Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Tagoloan Community College: College/Department: Course Code: Gec 1 Course Name
Tagoloan Community College: College/Department: Course Code: Gec 1 Course Name
13
TAGOLOAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Baluarte, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental
Tel.No. (08822)740-835/(088)5671-215
Introduction
This module discusses the facets of the self other than the commonly known ones which are the
biological, social, mental, emotional, and spiritual. It particularly covers two of the emerging
facets of the self rooted personal development: the political and the digital self. This module
intends to make students understand and appreciate their responsibilities as citizens of the
country and of global and virtual communities.
Rationale
This section discusses the nature of politics, elements of active citizenship, and how they shape
one’s political self. It details how one can become actively involved in political and communal
affairs, and how they are significant to the shaping of the self.
Pre-Activity
Diagnostic Tests
Instructions: If you think the statement is correct, write agree, otherwise write disagree.
1
COURSE MODULE MODULE WEEK NO. 13
L
I
P
I
N
O
2. Discuss how being a Filipino affects your “self”. How can becoming a better Filipino influence
your duty to becoming a better version of yourself?
Discussion
As members of the society, people are naturally obligated to participate in a political system
as social citizens. As citizens, people become aware of their duties and responsibilities that should
empower them to participate in state and political affairs. Politics refers to the actions or activities
concerned with achieving and using power in a nation or society. It is also defined as the ways that
power is shared in an organization and the ways it is affected by personal relationships between
people who work together. Aristotle stated that “man is by nature a political animal.” This is
because man is a social being and that people are naturally drawn to various political involvements
in order to satisfy their social needs.
Politics as imbibed by man implies several things. First, politics is concerned with power. Power
inequalities can be observed within societies. There are individuals whose position ranks high in the
social hierarchy, and thus wields much power compared to those in the lower class. The one who
holds power influence. Second, politics functions based on a particular social economic and cultural
context. The nature of politics and political systems is dependent on the culture of the state. The
characteristics of people, their cultural traditions and value orientations, economics, education,
religion, and other similar institutions shape the political landscape of any country. Political claims
made by advocates are influenced by their geographical location and ideology. Third, the political is
also personal. One’s personal choices reflect his or her personal politics; both are indistinguishable.
A person is likely to make personal choices and beliefs that are consistent with his or her personal
politics. Lastly, politics goes hand in hand with the society. The society consists of people living
together in organized communities with shared laws, traditions and values. Politics pervades the
structure of society, and thus influences inhabitants in their beliefs, ethics and behavior.
However, the political self is not only shaped by one’s political affiliation or beliefs. Everyone is
naturally inclined to have choices and reactions to political events happening in their countries but
this is not enough. The political self is anchored on the inclination to participate in political activities
that should serve the interests of all sectors of the society. One’s sense of accountability should be
manifested in promoting certain advocacies through healthy political engagement. This is aligned
2
COURSE MODULE MODULE WEEK NO. 13
with the concept of active citizenship.
Active Citizenship
Active citizenship has been a popular topic for researches across several disciplines. It refers to the
structured forms of engagement with political processes and everyday forms of participation in
society. It is not merely voting for government officials, attending certain institutional activities, or
availing of government benefits or services. Active citizenship is defined as the process of sharing
decisions which affect one’s life and the life of a community in which one lives. It is the means by
which a democracy is built and it is the standard against which democracies should be measured.
Participation is the fundamental right of citizenship.
Most adolescents believe that they do not have the power to inspire change or that they are not heard
which discourages them from speaking up. However, adolescents and the youth in general should
not forget that they are the future leaders of the country. The advantage of the youth is their zeal and
optimism in effecting change for the country. Youth participation should not be the exception but
rather the norm. In politics in which older individuals seem to dominate, youth participation is ideal
so that the younger generation will have a legitimate participation in raising issues and concerns that
impact the society in general.
Active citizenship is also associated with the “sense of community.” People, including adolescents,
participate in communal activities because it gives a sense of belonging in a particular group. The
sense of community people feel with their geographical and cultural roots also persuades them to do
something for their respective communities, especially in the context of community groups
considered to be a minority. Active citizenship may facilitate ethnic pride and provide a voice to the
woes of their social group.
For the younger generation, active citizenship can contribute to their social development.
