tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78783413662491001132024-03-05T03:49:23.639-08:00The eSkwela BlogA stream of unadulterated and less structured ideas and thoughts from the CICT-eSkwela Project Team as they go through the task of establishing eSkwela Centers (ICT learning centers for Filipino out-of-school youth and adults) all over the Philippine archipelago. Be it on the project's management, content development, community mobilization, teacher training, monitoring and evaluation, ICT use - you will find it here at The eSkwela Blog.Ave Mejiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07574025577510199283noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878341366249100113.post-36778363131116794782010-06-27T23:59:00.000-07:002010-06-28T00:13:47.499-07:00eSkwela: Inspiring education for the differently abled<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.philcecnet.ph/content/view/337/1/">originally</a> posted on PhiCeCNet.ph by Melody (20 Nov 2009)</span><br />
<a href="http://api.ning.com/files/WSV26nDbfTy5zinaviOZLy-D8jy1M0eVQKaKHg6AoQHjmbmIsnJg*u2C5QYp29e4O2WXRDJgggWiw-Hf*tKZJi4oOsHOwjO6/filray.JPG?width=220" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://api.ning.com/files/WSV26nDbfTy5zinaviOZLy-D8jy1M0eVQKaKHg6AoQHjmbmIsnJg*u2C5QYp29e4O2WXRDJgggWiw-Hf*tKZJi4oOsHOwjO6/filray.JPG?width=220" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">With no school sufficiently prepared to accept a student with muscular<br />
dystrophy, Phil Ray Neri absorbed everything he can from his first teacher, his mother. At nine years old, he began to read and dreamt of going to school one day. His disability never hindered him from pursuing an education and a normal student life.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now, the boy who was once deprived of education is already taking up Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) at the Mindanao University of Science and Technology (formerly Mindanao Polytechnic State College) through a scholarship grant from Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Phil Ray Neri shared this and more to the participants of the eSkwela session during the recently concluded Cagayan de Oro leg of Convergence 2009 last November 12-13, 2009.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Phil Ray got his elementary credentials from the Individualized Curriculum for Educating Children with disability (ICEC), a curriculum established and developed by his mother and his doctor, Dr. Enrique Ampo in Cagayan de Oro Public Library with the approval of former city mayor Hon. Vicente Emano.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In 2005, he obtained an elementary graduate certification after passing the Department of Education’s Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) examination. At eleven years old, he officially enrolled under the Commission on ICT-DepEd eSkwela Program. Two months later, all his hard work paid off as he passed both his high school screening and the A&E exam for high school, making history as the first differently abled student to have taken and passed both exams in Cagayan de Oro City.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now a college freshman, Phil Ray looks back and encourages other learners to dream big. “Believe in miracles because our faith and hopes keep us going with our daily lives,” he concludes.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Through his story, Phil Ray hopes to inspire people to their fullest potential, believing that in eSkwela, everything is possible.</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544172778536888792noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878341366249100113.post-37724372712214295302010-01-26T17:55:00.000-08:002010-01-26T18:00:10.425-08:00Mobile teacher Marlyn Lozada: Unlocking Potentials of the Deprived<span style="font-size:100%;">“Alternative Learning System opens doors of opportunity and helps transform lives especially for the deprived.”<br /><br />This is according to 33-year old Marlyn Lozada who has been a mobile teacher in Bay, Liliw and Luisiana, Laguna for seven years and one of the Most Outstanding Mobile Teachers of 2008. Aside from mentoring learners who had to stop schooling because of work, she also teaches those who have experienced some form of abuse and others who are differently-able.<br /><br />A case in point, a learner who suffered from medicine overdose as a child had to stop schooling when the parents deemed he would not learn anyway.<br /><br />These students require one-on-one teaching. She observed, “At first, they were not very responsive but, when they see you are committed and that you value their progress, they also begin to give importance to their education. Eventually, their parents also offer their support.”<br /><br />For Lozada, being a mobile teacher is a case of serendipity. Armed with a Psychology degree, she started as a daycare teacher. She took on the job when the one who was hired backed out. “I wasn’t prepared but then the timing was just right as a national assembly in Baguio was about to take place. There I was trained and was enlightened.”<br /><br />Education Secretary Jesli Lapus affirmed, “Today’s heroes come in the person of our mobile teachers who reach out to otherwise inaccessible learners.<br /><br />According to Lapus, the country’s non-traditional teachers such as Lozada brave difficult circumstances to bring education to out-of-school children, youth, and adults in the country’s most remote places.<br /><br />Our mobile teachers will bring us closer to meeting our Education for All (EFA) goals,” Lapus stressed.<br /><br />Lozada said, “We teach out-of-school youth (OSYs) and those who do not know how to read or write. But you cannot group them because they do not have the same skills and may make one group insecure. You also have to know their interests and use them to stimulate learning.”<br /><br />She explained that mobile teachers have to adjust their teaching sessions depending on the schedule of learners. “In case of the mothers, our mentoring starts after they cook lunch.”<br /><br />She also learned to be creative, resourceful, and able to convince and get everyone in the community to help out in the advocacy.<br /><br />The community she serves is engaged primarily in agriculture while others are in the business of weaving pandan leaves into mats. So I teach in a storage area (bodega), which I call Project Mat. She told the business owner about the advocacy and he allowed her to teach the workers in three hours, two or three times a week. “Sometimes these OSYs have to go to Region I to transport their products so we only meet twice.”<br /><br />“Though we cannot provide for their livelihood, we open their eyes to what they can become if they take seriously the government’s education outreach program.”<br /><br />She said she takes time to explain to her learners that education can help them not only improve their income but open better opportunities they never thought existed.<br /><br />She recalled, “Before, we have to look for our learners but these days, we get more support from the barangay. They recommend community residents who need education whom we welcome into our fold,”<br /><br />We appreciate the barangay for helping is in community-mapping, in providing venues and ensuring our security.<br /><br />Meanwhile, one local church also allowed her to use their area for her teaching.<br /><br />The support of the community and the determination of the OSYs to learn have been overwhelming.<br /><br />Her supervisor admitted to her that she thought Lozada wouldn’t last long in the job. “But, when she made a surprise visit, I think she saw my commitment and how seriously I do my work.”<br /><br />Usually, this is a job for men as it requires mobility. In Laguna, for instance, there are 14 mobile teachers and only three are female. Armed with her modules and instructional materials, she rides a motorbike daily to be in her work assignment located far apart in the province.<br /><br /><b>Her next challenge</b><br /><br />“One more year,” that’s what she would say to her husband whenever he would insist that she finds another job.<br /><br />But there seems to be no stopping Lozada, who manages to raise two children, 11 and 14 years old, while regularly attending to her learners.<br /><br />“Before they were always upset that I have to leave them but these days, they know my cause and they approve of it.”<br /><br />The challenge is to get more learners to pass the DepEd’s Accreditation and Equivalency Test and be of help in developing learning modules which can be used by other teachers. She cited her recent work “Ang Aming Gawain,” which is about the role of each member of the family but also teaches basic literacy.<br /><br />Her motivation comes from the learners themselves, seeing them learn and develop their potentials. The Bureau of Alternative Learning System (BALS), she said, is also very supportive, offering timely and relevant training and providing her very useful educational tools.<br /><br />“My mission in life is to serve God and other people,” she explained. “Ang Diyos ay makatarungan -- God sees what we do even if at times others do not appreciate or do not even seem to notice.</span><br /><br /><hr /><span style="font-size:85%;"><i>Source: DepEd, December 15, 2009<br />For more information, please contact Director Carolina Guerrero of the<br />Bureau of Alternative Learning System (BALS) at 635-5188.</i></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878341366249100113.post-13626063520780105492009-11-02T22:39:00.000-08:002009-11-02T22:48:59.728-08:00eSkwela-Kalumpang Ravaged by OndoyWho would’ve thought that on September 26, 2009, the loss of many lives and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people will occur?<br /><br />Typhoon Ondoy was initially thought of like anyone of the hundreds of storms to hit the country. Little did people know the catastrophe that lay ahead. Ondoy has managed to strike the county bringing along with it a month's worth of rainfall to Metro Manila and nearby areas in just a few hours. People were left unprepared and were simply at a loss when the storm has finally shown its true effect.<br /><br />A lot of cities were submerged in floodwater. Cars were left floating in the street. Transportation was in chaos. Friends and families were out trying to get hold of their loved ones’ whereabouts. Everything was simply amiss.<br /><br />In Barangay Kalumpang, Marikina where a newly established eSkwela center was located, water level ranged from knee deep to over first floor houses. At the center itself, everything was in morbid disarray with mud all over the place. Items are still there but they are no longer usable or cannot even be repaired. Computer units and its peripherals such as speakers, headsets and the likes were all covered in mud and so were the records, books, modules, tables, and chairs.<br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: times new roman;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" spt="75" preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"> </v:formulas> <v:path extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" connecttype="rect"> <o:lock ext="edit" aspectratio="t"> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" style="'width:430.5pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\Carl\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.jpg" title="effects"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltz7oIS9DHXaVoG2hrckihCM_drRc-250i3lMz_6XU3gJOZwOwYlddZBiv2kzg63lvHvi4SVVgPaQMuY7QbdAJmcnCamlGT2ARGz3Jv9Z9k6n6yX9jTOjclCmjiVMuebM7VYN3zJLq3hy/s1600-h/effects.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 80px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltz7oIS9DHXaVoG2hrckihCM_drRc-250i3lMz_6XU3gJOZwOwYlddZBiv2kzg63lvHvi4SVVgPaQMuY7QbdAJmcnCamlGT2ARGz3Jv9Z9k6n6yX9jTOjclCmjiVMuebM7VYN3zJLq3hy/s320/effects.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399763963259969554" border="0" /></a><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></p>What could’ve been a fun and innovative way of ICT-based learning was put to a halt. The center’s learning facilitator, Ms. Ivy Coney Gamatero, had to work hard on restoring normalcy. What with the out of school youth and adult learners bent on passing the Accreditation and Equivalency Exam, they had to make do with what they have. Below is a picture showing the eSkwela-Kalumpang before and after the typhoon has staked its claim.<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: times new roman;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: times new roman;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1026" type="#_x0000_t75" style="'width:431.25pt;height:161.25pt'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\Carl\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image003.jpg" title="before-after"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJof7kLhd6mRlH1UFamTuHmKxemL733rfr6Tv5agS_pbRGzie2ckH9rRCKmgzeXiTwxxKzNf-XLXJlnU2JHVRdfeWtWU_HpuUC7qQlS5TUG46WTuxFHt6VcIBQXF5E_x84rNT_QvCJwnmb/s1600-h/before-after.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 119px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJof7kLhd6mRlH1UFamTuHmKxemL733rfr6Tv5agS_pbRGzie2ckH9rRCKmgzeXiTwxxKzNf-XLXJlnU2JHVRdfeWtWU_HpuUC7qQlS5TUG46WTuxFHt6VcIBQXF5E_x84rNT_QvCJwnmb/s320/before-after.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399764162245062242" border="0" /></a><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: times new roman;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Despite the disruption and material losses felt, they were happy that everyone is safe and lives were spared. Right now they are still trying to get the support of anyone, including their local partners and stakeholders, who would be willing to impart computers, cash, or any form of donation. Learning sessions may take some time before it can be back to its regular scheme but as far as everyone’s concerned, tomorrow is another day to stand tall and face the new challenges that await.Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15465898652523185399noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878341366249100113.post-3319786135574110562009-10-12T22:56:00.000-07:002009-10-13T00:37:03.388-07:00Local Partners Open New eSkwela Centers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgyGCzbtGuG_B33ySMQbsrt164HessoSL8qad2BWzqF85RSd3k5Gmg3yfL_5rGV7wzKXmrUqItya2z_9zOu24MBw_1ukCyXcv2xnm9REoShBwpuJetaGMFZEQZNpxWgi-hfP8sBs2AZc/s1600-h/9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 391px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgyGCzbtGuG_B33ySMQbsrt164HessoSL8qad2BWzqF85RSd3k5Gmg3yfL_5rGV7wzKXmrUqItya2z_9zOu24MBw_1ukCyXcv2xnm9REoShBwpuJetaGMFZEQZNpxWgi-hfP8sBs2AZc/s320/9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391959830215371490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">At the eSkwela center in Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay, learning facilitators teach eSkwela learners how to use the e-learning modules and module guides.</span>
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<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CLenay%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region" downloadurl="http://www.5iantlavalamp.com/"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City" downloadurl="http://www.5iamas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType" downloadurl="http://www.5iantlavalamp.com/"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName" downloadurl="http://www.5iantlavalamp.com/"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place" downloadurl="http://www.5iantlavalamp.com/"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]-->Local partnerships paved the way for the establishment of 13 more eSkwela centers in the country.
