The iLearn portal features interactive educational resources and tutorials with a Filipino flavor. It's good to know that there is an online education resources localized for the Philippine setting because most educational technology resources that I find are from the United States. There are even resources written in the local dialects!
The portal was developed by the Commission on Information and Communications Technology and several state universities and colleges.
To know more about iLearn, visit their website at http://www.ilearn.gov.ph/
Saturday, June 21, 2008
This blog has now been approved by PayPerPost!
I heard about PayPerPost through a friend who also earn from blogs. I thought this seems to be like a good opportunity. I've always looked at blogging as something I want to do to practice my writing skills and write about my advocacies. But now, through PayPerPost, 
I'll have an opportunity to get paid for blogging! Really, really cool! :)
I intend to save the money I earn from blogging.
blog advertising
I intend to save the money I earn from blogging.
blog advertising
Sunday, June 15, 2008
House OKs bill splitting DoTC, creating new IT dept
From Inquirer.net
House OKs bill splitting DoTC, creating new IT dept
House OKs bill splitting DoTC, creating new IT dept
MANILA, Philippines -- The House of Representatives has approved on second reading a bill proposing to install a totally new department that would look after and advance the country's information and communications technology (ICT) sector.
Under the bill, the new Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) would be spun off from the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC).
All existing DoTC offices dealing with communications would either be built into or attached to the DICT. These include the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and the Philippine Postal Corp. The National Computer Center, now assigned to the Department of Science and Technology, would also be ceded to the DICT.
"The DoTC's administrative and jurisdictional foundations can no longer cope with the rapid advances in ICT. Thus, the need to establish a wholly new, full-grown department to deal with ICT matters exclusively," said Catanduanes Representative Joseph Santiago, chairman of the House committee on ICT, in a statement.
Santiago's panel, together with the committee on appropriations chaired by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman and the committee on government reorganization chaired by Zamboanga City Rep. Erico Basilio Fabian, previously endorsed the bill.
Under House Bill 4300, Santiago said the new DICT would "ensure the provision of strategic, dependable, and cost-efficient ICT infrastructures, systems, and resources as instruments for nation-building and global competitiveness."
Santiago, former chief of the NTC, said the new department would "promote a policy environment of fairness, broad private sector participation in ICT development, and balanced investment between high-growth and economically-depressed districts."
He said the DICT would likewise be mandated to ensure:
* The accelerated development of convergent networks of ICT facilities;
* Universal access and high-speed connectivity at fair and reasonable cost;
* Ample ICT services in areas not sufficiently served by the private sector;
* Widespread use and application of emerging ICT;
* A strong and effective regulatory system;
* Adequate consumer protection as well as free and fair competition;
* Abundant human resources for ICT development;
* Incentives to grow ICT industries;
* Protection of the right to privacy; and
* ICT support for culture, education, as well as public health and safety.
The bill defines ICT as "the aggregate of all electronic means to collect, store, process, and present information to end-users in support of their activities."
ICT consists of computer systems, office channels, and consumer electronics, as well as networked information infrastructures, the components of which include the telephone system, the Internet and satellite/cable television.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
June is National ICT month
Nine Excellent Reasons for Technology in Education
Taken from an article of the same title by John Page
Nine fundamental reasons why I think technology is important in education. Hopefully, they can act as the rationale for technology plans in schools.
Reason 1. Expansion of time and place
In a typical high school a student has access to a teacher for one hour each day. That means she has access to the teacher approximately for 6% of a 16-hour waking day, and even that time is shared with 25 classmates. But she has access to the Internet 100% of the time. That's a lot better — some twenty times better. Yes, technology is no substitute for an inspiring teacher. However, on-line materials are FAR more available. As shown above, some twenty times more available.
Nine fundamental reasons why I think technology is important in education. Hopefully, they can act as the rationale for technology plans in schools.
Reason 1. Expansion of time and place
In a typical high school a student has access to a teacher for one hour each day. That means she has access to the teacher approximately for 6% of a 16-hour waking day, and even that time is shared with 25 classmates. But she has access to the Internet 100% of the time. That's a lot better — some twenty times better. Yes, technology is no substitute for an inspiring teacher. However, on-line materials are FAR more available. As shown above, some twenty times more available.
Using the traditional textbook + classroom approach, the places where learning can occur are limited. A portable wireless computer has access to the teacher's course material and the entire Internet almost anywhere. And this is a vastly larger resource than can be practically carried on paper in a backpack.