Opportunities to participate in such activities can make adolescents aware of issues, challenges and
concerns that plague communities and the society, which may lead to supporting and upholding
advocacies for reforms. Engaging in such activities can also enhance efficacy and competence of the
younger generation, as they are considered to be the “future leaders” of society. The youth of today
has several tools at their fingertips to initiate social change, which can be considered as their
advantage because unlike other generations, they are known for their technological savviness. The
participation of the youth in nation-building activities enhances their value orientation and fosters
integrity, compassion, and the sense of justice, which are crucial to the holistic development of a
citizen of a nation.
3
COURSE MODULE MODULE WEEK NO. 13
The is self is a dynamic construct that is shaped by external forces and personal factors. Active
citizenship helps an individual embrace his or her individuality through the choices he or she makes
and the behaviors he or she manifests. Early exposure to politics and political systems may augment
an adolescent’s development of his or her sense of self. This exposure fosters critical thinking,
advocacy formation, comprehension and awareness of social issues.
The political self is a result of various personal and environmental factors that impact the individual.
The political identity does not begin only when one reaches the age of voting. Together with active
citizenship, awareness of community concerns may lead to optimal development of strong,
intelligent and passionate community leaders and youth participants. Thus, there is no such thing as
a right time to start becoming involved in the society. Youth participation in political activities can
strengthen individual and collective standpoints, allowing them to be heard by the general public,
and ensuring a strong, stable state, shaped by a strong, stable citizenry. As adolescence is a time of
searching for identity and establishing a core self, upholding active citizenship, becoming aware of
issues pervading society, engaging in political discourse, and other similar activities can shape the
youth to become effective agents of change. The participation of the youth in political discourse and
social activities can result in cultural and political paradigm shifts that may be felt even by future
generations. Thus, the future begins now.
4
COURSE MODULE MODULE WEEK NO. 13
Close Family Ties
Filipinos maintain a tight relationship with their families regardless if the children are old
enough and already have families of their own. They are also fond of family reunions during
birthdays, holidays or fiestas year-round. Some Filipino families even opt to live in a big
house where everyone can stay together. Nursing homes are almost always not an option for
family members and choose to take care of their elders themselves.
Cheerful Personality
Filipinos have a habit of smiling and laughing a lot. They smile when they are happy, or
sometimes even when they are sad or angry. Smiling has been a coping strategy for many
Filipinos especially during trying times and calamities. For instance, Filipinos smile and
wave at the camera while being interviewed even after a fire or flooding incident. They
always try to maintain a positive outlook in life which makes them resilient and able to
manage almost everything with a simple smile.
Self-sacrifice
The self-sacrificing attitude of Filipinos can be seen as an extension of the Filipino
hospitality. Filipinos go out of their way to extend help to their friends, families and loved
ones. They wish comfort and better lives for their loved ones and would even go to the
extent of working abroad hundreds of miles away to earn more money and save up for them.
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) sacrifice a lot; that is why they are regarded as the
modern day Filipino heroes. There are also times when the eldest among the children of the
family would give up school to work and provide for the rest of the family and educate his or
her siblings.
Bayanihan
Bayahnihan is the spirit of communal unity and cooperation of Filipinos. It s also about
giving without expecting something in return. Filipinos are always ready to share and help
their friends and loved ones who are in need. It may not always be in monetary form, but the
time and effort they give also count as a form of help for them. This trait is particularly
manifested in how Filipinos rally themselves to send aid to those who are severely affected
by natural calamities.
Colonial Mentality
Colonial mentality is regarded as the lack of patriotism and the attitude where Filipinos favor
foreign products more than their own. This does not only concern goods, but also the desire
to look more foreign than local and keep up with foreign beauty trends. It is attributed to the
centuries of colonization Filipinos had experienced under the Spanish, American and
5
COURSE MODULE MODULE WEEK NO. 13
Japanese rule.
“Mañana” Habit
This is the Filipino term for procrastination. It was derived from a longer Filipino phrase
called “Mamaya na” meaning dawdling things, which could have been done at an earlier
time. It is a poor habit of laziness that results in heavier workloads.
“Ningas Kugon”
“Ningas” is a Filipino term for flame and “kugon” is a Filipino term for Cogon grass that
easily burns our after it is put into flames. NIngas kugon refers to the attitude of eagerly
starting things but quickly losing eagerness soon after experiencing difficulty, just like how
fast the fire of a Cogon grass burns out moments after being ignited. Laziness is a common
problem among Filipinos; that is why Filipinos are regarded as “Juan Tamad” or Lazy Juan.
