclear weapons, and most have
agreed to a counter-terrorism pact which includes sharing intelligence and easing the
extradition process of terror suspects. In the past decade, Asean has deepened co-
operation on regional terror threats such as Jemaah Islamiyah, the South East Asian arm
of Al-Qaeda which claimed responsibility for the 2002 Bali bombings (Nay Pyi Taw, 2014).

Most ASEAN states (with the exception of small, oil-rich Brunei, which was added
as a member after the original five) were focused on building export-oriented
manufacturing sectors that relied on low wages, Japanese capital, and open Western
markets. This strategy was extremely successful, at least for a time: in the 1980s and
early 1990s, Thailand regularly posted some of the highest growth rates of any country in
the world (Kurlantzick, J., 2012).

As most of the ASEAN member states were governed by autocracies, ASEAN

leaders were extremely reluctant to hand over even small amounts of power to the
regional organization. Therefore, the secretariat in Jakarta remained a bare-bones
operation. ASEAN also continued to lack the capacity to handle crises that erupted in
Southeast Asia and crossed state borders. When Vietnamese “boat people” began fleeing
Vietnam and appearing in Asian waters in the mid-to-late 1970s, the countries of
Southeast Asia turned to Japan and the West to pay for and later adopt the refugees.
Even later, in the late 1990s, as smog and haze from forest fires in Indonesia blanketed
the region and choked cities, ASEAN member states were unable to effectively work
together and launch a collaborative haze- reduction strategy (Kurlantzick, J., 2012).

In the 2000s, however, ASEAN developed more muscle. In the late 1990s,
indicating that the Indochina Wars had finally ended, the organization admitted Laos,
Cambodia, and Vietnam, as well as Myanmar, which had been isolated by choice from
the international community for decades. Mean- while, China was launching a new “charm
offensive” to diplomatically woo the nations of Southeast Asia by proposing new trade
deals, offering investment and training for Southeast Asian officials, and demonstrating
an apparent willingness to put aside past territorial disputes and to work within the ASEAN
framework to solve confrontations in the South China Sea and contending claims in the
Mekong basin. With the Bush administration largely absent from Southeast Asia, other
than for counterterrorism cooperation, China became increasingly influential in the region.
Senior Bush ad- ministration officials skipped important meetings held by ASEAN and
other Asian organizations, alienating many Asian leaders, and when they did attend,
many Bush administration officials spent little time focusing on economic integration in
Asia, the topic most Asian leaders wanted to discuss— far more than they wanted to
discuss terrorism, which was not a threat in most East Asian nations. China, at the same
time, pointedly sent its senior-most officials to meetings of ASEAN and other Asian
organizations, drawing an implicit contrast. At the meetings, Chinese officials privately
and publicly noted that they had come to focus on Asian economic integration, rather than
terrorism. At the same time, India, Japan, and South Korea also built closer ties with the
organization (Kurlantzick, J., 2012).

ASEAN leaders and officials began to see the organization not only as relevant to
Southeast Asia but also as the potential center of Asia-wide regional economic and,
eventually, political integration. Former Singaporean diplomat Kishore Mahbubani, one of
the most ardent ASEAN supporters— predicted a decrease in U.S. power in Asia and its
replacement by an Asia-centric regional order with ASEAN at its center.3 Other Southeast
Asian leaders, such as Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew and the Philippines’ Fidel Ramos,
recognized that, by dealing with China through a unified ASEAN, they could negotiate
more favorable terms with China on trade, infrastructure, borders, and other issues.4
Thus, China became more involved with ASEAN in the 2000s. Consequently,
coordinating to counter China’s ever-increasing massive influence replaced the Cold War
divides as ASEAN’s principal raison d’être (Kurlantzick, J., 2012).
2017 marks the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN’s establishment as a regional
organization founded on the ideals of peace, prosperity and harmony. Five decades of
evolution and development has brought ASEAN the unprecedented level of economic
growth and peace dividends that have galvanized its position as one of the world’s
successful inter-governmental groupings. Various mechanisms have been established for
political and security cooperation within the region, and between ASEAN and external
partners. These mechanisms have resulted in tangible outcomes for ASEAN, laying the
foundation for economic and socio-cultural development. Over the last 12 months, in
efforts towards the realization of Vision 2025, ASEAN has made substantial progress. In
the political-security pillar, further efforts have been undertaken in building a rules-based,
people-oriented, and people-centered community. ASEAN has prioritized the
maintenance of regional peace and stability through regional security architectures that it
helped to establish. In the economic pillar, ASEAN has successfully delivered on its 2016
priorities which would further facilitate trade and create an enabler, especially for the
micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) (ASEAN Secretariat, 2017).

