Michael P. Gaco
Saint Columban College, Pagadian City, Philippines
ReyMark F. Adobas
Saint Columban College, Pagadian City, Philippines
Michael C. Cabellon
Saint Columban College, Pagadian City, Philippines
Mario F. Alayon
Saint Columban College, Pagadian City, Philippines
Christian Niel B. Taripe
Saint Columban College, Pagadian City, Philippines
Abstract
As a result of the coronavirus, the Seminary in the Philippines has forced the transition of academic formation to be effective and suitable activities of the time from face-to-face learning to blended learning. Seminary formators, college, and academic instructors work together in fostering the seminarian’s academic formation. The recent research primarily focuses on seminarians’ academic performance and engagement in activities in the formation. This qualitative study intended to describe the seminarians’ educational experiences, performance, and achievements during the pandemic. The researchers interviewed the twenty-three seminarians at Holy Infant Seminary, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur. The findings of the analyzed data demonstrated the different factors that heightened and strengthened the academic formation such as the academic activities, ways of performing academic activities, and seminarians’ academic improvements. Further these gathered data showed how the seminarians’ academic formation continues to grow and develop despite the challenges caused by the pandemic. The study concluded that to increase the seminarians’ academic accomplishments, the Seminary needs to evaluate the other factors that seriously affect the seminarians’ academic performance and engagement in activities. The study recommended that researchers shall explore further on the different aspects of formation in the Seminary and encourage the seminary formators to design an engaging exercise in each formation for better development, optimum growth, and fun-filled experiences.
Keywords: Academic Formation, Academic Activities, Seminarians, Seminary
References
Alex, K . (2009). Soft Skills. New Delhi: S.Chand & Co. Ltd.
Barrett, B. (2010). Virtual teaching and strategies: Transitioning from teaching traditional classes to online classes. Contemporary Issues in Education Research (CIER), 3(12), 17–20.
Bhandari, P. (2020). What is Qualitative Research? Definition, Uses and Methods. https://rb.gy/vlrrlg
Blackstone, A. (2018). Principles of sociological inquiry: Qualitative and quantitative methods. Saylor Academy Open Textbooks. scholar. https://rb.gy/q5fuhx
Bliss, L. A. (2016). Phenomenological research: Inquiry to understand the meanings of people’s experiences. International Journal of Adult Vocational Education and Technology (IJAVET), 7(3), 14–26. https://rb.gy/5a2okx
Blom, B. (2019). What is academic excellence? Biblical Perspectives. https://www.tyndalepark.school.nz/news/what-academic-excellence
Boud, D. (2001). Using journal writing to enhance reflective practice. New adult and continuing education directions, 2001(90), 9–18.
Brescia University. (2013). How to Become a Priest. https://www.brescia.edu/2013/09/how-to-become-a-priest/
Calo, W. (2016). Competencies and Challenges in the Seminary Libraries in the Philippines. https://rb.gy/2vox5j
Chmielewski, M. (2020). Media education and the new evangelization. Part Two: pastoral postulates and educational proposals. http://dx.doi.org/10.31743/vv.11526
Creswell, J. W., & Clark, V. L. P. (2017). Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Sage publications.
Rev Dr Lenehan, K. (2020). Online Education. Catholic Teaching College: Seminary Life Amidst COViD-19. Corpus Christi Seminary College. https://rb.gy/n4s0br
Dunn & Dunn, (1972). Individualized Instruction. https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/bitstream/handle/10919/27353/Chapter2.pdf?sequence=1
Dickinson, D. K., Griffith, J. A., Golinkoff, R. M., & Hirsh-Pasek, K. (2012). How reading books fosters language development around the world. Child development research, 2012.
Dr Mapangdol, GL. (2021). Resilience in the Face of COVID-19: In Time like This. Manila, Philippines. Vancouver School of Theology. https://rb.gy/zoukgd
Dr Tomlinson, C. (1995). Differentiating Instruction. https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/bitstream/handle/10919/27353/Chapter2.pdf?sequence=1
Drucker, P. F, (1909-2005). Definition of Time Management. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1097402.pdf
Eaton, R. (2008). The Case for Student Participation. Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel, 9(2), 6. https://rb.gy/jsrqlo
Esterberg, K. G. (2002). Qualitative methods in social research (No. 300.18 E8).
