Globe pushes for responsible use of mobile devices to drive ICT-based education

Globe Telecom is advocating responsible use of mobile devices in school campuses for the country’s learning institutions to effectively leverage advancement in information and communications technology.

“Internet is a valuable source of information and an important additional teaching tool.  As internet now plays a major role in the lives of young people, learning institutions should take the opportunity of motivating students with the use of ICT-tools to make their learning experience more enjoyable and sustainable,”  Globe Director for Corporate Social Responsibility Fernando Esguerra said.

While government learning institutions are now adapting the use of ICT materials, the use of digital technologies as a learning tool is not as widespread as it should be. “Whether or not technology is available in the schools, children will have access to some devices one way or another especially as the smartphone penetration is steadily gaining traction and handheld internet will soon become available to everyone. This presents a great opportunity for the country’s educational system to adopt the use of mobile devices in enhancing formal education,” Esguerra said.

According to Esguerra, such move would also substantially reduce public spending in education and infrastructure and enhance competitiveness of the country’s learning institutions amid global shift towards digitization.

In line with efforts to integrate ICT tools into formal education, Globe Telecom has been implementing the Global Filipino School program for over three years now.

The program is a long-term educational initiative that seeks to transform select public schools into centers of ICT excellence and provide innovative teaching methods. Specifically, the program aims to create a center for ICT excellence in schools that exemplify exceptional commitment to ICT-integrated education and also create teacher training hubs to increase understanding and effective usage of ICT in the classroom. 

In partnership with the Department of Education and selected public schools, the program involves providing schools with superior online connectivity, a Globe Mobile Laboratory package, and 21st Century Teaching Methods using ICT in the classroom.  Selected public schools are utilized as a teacher training hub on ICT excellence in the classroom, for the entire division where the school is located.  Both the school and DepEd ensure all teachers of the select school are trained to bring 21st century learning into the classroom. Apart from this, both are also tasked to conduct teacher training to neighboring public schools within their division. 

First implemented in Bilar National High School in Bohol, the program, based on the school’s report, has generated increased interest of teachers to conduct their lessons, increased student interest towards learning and improvement in the school’s performance in the National Achievement Test (NAT).

Currently, the program is being implemented in 11 different schools located in various parts of the country. By next year, the Global Filipino School program hopes to be present in all 18 regions nationwide, and cover 60 DepEd schools divisions.