Moving forward, it remains fundamental for ASEAN to preserve the current

peaceful and stable environment for economic development and regional integration that
will bring benefits to the ASEAN people. Harmonizing national policies and the interests
of the organization as a whole will make ASEAN stronger to overcome unfolding
challenges and spread the fruits of integration to the region’s 629 million people in all
walks of life. (ASEAN Secretariat, 2017). ASEAN challenges not only the leaders of the
members of the ASEAN but also the citizens in those countries. Therefore, it is also our
responsibility as graduating Scholasticans to partake in achieving a globally competitive
region by being prepared to face the demands on each profession in the present and
future. We must prepare ourselves for we are the future leaders of our nation.
II. Holistic Map
III. Solution
Solution

We create our problems, and likewise, we need to create solutions to these issues. In the
midst of crises and challenges that are happening in the global community, everyone should
actively be informed and welcomed to participate. As cliché as it sounds, the problem of one is
the problem of the entire world. For instance, poverty on one side of the world demands everyone
to take action for the reason that every single issue, no matter how insignificant they may seem,
can inevitably affect the whole world.

Now, these problems require immediate action and resolution. Relating this to our
academic life, we are very much aware that these dilemmas are often discussed and analyzed
inside the class. There is an awful reality to the fact that some students listen, while others remain
apathetic and unbothered. According to Odyssey Online, many people consider our generation
as the most apathetic in history. Despite this, we encourage everyone never to stop believing that
our generation holds a bright future nobody could take away from us. These criticisms should not
hinder us from realizing our potentials but rather, motivate us in proving them all wrong.

The problem scenario talks about the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. As known
to all, the ASEAN, just like any other organization, faces a lot of challenges and criticisms that
tarnish its reputation. In spite of this, the ASEAN member states seek possible solutions to
improve further and upgrade its game. This situation is indeed relevant to what we are
experiencing right now. Truth be told, older people who expect us to be well prepared for our
future frequently scrutinize us. However, it is impossible to say that all of us are ready to face the
outside world. At some point, we will commit mistakes and failures, and that’s okay. We are
humans, and we are bound to commit errors. For us, success is something you really work hard
on; it does not happen overnight. Moreover, there is no definite way to succeed. We hope that
we, graduating students, regard the ASEAN as a role model that teaches us to stand firm even
when some people bring us down.

Issues of diversity arise in the ASEAN considering that its member countries have diverse
cultures and traditions due to their historical and geographical conditions. Diversity can be both a
good and a bad thing, depending on the circumstances. No matter how much we try to fix this
problem, it just does not seem to go away. Similarly, us graduating students all differ. We have
contrasting backgrounds, study techniques, attitudes, and values in life.

As a group, we shared our perspectives reflecting our respective courses, which are
Accountancy, Education, Political Science, and Hotel, Leisure, and Restaurant Management.

Education

To meet the demands of my profession as a future educator, I must be able to achieve a

bachelor's degree and pass the licensure examination for qualifying teachers. In preparation for
teaching in actual school settings, I was able to acquire the necessary skills that would be
beneficial for my career as a teacher. I will exercise my full potential through the experiential
learnings that I've gained all these years. The career training, academic knowledge and moral
values that I've learned will serve as an advantage for me to adapt well to the growing needs and
changes in the global community.