Pride
Most Filipinos hold on to their pride as if they are more precious than keeping a good
relationship with family and loved ones. When two parties are not in good terms, they find it
so hard to apologize and wait until other party asks for an apology first.
Crab Mentality
This is a toxic trait among Filipinos where one resents the achievement of another, instead of
feeling happy for that person. Just like crabs in a container, they pull each other down and
ruin each other’s reputation rather than bringing them up, resulting to no progress. Filipinos
should change this troublesome attitude and focus more on their own inadequacies to
improve one’s self.
Filipino Time
Filipinos have this common attitude of arriving late of commitments, dinner or parties
especially if they are meeting someone close to them. They tend to not observe punctuality
altogether.
Exercise
Who is a Filipino?
Cut out pictures or illustrations from magazines and newspapers that show what being a Filipino is
about. Paste them below.
7
COURSE MODULE MODULE WEEK NO. 13
Assessment
Answer the questions below in relation to what you have posted in the previous activity.
1. How do the pictures remind you of your being a Filipino?
3. Imagine that you were of a different nationality. What would change in you aside from your
citizenship and origin?
Reflection
8
COURSE MODULE MODULE WEEK NO. 13
MODULE 7: UNFOLDING THE EMERGING FACETS OF THE SELF
SECTION 2: THE DIGITAL SELF: UNCOVERING DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP
Introduction
This module discusses the facets of the self other than the commonly known ones which are the
biological, social, mental, emotional, and spiritual. It particularly covers two of the emerging
facets of the self rooted personal development: the political and the digital self. This module
intends to make students understand and appreciate their responsibilities as citizens of the
country and of global and virtual communities.
Rationale
This section explores the impact of technology on the society. It focuses on how technology use
enables people to become digital citizens, how it sustains relationships and forge collaborations with
other people, and what kind of digital identities are being forged while outlining the responsible use
of technology.
Pre-Activity
Diagnostic Tests
Instructions: If you think the statement is correct, write agree, otherwise write disagree.
9
COURSE MODULE Pre-Activity: Three Facts, One Fiction
MODULE WEEK NO. 13
Construct four sentences that should start with “I am ________________.” Three of the four sentences
should be true about yourself. You can talk about your characteristics, strengths, weaknesses,
accomplishments, personalities, and behavior. One statement should be a lie --- something that you just made
up about yourself. Make the activity more fun by making your classmates believe that the statement is true.
1. I am _______________________________________.
2. I am _______________________________________.
3. I am _______________________________________.
4. I am _______________________________________.
5. I am _______________________________________.
Discussion
The millennial generation is known to be the generation of digital natives because millennials were
born in an era of rapid technological advancement. Thus, it is not surprising that even young
children are exposed to gadgets, mobile applications, and the internet. Their minds seem to be
attuned to the intricacies of different gadgets and technological innovations, and most especially, the
internet. The internet. Their minds seem to be attuned to be intricacies of different gadgets and
technological innovations, and most especially, the internet. The internet primarily serves three
major purposes: social interaction, information acquisition and generation, and entertainment. As a
result, daily life is almost always dependent on the functions of technology, especially the internet
which provides people with a venue of presenting their identities through social media platforms.
The advent of technology comes with a corresponding challenge: to ensure that technology is used
properly. This is the essence of digital citizenship, which refers to the norms of appropriate and
responsible behavior towards technology use. Digital citizenship is anchored on three general
principles: respecting, educating, and protecting oneself and others. Technology is both a bane and a
boon. On one hand, people’s way of life has been made easier due to the convenience that
technology brings. Communication is more efficient and access to information is made easier. With
the rapidly changing social environment, people are likely to be engulfed in the different forms of
technology. Digital citizenship serves the purpose of regulating human behavior in a highly-
technological and digital world.
A major concern of living in the digital era is how technology shapes one’s sense of self and
identity. There is no doubt that the beliefs, value orientation, and behavior of individuals especially
those constantly exposed are heavily influenced by technology. One concept that is related to the
concept of the digital self is online disinhibition. It is defined as the lack of restraint one feels when
communicating online in comparison to communicating in person. Some individuals lose their
inhibition in social interactions because there is an aspect of being present only in a virtual, a sort of
anonymity. It provides a comfort zone for individuals to communicate what they want to express,
without censure and punishment. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? It may depend on the context.
10
COURSE MODULE MODULE WEEK NO. 13
Anonymity may serve as an option for individuals who are naturally shy and introverted to express
their thoughts, without threat to their self-esteem. However, there are also cases when online
disinhibition can be harmful and negative, as seen in case of cyberbullying. Anonymity can shield
the identity of the cyberbully. This is an example of how the digital world can influence the
development of the self and identity.