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<br />Through the initiative of different implementers, such as Department of Education (DepEd) divisions, local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs), schools, and civic groups, 21 eSkwela centers are up and running as of September 2009.
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<br />eSkwela centers accommodate out-of-school youth and adults (OSYAs), enabling them to attend information and communication technology (ICT)-based learning sessions. With the help of learning facilitators, OSYAs undergo learning sessions, which make use of digitized modules and a learning management system.
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<br />Through these learning sessions, OSYAs can acquire relevant life skills, prepare for the Accreditation and Equivalency Exam (A and E Exam), and finish their high school education, among others. Those who pass the A and E Exam, which is administered by DepEd, receive a high school diploma.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">New centers established</span>
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<br />In Luzon, the new eSkwela centers are located in Baguio City; San Fernando City, La Union; Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; Boac, Marinduque; and San Fernando, Camarines Sur.
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<br />eSkwela Baguio City is spearheaded by the Save our Street Children Foundation, a non-government organization, while eSkwela San Fernando City is led by the San Fernando Christian Community.
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<br />The eSkwela centers in Boac, Marinduque; Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; and San Fernando, Camrines Sur are led by their local DepEd divisions and LGUs. eSkwela San Fernando, Camarines Sur is the first mobile laboratory in the country. (See the story Bringing Alternative Learning Closer to OSYAs).
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<br />In the Visayas, the new eSkwela center, which is led by the local DepEd division and LGU, is located in Tanauan, Leyte.
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<br />Seven eSkwela centers were set up in Mindanao. These are in the cities of Davao, Digos, Pagadian, and Oroquieta and in the municipalities of Asuncion, Davao del Norte; Isulan, Sultan Kudarat; and Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay. These centers were established through the support of local DepEd divisions and LGUs.
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<br />Other stakeholders also include Basic Education Assistance for Mindanao, which is an active partner of eSkwela in Davao City, Digos City, Asuncion, and Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. In Oroquieta City, the eSkwela center was sponsored by the local DepEd division, the Misamis Occidental National High School and the Parents, Teachers and Community Association.
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<br />The four eSkwela pilot sites are located in Roces, Quezon City; San Jose del Monte, Bulacan; Cebu City, and Cagayan de Oro City. These were followed by eSkwela centers in Ormoc City, Zamboanga City, Loyola Heights, Quezon City, and Kalumpang, Marikina City.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Need for local support</span>
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<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CLenay%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><o:p> </o:p></p>The Commission on Information and Communications Technology, through the Human Capital Development Group, works closely with the Department of Education, particularly the Bureau of Alternative Learning Systems, in bringing ICT-enhanced educational opportunities for Filipino OSYAs.
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<br />The establishment of new eSkwela centers would not be possible without the initiative and support of local partners and stakeholders though. Through these partnerships, additional eSkwela centers are established and more OSYAs in the country are provided with free alternative learning opportunities.
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<br />Related Stories: <a href="http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p091005.htm&no=04">
<br />First batch of eSkwela scholars in Tanauan ready to take DepEd's October 11 A&E test</a>
<br /><a href="http://newsletter.beam.org.ph/management/davao-city-deped-launches-eskwela-pilot-center-in-region-xi/">Davao City DepEd launches eSkwela pilot center in Region XI</a>
<br /><a href="http://www.samarnews.com/news2009/jun/f2244.htm">New computer sets given to Tanauan’s CeC</a>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878341366249100113.post-28588648550850675102009-10-05T05:46:00.000-07:002009-10-05T05:57:26.588-07:00The eSkwela Experience (contribution from WMSU)Below are testimonials from two WMSU team members who are involved in the eSkwela Content Development Project...eSkwela touches lives indeed. =D<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Maycibel Rodriguez, Pool Leader (eSkwela developer)</span><br /><br />I have only been on a rollercoaster ride once, and the experience was enough to last me a lifetime. Every time the car twisted up and hurled down at a speed only theoretical physicists with an “unusual” sense of humor can appreciate, I mentally screamed a prayer to every saint I can think of. Considering I was a mere jumble of barely suppressed fear and excitement, the ability to even think of trivial thoughts at that time was no small feat. However, it was one of those experiences that can make you look back and cringe but at the same time grin like a fool. It was good because it was bad. My e-Skwela experience was something close to that fateful rollercoaster ride, only better.<br /><br />I can still remember clearly the day our Department Head told us about the project. When she laid out the description of the project, the requirements, the time frame, and the compensation, well, you might say we sort of focused on the last part. The rest was a bit vague but we figured it was worth a try.<br /><br />Actually, during the first three to four months of the project development, that was exactly what we did – we tried. Boy, did we try. Between our classes, students, scripts, media, and whatever little personal life we had left, we had to juggle our time, effort, creativity, and consciousness (getting three hours of sleep became our definition of a “good night sleep”). There were even times when I came close to pulling my hair out of frustration, but only because I thought it was impolite to yank someone else’s hair right off their scalp. Ok, that sounded harsh, but thankfully that’s all water under the bridge now.<br /><br />The thing was, the project was something new to all of the members in the team – we’ve never done any flash programming, we never thought that learning Adobe Photoshop can be life-changing (it used to be one of the unused applications in my PC), we’ve never had to deal with different sets of people with different perspectives and requirements (and we had to consider all of them), we’ve never designed interactive course content, and we never thought that trips to Manila and Bataan will be a monthly activity (for nine consecutive months, no less). In short, it was the first time we ever ventured so far away from our comfort zones. Looking back, I’d say those were the “cringe” moments of the whole experience. The turning point came with the first Beta Review.<br /><br />The night before our flight for Manila and Bataan for the first Beta Review, we were still working on the last topic of one of our modules. There were still illustrations to draw and polish. The audio was yet to be edited and joined with the video, and of course, the whole thing was yet to be programmed and published. At that time we were working at the library of the college. However, when 11pm came and it was clear that we will need more time to finish everything, we decided to take everything to my home and finish it there where it was safer and the supply of electricity was more stable. We continued working until dawn. The flight for Manila was scheduled for 7 am. I started to pack at 4 am. We finished all media and programming at 5am. Publishing took nearly an hour to finish. Finally, around 6 am we were on our way to the airport. Standing there at the side of the highway waiting for a jeepney, I saw a plane making its final descend and I thought about my flight. Suddenly, it hit me. That must be the same plane for my flight! However, my home is approximately 12 kilometers away from town and the airport, and there was not one jeepney in sight yet. I fought down the panic and just refused to think that I will be late for my flight.<br /><br />Luckily I was right, and everything went well for our trip. Better yet, we were able to get some sleep before leaving for Bulacan early the following day. Moreover, the review was a success. I was ready to fall asleep again on my feet but I knew I still had to fight it off for at least 2 more hours (I was awake for 24 hours straight, and slept for 4, so go figure). However, seeing the enthusiasm and excitement of the participants was like watching the final piece of the puzzle fall into place. Somehow, it all finally made sense – the design requirements, the language and the tone, and the impact that the modules can make on the lives of the learners.<br /><br />After that, we somehow had a better understanding of what we should aim for. It also became easier to manage our time to accommodate any last minute changes or adjustments. Furthermore, we expanded the team to include a number of selected students to help us in the development.<br /><br />Like a rollercoaster ride, the e-Skwela experience had its share of highs and lows. However, I now understand that the only way to get to the former is to go through the latter. To date, all of our 20 modules have been certified by the Department of Education, making us the first SUC to have all their modules certified. Knowing that and looking back, I find myself grinning like a fool because well, yes, it sure feels good to know I was able to make it through alive, in one piece, my sanity intact, and with two or three new skills to boot. Best of all I have come to know and made friends with a lot of people – Ma’am Nida and all the reviewers from DepEd BALS, Ma’am Lydia and the members of her team, Doc Lloyd and his team of experts, and of course Ma’am Mel, Jops and the rest of the e-Skwela team.<br /><br />In one way or another, I believe I speak for the entire WMSU team when I say that although the e-Skwela project has initiated a paradigm shift in our way of teaching and learning, we prefer to think that through the project we were able to make a difference in the lives of other people.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mel Sheena Carballo, student developer</span><br /><br />This eSkwela project started when some of the modules were given to us as part of the requirements for the Software Engineering subject. Instead of doing the usual softwares, I decided to be part of something new so I volunteered to be in one of the groups that would handle the assigned modules. At first, I thought that it would be very difficult since we had to make a software that teaches instead of keeping records, but I took it as a challenge.<br /><br />As we were developing the module assigned to our team, I have learned the importance of education, that not everyone is given the chance to formal education. Upon knowing the objectives of the eSkwela project, I have realized that through this project, the out-of-school learners can also be educated through this type of learning system that employs the use of softwares as instructional materials. That is why our team really did the best that we can to be able to present our topic in a way that can easily be understood especially by the out-of-school learners. I also learned to be patient and be cooperative with my team because no matter how difficult things get, as long as there is patience and cooperation, everything will be alright.<br /><br />As the saying goes, “Success is a journey, not a destination; the doing is more important than the outcome”, and for me, how we developed this project is more meaningful. Through this project, I was able to do things for the first time. Together with my team, I lived in a house for a couple of months, had sleepless nights, acted and did voice-overs. And, the most meaningful of all are the memories that I have shared together with my friends and teachers. I was able to have good friends through my team. I really enjoyed their company. Some of the things that I cannot forget about them were when we had to be actors for our own scripts and would end up laughing just by seeing ourselves in those videos, when we had to conduct meetings at midnight regarding our presentations to the client for the next morning. All of these were thanks to the eSkwela project.<br /><br />My eSkwela experience is one of the things that I will treasure for the rest of my life. I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity to be part of it.melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544172778536888792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878341366249100113.post-33018453296119807752009-07-24T20:11:00.000-07:002009-07-24T20:18:45.389-07:00ICT World Today article - RRC on eSkwelaThis article was published in the Summer 2009 edition of the "ICT World Today" journal by the Korea Information Society Development Institute. The journal is distributed internationally.<br /><br />It's entitled "Empowering the Underserved through ICT" - it starts off with a discussion of CICT's efforts in harnessing Broadband and Mobile Technologies then continues on how ICTs are being maximized to provide better access to quality education...one way would be through eSkwela.<br /><br />Click on this link to view the article: <a href="http://eskwela.wikispaces.com/file/view/ICT+World+Today+-+article+by+RRC.pdf/80965271">ICT World Today - RRC</a><br /><br />Hail! Hail! eSkwela is gaining ground in terms of advocacy - not only locally but also internationally.<br /><br />Please stay tuned for the notice on the availability of the UNESCO-Bangkok's publication on eSkwela...coming really soon.melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544172778536888792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878341366249100113.post-23987001752368342562009-07-24T01:45:00.000-07:002010-06-28T00:11:11.939-07:00<a style="" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUfz479pezX44I1wo6_m5H44bUsIVWU1mpcpTbzhZHWqygNTpKEMXYiia-CTno1s5fJ7VTs__m8mG5moBN2oZlxEC03JtwjDdNtmclvmTPiHrEl3QvPJT3v4f_3oB9h34raKEGKntFE3h/s1600-h/Jack&Rose.