ICT labs in Malapascua Schools bring learning into the 21st Century

CEBU, Philippines - Known for its rich marine life, majestic thresher sharks, and powdery beaches, Malapascua Island in Cebu offers the ultimate escape from the urban jungle. While its isolated location is one of the lures for the thousands of tourists that flock to its shores every year, it is also the reason there is minimal modern infrastructure on the island.

Logon Elementary School, the only school offering the K-12 program in the area, and Logon High School, the only secondary  school here, are all too aware of  the effects of  this isolation. "We are now in the 21st century and we must accept  the changes and learn from  it," says Rhovic Punay, ICT Coordinator for Logon Elementary." But it was difficult to find sources of funds for the improvement of our  computer lab."

Logon High School faced a similar situation. "Due to the limited number of computers, we find it hard to integrate technology with our lessons," says Benjie Ano-os, OIC  for  the school. Besides hindering students from learning computer  and  Internet   literacy,  this  lack  of  technology also  meant teachers had limited access to the latest teaching materials and methodologies.

All this has changed for both Logon Elementary and High School. With Malapascua having been chosen as one of Globe Telecom's communities of practice under its Corporate Social  Responsibility program, the schools recently became beneficiaries of the company's iAccess advocacy pillar. This pillar seeks to provide underserved communities access to  quality  education and social services. In keeping with this advocacy, Globe furnished both schools with computer labs, each consisting of an 11-user Multipoint System.

Rhovic is delighted by how they are now able to give hands on training to students on real world skills. She says, "We are better able to teach studentson using Microsoft Office programs in order to make work easier." The technology is also key in engaging students in the classroom. "Everyone is excited and very happy. Students can easily comprehend the lessons because they find it very interesting, and it's convenient for them," says Benjie.

Even the teachers are enthusiastic about the new technology. According to Benjie, "The teachers find it very useful. It also lightens our burden especially in catching the attention of our students." Rhovic, meanwhile, says, "We are able to develop the confidence to use computers as we explore the different functions and learn more."

The schools have big plans for the computer labs, going so far as to open them to others in their community. Benjie says, "We hope to accommodate more students and extend the use of the labs to the out of school youth who wish to learn about computers."

More than just a means to learn computer and Internet literacy, the establishment of computer labs signaled the start of the transformation of the learning environment in Malapascua Island.

The next step is for Globe to equip teachers with the know how to fully maximize available resources through its Global Filipino Teachers Program. Having already benefited 262 teachers in 374 public  schools nationwide, this program trains teachers on integrating ICT in the classroom and conducting project-based learning.

In equipping teachers and students alike with the technology and training necessary to bring learning into the 21st century, Globe hopes to enable them to break ground for opportunities never before thought possible. (FREEMAN)