Emerging Trends in ICT Education in Public Schools

Just as technology is influencing and supporting what is being learned in schools, so too is it supporting changes to the way students are learning. Through technology-facilitated approaches, contemporary learning settings now encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning. In the past, students have become very comfortable to learning through transmissive modes. The growing use of ICT as an instructional medium is changing and will likely continue to change many of the strategies employed by both teachers and students in the learning process.
According to former Deped Secretary Hon, Jesli A. Lapus, “The 21st century is an era of the globalization of the enabled, empowered and enjoined individual. It is characterized by a dynamic force for individuals to collaborate and compete in a world which is driven by technology and information and operates in a global community.” Every learner needs to develop habits of lifelong-learning to fully participate in the information age. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are diverse set of technological tools and resources used to communicate, to create, disseminate, store, and manage information, such as computers, the Internet, radio, television, telephones, and audiovisual equipment. Recognizing the potential benefits of integrating ICT in the educational system, DepED created the National Strategic Planning Initiative for ICT in Basic Education. The Plan sets the parameters and articulates the goals and strategies for ICT integration in Philippine basic education curriculum.
During our class with Dr. Janry Colonia, we visited some public schools in Cagayan de Oro city, Misamis Oriental, and in Bukidnon as well. I was able to witness and experience how the public school system adopted the integration of ICT as part of their media and methodology in teacher-student learning processes. ICT tools are already being utilized and adopted by public school teachers to cope with the technological trends of our modern society. Computers and audio visual technology were among the most common ICT tools. Interactive white board, LCD projectors, computers, and educational software are just some of the modern facilities that were showcased to us by Jasaan Central School in Misamis Oriental. The school has put forth noble efforts to acquire their own ICT room “E-Classroom” that is fully equip with the above mentioned facilities wherein the students can greatly benefit. The teachers and pupils are exposed to new avenues of learning and will no longer have to rely solely on printed books and other materials for their educational needs. Many of the teachers are also using social networking sites on the internet, just like facebook and twitter to establish linkages among colleagues and even their administrators as well. Manolo Fortich Niational High School in Bukidnon, utilized their computers not only for student learning, but also for storing valuable data and information. MFNHS has its own computer laboratory and has employed a computer technician to maintain the facilities. They also make use of computers to back up files in their Educational Management Information System (EMIS) which has gained national recognition by DepEd as outstanding EMIS for several consecutive years. Mobile communication devices such as, cellular phones and alike, allows teachers in MFNHS to establish communication and effective dissemination of information.
The development and integration of ICT into our public schools is progressing. Some school administrators seem to be content with what the government can provide in terms of numbers of computers and connectivity, while others are being highly innovative, attempting to capitalize on the benefits that ICT has to offer. As we move forward towards the 21st century, ICT becomes embedded in the everyday learning practices in schools, drawing on a range of technologies to support learning, teaching, and attainment.
ICT integration is a good investment towards meeting the goals of our educational system both in public and private schools. The profit may not be seen right away but one thing is vivid, this big leap in embracing what is latest in technology will become a bridge that any of our future learners will successfully cross.