eSkwela

an eLearning variant of the

Community eCenter
Pilot ICT Project to Bridge the Digital Divide
for Disadvantaged Youth in Urban Areas

Maria Melizza D. Tan - Philippines

International Conference on AEF Activities 2006
08 December 2006, Cancun, Mexico

Commission on Information and Communications Technology

 Project Overview

Commission on Information and Communications Technology

 Status of Philippine Education

“The poor performance of students across the

country in national and international achievement
tests, and the consistently high dropout rates at
both elementary and secondary school levels,
underscore the deterioration of the quality of the
Philippine schools system.”
- National Framework Plan for ICTs in Basic Education, 2005

• ICTs as a powerful enabler of capacity

development towards ensuring basic education
for all and lifelong learning
 DepEd’s ICT for Education Master Plan

Secretary Jesli Lapus (ICT Congress)

• Improvement of quality and access
• Empowerment of teachers and learners towards
lifelong learning
• Efficient and effective educational planning and
governance
• Coordination and collaboration with stakeholders
 CICT
Human Capital Development Group

A nation competent in the use of ICT as a tool for

sustainable human development

An Educational
System that World Class A Culture of
Maximizes the Use Knowledge Worker Creative ICT Use
of ICT in Learning
 CICT's ICT4E: Table of Activities

Educators Applications Content Dev Infrastructure

Training Dev Deployment

Elem Limited No No No

HS Yes Yes Yes Yes

ALS Yes Yes Yes Yes

Tertiary Yes Yes Yes Yes

 An Educational Crisis
COHORT SURVIVAL TREND

100 source: Department of Education

100
80

60
66
58
40
43
20
23
14
0
Grade 1 Grade 6 HS I HS IV College I College
Graduate Graduate Graduate

• dropout rate for HS: 9% in SY 1998-1999 to

13.10% in SY 2002-2003.
 2003 Functional Literacy, Education
and Mass Media Survey
Percentage Distribution: Reasons for not attending school

employment / looking for w ork 30.5

lack of personal interest 22
high cost of education 19.9
housekeeping 11.8
illness/ disability 2.5
cannot cope w ith school w ork 2.2
school is very far 1.5
no school w ithin the area 0.4
no regular transportation 0.2 Source: 2003 FLEMMS Results
others 9.1

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
 Philippine OSY
• 5.18 million out-of-school youth (2005)
– 1.84 M aged 6 to 11 + 3.94 M aged 12 to 15
– 42% considered “idle”
• the Bureau of Alternative Learning System (BALS)
– “The Other Side of Education”
– provides non-formal and informal education
– receives less than 1% (0.068% in 2005) of the total
education budget
 Alternative Learning System

Programs • use print modules

2. Basic Literacy • small number of
3. Accreditation & mobile teachers
Equivalency – Service Providers
a. Elementary (LGUs, NGOs, etc.)
b. Secondary finance additional
Instructional
4. Advanced Level – Managers
Bridge Program • simply not
enough!!
 eSkwela
• Commissioner Emmanuel C. Lallana, Ph.D.
– Idea similar to NotSchool Schools of UK

broadening access to basic education

+
using ICTs effectively in
enhancing teaching & learning
+
21st Century Skills
 eSkwela
• to establish/re-orient Community eLearning
Centers in major centers in the country that
will broaden access to ICT-enabled learning
opportunities through a non-formal,
community-based e-learning program for
out-of-school youth (OSY) and adults
– eLearning experience + blended and collaborative modes
of instruction + performance-based assessment
– pioneering effort with DepEd-BALS
 eSkwela

• CICT-HCDG project through the AEF Grant

• Project Team:
– Commissioner Emmanuel C. Lallana, Ph.D.
– Maria Melizza D. Tan
– Nelvin T. Olalia
– Avelino Mejia
– Kathryn Pauso (Jan. – Sept. 2006)
 eSkwela – AEF Grant
• 4 pilot sites:

Quezon City

San Jose del Monte

Cebu City

Cagayan de Oro City

 eSkwela – AEF Grant
• Project Cost – $200,000 (P10,246,000)

CAPITAL OUTLAY
• Provision for procurement of Hardware
29.16%
MOOE
●
Professional Services (eLearning 48.08%
Modules)
●
Recipient preparation (inclusive of 10.29%
Seminars & Trainings)
●
Connectivity 4.35%
●
Project Mgt. and Stakeholders’ 8.12%
Coordination
 Three Tracks

