DepEd starts IT-based learning in Visayas

The Department of Education on Friday said ICT-based educational materials are now being pilot-tested in selected public schools in the Visayas via the Learning Resource Management and Development System (LRMDS) to enhance learning among students.

The move is part of DepEd’s continuing development of educational tools that are responsive to the needs of the 21st century.

The LRMDS portal contains quality learning and teaching tools for students and teachers which the schools can access anytime and anywhere. These come in the form of lesson guides, interactive teaching materials and professional development materials.

DepEd also launched the enhanced Basic Education Information System (BEIS) geared to strengthen management decision-making and optimize allocation of education resources. Through the BEIS, data from the school, division, regional and national levels will be processed into useful information which can be easily accessed.

“These are some of the major contributions of DepEd to provide 21st century education for all Filipinos,” Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said. “We know all too well that the use of ICT in education is very critical in learning as well as in school management,” he added.

The LRMD portal and BEIS are funded by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). These initiatives fall under the Stage 2 of Strengthening the Implementation of Basic Education in Selected Provinces in the Visayas (STRIVE) Project.

“I am sure this will have far reaching effects when implemented in the rest of the DepEd regions and divisions nationwide” Lapus said.

In a related development, the Australian government has turned over to DepEd the Training and Development Center in Region VII based in Cebu City. The center will provide professional development for educational leaders, teachers and non-teaching staff.

“We need to invest more in honing the skills and talents of our own people because they will eventually be in the frontline,” Lapus said. “The center is cost-effective in providing continuous professional training to DepEd personnel” he added.

In a related development, DepEd has targeted all the 5,237 public high schools nationwide to be equipped with computer laboratories by the end of 2009. President Gloria Arroyo has instructed Lapus to have all high schools connected to the internet within this year.

“Our next target is to increase access to varied and quality learning, teaching and staff development resources,” Lapus said.