Accountancy

As a future Certified Public Accountant (CPA), to be prepared for the demands of the
future of my profession, I must first be able to graduate the five-year course of BS Accountancy
by completing the requirements like thesis, OJT, and a grade of B- or higher and pass the CPA
licensure exams that occur semi-annually.

During my college years, I was trained to get ready for my future job as an accountant by
the school’s education wherein they gave us, BSA students, the opportunity to learn in the
classroom using the manual/traditional approach and the computerized approach, and apply them
in real-life through hands-on experience/workshops and on-the-job training. My knowledge on my
course broadened with the help of seminars provided by the school and the review center for
preparation for the licensure exams.

Because of these trainings, I acquired skills like problem-solving skills, communication and
presentation skills, critical thinking skills, team and leadership skills and technical skills. Although
it is essential to have these technical and interpersonal skills, the school has also taught us the
value of ethics or principles like integrity, objectivity, professional competence and due care,
confidentiality, and professional behavior. Ethics are as important as the legal and technical
aspects of one’s career. Skills without ethics would lead a competent person to do evil things.

Political Science

I am a graduating student taking up Political Science with Specialization in International

Relations. As soon as I graduate, I would like to continue my education by pursuing Law for I
would like to become a lawyer someday. My father and two cousins who are all lawyers inspired
me to contribute to making a difference in this world. When talking about preparedness, I know
this is a tough one. The sense of being ready for the future can be thrilling yet scary at the same
time. As I walk towards my future, I was able to complete some requirements that I know opened
my eyes to what the real world is. Before graduating, we are required to work as an intern for
various agencies and departments, which should be related to our thesis. Fortunately, I was able
to work under the government, which is the Department of Foreign Affairs. I must say, I realized
a lot of things as soon as I completed my internship there. I have a notion of what the real world
is, and sadly, it is not what I expected it to be. I’ve always thought that I am well prepared for
whatever that is going to happen, but the truth is, I still am not. It takes a lot of hard work and
perseverance to be able to tell yourself, “Hey, I am ready.” While my course deals mostly with
foreign relations, we still make it to a point to discuss pressing issues that we have here in our
country. All of us have different opinions, which would then lead to debate. When I was in the
second year, Mrs. Espartinez chose me to represent her class to join the ethics bowl competition.
It is a debate wherein student representatives present their stand and interpolate against one
another. Right at this moment, I still feel overwhelmed whenever I remember that moment. I
believe that engaging in debates is a healthy activity, for exchanging ideas enhances critical
thinking skills.

Hotel and Resource Management

For us, there are many ways wherein we can prepare for the present and future demands
of our profession in the global community. First and foremost, we believe that before doing
anything, get to know yourself more. We continuously overlook this process for we seem so sure
of who we are, but do we really know who we are? This calls for us to reflect, to look back on our
past experiences, to ask ourselves an important question such as, “What do you want to do in
your life?” We need to visualize ourselves. This process will help us become adequately prepared
for our future career. Second, as early as now, we must expand our connection. Connect with
people; friends, neighbors, professionals, or experts. It is crucial to maintain a network most
importantly for these people will help and guide us along the way. We can learn so much from
them and maybe, in the future, we can work collectively with them. Through this, you get to learn
and understand their perspective, and you may also be able to connect with who they know. We
must explore and stop limiting ourselves in meeting and interacting with different kinds of people.

Third, we can attend career centers that offer students a glimpse of what the real world is
all about. Most schools require students to undergo intensive-work training such as on-the-job
training. Our experiences as interns will help us prepare for our future careers. So to those who
are yet to work as an intern, make the most out of your experience because working outside will
always be remarkable. Lastly but most significantly, Problem-Based Learning (PBL) itself is one
way for us students to become well prepared to face the demands of our careers in the
international community. PBL approach introduces an ill-structured situation wherein students are
tasked to develop a wide array of solutions to address these issues. It fosters complex thinking
skills, which we need to improve ourselves. We have to bear in mind that the real world is not so
good and evil; mediocrity is not welcomed outside. We are very thankful that we got to do this
PBL activity/synthesis because we have developed numerous skills we sure will bring to us no
matter where we go in life. All these help us in preparing ourselves to thrive and become the future
leaders of the world.

