Apps keep local language, culture alive
As part of its advocacy of harnessing technology for education, PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications (Smart) recently launched its pool of mobile applications that promote literacy in the mother tongue.
Dubbed as “Digital Education for All: No Learner Left Behind,” the event showcased five literacy apps developed by Smart in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), local stakeholders, colleges and universities.
These are the Bahay Kubo Tagalog app, Kaalam Cebuano app, Taallam and Tahderiyyah Arabic apps, and Matigsalug app for the Matigsalug tribe of Davao and Bukidnon.
“Smart believes mobile technology is uniquely positioned to help facilitate learning opportunities, which is why we have tailored initiatives to help address the needs of our partner learning communities,” PLDT-Smart public affairs group head Ramon Isberto said.
Aside from these five, Smart intends to launch more literacy apps in 2019. Among those in the pipeline are Sanut Ilokano for Ilokano-speaking regions, Gnare Blaan and Tagakaulo for children of Sarangani and the Singsing Kapampangan app.
Digital portable classrooms
The targeted primary beneficiaries of the literacy apps are students, teachers and parents of learning communities under Smart’s School-ina-Bag, a portable digital classroom designed to facilitate learning in basic education. The applications are delivered through the said digital portable classrooms that contain a teacher’s laptop, student tablets, a projector, DVD player and pocket Wifi.
No learner left behind
“Our mission is to develop mother tongue-based apps as interactive tools that can help support learning strategies as well as help preserve and promote local culture and heritage for the present and future generation,” Isberto said.
Smart emphasized how strong partnerships with community stakeholders are essential in developing Learn Smart programs.
“From partnerships with government and non-government offices, local government units, companies, academe, advocacy groups and media, we all need to work together to help build a nation where no learner is left behind,” Smart Community Partnerships head Darwin Flores said.
The mother tongue-based apps are available for download on Google Pay. Interested parties who wish to learn more about Smart’s educational programs can visit the Smart Communities Facebook page or email