Accreditation Catch-up with

and Formal
Equivalency Education

ICT-based
Livelihood
Program
 Projected Results
• at least 600 out-of-school individuals serviced (1st 4 sites)
• pilot the integration of ICTs in education towards the
development of specific curricular standards and
guidelines for national adoption – more flexible than
formal education setting
• assess the effectiveness of the elearning modules for
probable wide-scale deployment and use around the
country (even in formal educ settings) – received
numerous inquiries already!
• assess the pilot run for duplication and rollout of more
eSkwela elearning centers around the country – LGUs
and NGOs are interested!; will receive national gov’t
funding for 14 additional pilot sites!
 Project Components

Infrastructure Materials Development

eSkwela
Community
Support for
Program Stakeholders’
Sustainability Training

Monitoring &
Evaluation
 Project Components
Infrastructure
Deployment
•21 units + peripherals +
broadband connectivity
•4 pilot urban sites

eSkwela
Infrastructure Deployment

• 21 Computers
– Laboratory:
• 20 PCs loaded with open source
productivity tools, learning modules, etc
• server
• LCD projector
• 3-in-1 printer (print, scan, copy)
• 2 A/C units
• Digital camera
• Computer Tables + Monoblocs
• Free Internet connection for 1
year; wireless
• bidding: finished
• deployment: Dec/Jan
 Project Components
Infrastructure Curriculum Review &
Materials Development
Deployment
•conversion of 86 BALS print
•21 units + peripherals + modules + livelihood courses
broadband connectivity into elearning modules
•4 pilot urban sites

eSkwela
 BALS Core Curriculum
• enhancement of life skills and lifelong learning skills
among its learners (21st Century Skills)
• ALS’ A&E Program - five learning strands:
1. Communication Skills
2. Problem Solving and Critical Thinking
3. Sustainable Use of Resources/ Productivity
4. Development of Self and a Sense of Community / Value of
Collaboration
5. Expanding One’s World Vision

– eSkwela to focus on the A&E Secondary Level Program: 50 of

86 core modules
– based on Curriculum Review by BALS (2005)
 Sample Modules
Communication Skills Problem Solving & Dev’t of Self and a Sense of
Analytical Thinking Community
Are You Listening?
Reproductive Health Building Relationships with Others
A Language of Our Own
Skeletal System Dealing with Fear, Anger, and
Effective Communication
Addictive and Dangerous Drugs Frustration
Effective Writing
The Cost of Environmental
The Interview Ironing It Out
Degradation
Are you a Critical Reader? Changing Roles
Composting
How to Become an Intelligent Listener Civil and Political Rights
Buying Wisely
Panitikang Filipino
Business Math The Beautiful World of Our Native
Filling-up Forms Accurately
Basic Accounting Borthers

Expanding One’s World Vision Searching for Patterns Sustainable Use of

Resources/
The Major Religions of the World Water and its Costs Productivity
Think Globally, Act Locally Marks of a Successful Entrepreneur

How to Resolve Conflicts Water Pollution

Wanted: Clean and Fresh Air

Workers’ Rights

Ideas for Income-Generating Projects

 eSkwela Instructional Design (pilot)

eSkwela
elearning
modules (A&E)
(ver 1) Learner outputs/
eSkwela portfolios
Learning +
Management Teacher-learner
System interactions
(alpha) +
Teacher-teacher &
BALS Session learner-learner
Guides & other interactions
materials

Involvement of Learning Community

+
Livelihood Programs (http://www.e-skills.net.ph/cw/)
 Blended Learner-centered Instruction

one hour of
one hour : collaborative group
computer-aided activities and
learning via projects
interactive elearning (practical
modules application)

one hour: teacher-

facilitated
instruction/discussion
(based on the current
needs of the learners)
 eLearning Modules
• software developer: Sandiwaan Center for
Learning
– module review by BALS-TWG based on the
eLearning Courseware Rubric
• Clear standards/ expectations for the developer in
enhancing the modules vs. verbal agreements
(problematic)
• Module Review Form + Digital Courseware
Evaluation Rubric
• http://balsontheweb.wikispaces.com

• (sample to be shown later – separate file)