As graduating Scholasticans, let us not forget who we are and where we came from. If by
chance, some of us become one of the most successful people in the future, we hope that we still
find the time to look back and reflect what we’ve become, all thanks to our beloved school. We all
need to understand that we are all different; be it little or big aspects. We need to start viewing
humanity as a single entity. So embrace each other, and embrace each other’s differences. Our
diversity is what makes the world such a beautiful place, but our lack of acceptance of each other’s
differences is what makes the world such a chaotic place. It is a time that we all perceive unity on
a spectrum instead of closing our minds.
IV. Conclusion
V. References
References
Duchess Arabia:

 Kurlantzick, J. (2012). ASEAN's Future and Asian Integration. United States of

America
 Pyi taw, N. (2014). What is Asean? BBC News. Retrieved from
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30015680
 Thanat Khoman, “ASEAN Conception and Evolution”, in the ASEAN Reader,
Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore, 1992. Retrieved from
http://www.asean.org/asean-conception-and-evolution-by-thanat-khoman
 S. Rajaratnam, “ASEAN: The Way Ahead”, in The ASEAN Reader, Institute of
Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore, 1992. Retrieved from
http://www.asean.org/asean-the-way-ahead-by-s-rajaratnam
Hazelyn Jayco:

 Santos, E. (2017, November 12). “ASEAN, Hong Kong sign free trade,
investment agreements.” Retrieved January 10, 2018, from
http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2017/11/12/ASEAN-Hong-Kong-sign-free-trade-
investment-agreements.html
 Cepeda, M. (2017, November 14). “MSMEs must benefit from free trade,
Robredo tells ASEAN businessmen.” Retrieved January 10, 2018, from
https://www.rappler.com/business/188458-msmes-free-trade-robredo-
businessmen-asean-summit-2017-philippines
 Pasion, P. (2017, November 14). “ASEAN leaders sign commitment protecting
migrant workers.” Retrieved January 10, 2018, from
https://www.rappler.com/world/regions/asia-pacific/188460-leaders-sign-migrant-
workers-protection-asean-philippines-2017
 Buan, L. (2017, November 14). “ASEAN highlights need to reintegrate radicals to
counter terrorism.” Retrieved January 10, 2018, from
https://www.rappler.com/world/regions/asia-pacific/188454-asean-2017-
terrorism-declaration-reintegration-radicals
 Rey, A. (2017, November 14). “ASEAN, East Asia vow to step up efforts to end
hunger in the region.” Retrieved January 10, 2018, from
https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/issues/hunger/188443-asean-summit-east-
asia-food-security-end-hunger
Myka Manahan:

 Baviera, A. (2017, September 13). “ASEAN @ 50: Challenges to Unity and

Centrality” Retrieved from
http://ac.upd.edu.ph/index.php/resources/news-announcements/1181-asean-50-
challenges-unity-centrality-baviera

 Corrales, N. (2017, November 11). “Duterte urges Asean to unite vs illegal drugs,
terrorism.” Retrieved from
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/162023/breaking-philippines-manila-asean-2017-
31st-asean-summit-drugs-terrorism-peace-security-diplomacy-rodrigo-duterte

 Morato, M. (2017, November 17). “The ASEAN Summit 2017”. Retrieved from
http://www.journal.com.ph/editorial/opinion/asean-summit-2017

 Ranada, P. (2017, January 15). “Duterte launches people-centric ASEAN 2017”.

Retrieved from
https://www.rappler.com/world/specials/southeast-asia/asean-journey/158443-
philippines-launches-asean-2017

Johnela Yanson:

 Reyes, J. (2018, January 9). (a Foreign Trade Service Officer, Interviewee).

