Envision the Future through SBM

In the arena of uncertainty in today’s world, teachers are required to take a step higher especially in terms of utilizing technology in teaching and learning. However, let us face the fact that not everyone is capable of embracing the new paradigm. Some teachers are having difficult time in coping up, especially now where most of the tasks are done through the use of gadgets.

Looking back on the good old days of teaching and learning, I could not help but ponder about how the world suddenly changed. Gone are the days when the chalkboard was used by teachers. Well, it is still seldom used in classes, but to a minimum extent because of the emergence of Smart boards and LED screens. Gone are the days when children enjoyed reading in libraries to find answers to their assignments.

People and times have metamorphosed. One could not simply say that these changes are bad for our nation. It is still based on how you look at things. You may look at the dark side, or you may bite the bright side instead. Technology might have pitfalls and fallbacks, but the good things is that there are more benefits than bad news.

First, technology became the alternative in terms of communication especially during this time of pandemic. Today, DepEd memoranda and orders are cascaded through Facebook pages or group chats. Teachers get to communicate with the learners and the parents of these learners through video or voice calls. Teachers continuously get trained to hone their skills via Zoom or Google Meet teleconferences. Instructional materials are developed through different apps like Adobe Premiere, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe In-design, Prezi, Microsoft, and a lot more. Despite the pandemic, teachers could still have focus group discussions via online. Having technology is so convenient that we could search for the latest news and hottest information with just a snap of a finger.

Although many people like to rely on traditional methods of teaching, the possibilities that open when technology is brought into the classroom are endless. For one, access to education has been significantly broadened as a result, including a wide range of learning styles and degree options. Even if you are not a student or an education professional, it is crucial to note the importance of technology in education.

To really utilize these tools, teachers should ask themselves why students want technology in the classroom, not just why they need it. It can definitely help education professionals in the monitoring of individual development and innovative lesson planning. But the students who learn through technology can create a set of skills that will help them throughout their own future careers.

The author is Teacher Pampanga.

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II at Lara Integrated School, Division of City of San Fernando,

ONGOING projects and plans to support learners and teachers in basic education will continue amid recent developments on the public health crisis, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).

The DepEd said that it will continue to implement appropriate policies and actions for the safety and welfare of its stakeholders.

To reinforce these plans, the Department has been conducting virtual visits and press conferences in different regions to engage and consult its students, educators, and local stakeholders.

So far, the DepEd has finished virtual briefings in Region I (Ilocos Region), II (Cagayan Valley), III (Central Luzon), VII (Central Visayas), and XII (SOCCSKSARGEN), and IX (Zamboanga Peninsula).

In addition, the education chief cited that regardless of the situation, DepEd is prioritizing support for learners in remote areas to ensure their access to virtual learning and to prepare them for the eventual shift to digital education.

Meanwhile, the agency underscored academic ease measures to further assist learners to adjust to the distance learning setup.

The Department is also looking to beef up its blended learning initiatives with the help of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and other ICT companies.

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The author is Teacher II at Sta. Maria Elementary School.

The thrust of leadership and management brings forth the foundation in education. A systematic perspective to the development of the imperative skills for assuming leadership and management roles can be utilized to lead the teaching and non-teaching staff or group of personnel. Furthermore, management includes the establishment of an atmosphere in which people can work effectively by using educational resources to reach desired goals. It necessitates the implementation of four basic functions, such as planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. These functions take part in a role in the operation of the school.

Leadership gives importance to the overall alignment of the vision, mission, and goals of the institutions. Leadership skills are considered highly influential, both external and internal. Leaders are defined as visionaries in the way that people work. They look at the future to conduct a constant gap analysis of the future.

For the past years, the Department of Education presented a strategy to enhance the quality of education in public schools. School-based Management System (SBM) is conducted annually to evaluate the SBM Level of all public schools in the country. SBM aims to relinquish vital decision-making authority from the national to division offices to individual public schools. Public schools are given significant control over the education process, which includes the decision on budget, personnel, and the curriculum through the great involvement of the teachers, parents, learners, and the community.

School-based Management (SBM) is an efficacious way of improving participatory decision-making, budgetary transparency, and community participation. Effective implementation of SBM requires immense assistance from the community and great time management to envision the future improvement of the schools.

SBM is created to improve the educational and management planning in all public schools as DepEd serves as the primary support system in providing quality and accessible education to all.

The author

is Master Teacher

I** ** at Sapang Bato Elementary School