Father Carola of the St. Thomas Newsroom (2023). Catholic Studies and the Formation of Seminarians. https://news.stthomas.edu/publication-article/catholic-studies-and-the-formation-of-seminarians/
Frankl & Wallen. (2019). A Short Guide for Conducting Research Interviews. https://www.csus.edu/indiv/o/obriene/art116/readings/guide%20for%20conducting%20interviews.pdf
Galton F. Hereditary Genius, (1869). An Inquiry into Its Laws and Consequences. [Originally published in 1869.] London: Julian Friedman Publishers, 1979. https://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/Fulltext/2004/10001/Deliberate_Practice_and_the_Acquisition_and.22.aspx
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. (2020). Reading List for New and Perspective Seminarians. https://library.gordonconwell.edu/Perspective/Seminarians
Groenewald, T. (2004). A phenomenological research design illustrated. International journal of qualitative methods, 3(1), 42-55.
Johnston, E. F., Eagle, D. E., Corneli, A., Perry, B., & Proeschold-Bell, R. J. (2022). Seminary Students and Physical Health: Beliefs, Behaviors, and Barriers. Journal of religion and health, 1-19.
Harrington, J. (1976). Handbook for Seminarians. Diocesan Program for Priestly Formation, 1-68.
Holy Rosary Minor Seminary. (2020). Learning and Formation Continuity Plan. Formation at Home in the view of New Normal. https://rb.gy/dc6xdn
Hunter, K. (1973). Motivation to Prepare for Ministry. Masters of Divinity Thesis. 49
Kember, D. & Kwan, K. (2000). Lecturers’ approaches to teaching and their relationship to conceptions of good teaching. Instructional Science, 28(5), 469–490.
Lave, J. & Wenger, E. (1991). Situated learning: Legitimate peripheral participation. Cambridge University Press.
Lidow, D. (2017). A Better Way to set strategic priorities. Harward Business Review.
McCarthy J. et al. (2000). The Public Character of Theological Education: A Perspective from Roman Catholic Schools of Theology and Seminaries. Theological Education, Volume 37, Number 1 (2000): 17-32
McCombes, S. (2019). Descriptive research. Retrieved October, 10, 2020.
Murthy, M.R. (2006). Motivation and Learning. Jaipur: Pointer Publishers.
Naparan, G. B. (2020). Assessment of Conventional Counseling Technique: Basis For Scripture-Based Counseling. International Journal of Emerging Issues in Early Childhood Education, 2(2), 83-95. https://doi.org/10.31098/ijeiece.v2i2.400
Roberts, C. (2022). Reading for Growth: The Spiritual Implications of Reading Books. https://rb.gy/vuvayv
Patton, M. (2002). Qualitative research and evaluation methods. https://rb.gy/nx36oo
Pearce, C. (2007). Ten steps to managing time: Chris Pearce offers a guide to help nursing leaders manage time effectively. Nursing Management (Harrow), 14(1), 23–24.
Program of Priestly Fomation. (2006). Re-engaging Science and Theology in Seminary Education: Expanding the Parameters of God’s Revelation. Fifth Edition. http://faculty.jcu.edu/cscnewparameters/home/teachings-and-writings/program-of-priestly-formation/
Pearson, S. (2020). Seminary Life amidst COVID-19. https://rb.gy/n4s0br
Puddister, M. (2020). Seminaries Expand Remote Learning as Pandemic Continues. https://anglicanjournal.com/seminaries-expand-remote-learning-as-pandemic-continues/
Saint Meinrad Seminary & School of Theology. (2022). Academic Formation. https://www.saintmeinrad.edu/priesthood-formation/academic-formation/
Seminary of the Christ the King. (2018). Intellectual Formation. https://sck.ca/priestly-formation/intellectual-formation/
Traugott, J (2014). Achieving your goals: An evidence-based approach. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/achieving_your_goals_an_evidence_based_approach
Trinity College. (2022). Time Management for Divinity Students. https://www.trinity.utoronto.ca/library/research/theology/time-management-for-divinity-students/
Testoni, I., Zanellato, S., Iacona, E., Marogna, C., Cottone, P., & Bingaman, K. (2021). Mourning and management of the COVID-19 health emergency in the priestly community: Qualitative research in a region of northern Italy severely affected by the pandemic. Frontiers in Public Health, 9, 622592. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.622592
Vasquez-Carbonell, M, 2021. A Systematic Literature Review of Educational Apps: What Are They Up To? Comput. Electron. Sci. Theory Appl., vol. 1, no. 1, ˜ pp. 36–70, 2020.
Vocation Centre. (2020). Seminary Life. https://www.vocationcentre.org.au/home/what-is-a-vocation/priesthood/seminary-life/
Wang, H., Xie, M. & Goh, T.N. (1998). A comparative study of the prioritization matrix method and the analytic hierarchy process technique in quality function deployment. Total Quality Management, 9:6, 421-430.
Wesley Theological Seminary. (2022). Values of Contextual Education. https://www.wesleyseminary.edu/practice-in-ministry/congregations-and-non-profits/attachment/values-of-contextual-education-2/
