Reaction Paper on ICT in the Philippines Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) plays a vital role in the communication process and in the field of uplifting the economy of a certain nation or state especially in today’s generation – 21 st technological generation. From left to right, technologies are present in all domains of institutions either in education, government and etc. The competition of the influx of technology is rapidly available and massive since the accessibility and availability is becoming a demand of times. A state of a certain nation can never get away of what technology can uphold to keep the economy in an expanding direction. Yet, the argument remains to be at claimed: What advantages and disadvantages could ICT be brought out in these domains? The Philippines is integrating Information and Communication Technology or ICT into the teaching and learning process since it has become a great concern for many educators. With its rapid development, educators should find ways to integrate technology in the learning process. ICT should not drive education, rather, educational goals and needs must drive its use in schools (Bonifacio 2013). However, the process of integrating standards into the curriculum should emphasize learning and growth for all as the natural and desired outcome of reform in the schools. From that perspective, a standards-based curriculum includes not only goals, objectives, and standards, but everything that is done to enable attainment of those outcomes and, at the same time, foster reflection and revision of the curriculum to ensure students' continued growth (Pattinson & Berkas, 2000). In view of the fact that ICT is being adopted worldwide, competition remains to be of interest especially in business and in acquiring a better and advance technological background. Technological developments in ICT are very rapid and also become obsolete requiring new skills and knowledge to be mastered frequently. Adaptation is only possible when based on a sound understanding of the principles and concept of ICT. Keeping in pace with these technological development and the changing competencies required for both the students and their teachers. Shifting from traditional learning to ICT-based learning is badly needed (Aktaruzzaman 2011). Comparison between interest and achievement in the field of economy and education in most
countries is always on the top priority so as to keep track of the states progress. ASEAN countries for instance, build connections with its neighbouring nations to maintain the ideals of ICT. Singapore and Japan, to name a few, continue its rank to be one of the countries that has high view of the advancement and advantages that technology could provide. From their educational perspectives down to its lowest pool of manpower organization, technology keeps the road to sustain their economy. Organizing an ICT association in the Philippines is an advantage that any Filipino can possess, since it is a clear manifestation that Philippines had the ability to compete with the advancement of the world. It will become an aid to lessen the burden of time and make the task easier to be resolved. Having the ICT program in the educational realm is already a big contribution because it is through education that mastery will no longer be limited. Easy access on communication and creating association will be utilized without difficulty since technology takes part on the process. For instance, increasing the nation’s economic stability through Business Process Outsourcing is an excellent setting to determine the condition and progress of a particular country which will become an avenue to open and invest for better opportunity. Opening of jobs like call centre and other technology related career makes the onset of ICT more realistic and achievable. However, the dilemma on budgeting and allocation of funds becomes an issue of argument since several considerations must be addressed. As a reality, the government always make connections with private agencies to be able to sustain the operation of the said organization. A disadvantage on the side of Information and Communication Technology which remains unresolved. Many programs and target goals were planned and becomes a part of the roadmap of the government, yet the crisis lies on the resources. Several politicians advocates on the said program yet dispute of interest makes it more controversial. The change of terms among leaders hinders the thorough implementation of the program and to open for another modification. The Department of Education boosts its effort to fully implement the computerization projects for all schools and offices. The secretary of Education himself stressed out that ICT efforts have always been directed in aiding our stakeholders to attain accessible and comprehensive education, wherever they may be in the country.
