Project in Educational Technology II (TTH, 1:00-2:30)

Uplifting Education through Technology

From the very bulky computers of the 1960s to the very compact gadgets of the present time, technology had been continuously developing in the past decades, and had played great roles, in many people’s daily tasks.

Starting with the conception of the personal computer, people’s work became faster, and communication with other people became much easier. Furthermore, in the recent years, the use of computers and related technology in education has  been proven beneficial to teachers and students, and effective both cost-wise and education-wise. The use of technology in education has significantly aided students in performing their school-related tasks. Clegg and Bailey (2008) assert that with the utilization of mobile devices such as laptops and tablet computers, the learning process for the students become more fun and conducive due to the user-interactivity and appealing visuals present in these learning tools.

 In the Philippines, President Benigno Aquino announced during the launch of the country’s K-12 curriculum that the government eyes the use of tablet computers in public schools in lieu of traditional textbooks (Enterprise Innovation, 2012). 

Furthermore, there exist various programs by the government, non-government organizations and private corporations in the Philippines that aim to provide one laptop computer per child. With the presence of laptops in the classrooms, students become more engaged and involved in school-related activities (Oquias, 2011).

In addition to mobile devices, the internet also plays a very vital role in helping the students in their education. 

According to a study conducted by Project Tomorrow (2011), having access to the internet, students would be able to research information and access online textbooks, which in turn can help the students perform better inside the classroom. Furthermore, through the use of the internet, pupils would be able to communicate and collaborate with classmates for school work.

Kajrekar (2008) asserts that “the most significant aspect of the web for education at all levels is that it dissolves the artificial wall between the classroom and the real world. Students and teachers can establish interactive communication with anybody or any source, making learning more relevant to their lives’ interests and concerns.”

 Additionally, with the use of the internet, teachers are able to communicate with their students more easily, and allows them to distribute learning materials such as assignments, exercises, and tests to their pupils, as suggested by Clegg and Bailey (2008). Likewise, through the use of the internet, instructors would have access to a vast amount of resources such as  pictures for illustrations, various texts for class readings and so forth. Consequently, the Department of Education had employed a project in which all public schools in the country be connected to the internet (Calleja, 2011). DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro maintains that “it’s not enough that we merely continue building classrooms and toilets… The real revolution in education which has long-term effects can only be done through information technology.”

As of 2012, 95 percent of public high schools have computer labs, but only 57 percent have access to the internet, says the Department of Education (2012). 

For public elementary schools, however, only 4 percent are equipped with e-Classroom packages, the DepEd adds. Students benefit from utilizing computers in their education by making school work easier; likewise, the instructors benefit from the usage of technology in teaching. 

Gone are the days when instructors need to write out the topics on the chalkboard, prepare a Manila paper to display a text or show flash cards for Math drills. Now, presenting topics to students is as easy as a click on the keyboard, as the text or illustration immediately unfolds onscreen in a slideshow  presentation (Labro, 2008). 

This not only makes preparing visual aids for class more efficient and less time-consuming, but it also helps keep the flow of discussion inside the classroom more interesting and more engaging to the students. 

The modern classroom now requires the use of computers, the internet and mobile devices practically in every school activity. With this idea in mind, the Department of Education has planned to modernize the Philippine classrooms in line with its K to 12 program. 

Today, education at all levels are gearing towards a computer-centric learning environment. Through the implementation of technology inside the classroom, teachers and students can yield positive results within the learning environment and true-to-life situations. 

The use of technology in the classroom has never been underscored than now. School's access to technology is increasing everyday and most of this technologies are now present in traditional classroom. 

However, some research suggest that technology remains poorly integrated into some schools, especially here in the Philippines, despite of massive need, schools can't have technology because of  lack of funds. But there are firms and corporations that helps Department of Education to conduct programs in integrating technology in education. An example of that is the Global Filipino School program which aims to use technology in teaching and learning process. With the partnership of some firms, technology can be integrated among schools in our country.

  Educationist began exploring the use of technology that supports models of teaching that emphasize learning with understanding and more active involvement. There are more advance technologies that recently introduced now a days but the most frequent technology used in classrooms is the computer. With the use of computer, we can access to  World Wide Web that allows students to carry out actions, immediately observe the results and do a lot of investigations right there in the classrooms.


  With a global perspective, educational technologies affects innovative teaching to be essential in today's time. Technology provides support to the solution of problems and it acts as cognitive support to learners. And it also serves as collaborative tool for the learners. Technology provides avenues for discussion and communication among learners as well as for teachers. While teachers of previous generations have created teaching aids in paperboard and chalkboards manually, present day teachers have the opportunity to use technology in presenting text, graphs, and other illustrations to assist students effective and motivated learning process.

 XO Laptop As An Example of Innovation

1. Preparing children for the 21st Century

It starts with the 21st century learning framework. In addition to gaining competencies in core subjects, we believe students must also gain multi-dimensional skills, literacy, and knowledge needed for success in the 21st century. Thus challenging and training the educators to develop those very competencies in their classrooms.

For example, our Christmas Party Planning Session had the students plan the budget for their class Holiday party using the Finance Activity on the XO Laptop. 

In addition to learning fractions, students developed collaboration, communication and basic entrepreneurial skills. Through the Holiday Planning Session, learning became more meaningful and connected to the real world, and this is what we hope to accomplish in future learning activities.

2. Producers of Local Knowledge

As part of this project-based learning activity, it challenge the students to go to locations of historical importance, interview local authorities and create a shareable document or digital artifact using the XO laptop. The project will allow students to gain competencies in the Philippine language, local history and media creation. This represents a fundamental shift in teaching and knowledge acquisition in the Philippines. Through this project, the student, not just the teacher or computer, becomes the source of knowledge.

3. Tech Squad Kids

These kids inspire a spirit of collaboration amongst their classmates as they became leaders in solving technical and academic problems in the classroom. The self-confidence and leadership skills of these students increased dramatically too - a direct outcome of the Tech Squad Kids Program. Ultimately, children are natural teachers to each other. We can leverage this to create more effective learning environments.

4. Champion Educators

Open-minded, honest, and promising - these are some of the qualities we looked for when we chose our champion educators. Open-Mindedness because adopting new learning innovations occurs when educators have the ability to learn, relearn and unlearn. Honesty because we need blunt feedback about what needs improvement in our pilot program. Promising because we want educators who hunger for better ways to inspire a love for learning in children. Our educators posses these qualities.

Technology never replaces teachers. Rather, they should feel empowered by it. Through intensive support and training that truly addresses their needs, they will be the main protagonists that facilitate 21st century learning inside and outside the classroom. 

5. Community Ownership

Community ownership is a clear and essential part of the sustainability equation and it is an element that needs to be nurtured and maintained. As part of our program, a parent leadership team was established to encourage parent and community participation in the pilot program.

Non-profit organizations working in the same area were tapped to explore areas for collaboration. The local government unit has fully committed to investing available resources to the program. This level of progress would surely not be possible without community support.

6. Global Village Mentors

The XO laptop coupled with new and powerful learning ideas can overwhelm educators, especially those who have limited or no exposure to learning technologies. How do we make it easier for Educators to teach with the XO Laptops? The answer is complex.

One idea is to leverage our community of educators from the Philippines and around the world to provide mentorship and guidance to our educators. The mentorship program will allow mentor and mentee to discuss concerns and challenges, exchange powerful learning ideas, and collaborate on lesson planning.

Nonetheless, the XO laptop has an important function in education reform in the Philippines. In the Philippines, it certainly offers us an opportunity to rethink and innovate education for all.