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUfz479pezX44I1wo6_m5H44bUsIVWU1mpcpTbzhZHWqygNTpKEMXYiia-CTno1s5fJ7VTs__m8mG5moBN2oZlxEC03JtwjDdNtmclvmTPiHrEl3QvPJT3v4f_3oB9h34raKEGKntFE3h/s320/Jack&Rose.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361946260420622946" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">Bringing Alternative Learning Closer to OSYAs</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">How a husband-and-wife team brought the eSkwela Project to the out-of-school youth and adults of </span></span><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">San Fernando</span></span></st1:city></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, Camarines Sur</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></p><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">by Carl Bailey, Lenay Enseñado and Ave Mejia</span></span></i><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:10px;"><i><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">For Joaquin “Jack” Olitoquit of </span></span></span><st1:city st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">San Fernando</span></span></span></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">, Camarines Sur, what started out as a search for a plastic disc led to accidentally discovering the eSkwela Project, and ended up in him jointly establishing the first mobile </span></span></span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">eSkwela</span></span></span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">Center</span></span></span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> in the country.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">No stranger to community service, Jack was at the forefront of addressing the plight of </span></span></span><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">San Fernando</span></span></span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">’s farmers as a community organizer, having been a farmer himself. He was also involved in parish work; with his trusty motorcycle, he rode through rebel-infested areas to deliver medicine to the outskirts of Camarines </span></span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">Sur.</span></span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> Currently, he is a consultant of the municipal government, working on development and livelihood projects for </span></span></span><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">San Fernando</span></span></span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">.</span></span></span></span></span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">Jack is not alone in his passion for serving the community. His wife, Rose, is a DepED District Alternative Learning System (ALS) Coordinator; she spends her time going from one barangay to another as she conducts learning sessions for out-of-school youth and adults (OSYAs). In </span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">San Fernando</span></span></span></st1:place></st1:city></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">, a fourth-class municipality where farming is the main source of livelihood, one third of school-aged children has dropped out of the formal education system or has not enrolled in high school after finishing Grade Six. They end up tending to farms and working in construction projects; some venture abroad as domestic helpers – just as their parents and grandparents did in years past. Through these hard-luck locals, the cycle of poverty continues its painful course.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">The task of teaching OSYAs is not an easy one. Apart from the challenge of getting them to sign up as ALS learners, Rose has to make sure that the OSYAs </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">stay on</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> as ALS learners. She has to be creative and keep them motivated, with the hope that they become functionally literate, perhaps even acquire knowledge and skills equivalent to a high school education.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">Jack witnessed firsthand how his wife takes on this challenge. He sees her sorting through worn-out print modules, spending her own money for photocopying additional copies once the modules become unusable. One night after supper, Jack asked how he can help her improve on these materials; Rose mentioned that the modules are available in compact disc (CD) and that it would greatly help her if she could obtain a clear master copy by printing the modules straight from the CD, and reproducing these instead.</span></span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">By then, Jack could now do something to help his wife.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">Trip to </span></span></span><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">Manila</span></span></span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">Jack immediately took the eight-hour bus ride to </span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">Manila</span></span></span></st1:place></st1:city></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> in order to obtain the CD from the DepED main office. Upon his arrival, he was advised by the DepED - Bureau of Alternative Learning System (BALS) to also go to the </span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">eSkwela</span></span></span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">Center</span></span></span></st1:placetype></st1:place></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> in </span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:address st="on"><st1:street st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">Roces Avenue</span></span></span></st1:street><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">, </span></span></span><st1:city st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">Quezon City</span></span></span></st1:city></st1:address></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> where he can get a copy of the CD. Once he was at the Center, Angelyn Malabanan, an eSkwela learning facilitator, was generous enough to provide him not only a copy of the CD but also a walk-through on how ALS sessions are conducted there, albeit with a technological twist.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">At the </span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">eSkwela</span></span></span></st1:placename></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">Center</span></span></span></st1:placetype></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">, the learners use electronic, multimedia and interactive versions of the ALS print modules (the modules are converted and developed by CICT, DepED-BALS, and eSkwela’s partner </span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">State</span></span></span></st1:placetype><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">Universities</span></span></span></st1:placetype></st1:place></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> and Colleges, or SUCs). ALS Mobile teachers and Instructional Managers, doubling as eSkwela learning facilitators, engage their learners in discussions and exercises through the Learning Management System (LMS) software. The learners treat Internet educational websites as an immense library, and create individual and collaborative projects using the Center’s computer and digital equipment, online resources and open-source software.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">At that point, Jack was not satisfied in bringing just the CD back home to his wife. He has to bring the </span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">eSkwela</span></span></span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">Center</span></span></span></st1:placetype></st1:place></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> to the OSYAs of San Fernando. </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">Before his return trip, he swung by the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), where the eSkwela Project holds office, and sought assistance on how to set-up their own eSkwela. After meeting the eSkwela Project Team, Jack was now armed with the initial know-how on the basic setup requirements; he could not wait to share the concept of eSkwela to his wife as he headed back home.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">Laptops instead of desktops</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">Upon bringing the news on eSkwela to his wife, who by then was equally interested to it, they have drawn up initial eSkwela setup plans - and realized that a mobile version of eSkwela would better serve the highland and coastal barangays of </span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">San Fernando</span></span></span></st1:place></st1:city></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">. This was also recommended by CICT upon consulting with the eSkwela Project Team, who made recommendations on its infrastructure and technical requirements. Afterwards, the couple were on their way in figuring out where to get the laptop units for eSkwela.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">Jack presented the idea to San Fernando Mayor Fermin Mabulo, who made no hesitation in throwing his support to the initiative, having been involved in ALS programs for indigenous peoples before entering politics. Mayor Mabulo immediately facilitated the request for the needed equipment. </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">Although they have secured the mayor’s support, local partisan politics made the request process more difficult than it should have been. They were only able to acquire two laptops in their initial request, barely enough to service one barangay. Nevertheless, by December of last year, they were able to test the eSkwela model and conduct demos to municipal officials – with the hope that they will see the benefits and opportunities eSkwela can bring to the OSYAs.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">eSkwela Conference and CICT’s site visit</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">The couple found additional motivation to overcome the hurdles in their eSkwela implementation by receiving an invitation to CICT’s eSkwela Conference, having championed the project in their community. Held last April in Batangas, the Conference was a gathering of individuals and groups who are involved in eSkwela’s different project components. There they were able to interact with the other participants – LGUs, local DepED offices, civic, church and non-government organizations - who also share the same commitment and face the same challenges. The Conference’s forums, talks and workshops were all geared towards helping the project stakeholders work in synergy. As their conference output, Jack and Rose helped prepare an eSkwela strategic plan not only for their Center but also for their province the rest of the Bicol Region. But first things first, though – Jack and Rose had to start with </span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">San Fernando</span></span></span></st1:place></st1:city></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> before they go beyond it.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">Throughout the next three months, the couple and three DepED-Camarines Sur ALS mobile teachers / instructional managers – Lleza Orias, Helen Tunay, and Merly Lleva – underwent CICT’s training on the eSkwela Instructional Model. Through this training, they have also prepared the personnel requirements of an </span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">eSkwela</span></span></span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">Center</span></span></span></st1:placetype></st1:place></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">, while waiting for their infrastructure requirements to be addressed. While it seemed that their request for equipment was falling on deaf ears, CICT made a timely intervention by conducting a field visit to Camarines </span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">Sur.</span></span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> The bottleneck that was partisan politics was partially remedied, and three more laptop units were issued to the proposed </span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">eSkwela</span></span></span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">Center</span></span></span></st1:placetype></st1:place></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> – bringing the total units to five.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">With the staff and equipment now ready, they can move on to the next step of conducting the eSkwela learning sessions.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">eSkwela in </span></span></span><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">San Fernando</span></span></span></st1:city></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> – and beyond</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">On June 29, the </span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">eSkwela</span></span></span></st1:placename></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">Center</span></span></span></st1:placetype></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> of </span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">San Fernando</span></span></span></st1:place></st1:city></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> formally started its operations. Not only is it the first eSkwela center in Camarines Sur and in the entire Bicol region, it is also the first to adapt the mobile model. Serving the OSYAs in an initial eight barangays (Buenavista, Del Pilar, Beberon, Lupi, Bocal, Pamukid, Planza, Sta. Cruz), the couple and the three ALS implementers are now full-fledged eSkwela learning facilitators and are able to optimally use the computers as a tool for learning. They have organized a schedule to cover each of the eight barangays. The LGU’s multicab is being used to transport the laptops from one barangay to another. In turn, the barangays chip in by providing for the electricity and a shaded or enclosed area as a stop-over station for the mobile </span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">eSkwela</span></span></span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">Center</span></span></span></st1:placetype></st1:place></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">. While Internet service has yet to be made available in these remote barangays, they plan to hold some of the eSkwela sessions at the municipal hall’s premises in order to take advantage of the available Wi-Fi Internet connection. A wireless Internet broadband USB receiver will also be purchased so the laptops will have access to the Internet without leaving the barangays.