 Menon, J., & Melendez, A. (2015). Realizing an ASEAN Economic Community:
Progress and Remaining Challenges. Metro Manila, Philippines
 Kurlantzick, J. (2012). ASEAN's Future and Asian Integration. United States of
America

VI. Appendixes
i. Rules of Trust
Group Name: JAMY
RULES OF TRUST

Rules and Consequences:

RULES CONSEQUENCES

1.) Be on time. 1.) Grade deduction for the group

evaluation. (-1)

2.) Comes prepared with copies of 2.) Grade deduction for the group
materials for all group members. evaluation. (-1)

3.) Each member should be able to do 3.) Grade deduction for the group
their respective tasks. evaluation. (-2)

4.) Be sure to respond on follow-ups of 4.) Grade deduction for the group
the group. evaluation. (-1)
ii. Individual Concept Map
Duchess Arabia
“Where and where do ASEAN Summits occur? Does it need to be yearly?”
Hazelyn Jayco
“What are the issues and concerns? How do the leaders resolve them?”
Johnela Yanson
“What are the courses of action taken to achieve these prospects?”
iii. Group FINR
iv. Individual Reflection
Duchess Arabia

Problem-based Learning (PBL) was first developed in medical education in the

1950s and was gradually adopted in higher education outside of the medical field
throughout the 1990s. The primary goal of PBL is to enhance learning by requiring
learners to solve problems. It is a teaching method in which complex real-world problems
are used to promote student learning of concepts and principles as opposed to direct
presentation of facts and concepts. According to research in educational psychology,
traditional educational approaches, specifically lectures, do not lead to a high rate of
knowledge retention. Rather than teaching relevant material and subsequently having
students apply the knowledge to solve problems, the problem is presented first. The
problem is what drives the motivation and the learning. Therefore, with the help of PBL,
students are motivated to learn by a need to understand and solve real managerial
problems.
Without interpersonal skills everyday business would be very difficult, since
almost all aspects of work involve communication. Many jobs also involve collaboration
and interaction with different types of people, and interpersonal skills are vital to make
this happen. These skills relating to group process are essential for effective problem
solving and learning. One of the quotes I value most is from Alan Simpson that says,
“Without integrity, nothing else matters.” Education gives awareness and information.
Because of education students are able to acquire skills that make one smarter at the
market place than making a good human being. Martin Luther King Jr. said that the
function of education is to teach one to think intensively and critically. Intelligence plus
character is the goal of true education. Education without character offers just a skill or
knowledge that can be often used for maneuver, deception or thuggery. Therefore, aside
from having interpersonal and technical skills, it is vital that students have values. Having
the skills with good values is a great combination in order to be successful in the real
world.
There are skills that I’ve demonstrated while doing PBL. First is the Research
skill – which is the skill required to search for answers to questions, to construct reasoned
arguments based on evidence and to increase understanding in a particular field of
inquiry. To be able to solve the problem at hand, I’ve applied this skill by identifying the
problem first and then researching on information that would help me understand the
problem and then lead to the solution. It is important to have this skill wherein resources
are found efficiently. The information I’ve collected about the ASEAN Summit would then
be evaluated for their quality and relevance to effectively address the problem. Second is
the Consensual decision-making skills – wherein reaching consensus requires that every
student participates, has equal opportunity to be heard, and for their ideas to become part
of the team’s database. This was applied when we were brainstorming. We were each
given a chance to share our thoughts or opinions and the information collected about the
ASEAN Summit. I applied this skill by listening and learning from others and the
willingness to adjust my own needs with those of the team’s. It is important that the whole
team agrees on the activities discussed to be able to solve the problem at hand. Third is
the Problem-solving skills –which is essential in my course BS Accountancy, wherein I
wouldn’t be able to solve all the problems given if I do not have this skill. This skill is all
about logic, to make sense of the situation and come up with an intelligent solution. To
be able to solve the problem, the team firstly identified the problem. Secondly, the team
ideated or brainstormed on all the possible solutions to the problem. Thirdly, the ideas
provided by each member during the ideation phase, would be evaluated based on their
impact on the goal and on the complexity of the idea. Lastly is the execution. This is where
the team talks about the best courses of action taken and how they would be executed
by the group. Last is the presentation and communication skills – ever since High school,
presenting in class has always been a great training for a student to comprise his thoughts
and present them confidently in class. In our last day, our written report will be orally
presented in class. Here I confidently explain to class my understanding on what I have
researched on. The values I applied are respect, cooperation, openness and honesty.
Respect is important wherein I showed consideration for each member and recognize
each other’s differences. Each are respected by listening in what the member has to say.
Cooperation is where we work as a team to ensure the success of the whole group. Every
day we update each other in our group chat and take responsibility on our own assigned
duties. Openness is where we share knowledge and information with each other. I
become open by asking for feedback on the work I’ve done and being open to criticisms
to improve my work. At the same time, I also give constructive feedback. Honesty is
important, especially when I do not understand something I tell them the truth when I find
it confusing or when I need help.
If given chance to do PBL again, I would have gone to more libraries to be able
to gather more sources of information because sources found in the web is not as credible
as in the books. Some problems that I have encountered while doing PBL include the
misunderstanding in the instructions or on the plan on how to report on the ASEAN
Summit. There are times when the group members do not agree on opinions or
suggestions, resulting to a slower progress because of being unable to come up to a final
decision. To overcome these problems, the group made sure that before we leave the
room, we clarify the instructions and the work needed to do at home and for tomorrow,
individually and as a group. Once home, the members send the files and updates on the
progress of each one’s work so that the other members could criticize the work and add
more information if needed. To be able to come up to decision faster, each person would
give the advantages and disadvantages of that decision so that the group would be able
to see what decision is better. The best decision is the one with more advantages and
lesser disadvantages.
Project-based Learning (PBL) is an instructional approach built upon learning
activities and real tasks that have brought challenges for students to solve It was a great
experience to be working again with teams, especially with new people – new friends. In
this PBL, I’ve used skills like research skills, consensual decision-making skills, problem-
solving skills and presentation and communication skills. It is important that students don’t
just have skills but values as well to be successful in the future. PBL can be the spark in
engaging learning experience and create a context for powerful learning community to
promoting achievement, self-mastery and contribution to the community. Although there
were difficulties /problems encountered while doing PBL, we overcame them using
teamwork.