●
Sample Rubric Sheet: to be given out
●
Score for each item: must be at least a 3
http://balsontheweb.wikispaces.com
 Learning Management System
• For progress monitoring
• For center utilization
• For tracking of learner’s progress
• For module utilization and evaluation
• For enhancing learning + online collaborations +
learner portfolios
– Blogs, discussion forum, albums, portfolio folders,
webpage links, collaborative projects, etc.
 Project Components
Infrastructure Materials Development
Deployment •conversion of 86 BALS print
•21 units + peripherals + modules into elearning
broadband connectivity modules
•4 pilot urban sites

eSkwela
Stakeholders’
Training
•Teachers’ Training
•Lab Management
Training
•Sustainability Trng
 Project Components
• Educators’ Training
– Prof. Tim Unwin’s Seminar Workshops (Intel-
sponsored):
• ICTs and the Design of Teacher Training Programs
• Monitoring & Evaluation in ICT4E Activities
– Teacher Training Workshop on ICT4E for BALS-
TWG (7 members, 24-hour training + 56-hour
workshop;
• output: http://balsontheweb.wikispaces.com)
 Project Components
• Educators’ Training
– Teacher Training on the customized eSkwela Instructional
Design
• ICT Literacy + ICT-enabled learning + use of the eSkwela LMS
• 8 mobile teachers/instructional managers per community, 40 hrs
• http://eSkwela.wikispaces.com
– Onsite Laboratory Management (2 participants, 40hrs)
– Sustainability Planning Workshop (3 participants/school,
24hrs)
• DepEd rep (pref. ALS Head)
• School Board rep
• Local partner rep (from LGU or NGO or barangay)
http://eSkwela.wikispaces.com
 Project Components
Infrastructure Materials Development
Deployment •conversion of 86 BALS print
•21 units + peripherals + modules into elearning
broadband connectivity modules
•4 pilot urban sites

eSkwela
Community
Support for
Stakeholders’
Program
Training
Sustainability
•Local Community / GU •Teachers’ Training
Involvement •Lab Management
Training
•Sustainability Trng
 Project Components
• Community Involvement
– for Community Mobilization, Sustainability, and Project
Customization
– feeder center for Livelihood Training Programs (e.g.
PESO, CITE)
– site renovations – ongoing
– Local eSkwela Steering Committee – being finalized
– assignment of Center Manager + Lab Manager -
assigned
– teacher- & learner- selection – ongoing
• successful Stakeholders’ Mobilization
meetings!
- draft MOAs and Deeds of Donation being reviewed
 Local eSkwela Steering Committee

• to oversee, monitor, and sustain all aspects

of the Center’s operations – both as an
eLearning Center and as a Community
eCenter
• composed of representatives from the
eSkwela Project Management Office of
CICT, the local government unit, the local
DepEd-ALS Division/Unit, the local partners,
the local community, and other stakeholders
 Local eSkwela Steering Committee
• Responsibilites:
1.Supervise the preparations for the Center’s operations;
2.Formulate an acceptable use policy for the Center;
3.Assign a Center Manager, Lab Manager, and other
support staff to operate the Center;
4.Allow the personnel stated in #3 to undergo training as
deemed appropriate by CICT and/or DepEd;
5.Meet regularly to discuss and decide on concerns and
issues pertinent to the Center’s operations and
management;
 Local eSkwela Steering Committee
• Responsibilites:
1. Formulate, develop, and review policies and procedures relating to
Center utilization, data collection, financial management, and other
aspects of center operations (including but not limited to setting up
a logging system, scheduling, inventory, maintenance, security,
replenishment and use of supplies, staff deployment and
supervision, monitoring and evaluation, etc.)
2. Monitor the Center’s schedule to maximize the use of the Center,
with priority given to non-formal educational purposes;
3. Monitor the Center’s operations and ensure its sustainability;
4. Review and sign-off the reports prepared by the Center Manager
and the Lab Manager with regards to the operations of the Center;
and
5. Undertake additional tasks to benefit the Center as directed by the
eSkwela PMO.
 Project Components
Infrastructure Materials Development
Deployment •conversion of 86 BALS print
•21 units + peripherals + modules into elearning
broadband connectivity modules
•4 pilot urban sites

eSkwela
Community
Support for
Stakeholders’
Program
Training
Sustainability
•Local Community / GU •Teachers’ Training
Involvement •Lab Management
Training
Monitoring & •Sustainability Trng
Evaluation
 Monitoring and Evaluation
• in close coordination with BALS, the SCL-EDO, and the
recipient communities
• pre-implementation: focus group discussions + interviews
- done
• regular site visits and program assessment sessions
• automated monitoring system via LMS
• class checklists, student portfolios, lab logbook
• pre-test, post-test, feedback, year-end interviews, written
surveys, observations, self-assessment, and focus group
discussions
• Impact study together with BALS and UPOU (discussions
ongoing)
 Schedule Updates

