LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – In an effort to foster hybrid learning in Cordillera, 553 tablets were distributed to public schools on Thursday, September 26, at the NEAPR Hall, DepEd CAR, La Trinidad as part of the Class-in Connect Program Launch.
With the program spearheaded by DepEd-CAR Regional Director Estela P. Leon-Cariño, the launch of the Class-in Connect is considered an important turning point in the education sector of the Cordillera that targets Key Stage 1 learners (Kindergarten to Grade 3) who experience struggles in literacy, numeracy, and science.
A significant highlight of the Class-In Connect program is that it makes use of an interactive smart board, where the first of its kind was donated by Benguet Congressman Eric Yap to the Schools Division of Benguet.
Hon. Eric Yap highlighted that the focus should be on the children as the future of society.
“Always ang paniniwala ko ay ‘love future of our province’- sila po ang future natin. Kung magi-invest tayo sa education ng mga bata, mae-equip natin sila nang tama. Hindi ko po nakikita ‘yung reason why the lives of our kailian in Benguet will not grow, will not prosper,” Yap stated.
ClassIn Country Manager for the Philippines Kerwin J. Presiados likewise elaborated on the intricacies of the platform.
The features of ClassIn allow for the accessibility of teaching virtually, which accounts for real-time interaction between the teacher and students. The smart board functions as a touch screen for gesture designs and freeform handwriting, which includes cameras for video conferencing tools paired with a ceiling-mounted microphone, which covers 80 square meters of the classroom. The platform likewise provides learning reports and class management.
ClassIn is developed by ClassIn EEO, a China-founded company with over 60,000 existing institutional partners that provides educational solutions in hybrid learning through interconnected learning suites.
A demonstration teaching using the Class-in platform was also conducted, with Hyacinth Pugong, Teacher III of the Crystal Cave Integrated School, as the class facilitator.
“It was fun, though there are some struggles in manipulating the system, but well, nasa digital age na po tayo, and as teachers, we have to accept these changes and capacitate ourselves to enhance our teaching and learning,” Pugong expressed.
Moreover, 31 pilot schools across the eight school divisions of Cordillera received 553 Samsung tablets from the DepEd National Learning Camp Fund in order to make the most use of the donated interactive smart board. Likewise, training on the use of the platform will be given to teachers.
Eugenio Millare, Principal II of Tayum Central School, a pilot school in Abra for the Class-in Connect program, expresses his gratitude for being included in the program.
“Of course, we are fortunate and happy kasi may mga gamit kami, since the 21st century demands for ICT integration in our classrooms,” Millare conveyed.
Furthermore, Millare affirmed that they will still be able to connect in Abra and likewise make use of the platform despite the lack of facilities.
“For Class-In Connect, yung facility lang and wala tayo diyan, ‘pag sa interactive board natin, ‘yun kasi ang kulang, pero meron namang program ang DepEd CAR regarding the involvement of the learners from the province, which aims na ang main na magtuturo is from the regional office. So that is why we believe na makakapag-connect pa rin kami in Abra, kasi meron naman tayong internet connection,” Millare added.
When asked about the range of learners included in the program during the 3rd Quarter Kapihan sa DepEd Cordillera, Leon-Cariño stressed that this is just the pilot implementation and that there are plans to expand the program in the future.
“Ako kasi, I believe in we start small, para makita natin kung ano ‘yung kakulangan, kunwari training ng teachers, and then we will expand,” Leon-Cariño articulated.
Meanwhile, in addressing internet connectivity concerns, Leon-Cariño assured that the chosen pilot schools to implement the program can hold interactive virtual classes, especially since the chosen schools within the region have a stable internet connection.
Moreover, in support of the endeavors of DepEd Cordillera, Hon. Eric Yap plans to initially allocate 3 more smartboards for Benguet, and eventually to provide for all 13 municipalities of Benguet in the future. By Heleina Taeza and Rachelle Quilling
