DepEd Imus holds 1st Division Cyber Expo;SDS Panganiban calls for synergy in ICT
Division Information and Action Officer
The Schools Division Office of Imus City, through the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Unit, staged the first-ever division cyber expo in the country on June 26-28 at Leighton Hall, Lancaster New City, Imus City.
Anchored on the National ICT Month theme “See ICT Differently,” the all-expense-paid event via sponsorship aimed to enhance the ICT literacy and related competencies of around 350 participants composed mostly of education program supervisors, school heads, school ICT coordinators and select teachers from the city’s 35 public schools.
Education Transformation
In his keynote speech, Dir. Abram Abanil of the Department of Education (DepEd) ICT Service, shared about how ICT became more prevalent over the years.
“Dati, ang konsepto lang natin ng ICT are only about computers, projectors and printers. Ngayon meron nang mga laptops, drones, and cellphones which contain the computing power of servers that only big corporations used to have,” Abanil said.
The director cautioned that ICT will continue the strength in becoming more pervasive as new technology such as robotics, artificial intelligence and internet of things are perfected in mass production.
“As such, we in the education sector have to adjust to the changing times,” he said.
Abanil proceeded in praising the efforts of Imus City as the first division in the country to hold a cyber expo and advocate the digital transformation of education which “is one of the K to 12 features the DepEd is actively promoting among its teachers and learners.”
The three-day expo featured industry experts and practitioners who facilitated various learning sessions ranging from the latest methods and approaches in education technology including breakthrough software, systems and applications; netiquette; global community engagement; data privacy and cybersecurity; and best ICT innovations, strategies and practices.
Microsoft, in particular, announced that DepEd Central Office has purchased a 5-year country license to fully utilize the features of Windows and Office 365 by making it available to all DepEd personnel, especially those in the frontline.
In an interview, Division IT Officer June Bence L. Adelan said part of the event’s objectives is to understand and maximize the use of Office 365 in classrooms while also identifying new ICT tools that may be helpful to teachers.
“We have been supportive of all the programs of the Central Office and I must say that Office 365 is truly a blessing, a bonus to us educators in terms of access to latest technology,” Adelan said.
Call for Synergy
Meanwhile, Dr. Hermogenes M. Panganiban, OIC-Schools Division Superintendent, underscored the importance of synergy in making a difference as the paramount objective of the event.
“Development of competencies will happen through our teachers. It is the reason why you are here today, so that you will be equipped on the delivery of curriculum,” Panganiban said.
“There are many interactive programs that you can use. There are four main skills that we have to develop among our learners: the learning and education skills; the information, media and literacy skills; communication skills; and lifelong and career skills,” he added.
The superintendent said the needs are already being addressed and its development will not succeed without teachers who will actualize things in real-life situations, supervisors who will observe and oversee their application of skills, and principals who will ensure acquisition of necessary equipment.
“Through the concerted actions and efforts of everyone, from top management to teachers, if we will be working hand-in-hand, we believe that we can really make a difference, since this is a history we are making here today,” he said.
Significant Support
Since its inception in 2013, DepEd Imus City has received full backing from the city government and regularly receives LED TVs, projectors, and other ICT equipment thru Project EMMANUEL (E-Learning Maximizes and Modernizes Acquisition of Never-Ending, Unparalleled and Enhanced Literacy), a 180-day face-to-face, mandatory, non-negotiable classroom instruction through multimedia presentation in accordance with DepEd Order No. 18, s. 2014 on school calendar.
Adelan expressed gratitude to City Mayor Emmanuel L. Maliksi and the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod for the unceasing support.
“This cyber expo is one of the Division’s timely response to the call for improved utilization of Project EMMANUEL equipment through capacity building for teachers,” Adelan said.
The 2019 Division Cyber Expo was sponsored by Benedictine Institute of Learning, Big Ben’s Kitchen, Cypher Learning, City Savings Bank, FGT Electronics, Google, Hotel Dominique, Hubhuman, Macrologic, ManuLife, Microsoft, PLDT, Property Company of Friends, Inc., Quipper School, Q Software Research Corporation, Rotary Club of Imus Independencia, St. Edward Integrated School, Tanza Oasis, and TIFF’s Travel & Tours.