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">eSkwela </span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">San Fernando</span></span></span></st1:city></st1:place></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> aims to serve ninety OSYAs for its inaugural year. While waiting for the additional laptops, the couple is currently busy engaging the rest of </span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">San Fernando</span></span></span></st1:place></st1:city></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> and Camarines Sur to replicate the eSkwela model. They are now coordinating with CICT, DepED-BALS and its division office, the LGUs of San Fernando and Camarines Sur for the conduct of an eSkwela teacher training workshop in September, which will be participated in by seven potential eSkwela Centers in the province. They have also facilitated meetings with three public high schools in Lupi, </span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">San Fernando</span></span></span></st1:place></st1:city></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> and Pamukid, eyeing the possibility of integrating eSkwela and sharing its computer labs to OSYAs.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">Jack and Rose Olitoquit hopes that they have given the OSYAs enough reason to stay on as ALS learners through the technology-infused alternative learning at the eSkwela Center, and by gaining life skills or at most a secondary-level education, give them a chance to break the vicious cycle of poverty.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span></o:p></span></p> <div style="border-style: none none solid; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">Which for Jack, is not too bad a bonus in what started out as his search for a plastic disc.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><i><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">The eSkwela Project, a word play on the Filipino equivalent of "school", is a flagship project of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) through its Human Capital Development Group (HCDG), in partnership with DepED – Bureau of Alternative Learning System (BALS) and local community partners, that is envisioned to provide ICT-enhanced educational opportunities for Filipino out-of-school youth and adults. It likewise aims to help reduce the digital divide and enhance the capacity of these individuals to be successful participants in a global and knowledge-based economy. The initiative responds directly to a national development priority and will bring elearning opportunities and ICT for learning resources to mobile teachers / instructional managers and out-of-school learners in the </span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">Philippines</span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> in an exciting, innovative, and locally meaningful way.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><i><span style="color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></o:p></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span">For further inquiries, you may send an email to </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="mailto:cict.eskwela@gmail.com"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">cict.eskwela@gmail.com</span></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span"> or contact the eSkwela Project Management Office at +6329286105 local 21/22.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p></i></span></span></div>Ave Mejiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07574025577510199283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878341366249100113.post-191444119678440982009-05-19T20:31:00.000-07:002009-05-19T20:33:10.955-07:00News: New Implementers Complete TrainingsFuture eSkwela implementers participated in the Basic Training on the Alternative Learning System (ALS) last April 20-24, 2009 at the De La Salle University. The ALS Basic Training is a pre-requisite for organizations who want to put up an eSkwela center. It acquaints the participants as to how the ALS program is implemented with emphasis on the instructional strategies that can be used in educating out-of-school youth and adults.<br /><br />A highlight of the training is the immersion at Baranggay Singalong, which allowed the participants to live the life of an instructional manager (IM). During the immersion, the participants talked to the baranggay council to gain their support for the ALS program and conducted house visits to find potential learners.<br /><br />At the end of the 5-day workshop 25 individuals are now considered as IMs. The new IMs came from Relief Mission International, Manchester, Operation Big Brother, Gawad Kalinga, Camp Bridge School, Quezon City Jail, San Fernando, La Union; and Holy Trinity.<br /><br />The new IMs, plus DepED - San Fernando, Camarines Sur, also attended a Learning Faciliators' Training held at DMAD Laboratory, CICT-NCC Building, last May 27-29, making them full-fledged learning facilitators capable of conducting eSkwela sessions in their own localities.<br /><br />- LisetUnknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878341366249100113.post-58520880166663736242009-05-07T19:53:00.000-07:002009-05-07T20:06:34.400-07:00ALS Training for Instructional Managers<a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwmj6BC8uzf8fgDICku9spdwlfQbU3OcObepMplnQ8SAm1CkcZefPrhMhuBFEShiMc-NIm6Z_IolED231gb5ICwzZ77v-lQXGZHluUaXZ1QiLIoYWnixHfz6BVPJZlvyk0f6CbFl5eY1s/s1600-h/als+training+01.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; 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margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} p.MsoFootnoteText, li.MsoFootnoteText, div.MsoFootnoteText {mso-style-noshow:yes; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} span.MsoFootnoteReference {mso-style-noshow:yes; vertical-align:super;} /* Page Definitions */ @page {mso-footnote-separator:url("file:///F:/DOCUME~1/MAUISA~1/LOCALS~1/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_header.htm") fs; mso-footnote-continuation-separator:url("file:///F:/DOCUME~1/MAUISA~1/LOCALS~1/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_header.htm") fcs; mso-endnote-separator:url("file:///F:/DOCUME~1/MAUISA~1/LOCALS~1/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_header.htm") es; mso-endnote-continuation-separator:url("file:///F:/DOCUME~1/MAUISA~1/LOCALS~1/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_header.htm") ecs;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:1781532821; mso-list-type:hybrid; mso-list-template-ids:-99471870 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-tab-stop:.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p face="georgia" class="MsoNormal">Liset and I participated in the Basic Training Course on Alternative Learning System (ALS) for Instructional Managers (IM). We did this so that we can further understand the ALS curriculum and its approach to teaching and learning. It is important that we truly understand ALS so that our trainings in eSkwela will really be in accordance to the ALS approach with the application of information and communications technologies (ICT). I believe this is the first time that staff from eSkwela has undergone an ALS training. Prior to the training, all we know about ALS is confined in what we read in the published materials from DepED as well as stories and anecdotes from various eSkwela and ALS implementers. Now at least through this training we gained a better understanding of what the ALS approach is, as well as the duties and responsibilities of an ALS IM.</p> <p face="georgia" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p face="georgia" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">ALS applies the principles of adult learning for teaching and learning. ALS practices the experiential learning approach, which is also known as the 4 As<span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=7878341366249100113#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><!--[endif]--></span></span></a></span>*, namely:</p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <ol style="margin-top: 0in; font-family: georgia;" start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Activity – Through a learning <i style="">activity</i>, learners experience and acquire new knowledge and skills.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Analysis – Learners need time to process or <i style="">analyz</i>e their experiences. New knowledge and skills have to be linked to what they already know and can do.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Abstraction – Through processing and analyzing their new experiences and linking them with existing experiences, learners begin to demonstrate new understandings and apply new skills through generalization or <i style="">abstractio</i>n.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Application – Through <i style="">application</i>, learners try out new skills and learning.</li></ol> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">This is an essential approach because the learners that come to the ALS programs are adults and they bring a wealth of experience, which, when tapped properly, can make learning effective for them. The training design for the instructional managers also applied the same principles.</p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">We found that the teaching and learning in ALS is very flexible. There are a number of learning strategies that can be applies such as structured learning sessions, tutorials, group study, etc. The DepED Bureau of Alternative Learning System also make use of a number of instructional materials. There are print modules, audio based instruction, and the eSkwela e-Learning modules.</p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AksQMr1xX4HxoqOXtRf10qgGlld5mX8kg_Q680hofgB4ipSUVfS1bWpHCzoCy84E04_yDMRlUUHoklJ_muc0251NgRM2z4AmpSsgIJsElDey70Srp57XS8Zp6V3ky7IBDqm3IycYfz5S/s1600-h/als+training+02.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AksQMr1xX4HxoqOXtRf10qgGlld5mX8kg_Q680hofgB4ipSUVfS1bWpHCzoCy84E04_yDMRlUUHoklJ_muc0251NgRM2z4AmpSsgIJsElDey70Srp57XS8Zp6V3ky7IBDqm3IycYfz5S/s320/als+training+02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333282211877830898" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">One of the highlights of this training is the community immersion where participants went house to house in Barangay Singalong in order to do a survey of out of school youth and adults. Here we found that we have an alarming literacy problem. In about an hour of house to house visits on a rainy summer afternoon, we found more than 40 out of school youth and adults who have not finished basic education. In every house that we went there are about 2 members of the residents who have school aged children that are out of school, or adults who have not completed basic education. Among the reasons for dropping out of school was because of peer pressure and lack of financial resources. We see that there is really a need for a program like ALS and eSkwela in order to be able to bring education especially to the underserved. After all, education is a fundamental human right (UNESCO).
<br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1EwbRQua-ZcYAiQA9G4iPX2aAHYiUuWpcRjxqzIuvTsFg-hlMySMg9h6qTffVxiBH-wMwa-xsrpo5vJKZ1j6KAv6gX1Ay5rx1hwQ-s3Mvb4SKexYYKHqAdRRfSKQ655Q72OMg43Xj3S8p/s1600-h/als+training+03.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 199px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1EwbRQua-ZcYAiQA9G4iPX2aAHYiUuWpcRjxqzIuvTsFg-hlMySMg9h6qTffVxiBH-wMwa-xsrpo5vJKZ1j6KAv6gX1Ay5rx1hwQ-s3Mvb4SKexYYKHqAdRRfSKQ655Q72OMg43Xj3S8p/s320/als+training+03.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333283020803509938" border="0" /></a>Another highlight of the training was the demonstration teaching of two of the participants. Both of them prepared interesting teaching materials and learning activities that apply the principles of adult learning. </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Another significant highlight of the training was the role playing activity on counseling. Counseling is seen as a very important role that an ALS IM will play as part of his/her responsibility. Counseling is helpful during the recruitment and enrollment of learners, identification of learning needs, during the conduct of actual learning sessions, evaluation of learning and after completing the Accreditation and Equivalency Exam.</p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNekTPumYFGMfAUbmk0gyBaNQJYHZYaWnzP36RJnpg4YTYmetaPOY5ERpiKfCDXvNOP6sAdQsWJmzBaDj2XEmyZ72E0IUk7_yW-BCh-m0llaZgmUAON-XjrtH9XDsd_Ie1niYQCNE4Kttx/s1600-h/als+training+04.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNekTPumYFGMfAUbmk0gyBaNQJYHZYaWnzP36RJnpg4YTYmetaPOY5ERpiKfCDXvNOP6sAdQsWJmzBaDj2XEmyZ72E0IUk7_yW-BCh-m0llaZgmUAON-XjrtH9XDsd_Ie1niYQCNE4Kttx/s320/als+training+04.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333283437925191842" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">The training concluded with the awarding of certificates to the participants and the awarding of tokens to our trainers from the Department of Education National Capital Region, namely Dr. Virginia Silvestre, ALS NCR Chief, Dr. Felicino Trongco, ALS NCR Assistant Chief, Dr. Baltazar Gayem, ALS Supervisor of DepED-Valenzuela City and Dr. Diosdado Medina, ALS Supervisor of DepED-Muntinlupa City.</span>
