Long Off-School Days

Since Wednesday last week, I had a long time not teaching since my students from STI had their National Youth Convention, then followed by school's college days.  And the weekend was even longer since Monday was declared a national holiday.

We are now back to regular class time but just recently, I got the local news that this Friday shall be a another holiday.

The students and personnel are only happier since this would mean a long to time rejuvenate.  Further, the locals of General Santos City will have a full - day off to enjoy Kalilangan 2010.

This week shall indeed be packed with guests for a taste of the city's finest including seafoods, tourism, cultures, structures  and a lot lot more. 

Our city is one of the most peaceful in the country although this is usually vagued by wrong media hype. But, the locals are kind and accommodating, with cheap real estates and lowest home insurance quotes  to boost. 

My students may use the long weekend again on reviews for their upcoming pre-final exams on Tuesday until Thursday.

These upcoming holiday and school exam will allow me to be with my old friend in her IT thesis defense. 

 

Java's Event Handling

Action events on Java's button are possible through their own event - handling methods.

A component must have a listener so it can execute the corresponding event methods.  Below is an example of event handling on action buttons.

[+/-] show/hide

import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import javax.swing.*;

public class ButtonActionEventv2 extends JFrame implements ActionListener
{
JButton redButton = new JButton("Red");
JButton greenButton = new JButton("Green");
JButton blueButton = new JButton("Blue");
JPanel pane=new JPanel();
public ButtonActionEventv2(){

setTitle("Button Action Event Frame");
setSize(300,150);
setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);

redButton.addActionListener(this);
pane.add(redButton);

greenButton.addActionListener(this);
pane.add(greenButton);
blueButton.addActionListener(this);
pane.add(blueButton);
add(pane);
setVisible(true);
}

public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e){
Object source = e.getSource();
if (source==redButton)
pane.setBackground(Color.red);
else if (source==greenButton)
pane.setBackground(Color.green);
else pane.setBackground(Color.blue);

}

public static void main (String[] args){
ButtonActionEventv2 apps = new ButtonActionEventv2();

}
}

Good Old School Days!

Old school seems a label for traditions and conservatism.  Call me that since I have been in school more than my living years. LOL! 

But, I quite miss the time when fun was still nice and clean and that most of the students really prioritize social and moral norms among other things.  

They were quite active  in terms of sports and did less couch - potato recreations. But, with the technology hype, obesity among things is already associated with the lifestyle people lead nowadays. I am practically guilty of this too.   

For one, I joined mountain climbing before, biking and jogging, but now, I am next to my notebook, either blogging,  or programming. 

And, with the alarming rates of weight - related health problems, people seek means to reduce their weights or at least contain their present state. Some go for plastic surgery while others seek  from www.fatburneradvice.com  for less painful alternatives. 

There are good and bad sides of the old and new days but the thing is right fusion can be made only if we filter the good ones from both sides. Otherwise, we drag ourselves to less acceptable condition.   

I still love the good old days but  I like the present comfort these  days bring. LOL! 

Java's Calendar Date

Java has a built - in class for setting date and time.  Find below a sample date and time Java program that gets an instance of the current system date and time, and displays this on the frame.

[+/-] show/hide

import java.awt.*;
import javax.swing.*;

public class ClockFrame extends JFrame {
public ClockFrame() {
super("Clock");
setSize(225, 125);
setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
FlowLayout flo = new FlowLayout();
setLayout(flo);
ClockPanel time = new ClockPanel();
add(time);
setVisible(true);
}

public static void main(String[] arguments) {
ClockFrame clock = new ClockFrame();
}
}


import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.util.*;

public class ClockPanel extends JPanel {
public ClockPanel() {
super();
String currentTime = getTime();
JLabel time = new JLabel("Time: ");
JLabel current = new JLabel(currentTime);
add(time);
add(current);
}

String getTime() {
String time;
// get current time and date
Calendar now = Calendar.getInstance();
int hour = now.get(Calendar.HOUR_OF_DAY);
int minute = now.get(Calendar.MINUTE);
int month = now.get(Calendar.MONTH) + 1;
int day = now.get(Calendar.DAY_OF_MONTH);
int year = now.get(Calendar.YEAR);

String monthName = "";
switch (month) {
case (1):
monthName = "January";
break;
case (2):
monthName = "February";
break;
case (3):
monthName = "March";
break;
case (4):
monthName = "April";
break;
case (5):
monthName = "May";
break;
case (6):
monthName = "June";
break;
case (7):
monthName = "July";
break;
case (8):
monthName = "August";
break;
case (9):
monthName = "September";
break;
case (10):
monthName = "October";
break;
case (11):
monthName = "November";
break;
case (12):
monthName = "December";
}
time = monthName + " " + day + ", " + year + " "
+ hour + ":" + minute;
return time;
}
}

Students on Sports Fest

My new school, STI, shall be holding their sports day this coming Friday complemented with school program's special events.

