The Schools Division Office of Imus City, Cavite, Philippines recently staged the first-ever division cyber expo in the country, through the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Unit.
According to a recent press release, a representative of the Department of Education (DepEd) ICT service shared how ICT became prevalent over the years through his keynote speech.
ICT will continuously strengthen and become more pervasive as new technologies like robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are being perfected in mass production.
Transformation in Education
As such, the education sector needs to adjust with the times.
The cyber expo is a first in the country. It advocates digital transformation of education, which is one of the K to 12 features that the Department is actively promoting among its teachers and learners.
Anchored on the theme “See ICT Differently,” the event aimed to enhance the ICT literacy and related competencies of around 350 participants.
These participants are composed mostly of education program supervisors, school heads, school ICT coordinators and select teachers from the city’s 35 public schools.
Industry experts and practitioners were at the expo to facilitate various learning session, which covered the latest methods and approaches in education technology. These are:
- Breakthrough software, systems and applications
- Netiquette
- Global community engagement
- Data privacy and cybersecurity
- Best ICT innovations, strategies and practices.
A multinational technology company had confirmed that the Department Central Office had purchased a 5-year country license in order to fully utilise the features of their products.
These products will be made available to all Department personnel, particularly those in the frontline.
One of the event’s objectives was to understand and maximise the use of these tools while also identifying new ICT tools that may be helpful to teachers.
Call for Synergy
The importance of synergy in making a difference was underscored as the paramount objective of the event.
Development of competencies will happen through the teachers and that is the reason for the event. Being there will equip them on the delivery of the curriculum.
Several interactive programs are available for use to help develop the four main skills among the learners. These are:
- The learning and education skills
- The information, media and literacy skills
- Communication skills
- Lifelong and career skills
Working hand-in hand through the concerted actions and efforts of everyone, from top management to teachers, will make it possible for change to happen.
Significant Support
Since its inception in 2013, DepEd Imus City has received full backing from the city government and has been regularly receiving LED TVs, projectors, and other ICT equipment.
This is made possible through Project EMMANUEL, which stands for E-Learning Maximises and Modernises Acquisition of Never-Ending, Unparalleled and Enhanced Literacy.
The cyber expo is one of the Division’s timely responses to the call for improved utilisation of Project EMMANUEL equipment through capacity building for teachers.
