Edtech with a heart

(1ST PART)

THE Society for Technology in Education Philippines (STEP) recently gathered at Ateneo de Manila University and began a contemplative journey to reinterpret the function of educational technology. This strategic planning workshop, which was presided over by Fr. Jonjee Sumpaico III, SJ, ADMU Vice President for Basic Education, underlined the country’s desire for a humancentered digital transformation in education.

I had the honor of contributing to a vision that integrates technology with school’s core values as a board member of STEP, a community of digital innovators in education. This initiative resonates with the Asean’s aspirations for a digitally empowered region and aligns with the Department of Education’s (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education’s (Ched), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s (Tesda) shared mission to elevate learning through digital means.

During the aforementioned workshop, it was decided that utilizing cutting-edge technologies to create a learning atmosphere that prioritizes empathy, creativity, and human values is just as important as just implementing them. Our task, made more difficult by the present state of the education system, is to use digital transformation to improve access, close gaps, and customize learning opportunities. This strategy is essential in our nation where there are significant differences in educational attainment and where many communities have not yet completely benefited from the promise of technology.

In-class examples of this vision in action include virtual reality excursions that bring historical events to life, AI-driven personalized learning platforms that adjust to each student’s pace and style, and interactive tools like Mentimeter, Nearpod, Kahoot, and Quizizz that make assessment a dynamic and interesting activity. These advances represent major movements away from upgrades and toward an educational system that emphasizes personalized learning and interactive teaching.

Based on the discussions during this planning session, the main focus of our approach at Step is ongoing professional development for teachers. It is essential to provide educators with the pedagogical knowledge and technical proficiency to enable them to effectively use technology into their instruction. This empowerment includes creating an atmosphere in which learners are inspired to be inquisitive, critical thinkers, and compassionate citizens who are prepared for the challenges of the twenty-first century. To be continued