But, it will be a long rest for me starting Monday as my freshmen students shall head to Koronadal City  for the  Youth Convention of IT students, converging STI students regionwide.

My students were pretty excited earlier since the event will require them to travel  to another city and that entire freshmen are supposed to be there.  They have their event's kits that are quite typical among STI group of schools. 

I wonder if their too much excitement is brought by their anticipation for the event or of something else like bsn atro phex. I shall never really know  but one thing forsure, they are pretty overwhelmed. 

So, the three - day events will start this Wednesday and shall finish off on Friday. Good thing too, that the Philippine government has announced Monday to be a national holiday to give tribute to Ninoy Aquino's death slated on February 25.   

I just hope that everyone will have good fun and rest !

Java's Scroll Pane

A scroll pane works as scroll bars particularly vertical and horizontal scrollers for a window with long lines of items.

But a scroll pane in Java works together with other components like text areas or a list. An example below shows a sample program with scroll pane and text area. 

[+/-] show/hide

//import java.awt.LayoutManager;
//import java.awt.*;
/*adding of components to frame without a panel*/
import java.awt.FlowLayout;
import javax.swing.*;
public class GUIQuiz2 extends JFrame{

public GUIQuiz2(){
setSize(220,200);
setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);

JLabel toLabel= new JLabel("To: ",SwingConstants.LEFT);
JLabel fromLabel= new JLabel ("From:",SwingConstants.LEFT);
JLabel messageLabel = new JLabel (" Message:",JLabel.LEFT);
JTextField toField=new JTextField("Receiver's name",15);
JTextField fromField = new JTextField("Sender's name",15);
JTextArea msgArea= new JTextArea("Write your message here.",4,15);
msgArea.setLineWrap(true);
msgArea.setWrapStyleWord(true);
JScrollPane scrollpane=new JScrollPane(msgArea);
FlowLayout flo=new FlowLayout();

setLayout(flo);
add(toLabel);
add(toField);
add(fromLabel);
add(fromField);
add(messageLabel);
add(scrollpane);

setVisible(true);
}
public static void main (String args[]){
GUIQuiz2 myFrame=new GUIQuiz2();
}
}

School's Other Pride: Cheer Dance

Cheer dance has been popular in the west and here in the Philippines, a school won't have their school fest without showing off their cheer dance stints. 

When I was in my old school, Pilar College, we joined consecutive inter school competitions, and we usually made it to the top three. 

Even among our school departments, the school has high school and college categories for this competition, and my department who has one of the fewest number of students is usually pinned to rank three (3).  LOL!

But, a spectator of cheer dance is always caught in awe and admiration for the stints and stunts made, for the colorful and sexy costumes, and for bunches of good and slim dancers that one can think if they take  best weight loss supplement  to contain their weights apart from their physical strenuous activities.

In Manila, the cheer dance competition is quite popular that National Collegiate Athletic Association has a special segment for cheer dance. In 2009, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA earned the championship slate. 

Java's Buttons

Buttons are used to at least have a corresponding action once they are clicked  like when we click Save Button on a Microsoft Window Environment.

Buttons can be created either through the java.awt or javax.swing with a little modification. Find below a sample program made with Swing components.

[+/-] show/hide

import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;

public class PlayBack extends JFrame {
public PlayBack() {
super("My Player");
setBounds(300,200,450, 100);
setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
setVisible(true);
FlowLayout flo = new FlowLayout();
setLayout(flo);
JButton play = new JButton("Play");
JButton stop = new JButton("Stop");
JButton pause = new JButton("Pause");
JButton rewind = new JButton("Rewind");
JButton forward = new JButton("Forward");
add(play);
add(stop);
add(pause);
add(rewind);
add(forward);
}

public static void main(String[] arguments) {
PlayBack pb = new PlayBack();
pb.setVisible(true);
}
}

Student Dropouts Increase Over the Years

Basic and high school educations are basically free in the Philippines but the number of those  who retain and actually complete their schooling only forms 50-60%.   

