In these times where technology is everything and everywhere, Apayao State College (ASC) stands as an advocate of technological advancement. In fact, it spearheads a more innovative and flexible learning environment. Like other institutions, it infuses technology in classroom instructions.
As an advocate, any opportunity for development then that passes through is a chance to be seized. And, iSchools is undeniably a break for a more globally responsive classroom instruction.
Two years ago, ASC was chosen to work in partnership with the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) in the implementation of the iSchools. Ischools is one of its flagship projects of the Commission. This aims to enhance the ability of high schools in the country to compete for jobs, future education and other growth opportunities.
The project which is under the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT)-Human Capital Development Group, basically targets to provide Public High Schools with the appropriate software and instructional resources along with internet connectivity. This is believed to solve the problem of incompetent graduates in the country. It envisions being an instrument to help other public high schools to cope with the changes brought about by the modern technology.
For the partners to work effectively and efficiently, a team was formed. On the part of the College, the team is composed of the following:
Project Coordinator, who is connecting with the people in the CICT top management;
Teacher Training Coordinator, who is in-charge of coordinating the capability trainings for the public high school (PHS) teachers and students;
and Open Source Technical Expert (OSTE) or Technical Consultant, whose expertise pertains to manipulating and trouble shooting of computers is equally crucial with the functions of the said members of the group.
The team worked together, especially in the social preparation phase of the project. Other members of the teams are the trainers, laboratory assistants, writer, and documenter. They are needed in the fourth phase of the project, specifically, in the conduct of the package trainings, one of which is the Computer Internet Literacy Course (CILC) Training. With the support of the school administration, the team takes part in the realization of e-enabled schools.
The project has five phases. It starts with the choosing of pilot site or identification of PHS which are probable recipients of the units. After choosing and approval of the recipient PHS, the social preparation phase takes place. This involves project briefing or getting the recipient schools familiarized themselves about the nature of the project. Afterwards, the computer hardware, instructional resources, appropriate software and internet connectivity are then deployed to the recipients. The fourth phase is the conduct of the package trainings to build the capability and empower educators and learners to build their own learning content. And finally, it is wrapped up with project closure which entails close monitoring and evaluation of the recipient schools. This will be conducted for three years to ensure that the ultimate goal of the project is not put into futile.
All these five phases aims to establish an educational system which maximizes the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in learning. Each phase is challenging as it requires a manpower which are not only knowledgeable of the technicalities of the project but are also willing to commit time and the right attitude to accomplish the tasks. The project calls for people who are willing to reach out to schools even in the far-flung areas; leave their loved ones most of the time on the duration of the project; and go out of their comfort zones to pave way for the realization of every student’s dream to get the kind of education that each deserves.
Apayao State College being a promoter of change and a leader of producing globally competitive graduates tapped a team for the job. The team along with the college rose above its limitations by painstakingly and promptly providing all the means to improve its services. It maximized all the resources that it has to facilitate meaningful and enriched learning experiences to its clientele in order to transform the school into the best that it can become. It seized every opportunity to continually grow and expand its services to the community.
In the in the eyes of some, ASC may have just done an inch when it comes to its contribution in the development of education. But, the legacy it leaves takes a lifetime. It is something that will benefit not only the now generation but also the future generations. So long as concerned agencies such as the CICT continue to develop and pilot iSchools-like projects that help smooth the progress of learning through fast and easy access of information, any institution for higher education will not be sole in its endeavor to achieve quality education.
With every institution aspiring not only for the better but for the best for its students, it will not be long from now that one hundred percent of the public high schools will be ICT-enabled. This would mean production of quality graduates who would not only be locally but globally competitive, thereby creating a nation competent in the use of ICT as a tool for sustainable human development.
Apayao State College is very thankful for the opportunity to be a partner of the CICT in implementing its iSchools project. It brought out the best of the school. Indeed, Apayao State College and the iSchools team had proven that there is no such thing as digital divide.
by: Rema T. Bascos
edited by: Philip Constantine and Sharon April Gannaban-Mandac