Bottom line: information technology allows learning anywhere, anytime; not just in one particular classroom for one hour a day.
Reason 2. Depth of Understanding
Interactive simulations and illustrations can produce a much greater depth of understanding of a particular concept. When virtual manipulatives are used in a classroom setting they can go far beyond chalk and talk. Using a projector, the teacher can conduct onscreen investigations and demonstrate concepts far more easily than with just words and arm-waving. For example see Subtended Angle. Combine this class demonstration with access to the same tools over the web, and the student can reinforce the ideas by playing with the simulations themselves, any time, any where.
Reason 3. Learning vs. Teaching
Technology allows the tables to be turned. Instead of teaching (push), students can be given projects that require them to learn (pull) the necessary material themselves. Key to this is the ability to get the information they need any time anywhere, without being in the physical presence of a teacher. This project-based pull approach makes learning far more interesting for the student. I have seen firsthand how students cannot wait to get out of regular classes to go to the after-school robotics project.
Reason 4. New media for self-expression
In the old days, students could write in a notebook, and what they wrote was seen only by the teacher. Using modern technology, they can: make a PowerPoint presentation, record/edit spoken word, do digital photography, make a video, run a class newspaper, run a web based school radio or TV station, do claymation, compose digital music on a synthesizer, make a website, and/or create a blog.
Reason 5. Collaboration
A vital skill in the new digital world is the ability to work collaboratively on projects with others who may not be physically close. This can best be done using modern computer tools such as the Web, Email, instant messaging and cell phone. Rather than laboring alone on homework, students can work in small groups wherever they happen to be and at any time. They are doing this already – it can now be formalized and taught as a vital skill. Many university projects are undertaken by teams spread around the world. Your students need to be prepared for this.
Reason 6. Going Global
The worldview of the student can be expanded because of the zero cost of communicating with other people around the globe. The internet permits free video conferencing which permits interaction in real time with sister schools in other countries. From an educational viewpoint, what could be more important than understanding other cultures through direct dialog and collaboration?
Reason 7. Individual pacing and sequence
Students are, of course, all different. Information technologies can permit them to break step with the class and go at a pace and order that suits each student better. Without disrupting the class, they can repeat difficult lessons and explore what they find interesting. With time, it will become more like having a private tutor rather than being lost in a large class.
Reason 8. Weight
Three textbooks and three binders easily weigh over 25 pounds. A laptop computer weighs about 5 pounds and provides access to infinitely more material via its own storage and the Internet. A 40Gb hard drive can hold 2 million pages with illustrations; the Web is unfathomably large. Right now, students are getting back injuries lugging around a tiny subset of what they need in the form of black marks printed on slices of a substance not all that different from the papyrus used by the ancient Egyptians. And it's just static boring text.
Reason 9. Personal Productivity
Students need productivity tools for the same reasons you do. They need to write, read, communicate, organize and schedule. A student's life is not much different from that of any knowledge worker, and they need similar tools. Even if they are never used in the classroom, portable personal computers will make a student's (and teacher's) life more effective. To cash in this benefit, schools need to go paperless.
In summary, if education is about knowledge and intellectual skills, then information technology lies at the heart of it all. We have only just begun this transition. School will eventually look very different. Get ready.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Students as Lesson Evaluators?
In order to be effective in delivering lessons through the use of ICT, student opinions are worth considering.
Carrie A. Calloway presents in her article the guide questions for a survey that can be used and administered to students in order to gather information about how ICT can be effectively used in teaching. Here are the questions:
Carrie A. Calloway presents in her article the guide questions for a survey that can be used and administered to students in order to gather information about how ICT can be effectively used in teaching. Here are the questions:
- Do you think the lesson made effective use of technology? Explain.
- What portions of the lesson did you feel worked well and were easy to comprehend?
- What portions of the lesson did you feel were not beneficial in understanding the content presented?
- What would you change about this lesson?
- How would you rate the overall delivery and design of this lesson?
- Were the instructions clearly outlined and easy to follow?
- Did the lesson offer opportunities for interaction with the teacher and other students?
- Did the lesson build upon your prior knowledge (i.e. were real-world examples utilized)?
- Were you involved in hands-on learning opportunities during the lesson?
- Did you find the lesson motivating in such a way that you would like to further explore the topic presented?
- Would you recommend the teacher use this lesson again in the future?
- Additional comments...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)