Studies show that students simply stop going to school mainly due to lack of interest and  poverty. But, this condition is only aggravated because high school graduates mainly don't proceed to pursue college education because of financial constraints. 

And, with pricey college educations, the majority relies on state colleges and universities that do have high cut - off rates and limited slots. Thus, they simply stop schooling and opt to work. Problem is, there are no enough jobs.  Although agencies like CHED, TESDA, DOLE and POEA are there to provide works and scholarships, the opportunities are only for the few. 

This government must address concerns of drop outs and unemployment cases in the country instead of just relying on temporary solutions like food stubs or charities and donations of basic services and commodities including vitamins for men.  

The quality of education especially in lower years has to be carefully reviewed too as our education is compared to other countries including Somalia and Africa. 

Thus, even if Filipinos graduate, their skills are still undermined.  Thus, the problems on education is far bigger than we ever imagine. 

Java's Action Event and Listener

If buttons are clicked and  we expect to have some actions, then we associate an action event on these components. 

To integrate events for buttons, we associate ActionEvent and ActionListener to respond to events.

[+/-] show/hide

import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import javax.swing.*;

public class ButtonActionEventv2 extends JFrame implements ActionListener
{
JButton redButton = new JButton("Red");
JButton greenButton = new JButton("Green");
JButton blueButton = new JButton("Blue");
JPanel pane=new JPanel();
public ButtonActionEventv2(){
    
setTitle("Button Action Event Frame");
setSize(300,150);
setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
    
redButton.addActionListener(this);
pane.add(redButton);

greenButton.addActionListener(this);
pane.add(greenButton);
blueButton.addActionListener(this);
pane.add(blueButton);
add(pane);
setVisible(true);
}

public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e){
Object source = e.getSource();
if (source==redButton)
pane.setBackground(Color.red);
else if (source==greenButton)
pane.setBackground(Color.green);
else pane.setBackground(Color.blue);

}

public static void main (String[] args){
ButtonActionEventv2 apps = new ButtonActionEventv2();

}
}

Java's Action Event and Listener

[+/-] show/hide

import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import javax.swing.*;

public class ButtonActionEventv2 extends JFrame implements ActionListener
{
JButton redButton = new JButton("Red");
JButton greenButton = new JButton("Green");
JButton blueButton = new JButton("Blue");
JPanel pane=new JPanel();
public ButtonActionEventv2(){
// setLayout(new FlowLayout());
setTitle("Button Action Event Frame");
setSize(300,150);
setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
//JPanel pane=new JPanel();
redButton.addActionListener(this);
pane.add(redButton);

greenButton.addActionListener(this);
pane.add(greenButton);
blueButton.addActionListener(this);
pane.add(blueButton);
add(pane);
setVisible(true);
}

public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e){
Object source = e.getSource();
if (source==redButton)
pane.setBackground(Color.red);
else if (source==greenButton)
pane.setBackground(Color.green);
else pane.setBackground(Color.blue);

}

public static void main (String[] args){
ButtonActionEventv2 apps = new ButtonActionEventv2();

}
}

Educating Filipinos on Automated Election

On May 10, 2010, the entire nation of Philippines shall be having their national election to include presidential election. 

This election shall make a historical landmark since after decades of contest on automated election, finally, it has come to realization.   The question now is, will this election be fraud free. 

So, to speed up votation  and encourage greater turn out, COMELEC is having hands-on national education of how automated machines should be used. 

This election is way overdue  and the initiatives of COMELEC are only commendable but how exactly will they do the education of all cities and provinces especially those at far flung areas. The COMELEC then must do more and act faster.  

Education campaigns must be done also by other election - connected agencies like the LGUs as we campaign for government services to include campaigns of immunizations, prenatal checkups and prenatal vitamins and community works - services and alike.

Election fraud is quite rampant in extreme extents all throughout the country. I only hope that this election will be better and that the Filipinos will vote based on performance, character and platform instead of popularity, money and traditions. 

Java's KeyListener

Events are handled in Java through Event handlers and listeners. For every listener, there is a corresponding event handler. There are methods associated with this interface and shall be worked with even it means doing nothing.

Below is an application of key listener. 