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<br /></span> <div style="font-family:georgia;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--> <hr align="left" width="33%" style="font-size:78%;"> <!--[endif]--> <div style="" id="ftn1"> <p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span style="font-size:78%;"><a style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=7878341366249100113#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><!--[endif]--></span></span></a></span> *From the “Handbook for the Instructional Managers in the Nonformal Education Accreditation and Equivalency (NFE A&E) System” by the Department of Education Bureau of Alternative Learning System, <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Pasig City</st1:city>, <st1:country-region st="on">Philippines</st1:country-region></st1:place>.</p> </div> </div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02585639291148048458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878341366249100113.post-22664461941614579852009-05-06T19:18:00.000-07:002009-05-06T19:42:12.059-07:00Resources for the promotion of literacy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.google.com/literacy"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 40px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmFOjCO6ERUhWJzRTjDjKDRN08ftz8xq3ZIWlrd_EMDWc_HAXvckOj31_ELypwdGjUHwBV1fMi8zmr3fv_S8JCsNWoYstSZKzpArGutRHdid3BrU-c4v0jCaYJbgPJUZM8QjQbSbbtPLe/s320/logo.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332906520503609602" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.google.com/">Google</a>, <a href="http://bellavista-film.com/Litcam/index.php">LitCam</a> and the <a href="http://www.unesco.org/uil/">UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning</a> have collaborated to form <a href="http://www.google.com/literacy/">The Literacy Project</a>, a website containing various resources on reading and education.<br /><br />In this website one can search for books, scholarly articles, videos, and innovative projects that promote literacy through the help of Google's information search features. One can also link up with educators, organizations, clubs and groups that engage in reading as well as child and adult literacy.<br /><br />For more information you may visit the website of The Literacy Project at <a href="http://www.google.com/literacy/">http://www.google.com/literacy/</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02585639291148048458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878341366249100113.post-9601801534770641772009-04-27T22:42:00.000-07:002009-04-29T18:10:01.152-07:00Shaping the Future Through SynergyAll roads led to a summer getaway at the heart of Lian, Batangas on the 31st of March.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Participants from all over the country - implementers, learners, community partners and donors, eSkwela regional coordinators, State Universities and Colleges (SUC) content developers, and module guide developers - trooped to Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel to attend the 2nd eSkwela Conference organized by the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) and co-sponsored by Batangas State University (BatSU).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKL9HX52Ls3RP3Ei4eTlKcriiIEiG8Kqqvyt9FQ80kqSXQHsDABSAtQYsLVFfmWYkLfc_t9Za3y2c_lp-1Q_BKRn8jwrU8RTp8gxeKLlh1XbFYaVRKqraMWCVLC12xMJprbmjPEJxGgdk/s1600-h/DSC_0126.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKL9HX52Ls3RP3Ei4eTlKcriiIEiG8Kqqvyt9FQ80kqSXQHsDABSAtQYsLVFfmWYkLfc_t9Za3y2c_lp-1Q_BKRn8jwrU8RTp8gxeKLlh1XbFYaVRKqraMWCVLC12xMJprbmjPEJxGgdk/s320/DSC_0126.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329649569844777458" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1sFVjF9tB97fR-32_ydHxhCR0bkD13HzsxrJ3_nnS-DlVc7JR0G-OlEzt4PLHlmdCulkCB-A-x8ZVFnpSvZuphs6cVzbrdNvNjZPC2qiacKGUS-MIdQRzkjw0gYxTCFBKN6EErLpS14/s1600-h/DSC_0170.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1sFVjF9tB97fR-32_ydHxhCR0bkD13HzsxrJ3_nnS-DlVc7JR0G-OlEzt4PLHlmdCulkCB-A-x8ZVFnpSvZuphs6cVzbrdNvNjZPC2qiacKGUS-MIdQRzkjw0gYxTCFBKN6EErLpS14/s320/DSC_0170.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329649574269262930" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBjSelO9y446rEgekRUEKpZWzUlAjGZTlusSd6TFkW1kub4SwGl3HXdh6Co5tPbCbZ-2M6LZF_fMQXWogrWX151QflF2Wacu7g4VBSXOPBW9GKQs1B-TlpFvf3bPSE5eOaQMh5qa4In0/s1600-h/DSC_0200.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBjSelO9y446rEgekRUEKpZWzUlAjGZTlusSd6TFkW1kub4SwGl3HXdh6Co5tPbCbZ-2M6LZF_fMQXWogrWX151QflF2Wacu7g4VBSXOPBW9GKQs1B-TlpFvf3bPSE5eOaQMh5qa4In0/s320/DSC_0200.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329649576630203858" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HMW4o98nYtqr9YlHmcknaHhNatslbnSKMeMLDke2KBdfDQPpmvT_KAkCVrDTvloAen3ZYnYkxGWzv_g4LDU54B-6DsuCq19g79SPuCLvAxlEyw2B6webtztm_BuAX3yiIpBCGzbvO1k/s1600-h/DSC_0321.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HMW4o98nYtqr9YlHmcknaHhNatslbnSKMeMLDke2KBdfDQPpmvT_KAkCVrDTvloAen3ZYnYkxGWzv_g4LDU54B-6DsuCq19g79SPuCLvAxlEyw2B6webtztm_BuAX3yiIpBCGzbvO1k/s320/DSC_0321.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329649582996267090" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Top Left</span>: eSkwela Conference organizers - CICT and BatSU- get busy as participants start to register at the lobby of Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel.<span style="font-style: italic;"> Top Right</span>: eSkwela Project Manager Maria Melizza Tan delivers eSkwela Project Overview.</span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> Bottom Left</span>: eSkwela Project Manager Maria Melizza Tan, Dr. Lloyd Espiritu of De La Salle University, IdeaCorp Chief Executive Emmanuel C. Lallana, Commissioner Consuelo S. Perez of CICT-Human Capital Development Group, Batangas State University President Dr. Nora Magnaye and eSkwela Project Officer Christina Maureen Salang pose for the camera.</span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> Bottom Right</span>: Commissioner Perez awards Certificate of Appreciation to Keynote Speaker Ms. Evangeline Lourdes Arroyo-Bernas, Southeast Asia Policy Officer of World Wide Fund for Nature - Philippines.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>The first day of the three-day event was certainly charged with energy and excitement. Almost 170 participants, many of them meeting for the first time, were expectant to get together with their fellow attendees and learn from the Conference. You could easily see eagerness from the participants, even if they just had a grueling trip from their respective residences, as well as from the organizers, who have prepared for almost three months for the Conference.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotu3EMxNxLQLX3HcMim1WJOATrjmGUBr6_ZQwQ6tHCNEkRUa8134bdMB8L5YStpuW6YSI5XzO0v64rpmHM-o0rm5fGm5Qjlw9Q0XwE4RgY3RDVlKpscQlm5K0CV0op14rY4V2cIfwZaU/s1600-h/DSC_0604.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotu3EMxNxLQLX3HcMim1WJOATrjmGUBr6_ZQwQ6tHCNEkRUa8134bdMB8L5YStpuW6YSI5XzO0v64rpmHM-o0rm5fGm5Qjlw9Q0XwE4RgY3RDVlKpscQlm5K0CV0op14rY4V2cIfwZaU/s320/DSC_0604.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329656204632523202" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwR4K65jO5m-AmeEP-pbM1BfCNVuYOH4PXNZigIC2SI_bZbFSxIKZMBdfr0DLXrO7aR9IiItB4DmeHO_vNxxXCxnbWGEA_ljVsdiTbX1UheYARGCx6GDDDRPGj4A7qs431Ye-6AQA4OBM/s1600-h/DSC_0225.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwR4K65jO5m-AmeEP-pbM1BfCNVuYOH4PXNZigIC2SI_bZbFSxIKZMBdfr0DLXrO7aR9IiItB4DmeHO_vNxxXCxnbWGEA_ljVsdiTbX1UheYARGCx6GDDDRPGj4A7qs431Ye-6AQA4OBM/s320/DSC_0225.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329656841208312354" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGiCNB41f0VbP28S8WqtBYkTVL_D_inDP0AEopxw3A_BZMLY-qZlfx6F5CTnKTNtgIgerZ9JTKMKMh9O7UjMpPZes8AmdeWA_YqKehypwimqGLdoNuiV3Nv2MuPCw7t-x_L9egk_TfmU/s1600-h/DSC_0308.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGiCNB41f0VbP28S8WqtBYkTVL_D_inDP0AEopxw3A_BZMLY-qZlfx6F5CTnKTNtgIgerZ9JTKMKMh9O7UjMpPZes8AmdeWA_YqKehypwimqGLdoNuiV3Nv2MuPCw7t-x_L9egk_TfmU/s320/DSC_0308.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329658302845424514" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vtkTsYyromyUOmzHwFSuDz6ZUvlB9QEV8tQZI17LQWZFAmwq53NEgFBSHLETU3RJ-Uy2e1KVq4kgs5ei9soy85neqvvEYNMz48SDJPmYx3PmGb0p7wv5ACfhnnnkmtRefPBk0r7y90o/s1600-h/DSC_0680.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vtkTsYyromyUOmzHwFSuDz6ZUvlB9QEV8tQZI17LQWZFAmwq53NEgFBSHLETU3RJ-Uy2e1KVq4kgs5ei9soy85neqvvEYNMz48SDJPmYx3PmGb0p7wv5ACfhnnnkmtRefPBk0r7y90o/s320/DSC_0680.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329649584172466610" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Top left: </span><span>eSkwela</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span>Conference participants set action plans. Top right:</span> Facing the open forum were Prof. Patricia Arinto of the University of the Philippines - Open University, eSkwela learner Bianca Nina Densing, Instructional Manager Irene Barzaga and eSkwela Project Officer Christina Maureen Salang. Bottom left: Rotary Club of Marikina South member Alerta Paz presents the Adopt-a-learner Program of eSkwela - Kalumpang. Bottom right: eSkwela Conference participants pose with Director Carolina S. Guerrero of the Bureau of Alternative Learning Systems - Department of Education. </span><br /></div><br />From the first ocular inspection to checking of the conference venue, finalizing list of participants to sending out invitation letters, design of Conference collaterals to securing all equipment, finalizing room arrangements to checking meal preparation, task briefing to dry run, distribution of evaluation forms to check out and reimbursements, the eSkwela Project team with the help of our BatSU counterpart labored to ensure the success of the Conference.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fCAEtydmlTa00o5ZFjHeM5VsLZ7V-liag1o0l6NSggGGYFxnW9mKRurUFaUZ-986rmHO57dQN0T2cnmv6PRjpoY7LFCI0u3iqtNpyZ7y17cllnyZq6e8ZK7m1q3x8KhUJY683bXbFGg/s1600-h/DSC_0678.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fCAEtydmlTa00o5ZFjHeM5VsLZ7V-liag1o0l6NSggGGYFxnW9mKRurUFaUZ-986rmHO57dQN0T2cnmv6PRjpoY7LFCI0u3iqtNpyZ7y17cllnyZq6e8ZK7m1q3x8KhUJY683bXbFGg/s320/DSC_0678.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329652247352837058" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWoLY-ImAhXbPW9YNp-ik8vK4YmY-lrh-e5WdxKhJjUNvetarilaG2Bq3Y-EBuAPnUhiKJLBby5cuL9fmhUpVGgcZrHqEAy4CqL15KyfgmXgWGpHTReHm40RmeJq3MaJQSYrLJ9NDle8/s1600-h/DSC_0478.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWoLY-ImAhXbPW9YNp-ik8vK4YmY-lrh-e5WdxKhJjUNvetarilaG2Bq3Y-EBuAPnUhiKJLBby5cuL9fmhUpVGgcZrHqEAy4CqL15KyfgmXgWGpHTReHm40RmeJq3MaJQSYrLJ9NDle8/s320/DSC_0478.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329660836680381602" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_7L1mil6edIc-jE7ng_Y7aOW4C5MVfAKqxrZ0031VXRtwWjZysVeRYAGOXl81jNA3Z_RhDNKzNpmt5jO4rwfA8T06IxPCyqHjPijUNlv62Vofh-hb-wsIYxFpCEYwk2QXcLWQcYbsaE/s1600-h/DSC_0891.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_7L1mil6edIc-jE7ng_Y7aOW4C5MVfAKqxrZ0031VXRtwWjZysVeRYAGOXl81jNA3Z_RhDNKzNpmt5jO4rwfA8T06IxPCyqHjPijUNlv62Vofh-hb-wsIYxFpCEYwk2QXcLWQcYbsaE/s320/DSC_0891.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329652014806575762" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXDHVKYaSMK2g4uPCMXcndCRWQb1wpyliVI0sGc0jr4ri78oSfj7bkIpzxVh8fbKw2uH1UI9VPVo2S2k_VYYr4cnuMPTIF6mY0O-nDOHAaW9IYjSKHBm76ojLBUiV5wLjL3_DKWJIC7M/s1600-h/DSC_0913.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXDHVKYaSMK2g4uPCMXcndCRWQb1wpyliVI0sGc0jr4ri78oSfj7bkIpzxVh8fbKw2uH1UI9VPVo2S2k_VYYr4cnuMPTIF6mY0O-nDOHAaW9IYjSKHBm76ojLBUiV5wLjL3_DKWJIC7M/s320/DSC_0913.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329661379603496850" border="0" /></a><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_JustifyFull" title="Justify Full" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 13);ButtonMouseDown(this);"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Justify Full" class="gl_align_full" border="0" /></span></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Top left:</span><span> Participants are all up for fun (under the sun) during the eSkwelympics.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Top right: </span><span>Module guide developers dance to the tune of "Sway" during the luau.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Bottom Left</span>: Congressman Rozzano Rufino Biazon of Muntinlupa City delivers a message during the third day. </span><span style="font-size:78%;">Bottom right: eSkwela Project team and BatSU staff relax after the Conference. </span><br /></div><br />And true to the objectives of the Conference, the event became a venue for dialogue and interaction among the different eSkwela partners and stakeholders. Concrete ideas and steps for improved project implementation were generated, and working relationships were also strengthened. The participants were able to set action plans, participate in knowledge exchanges, identify success factors, and <span style="font-style: italic;">shape the future through synergy</span>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878341366249100113.post-57075543541717152702009-03-19T20:57:00.001-07:002009-03-19T21:14:00.135-07:002nd eSkwela Conference<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6Dd353URCR3Zi9r9xLHLnMHka1fR0IhMkh1MamDc7_3uOBrg9OElw5vYiW_nDdgVSJXlVfAjB5N7Qm-LYDrB1naj2_hGxxSJ23KzsTB4t9nLIQ8c6zcE35XZXGd-Yf7ly2Y_nTG3Kng/s1600-h/eSkwela+2ndconf+logo+-mel3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6Dd353URCR3Zi9r9xLHLnMHka1fR0IhMkh1MamDc7_3uOBrg9OElw5vYiW_nDdgVSJXlVfAjB5N7Qm-LYDrB1naj2_hGxxSJ23KzsTB4t9nLIQ8c6zcE35XZXGd-Yf7ly2Y_nTG3Kng/s320/eSkwela+2ndconf+logo+-mel3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315116446886852610" border="0" /></a><br />Everyone's excited about the 2nd eSkwela Conference to be held week after next in Lian, Batangas.<br /><br />The team is in the thick of preparations - coordinating heavily with the counterpart team from the Batangas State University, finalizing the program of activities, list of participants and Resource Persons. <br /><br />Exciting. Stressful. Frustrating at times. Confusing, too.<br /><br />But we are confident that we'll pull through with flying colors. Right, team?<br /><br />It matters a lot that we believe in the project that we have come to love...and know that we can rely on each other to make things work, despite the numerous constraints and challenges.<br /><br />To all the invited participants, we promise you an informative, fun-filled 4-day event! See you there!<br /><br />- mel<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544172778536888792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878341366249100113.post-18067402444608149202009-02-19T16:37:00.000-08:002009-02-19T16:47:42.729-08:00Learner Interview in Zamboanga<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWBnoDEej5y2to7TPGYsqJfzxSFHC61Yuawxu_KxwrVd8l3Hg3tjmD54PUMTY27GwYVwTTGcBtCy9hJU6GMf9Y45ezaqSiv97MWC2N8odtP7tOrVzn38rPlrEczhztxvOZfZPulD0l3d3/s1600-h/mindanao+067.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWBnoDEej5y2to7TPGYsqJfzxSFHC61Yuawxu_KxwrVd8l3Hg3tjmD54PUMTY27GwYVwTTGcBtCy9hJU6GMf9Y45ezaqSiv97MWC2N8odtP7tOrVzn38rPlrEczhztxvOZfZPulD0l3d3/s320/mindanao+067.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304673485747080882" border="0" /></a><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">My grandmother use to say that her kids had to go through such grueling tasks just to enter school; from selling all sorts of food products to walking hours and hours just to reach school premises. Again and again, she would point out that education is the only thing that she can give her kids once all else comes to an end for her. That was why education was, is, and always will be a big deal for us – having spent my childhood years with her and all that.