Hazelyn Jayco
Project Based Learning is a method in which students gain knowledge and skills
by working for a period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging and
complex question, problem, or challenge. PBL and technology brings a new relevance to
the learning at hand to encourage students to become independent, critical-thinkers and
lifelong learners. It is also a way of working together to take responsibility as a basis for
the way their will work with others in the future.
Doing PBL helped me become personally and socially responsible by getting to
know more of what and how ASEAN works. I challenged me to plan on how to construct
my own concept map, critically think to where I would connect information’s to easily
understand them, reasoning as to how I make my groupmates understand my work, and
creativity when we are doing our holistic map and combining all of our ideas together.
Strong communication skills, both for interpersonal and presentation needs as it is one of
the requirements of the program.
If I would be given the chance to take up PBL again, I would most definitely work
twice as hard as this time because I am more familiar of how it works now and the benefits
we are experiencing while doing it as students are really effective. I would really engage
to the activity rather than just doing it for requirement purposes. This activity is really
helpful for us graduating students, for thesis purposes, it helped us to think deeper and
think critically.
As a student and as my first time encountering PBL, learning experiences do not
prepare students well for PBL especially on how this will be done and what the problem
to be solved is. Time management and research skills would really be needed to further
understand the things unknown. PBL requires more time and takes away study time from
other subjects --- as a fourth-year student I should be doing my thesis these days rather
than this. But since it was held a week early before the semester starts we don’t have
anything on our desks yet, so there is no reason for us not to focus on this program. Also,
sometimes group dynamics issues compromise PBL effectiveness, as per my group we
are from different departments so our way of thinking or knowledge to the problem is
somewhat different on how the other one interprets or understand it but still with proper
communication we can still come up with one answer that we can all agree on.
Let’s face it. For generations, we have almost completely bypassed the
development of true problem solving skills in our curricula. Now it’s something that the
“real world” is clamoring for us to incorporate into our lessons. And it’s something that’s
likely going to be incorporated in the testing, not very far down the road. We have also
left out ethical considerations in curricula. It’s not about telling kids what to think. It’s about
getting them to think when it comes to issues of right and wrong. This, I think, is a goal
that Problem Based Learning can readily help us reach.

