The 21st century probably marked the highlighting
beginning of advancements and developments in the field of Science and
Technology. One remarkable product of such developments is the uprising of
computers and tablets. With our current technology, we could already access the
information and other stuff just through some types and clicks with the
computer or touches around a tablet pc. Thus, we could already learn basic
education on our own hands. In line with this, experts in the Philippines have
proposed the use of computer tablets in primary and secondary schools as a tool
of education. Moreover, they have developed courseware specialized in basic Mathematics
and Sciences for grade school students. However, these should not replace the
use of textbooks but “are supplementary materials intended to augment the
learning (“Educators,”).”
“In 2004, the Science Education Institute (SEI) met with the
Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI), with an idea. To enable
schools take advantage of Information Technology (IT) in conducting classroom
lectures. The plan was to optimize, streamline and standardize lesson
presentation through the use of cost-effective and high quality solutions,
which would then assist students to be more competitive, maximize and enhance
learning through the use of this technology. ” ("How the
projects," )
Fortunately, I was given an opportunity to be somehow
involved in this project of Department of Science and Technology (DOST). During
the summer of 2012, I worked as an on-the-job trainee in ASTI. I was assigned
with tasks under the Open Source Development Laboratory (OSDL) which works as
the main team for the said project. I was also given an opportunity to sneak
through the animation room and evaluate the works of their animators. One of my
tasks was to inspect the inside and outside properties or specs of 100 computer
tablets. For the acquisition of tablets, DOST-ASTI organized a bidding event
between some computer companies. The institute was able to draw the “cheapest”
offer in the amount of around 7000 to 8000 pesos. As I browsed through one of
the tablets and assessed the works of animation, I must say that the price of tablets
is not too cheap and not too expensive or maybe just right as I assessed its
convenience and speed. Every institute under the government, including DOST,
should use an open source technology and so the tablets were implemented with
Android and the desktop computers were implanted with Linux. There was
compatibility problem which was a result from the issue of transferring the
works of animation in desktop computer to the system of the computer tablets.
Some of the tablets installed with the courseware were efficient and fast
enough but some were having some lags. Yet, it was eventually fixed as it was
easier to improve Linux and Android as open source technology have rising
during this time.
The animations for the Grade 1 Math curriculum took an inspiration
from the educational TV show “Dora the Explorer”. It was divided into 10
modules that focused on the identification of shapes and colors and the system
of basic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and
addition. “To teach the lessons, the module incorporates three stages:
activity, to introduce the concepts and show sample problems; fixing skills,
where students can answer sample problems at their own pace; and evaluation,
which includes the actual quizzes that teachers can use to gauge if a student
learned the lesson.” (Valmero, 2012)
There is already a courseware for secondary students. It is
actually uploaded on the web and students, teachers, or any concerned persons
are allowed to download their modules for free. The government aims to reach
almost a hundred schools in Metro Manila and aims to reach the vicinity outside
the region soon. For now, the priority is just given for more pilot testing and
for science schools especially the campuses under the Philippine Science High
School system.
Sources:
•How the projects started. (n.d.). Accessed on March 9,2014.
Retrieved from http://courseware.dost.gov.ph/about-2.
•Educators (n.d.). Accessed on March 9,2014. Retrieved
fromhttp://courseware.dost.gov.ph/educators
•Valmero, A. (2012, July 19). Accessed on March 9,2014. Pinoy
animators create software that makes math more fun for students. Retrieved
from
http://www.science.ph/full_story.php?key=5552:pinoy-animators-create-software-that-makes-math-more-fun-for-students&type=latest
No comments:
Post a Comment