<span> </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">But you see I never knew first-hand how it would be to make such efforts just to enter school so most of the time I have to rely on stories in order to appreciate the value of education more and more. </p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">So here goes one of those stories…</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Just recently I had an opportunity to visit our eSkwela site in Zamboanga City and I sure am grateful to have met quite a lot of people. It was also then and there that I shared a meaningful exchange with Ate Shirley. </p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Ate Shirley is a third year high school drop out. Married young and now has a 4 year-old son whom she adores. She said that a few months back her husband used to work in Basilan and their family had to endure the condition of being with so many rebels hovering within the vicinity. It was only on the latter part of the year of 2008 that they decided to move back to Zamboanga and start their own sari-sari store. It was the perfect set-up since she now has it in her own hands to help settle their financial whereabouts and take care of her son at the same time. One thing was quite amiss though, somehow she wanted more.<span> </span><span> </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">It's a good thing that her neighbor, who's also a district ALS coordinator, told her about eSkwela. She said that she never would've thought that she'll have the opportunity to continue her studies. Armed with her notebook, pen, and sheer determination to learn she continues to strive forward for herself and her family. She then makes it a point to allot her Friday mornings to go to the center even if she had to spend sixty pesos for her back and forth fare. Indeed, looking at her discuss the Circulatory System with her seat mate while she was making notes to bring home that day placed a smile deep in my gut.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Hers is but one of the few stories that was waiting to be heard that afternoon and I did manage to hear a few more but then Ate Shirley's story was just my 'it' for the day. A classic example as to why I'd still have to salute my Lola Cion for her unwavering stance on the value education. <span><br /></span></p>Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15465898652523185399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878341366249100113.post-21577245481174745912009-02-11T19:56:00.001-08:002009-02-19T17:37:32.247-08:00News: Eighth eSkwela Center Launched in Kalumpang<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuD-SrSEiR55QXxKCPkTBdYbynV40UBlgD6MyPx_4RJ38ftNmGHNORfBeYgdz_nasyeVBB6rNeXMBbgDEr0CXahXDRDqiH8txXqzUH9pgUljJE5wlAV9WYKriDFu4fXEGWYedaUdK2NIo/s1600-h/ss.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuD-SrSEiR55QXxKCPkTBdYbynV40UBlgD6MyPx_4RJ38ftNmGHNORfBeYgdz_nasyeVBB6rNeXMBbgDEr0CXahXDRDqiH8txXqzUH9pgUljJE5wlAV9WYKriDFu4fXEGWYedaUdK2NIo/s320/ss.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304684665779629826" border="0" /></a>eSkwela – Kalumpang is the newest addition to the roster of eSkwela centers in the country.<br /><br />Launched last February 2, 2009, the eighth eSkwela site serves the needs of out-of-school youths and adults residing in Barangay Kalumpang, Marikina City. Mobile teacher Ivy Coney Gamatero, who will be handling the learning sessions, is now bringing in eSkwela learners. A total of 39 learners, including Maicar Llaver, 34, a baker, enrolled in eSkwela. During the orientation of eSkwela learners, Llaver said: “<span style="font-style: italic;">Hindi na po tinapay ang hawak ko kundi computer na</span>.”<br /><br />The establishment of the eSkwela center was made possible through the efforts of CICT, ALS – Marikina City; Barangay Kalumpang; and Rotary Club of Marikina South. CICT has already provided 41 learning modules; six of which have been newly certified by ALS. ALS – Marikina City will be sending in mobile teachers, while Barangay Kalumpang will be shouldering the operational expenses of the eSkwela center. Barangay Kalumpang will also be allotting a center solely for eSkwela use.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqO5oEa0kXcSaFlDwO8WXyLUBXsoNphak2-jumPRRljIADlZeG8Ot5-416lXO_NxVuihFMh-54kwe4aNdhQCf4S9oX-QnQ6teazMjemVt4kdb4oTgjXserv2kCF_X8YrNvKxttHvTejA/s1600-h/DSC04179.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqO5oEa0kXcSaFlDwO8WXyLUBXsoNphak2-jumPRRljIADlZeG8Ot5-416lXO_NxVuihFMh-54kwe4aNdhQCf4S9oX-QnQ6teazMjemVt4kdb4oTgjXserv2kCF_X8YrNvKxttHvTejA/s320/DSC04179.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304684793448672834" border="0" /></a>The Rotary Club of Marikina South started new programs, which are exclusive to eSkwela learners. Rotarians will be serving as mentors, guiding the learners as they go on with the sessions, through the “Adopt-a-learner” program. They will also be giving college scholarships to eSkwela graduates, who get to pass the Accreditation and Equivalency Exam. Scholars can enroll at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina.<br /><br />Present at the eSkwela – Kalumpang launch were Director Carolina S. Guerrero of DepEd – BALS; Dr. Virginia E. Silvestre, ALS Chief of DepED – NCR; Dr. Flordeliza R. Mayari, the Schools Division Superintendent of Marikina City; Honorable Councilor Boggs S. Reyes of Marikina City; Rotary Club President Mr. Edu Magtaos; Brgy. Captain Enrico Chu of Kalumpang; and Ave Mejia, eSkwela Project Officer and CICT representative.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878341366249100113.post-59778284136548245472009-02-11T19:54:00.000-08:002009-02-16T17:57:10.815-08:00News: eSkwela Teacher Training Conducted in Oroquieta<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4QyCUCy-3e4x_sqXAmSR7pEQHuIqS_1nF2vdkTP5pF0c7yk2Z4KzvtJQJ8Zpc8GoJXjds3mkRNPH1u0ZCBAgOlrT0IZ_q66s00PLMp-oWI8hgmj_K0ySzGgpAkB312zgo9XnPg-0ZKY/s1600-h/DSC04124.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4QyCUCy-3e4x_sqXAmSR7pEQHuIqS_1nF2vdkTP5pF0c7yk2Z4KzvtJQJ8Zpc8GoJXjds3mkRNPH1u0ZCBAgOlrT0IZ_q66s00PLMp-oWI8hgmj_K0ySzGgpAkB312zgo9XnPg-0ZKY/s320/DSC04124.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301783986270645042" border="0" /></a><br />Mobile teachers and instructional managers from upcoming, as well as existing eSkwela centers, in the Visayas and Mindanao region have participated in the Teacher Training on the Customized eSkwela Instructional Model last January 28-30 held at the Misamis Occidental National High School in Oroquieta City.<br /><br />Upcoming eSkwela centers are located in Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental; Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur; Sultan Kudarat; Digos City; and Tanauan, Leyte. Existing eSkwela centers are situated in the cities of Davao and Zamboanga.<br /><br />The Commission on Information and Communications Technology is working in partnership with different local government units, Department of Education - Alternative Learning System (DepEd - ALS) divisions, and private organizations in establishing eSkwela centers in Visayas and Mindanao.<br /><br />The eSkwela team, headed by Project Manager Maria Melizza D. Tan, conducted the training. Ms. Tan gave an overview of the project, while Project Officer Maui Salang presented the eSkwela Instructional Model. Ms. Salang introduced the participants to education tools and resources available over the internet, Module Guides and the Learning Management System.<br /><br />During the training period, the eSkwela team also conducted module installation and site inspection in Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga City, and Davao City; and a stakeholders’ meeting in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878341366249100113.post-38480090503234317272009-02-04T21:36:00.000-08:002009-02-04T21:41:20.474-08:00Technology in the Eyes of a Childby <span style="font-weight: bold;">Gener Luis Morada</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Country Representative</span>, <a href="http://g.ho.st/" target="_blank">G.ho.st</a> Virtual PC<br /><br /> Being in a room full of school administrators, teachers, parents and government officials could be one of the most terrifying experiences of an internet café owner with an educational advocacy. Most of the times I often sit there and wait till I am acknowledge. If asked of what I do for a living what comes into my mind is what Eric Raymond has narrated in "Revolution OS" and franklya tell them "I am your worst nightmare."<br /><br /> Last Tuesday, February 3, 2009, I was fortunate enough to be invited in the "Round Table Discussion on Elearning" that was organized by the British Council and the British Alumni Association. Participants were the major stakeholders in incorporating the use of technology in Philippine education. There were the usual officials of the Department of Education, school administrators, those in the private and the NGOs that are providing assistance to the educational sector in the field of technology. I have attended similar activities in the past and most of the time the usual discussions takes place.<br /><br /> Mr. Gavin Dudeney, the main presentor for the round table discussion asked the participants about their experiences in the Philippines on how technology is being integrated in education. The participants responded with the usual answers like the lack of hardware, the resistance to change of some teachers, lack of infrastructure, lack of standards and others which was the usual reply in activities like these. These are problems that were identified in so numerous activities of the Deped that one could be tired of hearing about it all over again.<br /><br /> During the discussion a though has occurred to me that it seems that the participant's approach in incorporating technology in education is more on the adult or a managers perception on how to do it. We often complain that no matter what's being done is not always enough to suit the needs. It's very stiff and often very working on certain boundaries. Maybe a new prospective is needed in order to give these problems a new twist.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Technology in the Eyes of the Child</span><br /><br /> In the Bible (please don't ask me where since I only remembered it through my religion classes in my long years of studying in a catholic school) when Jesus asked about faith he answered that one should see it through the eyes of the child. Maybe that is what we are forgetting that in our haste of incorporating technology in education we failed to consider how technology is being perceived in the eyes of a child.<br /><br /> Technology in the eyes of child is fun. I remember the time I was growing up, it was 1972 and martial law was just declared. During that time almost all television shows were cancelled except for cartoons and Sesame Street. Those who were well off during those times could afford television for it was too expensive then that the whole neighborhood was watching television right there in your living room or through your windows. At those time, Filipinos were very much proficient in the English language since the television shows and movies back them were mostly in English. Fast forward 30 years hence we find ourselves in a situation of having a generation of Filipinos failing English proficiency examinations or who could hardly read and write in functional English.<br /><br /> Our educational officials are finger pointing as to how we have reach this point that it is very difficult to comprehend since we do have a lot of Doctors in Education but yet we have a generation that is failing in English proficiency. The answer could lie in the fact that we have taken a very stiff approach to the problem. In our world right now English is something that is very structured or a combination of words and its relationships such as adverbs, adjectives, nouns, open sentences and so many technical jargons. We forget about one thing that learning should be fun and one learn something very eagerly when he is having fun. Our world right now is a world of complexities that I find it amusing to learn that there is now a prohibition to air past episodes of Sesame Street most especially the episodes done in the 1960's since they considered the scene of milking the cow as a cruel and inhumane way of treating animals for heaven's sake.<br /><br /> Recently I saw the pictures posted in Facebook by Ms. Ruth Marya, an Indonesian friend and colleague studying at the President's Open Source University about their recent activity teaching open source to children. I emailed her and requested an outline of their program. What she shared with me provided an insight Ruth being young not like me only young at heart. In explaining what an operating system is all about she told the participants that it is the soul of the computer that without it the computer would just be a shell. In the end of her long email that after she itemize the software they were using she said they had a lot of fun. I guess that's it we have to take back the fun part in technology in our schools so that our children would learn.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878341366249100113.post-77381543050865588292009-01-13T23:58:00.000-08:002009-01-14T00:55:07.357-08:00eSkwela a la Carte: Recipe of a Three-Year old Project<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br />One Sunday afternoon, I was thrilled to write something about eSkwela Project after aimlessly drifting from one television channel to another and finally tuning into a daily cooking show. You are wrong if you think that dabbling into creative writing is one of my New Year’s resolutions. I was just ecstatic to look back and realize that so many things have happened. I did not notice that months have passed until Christmas and New Year were there to celebrate.<br /><br />First, eSkwela is turning three, and needless to say, part and parcel of the development process are the inevitable birth pains and satisfactory returns. Second, we have conducted pioneering events on the promotion of ICT and its development - the Content Development Conference and the ICT camp. Third, we have additional centers and we are getting into the system of streamlining our operations. We also had a creamer to top everything that we have done - a Certificate of Commendation awarded by no less than UNESCO!<br /><br />Implementing the project is no walk in the park for we have stumbled upon challenges and constraints, but we have surmounted them in the end. We are just thankful that we have satisfying end results to set off our shortcomings. And looking at how eSkwela is working right now, I can say that it is one great dish to offer. What makes a good dish, though, are the ingredients contained therein, and these are the reasons why eSkwela turned out to be as valued as it is today.