Myka Manahan

The senior graduating class of this school year were required to attend a one-week
Synthesis class that will focus on the topic about Problem-Based Learning (PBL). For this
week’s activity, each group were asked to come up with a solution to a given problem.
The tasks were distributed equally for each group member. The learning experience that
we had in class were all acquired from the discussions, activities and informative sharing.
The Problem-Based Learning (PBL) teaching experience enabled us demonstrate
necessary skills and values, changes and modifications that may still be improve for future
use of PBL, as well as some difficulties and solutions that students may likely encounter
upon the use of this learning approach.

In line with the values and skills acquired through the activities that we had for this
week, I learned that teamwork and discipline were both essential in order to come up with
a successful output for the group. Each member has their assigned work to accomplish
and it is the responsibility of every individual to finish their respective task within the given
time frame. It is important to be aware of what a team member can contribute for the
group, but it is also a must that every single one would be able to help and assist each
other in every possible way. By this, everyone will be able to collaborate with each other
and work effectively as a team. For instance, I make used of my own time productively by
doing my required work even though there were no class the following day. Through this,
I was able to contribute to the group discussions by making connections and citing of
ideas thoroughly. I also learned to demonstrate adequate collaborative and
communication skills with my other team members. As a member of the group, it is
important that I should be able to participate actively through the exchange of thoughts
and ideas with everyone. It is important to find links and common ground to our answers
which can result to a bigger and more creative outcome of our work.

As it was discussed in our first day in class, Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is

considered as a student-centered approach. Students enhanced their learning and
develop motivation by means of problem solving skills. If I would be able to encounter
doing another PBL activity in the future, I would also make use of other effective resources
in order to find variety and options for my solutions to particular problems. It is important
to search for other reference materials such as books, journals, articles and even
interviews from different personalities that may be related to the topic. It is not advisable
to rely on just one source because Problem-Based Learning enables us to become
inquiry-based learners on our own pace. By this, I would be able to gather facts and
information as well as generate some questions. I will be more exposed to discover viable
solutions to certain problems which usually involves in real-life situations as an individual
learner. Through this approach, I would be able to improve and learn better from Problem-
Based Learning (PBL).

When it comes to the problems and difficulties aligned with the use of Problem-
Based Learning (PBL) in the class activities for this week, time constraints for the
accomplishment of tasks is considered as a huge challenge for all of us. There is a limited
time to gather facts and information needed for the topic. There is also a particular day
wherein we only have to rely on internet sources. However, as a group, we were able to
resolve the issue among ourselves. We communicate effectively with one another and
that every single member cooperates very well to do and contribute their part. Also, we
are open to suggestions from every team member in regards to agendas for the day. As
much as possible, we tried our best to stick and prioritize the things that needed to be
done in an orderly manner.

Overall, the activities provided in our class discussion about Problem-Based

Learning (PBL) is a rewarding experience for us students. It is an approach in teaching
that is not commonly used all the time. However, it is considered as an effective way of
learning by obtaining solutions to given problems by means of research and inquiries. It
works well among groups of students as they were able to acquire a sense of teamwork,
discipline and collaboration from all the learning activities done in a classroom setting.
Students will also be able to develop inquiry-based learning if it will be used effectively,
in such a way that enough resource and reference materials will be gathered for reliable
facts and information.
Johnela Yanson

Problem-Based Learning is indeed an innovative and strategic way of learning.

