Text messaging to help mentors teach science, techno subjects

"We wl teach u 2 teach better."

This kind of text messaging, however, will not be the usual fare for public teachers who will now be equipped with the latest in digital communication tools to teach science and technology.

The Department of Education (DepEd) launched yesterday the "text2teach" program designed to enable public school teachers to illustrate the wonders of electronic media to their students.

With the help of the Ayala Foundation, and partners Globe Telecom, Nokia Philippines, Seameo-Innotech, PMSI-Dream Broadcasting and Chikka Asia, the program will enable teachers in selected schools to engage in interactive media technology to develop student interest in science and technology.

Teachers will be supplied with Nokia cellular phones where they can request access to more than 80 full-length educational videos to illustrate a key component of the Philippine science curriculum.

Upon the teacher’s request through texting, the requested video will be sent via satellite to a digital recorder connected to a television monitor inside the classroom, which can be directly viewed by the students.

Each interactive video clip will demonstrate concepts of science.

"Text2teach" was made possible through the initiative of Bridgeit, a global program developed jointly with Nokia, the International Youth Foundation (IYF), Pearson and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

The four organizations combined their expertise in technology, training, content and processes to create a unique concept in teaching the youth on the wonders of science and technology.

"The program will enable teachers to use digital technology to share and illustrate new ideas with their students. As a result, students will have the opportunity to learn new skills, to participate actively in classroom lessons with their teachers, and to learn and see more about the world around them," said Victoria Garchitorena, Ayala Foundation president.

The project is slated to begin next month in the 5th and 6th grades of 37 public schools and 3 private schools in key areas of Quezon City, Batangas, Laguna and Cotabato City in Mindanao. The program is envisioned to benefit more than 10,000 students nationwide.

Ayala Foundation has been tapped as the project leader in the Philippines to ensure that the program attains its desired effect and objective.

The DepED, Seameo-Innotech and the IYF have already began training 80 teachers on how to effectively use the electronic interactive teaching tool.

During the launching ceremonies yesterday at the Hotel Intercontinental in Makati City, Ayala Corp. president and chief executive officer Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala II noted the program’s potential to bridge the digital divide by allowing the learning materials and method to be accessible to both urban and rural schools.

"While we cannot replace the traditional learning materials such as textbooks, Bridgeit has opened new ways to improve learning opportunities for thousands of elementary school children throughout the Philippines through new technology," he said.

Ayala said the learning tool "is the opportunity to remake the face of education to help the poor, not only in our country, but in other developing nations as well."