<br /><br />• Proper delegation of tasks<br /><br />eSkwela is not a one-man project. Tasks are properly delegated among our team members as well as external partners, allowing our project team to be flexible and not get bogged down in the minutiae. Our team members are distributed among our four units (Content Development, Monitoring and Evaluation, Instructional Model and Technical) according to his or her competency. However, each individual is not confined to a specific unit; one can be tapped by another when cases are called upon.<br /><br />• Competent staff<br /><br />As the literature says, an organization’s best asset is its people. An organization performs well if its members can effectively assemble and collaborate. In addition, there is wisdom, which touches upon the experiences of individuals. The quality and depth of knowledge provides diversity within the team. But more than the competency, every member of the team is willing to learn and explore new ways of doing things, is not easily discouraged by obstacles, and has the heart for the project.<br /><br /><br />• Smooth group dynamics<br /><br />We are a pool of different personalities; each has his/her own unique traits and eccentricities. It is an individual’s recognition of his or her personal values that makes us work professionally. Also bringing the project together is the bond that exists between our own personal values and the over-all goals of the project.<br /><br />• Guidance from expert consultants<br /><br />Seeking guidance and recommendation from expert consultants does not lessen our sense of ownership to the project. It only increases our confidence for we know that we are treading the right path.<br /><br />• Good working relationship with partner agencies<br /><br />Aside from having a highly satisfying rapport with our expert consultants, we also have a harmonious relationship with our partner agencies. Working hand-in-hand with other agencies, we acknowledge as well as take in different but interdependent contributions.<br /><br />• Dedicated and collaborative site implementers<br /><br />Consider us lucky to have site implementers who have an equal burning passion to make the project a success. Our site implementers whose enthusiasm to leverage the condition of the underserved sector of the society are always present. Our field partners are known for their untiring efforts to collaborate with us in mutual aim of continuously improving each of our units for the sake of our end users. Our interdependency is clearly understood and managed because of constant communication and active collaboration with one another.<br /><br />• Reflective and up-to-date monitoring and evaluation<br /><br />It may sound simple enough, but there are risks that are “insignificant” at the beginning of the project that becomes “catastrophic” due to neglect. Capturing all risk in a risk register ensures – at the very least- there is a record of it and it will not be lost. Furthermore, by documenting everything, references are readily available for any disputes.<br /><br />As practice, the team regularly conducts postmortem meetings to hash out any issues, improving production support as well as the project processes. Issues that caused any delays or restructuring of project focus and in implementation as well as “morning after” support problems are always collected. These are used to analyze procedures for improvement, and are not regarded as opportunities for personal criticism.<br /><br />• Capability building approach supports the eQuality program of CICT<br /><br />Taking into account different perspectives, both internal and external, our capability building approach is one of our project’s great achievements. In addition, we take into consideration the dynamics between and among our project components. Capability building is the heart of our project performance. By harnessing our capabilities, we overcome constraints that can hamper our targets. Likewise, we grab opportunities that can accelerate our development plans.<br /><br />• Participatory approach in all activities and decision-making<br /><br />The management team values its stakeholders as one of the major key players in the development of the project. It is always a must that our stakeholders are provided with updates about our milestones and that their expectations are being met. The design of our processes is open to those who are directly affected, giving them the chance to speak out about possible effects. In return, we pass on to them the sense of ownership and accountability for the project.<br /><br /><br />The development of our project is a process of trial and error, of not being afraid to innovate. Just like a cooking session its a process of mixing and blending; of trying something new to twist the traditional concoction. We do not have the right amount of ingredients at the very beginning. We just have a goal to finish at the end --- to serve you a bigger and better eSkwela Project.<br /></div>janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01907568709405755776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878341366249100113.post-8956107879958651752008-12-04T23:55:00.001-08:002008-12-04T23:58:29.328-08:00ICT Camp Newsletter - November 23, 2008<a title="View Newsletter - Nov 23 document on Scribd" href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/8671546/Newsletter-Nov-23" style="margin: 12px auto 6px auto; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block; text-decoration: underline;">Newsletter - Nov 23</a> <object codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" id="doc_411391225202224" name="doc_411391225202224" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" align="middle" height="500" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://documents.scribd.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=8671546&access_key=key-idmrei7ovqcdznisl1y&page=1&version=1&viewMode="> <param name="quality" value="high"> <param name="play" value="true"> <param name="loop" value="true"> <param name="scale" value="showall"> <param name="wmode" value="opaque"> <param name="devicefont" value="false"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff"> <param name="menu" value="true"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"> <param name="salign" value=""> <embed src="http://documents.scribd.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=8671546&access_key=key-idmrei7ovqcdznisl1y&page=1&version=1&viewMode=" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" play="true" loop="true" scale="showall" wmode="opaque" devicefont="false" bgcolor="#ffffff" name="doc_411391225202224_object" menu="true" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" salign="" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" align="middle" height="500" width="100%"></embed> </object> <div style="margin: 6px auto 3px auto; 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font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block;"> <a href="http://www.scribd.com/upload" style="text-decoration: underline;">Get your own</a> at Scribd or <a href="http://www.scribd.com/browse" style="text-decoration: underline;">explore</a> others: <a href="http://www.scribd.com/browse?c=156-education" style="text-decoration: underline;">Education</a> <a href="http://www.scribd.com/browse?c=165-elearning-online-learning" style="text-decoration: underline;">eLearning/Online Lea</a> </div>melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544172778536888792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878341366249100113.post-92137225839283215382008-11-23T14:21:00.000-08:002008-11-23T14:36:35.583-08:00ICT Camp Newsletter - November 21, 2008<a title="View Newsletter - Nov 21 document on Scribd" href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/8338407/Newsletter-Nov-21" style="margin: 12px auto 6px auto; 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font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block;"> <a href="http://www.scribd.com/upload" style="text-decoration: underline;">Get your own</a> at Scribd or <a href="http://www.scribd.com/browse" style="text-decoration: underline;">explore</a> others: </div>melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544172778536888792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878341366249100113.post-57324575575435310542008-11-21T02:49:00.000-08:002008-11-21T02:55:35.431-08:00ICT Camp Newsletter - November 20, 2008<a title="View Newsletter - Nov 20 document on Scribd" href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/8241148/Newsletter-Nov-20" style="margin: 12px auto 6px auto; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; 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font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block;"> <a href="http://www.scribd.com/upload" style="text-decoration: underline;">Get your own</a> at Scribd or <a href="http://www.scribd.com/browse" style="text-decoration: underline;">explore</a> others: <a href="http://www.scribd.com/browse?c=156-education" style="text-decoration: underline;">Education</a> <a href="http://www.scribd.com/browse?c=165-elearning-online-learning" style="text-decoration: underline;">eLearning/Online Lea</a> </div>melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544172778536888792noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878341366249100113.post-18205031229365691382008-10-20T21:55:00.000-07:002008-10-21T06:56:16.378-07:00eSkwela ICT camp<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="insertedphoto"><a href="http://mauisalang.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SP2YvQoKCCsAAGEzp9w1"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.mauisalang.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SP2YvQoKCCsAAGEzp9w1/camp-logo-study-1.JPG?et=NTr8%2BBz7pPugvjCmRmvwyA&nmid=0" border="0" /></a></span><br /></div><br />I have always been interested in the use of information and communications technology (ICT) for teaching and learning. I have always believed in its potential to make learning more relevant, innovative, fun and exciting for learners.<div><br /></div><div>I'm glad that through the eSkwela project I have been able to organize an activity where ICT can be used creatively and innovatively. It is somehow reminiscent of <a href="http://www.computerclubhouse.org/">my old job</a>, and of the <a href="http://computerclubhouse.org/teensummit/">activities</a> that I used to do there. We're trying to do a similar activity, but in a much smaller scale. Nonetheless, I hope it will be as fun and exciting.</div><div><br /></div><div>The eSkwela project targets the use of ICT for creating projects in the form of desktop publications, websites, videos, photo albums, etc. It is part of eSkwela's overall pedagogical approach of teaching and learning. At the ICT camp, participating learners and instructional managers from the eSkwela centers will be trained in the effective use of computers, the Internet and open source software as tools for learning, design and collaboration. At the ICT camp, participants will be studying e-Learning modules and deepen their learning through the creation of ICT-based projects.</div><div><br /></div><div>For more information about the ICT camp, you may visit <a href="http://ictcamp.eskwelatraining.info/">http://ictcamp.eskwelatraining.info</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>For more information about the eSkwela project, you may visit <a href="http://eskwela.wikispaces.com/">http://eskwela.wikispaces.com</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div> <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class="multiply:no_crosspost"></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02585639291148048458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878341366249100113.post-24647767072124395552008-10-12T19:41:00.000-07:002008-10-17T00:02:40.001-07:00Kwelang eSkwela in Bulacan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbz1w5-lULDbo6g7iayr_-7MN3vLBd-bM0vh8mPg3BokSfv5uInWI-YXgT8-34do5prCM8EWzC0jvAaUl6XnN4hv3o8-zt3NsEyJDc1LgqQ425daVmmWA6Ud3DhpYmoJeFSNG-Sh6gStb/s1600-h/DSC02432.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbz1w5-lULDbo6g7iayr_-7MN3vLBd-bM0vh8mPg3BokSfv5uInWI-YXgT8-34do5prCM8EWzC0jvAaUl6XnN4hv3o8-zt3NsEyJDc1LgqQ425daVmmWA6Ud3DhpYmoJeFSNG-Sh6gStb/s320/DSC02432.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258010705266644642" border="0" /></a>Located on the second floor of Muzon public market in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan is a spacious, air-conditioned room, which, during weekdays, is filled with youths and adults. The room can pass off as a big internet cafe sans noisy multiplayer video game users for computer stations are all lined up against the wall. On the wall in front are pictures, news letter cutouts and a calendar, all these typical of a backside of a regular classroom. The room is, in fact, a classroom, catering up to 20 learners every day. It is not a computer class, though. Learners here learn about math, science, communication, and other topics offered by any regular school – using a computer.<br /><br />Self paced learning<br /><br />Forty eight year old Rodolfo Robo sits between two male young learners, both of whom can pass off as his children. After studying a module on food preparation – one of the many modules that can be easily accessed by learners on their computers - Robo answered a post test, probing what he learned after an hour or so of self-paced learning. Instructional manager Czarina Borromeo, seated on her own computer station, checks her learners’ tests, including Robo’s, after they finish. Borromeo then tells Robo how he’s faring in the test, as well as his errors, even in spelling.<br /><br />Back to school<br /><br />A tanod head, Robo decided to enroll in the said class to refresh what he has learned in school. As a barangay officer, Robo actually encourages out-of-school youths and adults in his commpunity to enroll in eSkwela. Robo said that it is never too late to finish one’s studies. His classmates Emily Mallari, 31, Flordeliza Dabuet, 36, and Sherilyn Guantero, 20, do agree. Mallari and Dabuet both dropped out of high school. Guantero, on the other hand, only finished fourth grade. For these women, even with marriage and children, enrolling in eSkwela can help them achieve their goals, such as obtaining a diploma, getting into college, and as simple as helping their school aged kids with their homeworks.