By Herman M. Lagon In education, “critical thinking” is thrown around like candy. Touted as the golden skill everyone must master, it has been diluted, misunderstood and misrepresented like most overused terms. Today, “critical thinking” is often equated with basic problem-solving or parroting information without reflection. Really, what is critical thinking? More importantly, how do …
Impulses
Greatness defined
By Herman M. Lagon Basketball’s Greatest of All Time controversy frequently erupts over who merits the moniker. One name always seems to come up, whether in online forums, contentious conversations at sports bars or family dinners: Michael Jeffrey Jordan. Furthermore, this belief is not just fueled by bias or nostalgia from older fans. Not only …
The ‘tatsulok’ of inequality
By Herman M. Lagon Rom Dongeto’s “Tatsulok” was performed by Buklod in the late 1980s, Bamboo in the 2000s, and Ben&Ben in the 2020s. This song’s timeless appeal is due to its powerful message and cross-era appeal. “Tatsulok” criticizes the socio-political pyramid, in which the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, which is …
Bonifacio’s activism lives!
By Herman M. Lagon Every country has a hero whose life has a lasting impact that spans centuries and connects the past and present with unwavering courage and moral convictions. One such person who stands tall is Gat Andres Bonifacio, a revolutionary whose spirit lives on 161 years after his birth. Even though the nature …
The NAT trap
By Herman M. Lagon The sorry state of external assessments in basic education — like the National Achievement Test (NAT) — is a story that needs to be told. For years, we have relied on such exams to gauge the learning outcomes of millions of Filipino students. Yet, as journalist and education advocate Estanislao C. …
Sweeping claims ahead
By Herman M. Lagon One tendency that appears far too frequently in the whirlwind of political discourse is hasty generalization. This logical fallacy is common in daily discussions, news articles, and — unsurprisingly — political campaigns. It entails drawing general conclusions from sparse data. Fallacies can range from the harmless — like when a vendor …
Beyond the algorithm
By Herman M. Lagon Let us face it. As students, professionals or creatives, most of us have already been exposed to digital tools for writing. Whether it be grammar checkers or content generators — the support is a click away. This is not anything new — each decade has had its tech breakthroughs, from scientific …
Shadows of insecurity
By Herman M. Lagon Has someone ever cut you off in the middle of a meeting while you confidently presented an idea, making himself the center of attention while downplaying yours? Places of work are like this all over the world. In addition to misbehaving, those who put down others to elevate themselves are also …
More than grades
By Herman M. Lagon Joining student organizations, clubs, councils, and school papers is more than just a way to pass the time in college; it is an experience that forms you. Imagine this: You graduate with Latin honors and a picture-perfect transcript, but how do you respond when the job market calls for leadership, empathy …
Wokeness unplugged
By Herman M. Lagon Some years ago, “woke” was a positive term. In African American Vernacular English, it called for racial awareness and “vigilanteism.” The Black Lives Matter movement popularized “stay woke” to combat systemic racism. As it became popular, the term expanded to include gender and economic inequality. Recently, “woke” has become negative. As …