(Luistro 2014) Thus, this opportunity opens the possibility of producing an adept and competent individual who will dominate and take part in the management of the educational facet of the organization. Intensive training and in depth teaching at the first level of the learning process must be given priority in order to produce the best personality to share and utilize the mission. ICT then is not just merely about technology itself, but on the benefits that it may offer. Several programs on the ICT were being worked upon among schools and one of it is the Enhanced Basic Education Information System (EBEIS), an online facility for encoding, storage and report generation of all school information – such as enrolment, resource inventories and special programs. Aside from these benefits, online applications will become accessible and smooth flow of the program will be observed. It becomes an advantage to the education sector especially in the dissemination of memorandums and reports to its constituent. By then, ICT becomes an aid to make the task easy to accomplish and to be able to get immediate result. Attaining quality education is yet considerable with the use of ICT since most schools makes use of technology in their teaching and learning process. However, not all had the capability to acquire the facility which is of great importance to make the operation possible. The lack of provision and resources becomes another barrier in the proliferation of ICT. Big institutions are at its peak in the operation and in the implementation of ICT in their curriculum, yet other institutions which are located in the rural areas double their effort to fully acquire the advancement that this ICT development is providing. Another disadvantages that blocks the onset of Information and Communication Technology to fully control and integrate into the educational system of the Philippines. Moreover, a collection of online teaching and learning materials are provided in the program of the ICT so that all the tasks presented are well attained and achieved. For instance, the establishment of online teaching and tutorials paved the trend on professionals and teachers to work online and earned better. This trend highlight the importance of ICT in bridging the gap of illiteracy and limiting the difficulty in addressing the campaign of “No Child will be left behind” program since ICT will open avenue to all areas to fully equipped the fortress of education and will aid instructional materials to
make the training comprehensible and easy to grasp. As brought out by the Secretary of Education: “These programs will help our learners to have more access to relevant, upto-date and quality education materials. It also provides a database to our educators where they can derive their lessons from. These materials will assist them in their lesson plans, and may also give an array of contextualized classroom discussions,” Luistro said. Therefore, education will no longer be a gap and illiteracy will no longer be a crisis since enhancement is available for convenience and purposes with the aid of ICT. Students will always find ways to be on track and be updated of what is trending and will make use of technology as a mean to alleviate their difficulty in literacy through the materials provided to them. This will add to the advantages that ICT could provide in the process of education. Contrary to the advantage of ICT in bridging the gap of illiteracy is the mastery of the skill and in learning the process of technology. Another hindrance that ICT program is opt to face, since not all learners are capable of handling and operating a certain system. Technology advancement rises rapidly however the process of manipulating the system is an issue that remains a problem. Controlling a technological device to be used in instruction needs a sufficient training especially in terms of mastery. However, that aspect remains to be an issue that needs immediate and careful response. Considering the needs of those in the rural areas where people had no ability to handle and even be connected and becomes introduced to technology is a factor that affects mastery. Therefore, in as early as education is opened, technological skills must be introduced and integrated. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can contribute to universal access to education, equity in education, the delivery of quality learning and teaching, teachers’ professional development and more efficient education management, governance and administration (San Diego 2012). The Philippine educational system fully integrates ICT in its entire school premise to be able to achieve one of the goals of education which is to compete globally and to produce a good communicator. In fact, in early stage, the department identifies several role of ICT in Philippine education which includes revitalization of schools to make them dynamic. Adopting a collaborative and innovative learning institutions where students can become more motivated, inquisitive
and creative learners. Linking up students with the vast networked world of knowledge and information which enable them to acquire a broad knowledge base and a global outlook, and provide them with the resources for the development of a creative mind. Developing the young’s’ skills and capabilities to critically and intelligently seek, absorb, analyze, manage and present information. Creating new knowledge and products, and developing among students habits of self-learning to nurture the attitude and capability for lifelong learning. With this broader scope Philippine education can be considered as ICT or technology-based system since in the futuristic view most of its products will be technology adept. Learners who will be utilizing the second language will become dominant in communication process since education with ICT is well implemented. Teaching and language methods will be fully updated. Teachers will be fully equipped with technology related methodology and strategies in teaching while learners will become a critically moulded individual ready to face all the challenges of the 21 st century.
References: www.deped.gov.ph/2014/07/24/deped-capitalizes-on-ict-programs-for-educationstakeholders Retrieved on May 12, 2015 www.linc.mit.edu Retrieved on May 12, 2015 www.unesco.org Retrieved on May 12, 2015 www.deped-ne-net Retrieved on May 13, 2015