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878341366249100113.post-71646102766553167532008-10-04T18:23:00.000-07:002008-10-04T19:03:02.775-07:00Jenelyn Baylon - Bato Balani Teacher Awardee<span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/learning/view/20080922-162122/Teacher-heroes-get-the-accolade-they-deserve"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzTS9AEfANveiOacJUuqkbfqhx-oo-Dq6ekH_lQKbcbIr6YYgAA6epcwG5s0nCR_Z66pxEpoflTalKt4L5Gc3fWDe7IYNjT4J42i6MOlkns1FPGs_0URZA4K-CXR8Xo0ZQAwX_k_Cd0Rk/s320/batobalani+photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253476172652070002" border="0" /></a><br />Jenelyn Baylon, an ALS implementer in Naujan, Mindoro Oriental, is one of the four recipients in this year's Bato Balani Foundation's "Many Faces of the Teacher" Awards. Jen is one of our ALS(60) Content Development Reviewers. She was also an active participant in the Trainers' Training for the eSkwela Teacher Training Course held early this year. She has become a staunch supporter of eSkwela in Mindoro Oriental, pushing for the project's implementation through local community support.<br /><br />Congratulations Jen, from the the entire eSkwela family!<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Excerpt from <a href="http://batobalani.wordpress.com/">Bato Balani's blog</a>:</span><br /><br />"Jenelyn Baylon is a Mobile teacher from Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. She travels distances to reach her students and as with all mobile teachers, they handle multi-level and multi-grade students and classes."<br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;">Excerpt from <a href="http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/learning/view/20080922-162122/Teacher-heroes-get-the-accolade-they-deserve">Inquirer.net</a> (Eureka! article entitled </strong><span style="font-style: italic;" class="fontheadline">"Teacher heroes get the accolade they deserve" </span><strong><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;">by Queena Lee, posted 9/22/2008)</span><br /></strong></span></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>Motorcycle teacher</strong></span></p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Following in the footsteps of Fr. Dinter is Jenelyn Baylon, who rides her motorcycle for hours (even when pregnant) to reach Mangyan communities. Fording mountains and streams, Baylon brings much-needed resources to the tribes, such as cell phones and modern tools.</span></p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">She conducts night sessions on basic and functional literacy for out-of-school youths and adult learners. She trains them on cell phone repair, electric arc welding, recycling. She initiated the Barangay Solid Waste Management Council and Materials Recovery Facilities for the Mangyans.</span></p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Baylon’s goal is to help the Mangyans raise their heads high. She discusses with them the Indigenous People’s Rights Act, and teaches them to be proud of their heritage.</span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" face="arial"><br /></p><p style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial;" face="arial">Excerpt from <a href="http://www.gmanews.tv/story/123489/Four-Faces-of-teaching-honored-in-Pasay-City">GMANews.TV </a>("Four 'Faces' of teaching honored in Pasay Cityby Mark Meruenas, posted 9/28/2008):<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" face="arial"><b>Mobile teacher</b><br /><br />Passion and commitment are the exact same reasons why “mobile teacher" Jenelyn Baylon, the first awardee, is staying on the profession, despite having to brave rugged roads on a motorcycle in her native Mindoro just to hold house-to-house class sessions.<br /><br />“<i>Iyong mga kabataan na hindi na tinatanggap sa loob ng paaralan, iyon ang minamahal namin</i>," said Baylon, whose “Alternative Learning System" curriculum ranges from solid waste management to the Indigenous Human Rights Act.<br /><br />(Those out-of-school youths are dear to us.)<br /><br />Being the youngest among this year’s awardees, Baylon, named at the event as “The Face of Patience," told GMANews.TV she was surprised she even got selected as a nominee, much less an honoree.<br /><br />“<i>Kanina, noong tinawag ako sa taas. Parang totoo ba ito? Eh maraming napakatanda na dapat sila muna</i> (When they called me out on stage, I couldn’t believe it. I am so young and there are veteran teachers who are more deserving)," Baylon said.<br /><br />However, she said she would use her recognition to encourage other “mobile teachers" to forgo plans to leave the profession.<br /><br />So much is her dedication to work that even her pregnancy did not deter Baylon, a mother of one, from extending education to out-of-school youths.<br /><br />“<i>Hindi na sila tambay. Ngayon may iba sa kanila, nasa abroad na. Buhay at pagkatao ang aming naaayos</i> (They are no longer idle. Some of them went abroad. We are helping them put their lives and well-being in order)," Baylon proudly said.</p><p style="font-family: arial;" face="arial"><br /></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span>melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544172778536888792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878341366249100113.post-70671012147616370412008-10-04T08:28:00.000-07:002008-10-04T18:55:51.404-07:00Raising Awareness for the eSkwela Project<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-PH</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> 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mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Symbol;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b><span style="">Raising Awareness on eLearning</span></b></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><u4:p></u4:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b><span style="">Actual Experience: eSkwela Project, Philippines</span></b></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><u4:p></u4:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Contribution of Maria Melizza “Mel” Tan (eSkwela Project Manager)</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><u4:p></u4:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">to the eLDI 2008 November eJounrnal</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><u4:p></u4:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><u4:p></u4:p>The eSkwela Project aims to provide eLearning opportunities to Filipino out-of-school youth and adults who would like to finish their basic education. It is a flagship project of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), in partnership with the Department of Education’s Bureau of Alternative Learning System (DepEd-BALS).</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><u4:p></u4:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><u4:p></u4:p>The project covers various components including community-based center set-up and sustainability through community partnership, content and applications development, technical support, personnel training (for operations and instruction), and regular monitoring and evaluation. Starting out with four (4) pilot sites in major urban centers in early 2007, the project is currently on its rollout phase – slowly but surely gaining the desired attention and support from various stakeholders.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><u4:p></u4:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><u4:p></u4:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Raising public awareness for the project has not been easy, especially since the main focus of ICT in Education initiatives in the country has been on formal education, specifically public high schools. As such, the project team saw the need to ensure that the pilot run had a high probability of success by putting in place the following contributory factors:<br /></span></p><ul style="font-family:arial;"><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><u4:p></u4:p>A good project design that used a multi-stakeholder collaborative approach<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><u4:p></u4:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Selling this project to implementers and sponsors required that it had a sound design that looked into feasibility and sustainability as well. For this kind of community-based initiatives to succeed, it was also important to continually collaborate with various community stakeholders including the local government unit, the local education implementers, and related civic groups. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <ul style="font-family:arial;"><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Strong project champions <o:p></o:p></span></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><u4:p></u4:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">No matter how good a project design is, it would never fly if there are no advocates who will champion it to the stakeholders and the general public. For the eSkwela Project, CICT’s strategic leadership and dedicated project team, coupled with the strong support from DepEd-BALS, were crucial in convincing community stakeholders to invest on the project.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <ul style="font-family:arial;"><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><u4:p></u4:p>Well-trained and empowered implementers <o:p></o:p></span></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><u4:p></u4:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The eSkwela Project continues to rely on the centers’ field implementers for its successful execution. They have undergone training on the ICT-based instructional model that serves as the core component of the project. Since they serve as the frontliners, they have been encouraged to research, experiment, recommend, and train others on potential project enhancements. This sense of local ownership contributes to their dedication to reflective project enhancement and sustainability.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><u4:p></u4:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><u4:p></u4:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">With these factors in place, the project team has undertaken the following activities to raise and sustain project awareness:</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ></span> <ul style="font-family:arial;"><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><u4:p></u4:p>Social Marketing activities <o:p></o:p></span></li></ul> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><u4:p></u4:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><u4:p></u4:p><u4:p></u4:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The project team conducts several meetings and presentations that target community awareness and stakeholders’ mobilization where discussions focus on the project implementation details, roles/responsibilities of stakeholders, handholding requirements, and other pertinent items. Stakeholders appreciate the fact that immediate and future benefits are enumerated, especially learner pathing beyond eSkwela – such as readiness for the Accreditation and Equivalency Exam, tie-up with local livelihood training centers, among others.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><u4:p></u4:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><u4:p></u4:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The team also recognizes the need to “walk the talk” by using ICTs to reach out to the public via the project wiki (http://eskwela.wikispaces.com), discussion forums, blogs, emails, video campaigns, and other communication/ collaboration tools; by engaging in and conducting various ICT4E initiatives like conferences, various elearning courses, and similar efforts geared toward further enhancing the project.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"></p><ul style="font-family:arial;"><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><u4:p></u4:p>Regular conduct of monitoring and evaluation activities <o:p></o:p></span></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><u4:p></u4:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The team makes it a point to provide regular presence in the sites through site visits and constant communication aimed at continuous and timely project enhancement. Through such activities, field implementers see that the team is indeed serious about making things work and that the project is not a “fly-by-night” operation. This deepens the level of awareness and understanding of the project for both the team and the local stakeholders –“making them believe” in the project and consequently, take pride in as well as promote the project to their communities.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <ul style="font-family:arial;"><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><u4:p></u4:p>Activities that value collaboration among project partners<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><u4:p></u4:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Field implementers and other project stakeholders (i.e. DepEd-BALS, local government units, civic groups, ICT4E consultants, and content development teams that CICT has contracted) are regularly invited to get involved in efforts that look into project enhancements and sustainability. This is done through the conduct of project conferences and workshops that either a) ask them to provide feedback/insights to project plans and tools, b) train them on required competencies, or c) guide them through project evaluation and strategic planning.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><u4:p></u4:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><u4:p></u4:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" face="arial" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This sense of belongingness in the project community propels these stakeholders to promote the project to other groups – professionals, students, potential sponsors – through the talks, presentations, and meetings that they attend thus providing the project additional mileage.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><u4:p></u4:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><u4:p></u4:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">As can be seen, a project can attain the desired level of awareness and support by taking care of the network of advocates, implementers, and stakeholders that is built in the course of a project’s life. With this in place, a project has greater chances for success and prolonged sustainability.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;font-family:arial;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><u4:p></u4:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06544172778536888792noreply@blogger.com0