PBL and traditional education differ in many ways. Whereas traditional education method
is teacher-centered, Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is a student-centered approach that
teaches and encourages students to demonstrate and enhance their roles as decision-
maker, problem-solver, and meaning-maker. Rather than teach and instruct students,
teachers act as either resource person or a coach of students as they try to improve their
problem-solving skills. Significantly, PBL is being used and introduced to some schools
most likely because this approach cultivates the skills and values that will help and lead
students to become the better version of themselves. Furthermore, the PBL approach
serves as a tool to engage students in opening up, widen their perspectives, and start
becoming involved in the “real world.” Predominantly, PBL approach can be an instrument
of motivation for students as they become more engaged in the learning process.
In my opinion, doing PBL is immensely exciting, engaging, and rewarding. Relating
this to my course, which is Political Science, I can say that this activity helped me in many
ways; I was able to refine my critical thinking skills, which I believe is one of the demands
of my course. We need to scrutinize every detail to develop an excellent analysis of a
particular topic. Thankfully, I acquired greater wisdom and knowledge from this approach.
Also, I felt like this PBL activity required all of us to demonstrate the values and skills we
have. We often tend to overlook our strengths as students that we tend to neglect it. But
because of the PBL, we were given a chance to showcase our various skills. These skills,
when put together, create an even more beautiful outcome or project. This just proves
that when you work cooperatively with respect to each other, then you will succeed as
one.

Learning how to use our values and skills correctly is crucial for it is something that
will stick with us for the rest of our lives. Throughout the whole week of this activity, I was
able to apply skills and values that made our work a lot easier. These values and skills
are being able to write and speak articulately, critical thinking skills, coherence in writing,
being able to learn interactively, developing grace under pressure, ability to correlate one
concept to another, working in teams and fulfilling all the roles I am assigned to handle,
cooperation, oral and written communication, discernment and problem-solving skills. I
never thought that this seemingly simple activity could help me boost all the skills and
values I have.

Had I been given the opportunity to do PBL again, one thing I would have done
differently is to prepare myself for it. I admit I was not entirely prepared to take this class,
and so I think that I have so much more to improve on myself. Last semester, we were
given a task very similar to concept mapping. I remember myself struggling to do it just
because I have a lot of concepts in mind. I told myself then that I would do my best to
create a good concept map in the future. I hope that future is now. Aside from this, I don’t
think I will do anything differently anymore. I am completely delighted with what my group
members and I have accomplished, and I am confident that we can present it. One more
thing, so long as I know in myself, that I have dedicated 100% effort and time to finishing
this activity, I have no regrets.

Problems are inevitable, but we managed to come up with a solution everyone

agreed on. While doing PBL, we encountered the issue of struggling with time
management. To be honest, at first, it was indeed overwhelming. Our schedules don’t
seem to match all the time too, so we found it hard to set up a meeting. But because we
constantly talk on our Facebook chat and group, then we agreed to meet early to finish
all the tasks we have to do. Time management has always been one of the problems that
hold back students in concluding what needs to be done. Also, we come from different
courses, so it is expected that some are available, while some are not due to other
obligations.

All in all, I can say that the synthesis class is a helpful tool that encourages students
to never settle for mediocrity. Nowadays, many students seem to lose motivation, which
becomes a problem for both the student and the professor. But with the help of the PBL
approach, I am sure that my fellow students regained their motivation and became more
engaged in the happenings in the outside world. We all have different strategies when it
comes to learning. I am glad that I was able to share my knowledge and skills to everyone
in the class. Through the synthesis class, I was able to know more about the PBL
approach and experience it. Both knowledge and experience is an edge towards
achieving our respective careers. Although we encountered problems, what matters is we
were able to stay true to our commitment as a group. We were able to work together
despite our conflicting schedules, which say a lot about our willingness to create and finish
a great holistic map. Also, we developed skills and values we never thought we have in
ourselves. I am honored to have been part of the synthesis class for I acquired the wisdom
and knowledge I know I will carry with myself forever. From now on, no more settling for
less.