DepEd, education stakeholders make digital learning easier, more accessible

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – Teachers, parents and the Department of Education (DepEd) as well as Senator Joel Villanueva, Globe and other education stakeholders work together to make digital and blended learning in the country possible, easier and more accessible with Globe’s GoLearn platform. 

In a virtual GoLearn Media Launch on August 27, teacher Eric Parungao revealed   that teachers, parents and students are pressured and challenged with the new learning experience brought about by the pandemic. 

  
Home schooling continues to pose major challenges that include lack of connectivity, gadgets, digital/tech knowledge of teachers, parents and learners alike that create pressures at home including small spaces at home especially when there are several students in various learning stages and there are simultaneous discussions, Parungao said.

“Home learning set up must not have pressure, there must be independent learning at home. Parents and teachers must always be prepared at home.  Usually, teachers find ways to create group chats with parents and students for easier modular learning and interactions.  But we are always constraints with lack of access to WiFi, gadgets, online learning platforms which are crucial in digital/online learning systems,” Parungao added.

Parungao with other teachers in the virtual discussion agreed that there is a greater need today to address these learning gaps and challenges for all online platforms, digital technology and appropriate gadgets are accessible and available to all learners, teachers and parents as well.

“We have to address the challenges faced by the education sector on digital learning, special mention on the challenges of limited spaces at home for students; lack of expertise or knowledge of parents and teachers in home schooling and the many submissions that the students are required to,” DepEd undersecretary Tonisito Umali said.

 

 
Umali added that since August this year, there are already more than 27.7M enrollees for public and private schools and DepEd continuously finds ways to improve and make digital/online learning accessible to all. 

DepEd partners with Globe via its GoLearn program that provides WiFi connectivity and other gadgets in schools, learning platforms and other learning management systems for teachers, students and parents, Umali revealed.

Supporting this GoLearn program is Senator Joel Villanueva, Chairman of the Senate Committees on Labor, Employment, and Human Resources Development and the Higher and Technical and Vocational Education.  Villanueva is a staunch advocate of digital and continuous learning that has paved the way for accessible education for all.

Villanueva mentioned a study conducted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on possible learning loss due to school closure and remote learning.  The impact on the kids may be long term which can affect their competitiveness and work performance in the future.

“We advocate digital learning and we partner with Globe for the fulfillment of this advocacy. That's why importante ang mga ginagawa o gagawin pa nating mga interventions para hindi tuluyang bumaba ang kaalaman ng mga kabataan.  Makakatulong dito ng malaki ang initiative ng Globe to ensure na tuloy-tuloy ang learning ng mga bata.  GoLearn is a digital solution to widen the access to training.  With GoLearn, learning is at your fingertips, kaya very convenient,” Villanueva said in the same virtual media launch.

Globe head of Small, Medium Business Group, KD Dizon revealed that it is Globe’s commitment to work with the whole education sector to bring forth everyone’s aspiration for better education, ensuring that learning never stops for all, wherever they are, regardless of their status. This is the heart of GoLearn.

“To make the education stakeholders feel more optimistic for this school year, Globe has launched GoLearn, the unified, company-wide platform aimed at helping the country achieve 21st Century Learning.  This is Globe’s unified initiative to bring together products, programs, services, and solutions that will empower the whole learning ecosystem,” Dizon stated.

Dizon added that with GoLearn, Globe joined hands to give educators, parents and students access to highly engaging programs and affordable digital solutions so there will be no reason for learning to stop.

GoLearn is a valuable platform for everyone who aspires to further enrich their education as it opens doors for a brighter future.  It promotes continuous learning and further bridges the digital gaps in the education landscape in the country via access to connectivity solutions, learning platforms, and solutions, DepEd Usec Umali added.

Globe president and CEO, Ernest Cu hopes that the education sector is as excited as Globe to raise the quality of education in the country and how the company places priority to enable online learning.

“With the launch of GoLearn, know that the entire One Globe group is with you to continue to provide affordable connectivity, accessible platforms, and safer learning environment for all,” Cu added.

 

Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Chairman of Ayala Corporation said the whole of Ayala Group is in full support to Globe’s GoLearn program as it provides enabling solutions that propel the education sector to progressive digital learning. (Photos: Globe)