[+/-] show/hide

/*responding to user input*/
import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import java.awt.*;

public class KeyViewerGUI extends JFrame implements KeyListener {
JTextField keyText = new JTextField(80);
JLabel keyLabel = new JLabel("Press any key in the text field.");

KeyViewerGUI() {
super("KeyViewer");
setSize(350, 100);
setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
keyText.addKeyListener(this);
BorderLayout bord = new BorderLayout();
setLayout(bord);
add(keyLabel, BorderLayout.NORTH);
add(keyText, BorderLayout.CENTER);
setVisible(true);
}

public void keyTyped(KeyEvent input) {
char key = input.getKeyChar();
keyLabel.setText("You pressed " + key);
}

public void keyPressed(KeyEvent txt) {
// do nothing
}

public void keyReleased(KeyEvent txt) {
// do nothing
}

public static void main(String[] arguments) {
KeyViewerGUI frame = new KeyViewerGUI();
}
}

Difficult Innocent Students

Dealing with college students is quite tough. Of course, every teacher loves witty and cooperative students and pisses him off if he has troubling students in the classroom. 

For eleven (11) years of teaching, I got my own share of experiences too.  I highly remember intelligent and difficult  students that the average ones are left at the background. 

Reprimand sometimes works but whenever I can, a personal talk with the student helps me understand him better. 

And with that, I get various reasons for the delinquency. These include family problems, unwanted pregnancy, relationships gone wrong, vices, wrong friends, and disinterest on the the course or subject.  The reasons are indeed varying in depth and extent but I sometimes  feel disillusioned as to how I can really help them.   Advices are there that include referring them to the guidance counselor or articles on their issues like safe diet pills for women   and more.

I am no superwoman that can practically do anything to help my students but I only wish that they have the help they need before their lives can be more miserable. 

Sometimes, those who are quite in the classroom pose another issue too. Bonding with them in a personal way makes me know and deal with them better.

[+/-] show/hide

Java's GUI List

Another interesting component in Java is a list that actually displays n items.  Unlike a combo box, a scroll pane can be integrated with a list and that one or multiple items can be selected. 

To define a list, use JList  class.  It can have any of the following constructors:

JList() - creates an empty list;

JList(Object [])- creates an array object;

JList  (Vector) - creates a vector object in a list.

Use setVisibleRowCount(parameters) to define the number of items to be displayed on the list.

[+/-] show/hide

import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;

public class ListGUI extends JFrame {
String[] jobs={"Programmer","Analyst","Network Administrator","DB Administrator","System Auditor"};
JList jobList=new JList(jobs);
public ListGUI() {
super("List");
setSize(345, 120);
setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);

FlowLayout flo = new FlowLayout();
jobList.setVisibleRowCount(3);
JScrollPane scroller=new JScrollPane(jobList);

setLayout(flo);
add(scroller);
setVisible(true);
}

public static void main(String[] arguments) {
ListGUI app = new ListGUI();
}
}

School Scholarships

The college schools nowadays are catering to admission tests and scholarship exams for graduating high school students. 

In General Santos City, there are good college and university schools that students can check. Private or not, they do offer scholarships for anyone deserving. 

I remembered my old alma mater, Notre Dame Dadiangas University provided academic incentives for dean's listers while Mindanao State University offered scholarships for low-earning families, high - performing students and alike.

In this time of great economic crisis, school  seems remote for others but anything cheap but quality is worth pursuing just like when we seek for scholarships, housing, clothings, cheap auto insurance   and stuffs.  

Further, government agencies like CHED and TESDA do offer various sorts of scholarship and training programs for qualified and deserving students. 

We cannot give in to poverty and helplessness. One can only seek out for alternatives with great character of humility, tenacity and courage.

Java's Text Components

An interactive Java  would require a text input in single or  multiple lines. Java has text fields and text areas where inputs of all sorts can be used.

A text field  can be defined using JTextField and a text area under JTextArea classes. Check the sample program below that uses text fields, text areas, labels and buttons. 

[+/-] show/hide

 
/*adding of components to frame without a panel*/
import java.awt.FlowLayout;
import javax.swing.*;
public class GUIQuiz2 extends JFrame{
// private LayoutManager FlowLayout;
public GUIQuiz2(){

super("Message Form");

setSize(220,200);
setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
    
JLabel toLabel= new JLabel("To: ",SwingConstants.LEFT);
JLabel fromLabel= new JLabel ("From:",SwingConstants.LEFT);
JLabel messageLabel = new JLabel (" Message:",JLabel.LEFT);
JTextField toField=new JTextField("Receiver's name",15);
JTextField fromField = new JTextField("Sender's name",15);
JTextArea msgArea= new JTextArea("Write your message here.",4,15);
msgArea.setLineWrap(true);
msgArea.setWrapStyleWord(true);
JScrollPane scrollpane=new JScrollPane(msgArea);
FlowLayout flo=new FlowLayout();
    
setLayout(flo);
add(toLabel);
add(toField);
add(fromLabel);
add(fromField);
add(messageLabel);
add(scrollpane);
    
setVisible(true);
}
public static void main (String args[]){
GUIQuiz2 myFrame=new GUIQuiz2();
}
}

In-and-Out Teacher

"Once a teacher, always a teacher!"  This is an adage that is practically true for teachers. One of the sweet perks of being a teacher is the fact that once you meet your old student eons ago, they will still remember you.