Nowadays, however, people are more inclined to show their own personalities via online channels.
The internet becomes a multi-media venue for showcasing personal traits, qualities, and even
experiences. The wat one views himself or herself is expressed through the worldwide web. Apart
from social media, the use of certain internet-based applications on different gadgets including
mobile phones can be in indicator of the kind of person one is. The values and beliefs he or she
upholds are also expressed in his or her online behavior. Thus, technology, through the development
of virtual spaces communities accessible through the internet, can be a basis of evaluating the
consistency of the self. How identity is projected in real-life can also be the same way with how
one’s identity is projected on the internet. It would be interesting to assess the difference between
one’s attitudes in real-life setting and online.
The permeating nature of technology has also influenced various technological and online behaviors
people manifest. Within the concept of digital citizenship, there are nine (9) themes that cover these
behaviors, namely:
The themes listed above emphasize the proliferation of technology in the world and how they are
used for specific purposes. Digital access enables obtaining information off-site while digital
security ensures the release of such information to legitimate stakeholders. Digital law, digital rights
and responsibilities, and digital etiquette curtail abusive behaviors that occur online. Digital
communication facilitates quick communication and information access in situations where physical
boundaries make it difficult. Digital literacy incorporates the use of technology in teaching and
learning methods, making education more viable and personal for millennial learners. Digital
commerce simplifies business transactions and consumer sales, easing the process for both the
business and consumer. Digital health and well-being provide provisions to ensure netizens that
online participation can complement and supplement healthy lifestyle choices and behavior; for
example, info graphs, blog posts, and mobile applications that focus on health and well-being can be
effective in relaying information valuable to an individual’s health condition or lifestyle choices. All
11
COURSE MODULE MODULE WEEK NO. 13
of these activities accentuate the presence of technology in all aspects of daily life, across different
generations.
Suffice it to say, technology is here to stay. There is a need to adapt to the dynamic changes that
technology entails. For example, in the context of work settings, companies and organizations
require digital literacy among employees to ensure efficient job performance. For educators and
learners, more and more software applications, learning management systems, and other digital
learning tools are being produced every day and these are imbibed by students within prescribed
teaching styles and methodologies. In medicine, forms of clinical assessments are now making use
of computerized tools to aid in ensuring accuracy in gathering data.
Technology offers limitless opportunities; its presence is inevitable. However, technology need not
control the society and the people’s lives. It should be complementary to human needs and
behaviors. Technology should not define anymore. An individual must define himself or herself
based solely on his or her own terms.
Rules to Follow
Here are additional guidelines for proper sharing of information and ethical use of the Internet
according to New (2014):
Stick to safer sites.
Guard your passwords.
Limit what you share.
Remember that anything you put online or post on a site is there forever, even if you try to
delete it.
Do not be mean or embarrass other people online.
Always tell if you see strange or bad behavior online.
Be choosy about your online friends.
Be patient.
Exercise
My IT Persona
Rank the following social media sites (Column A) and technology tools (Column B) that you
12
COURSE MODULE MODULE WEEK NO. 13
frequently use (1=least used and 5= most used). Write the ranking on the space provided and answer
the questions.
Column A Column B
Facebook Computer
Twitter Cellphones
Instagram Television
Messenger Radio
Viber iPad/Tablet
1. How does social media and technology tools influence your daily life as a student and as a
member of your family?
2. If you were to completely avoid the most frequently used social media in your life, how
would you feel? What would be its effect on your life?
3. If you were to completely avoid the most frequently used technology tool in your life, how
would you feel? What would be its effect on your life?
4. How do you foresee the future of technology in your life? What role would technology play
in that future?
Assessment
My IT Persona
Reflect on the following questions.
1. What similarities and differences can you observe in your responses?
2. How does technology define your sense of self as a student and as a netizen?
3. Create a future scenario of how the world would look like ten (10) years from now. What
kind of world do you foresee? What is the role of technology in that future?
Reflection
13
COURSE MODULE MODULE WEEK NO. 13
Module Quiz:
14
COURSE MODULE MODULE WEEK NO. 13
Cheerful Personality
Self-sacrifice
Bayanihan
Colonial Mentality
“Mañana” Habit
“Ningas Kugon”
Pride
Crab Mentality
Filipino Time
Millennials
Generation Z (Gen Z)
15