Tagbilaran teacher taps technology to tutor big class

Grade 7 teacher Irish Baleling of Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School in Tagbilaran City, Bohol addresses tutors students using a wireless microphone (lapel mic) during opening of classes on Monday, June 3, 2019. Leo Udtohan/Inquirer Visayas

TAGBILARAN CITY — Grade 7 teacher Irish Baleling doesn’t need to raise her voice to get her students’ attention.

Even when she turns around to write on the chalkboard, the students can still hear her. And that’s not because she’s shouting.

Baleling, 31, is addressing her students through a wireless microphone (lapel mic) clipped to her uniform.

She is among several teachers at the Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School (DCPNHS) in this city who opted to use lapel mic during classes to preserve their voices and prevent fatigue.

DCPNHS has the biggest student population in Bohol province. As of Monday, they have 6,000 students and 259 teachers.

Ideally, one class in a public school should only have 45 students.

Baleling has been using lapel mic during classes for the past three years. She has 43 students under her ward for this school year.

“As a teacher in this number of students, lapel mic is very much important because if we will not use lapel mic our voice will only last for an hour,” she told Inquirer.

On Monday, Baleling distributed student handbook to her students. She also handled the orientation session, discussing school rules and regulations.

She also told students to spread kindness.

“We’d all like the world to be a better place. It doesn’t take much to turn someone’s day around. A smile, a compliment, a small gesture will do,” she said.

According to her, the use of lapel mic has proven practical and effective since it enabled her to overcome usual classroom noises and distractions.

“It relaxes me,” said Baleling, who has been teaching for 10 years now. She bought her own lapel mic for her convenience.

She said she doesn’t have to shout since the lapel mic boosts her voice over background noises and help prevent voice strain.

It was also effective in keeping students attentive during class.

Student Leah Mae Lozano, 11, said she could hear her teacher clearly.

“Makadungog ko klaro sa gisulti ni ma’am tungod sa iyang mic (I can hear our teacher clearly because of her mic)” she said. (Editor: Katherine G. Adraneda)