I don't normally remember all the names of my students of 11 years but I can pretty recall their faces.   The downside of aging and this profession is you get to meet a lot of people of different sorts.  For a newbie teacher, this job can really drain him but for a seasoned teacher, anyone can just be dealt with. LOL!

But, teaching is not just within the classroom. Somehow, we act like a  24 hour towing  who may be with troubled students with a listening heart. 

It quite breaks my heart when I can't do much for them especially if their family breaks up or a loved one has died. 

I only wish that my students will be and will remain good and responsible citizens and that even if they don't remember me, at least, their lives are better. 

Java Combo Box

Another GUI component of Java is a combo box. This is a short drop - down list that allows a user to select an option.

To create this component, use the JComboBox class. Check the sample program below. 

[+/-] show/hide

import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;

public class ComboBoxes extends JFrame {
public ComboBoxes() {
super("Combo Boxes");
setSize(345, 120);
setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);

JComboBox profession = new JComboBox();
FlowLayout flow = new FlowLayout();
profession.addItem("Programmer");
profession.addItem("Analyst");
profession.addItem("Programmer");
profession.addItem("Database Administrator");
profession.addItem("Network Administrator");
profession.addItem("Project Manager");
setLayout(flow);
add(profession);
setVisible(true);
}

public static void main(String[] arguments) {
ComboBoxes app = new ComboBoxes();
}
}

Student - Teacher Fun!

It is Valentine's Day in the Philippines and normally when this day falls on a weekday, students will surely find you and at least greet you with best wishes.

This is one of the days that I love best since  I get to greet my loved ones, my friends and students. Somehow, one gets to smile regardless if he has a special someone or not.

I get to get flowers, cards, chocolates, balloons, fun gifts like teacher stuffs, truck accessories ,toys, and choco flowers. 

But, since the day falls on a Sunday, I only have to send and receive text messages of greetings! Regardless of the medium, it is always great to spend this day with loved ones and friends. 

This is one of the sweet things of being a teacher! Happy Valentines Day everyone! 

Java's Check Boxes

Java has several GUI components, one of the commonly used components is a check box. This is non - exclusive like a radio button, meaning for several check boxes, they can all be selected. But to make the components exclusive, then they have to be grouped using the ButtonGroup class. 

Check the sample below.

[+/-] show/hide

import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;

public class CheckBoxes extends JFrame {
public CheckBoxes() {
super("CheckBoxes");
setSize(300, 100);
setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
JLabel jobLabel=new Jlabel("Select job position:");
JCheckBox programmer = new JCheckBox("Programmer",true);
JCheckBox analyst = new JCheckBox("Analyst");
JCheckBox sysadmin = new JCheckBox("System Administrator");
JCheckBox dbadmin = new JCheckBox("Database Administrator");
FlowLayout flo = new FlowLayout();
ButtonGroup jobs = new ButtonGroup();
jobs.add(programmer);
jobs.add(analyst);
jobs.add(sysadmin);
setLayout(flo);
add(jobLabel);
add(programmer);
add(analyst);
add(dbadmin);
add(sysadmin);
setVisible(true);
}

public static void main(String[] arguments) {
CheckBoxes app = new CheckBoxes();
}
}

Student Discipline

Physical or corporal punishment among students in any form is not legally allowed in the Philippines.  But, this law was only realized lately since I had my own share of physical punishments when we were  in elementary years.

But, even experts are divided in terms of the pros and cons of inflicting physical punishments.  I am fortunate that I only in teach in college where students are old enough to be physically punished. For us teachers, an oral reprimand will do. 

But, sometimes, there simply too arrogant, nasty and impossible students that I wish I can send them off to Mars, twist their ears or ask them for 24 - hour run on  treadmills  until they straighten up. 

I always have happy memories though with my students although there were times when they could also drain me. But, this job has been my passion and I am not into physical punishment too.  Teaching them of values sometimes can do the trick.

Into Java GUI's

Prior to Midterm exam with STI, I was supposed to cover Graphical User Interface topics but with limited time, I missed covering this section.

When I made my Java Programming project in my masteral in IT, it was indeed a great struggle. I made use of NetBeans 6.1 with Jasper Reports and MySQL, and the General Ledger System I made for our store was the humble accomplishment from months of programming.

So, now that I teach GUI programming but only with JCreator,  I find the designing and coding more difficult.  

I only wish that my students shall use Java in their future projects but with the ordeal they go through writing simple Java programs, my wish seems to be remote and impossible.  I think with my students and Java experience, we can only choose to have fun while learning Java. 

Schools Becoming Campaign Targets

From a blogger  - student on Facebook, he invited his fellow students and personnel to see vice - presidentiable bet Edu Manzano in MSU Gensan premises.  

With the May 2010 election, aspiring candidates see schools as their prime targets since the young  ones comprise the 60% voting individuals.

From the current survey, they mainly like administration bet Teodoro Aquino while I prefer no one yet.

I only hope that this upcoming election shall be more honest, clean and that the most competent in character and performance will be elected.

This summer shall be a busy time with holy week and election to deal with. I can only wish to have Miami Beach rentals  and just enjoy the beach view or sunset over tranquil ocean waters.  

The voting students and the general public must be well informed and educated before picking their best bet. We don't want to see our votes wasted by another failed governance.

Teaching GUI of Java

Graphical User Interface (GUI) allows interaction of user with the system. Java like any object - oriented languages does allow GUI in different ways. These include actions with buttons, check boxes, list, scroll bar, textboxes, and others. 

GUI components take the standard javax.swing and jawa.awt as the fundamental classes for instantiating objects.

Java in 21 days provides easy - to - understand examples.  Check the program below that makes a text area.  

[+/-] show/hide

import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;

public class TextArea extends JFrame {
public TextArea() {
super("TextArea");
setSize(500, 180);
setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
JTextArea comments = new JTextArea(8, 40);
FlowLayout flo = new FlowLayout();
setLayout(flo);
add(comments);
setVisible(true);
}

public static void main(String[] arguments) {
TextArea app = new TextArea();
}
}

Missing the Old School Days

Whenever it is necessary, I relate my current topics to real - life scenarios of students and even to my personal life. In most cases, I recall what I went through during college days and I get to hook my students to quite an interesting listening state. LOL!

I speak to them about teacher - student behavior, relationships, pregnancy, weight loss pills,fashion, technology, vices, heartaches and success. 

It normally ends in a laugh but I am only glad to share that life is really a mix of fun and stuffs but makes living all worth pursuing.

Teachers in their most basic function should teach students not only academics but life's values and living as well. These will equip them with better knowledge and skills once they leave their alma mater.

So, I don't regret wasting a few time teaching hard - core education to youngsters. It is always worth the time and fun together.

Teacher Having a Stage Fright

For a decade of teaching, I still experience this stage fright.  I think I am naturally shy but somehow, I overcome them once I get to relax. But I see this kind of fear as natural. It only distracts me when I am among strangers and I must speak before them. I can really feel butterflies and tigers on the loose on my tummy and chest.

I normally have this when I am not at all confident with what I must teach. So, it helps if I am well - equipped with my sources and have prior knowledge about the subject otherwise the fright becomes longer than necessary. Sigh!

Any intervention for severe fright?! Most likely, but I wont resort to them  because I would like to overcome my fear the natural way.  I can only utter my regular prayers though. LOL!

School Fun

The problem with school exam is that it can put much pressure on students to study for all his subjects, miss gimmicks with friends or simply curtail recreational breaks with vices and all.  

For us teachers, exam time is break time since we don't have to do our regular teaching but this is cut short when we are compelled to check the papers and to submit the grades on time.

But, after all this regular exams, a fun with friends, and entertainment stuffs including  wii can be a welcoming relief and comfort.  

I bet a number of my students will be absent on the first day after examination. I hope they will do better on their last day of test tomorrow.

Midterm Exam for Students

Since Monday, February 1, our school, STI, had our midterm exam which will run until Wednesday. 

I do have breaks from the regular class but I have to  endure the paper checking and head scratching from deciphering answers. Sigh!

I am almost done with one subject and have two more classes to go. I have to finish the checking tomorrow since regular class will culminate on Thursday. 

I only wish my students fared well.