Commission on Information and Communications Technology

 TIMELINE for eSkwela: GRANT

Sept. 30, 2005 CICT submitted Grant Proposal to AEF

Nov. 17, 2005 AEF announced the approval of the grant:
only one of 6 chosen from 89 submitted
proposals
Feb. 1, 2006 AEF advised CICT of change in leadership

April 4, 2006 AEF Grant Contract v. 1 for review (30-30-

40 allocation schedule)
May 11, 2006 AEF sent Grant Contract v. 2 for review
(65-25-10 allocation schedule)
June 1, 2006 AEF sent Grant Contract v. 3 based on
revised project timeline
 TIMELINE for eSkwela: GRANT

June 13, 2006 CICT signed Grant Contract, awaiting

bank details
June 20, 2006 CICT reported progress to APEC
Secretariat Philippines (DFA-OUIER)
June 27, 2006 CICT sent eSkwela Progress Report Jan-
June 2006
July 20, 2006 CICT sent soft copy of completed Contract

1st week of CICT received 65% of AEF Grant ($1:

August P51.23)
 TIMELINE for eSkwela: GRANT

August 4, 2006 eSkwela POW submitted to OSEC for

consideration and approval
August 22, 2006 AEF visited CICT
August 28, 2006 RPS approved eSkwela POW
Dec. 7-8, 2006 AEF Conference
Dec. 2006/Jan. AEF to be invited for Center inaugurations
2007
Late Feb. 2007 Submission of Interim Progress Report as
basis for next tranch of grant (25%)
Sept/Oct 2007 Final Report Due for last tranch (10%)
 TIMELINE for eSkwela: INFRA

Last week of Submitted draft Agency Procurement

August Request to DBM Procurement Service for
review
Sept. 18, 2006 Submitted all bid documents to DBM-PS
for their evaluation
Nov. 30, 2006 Bid Opening & Awarding: Nov. 30, 2006
• Deployment begins mid-December
TIMELINE for eSkwela: MATERIALS DEVT
Feb. 2006 • Discussed possible tie-up with Don Bosco
for ICT-based livelihood modules (
http://www.e-skills.net.ph/cw/)

April – May 2006 • Coordination Work with DepEd-BALS –

official formation of BALS-TWG
June 26, 2006 • MOU signed between CICT & DepEd
June 29 – July 7, • BALS-TWG Workshop recommended
2006 module enhancements (balsontheweb)
• Prioritized list of 50 core modules
• eLearning Courseware Rubrics
TIMELINE for eSkwela: MATERIALS DEVT
August 2006 • Began work on eSkwela LMS
• HCDG-BALS-SCL meeting on module
review process
Sept. 13, 2006 • MOA signed between CICT and SCL;
submitted first 20 modules for review
(alpha version)
Oct. 16-18, 2006 • Session Guides uploaded to balsontheweb

Oct. 18-20, 2006 • Module review for 1st 20 mdoules: by

BALS-TWG based on courseware
evaluation rubric by CICT-HCDG
TIMELINE for eSkwela: MATERIALS DEVT
Oct. 19, 2006 • Proposal for APC-NSTP to work on
modules for Out of School adults:
submitted and approved
Oct. 18-Dec. 2006 • SCL enhancements on 1st 20 modules
• Acceptance by CICT: version 1

Dec. 2006 - Mar. • upload APC-NSTP enhanced modules

2007 for out-of-school adults
Dec. 2006 – April • SCL’s work on the balance of 30
2007 modules (TWG to review)
 TIMELINE for eSkwela: TRAINING

January 2006 Seminar Workshops by Prof. Tim Unwin

(Intel as sponsor):
• ICTs and the Design of Teacher
Training Programs
• Monitoring & Evaluation in ICT4E
Activities
June 26-28, 2006 Teacher Training Workshop for BALS-
TWG
Oct. 4-6, 2006 Sustainability Training Workshop
 TIMELINE for eSkwela: TRAINING

Nov. 2-3, 2006 Test-run of ATutor Training with BALS-

TWG
Nov. 13-17, 2006 Teacher Training on the eSkwela
Instructional Design: QC & SJDM
Nov. 20-25, 2006 Teacher Training on the eSkwela
Instructional Design: Cebu & CDO
December/ Onsite Lab Mgt. Training
January
March 2007 Interim Progress Meeting: eSkwela
implementers (teachers + center mgr +
community reps + eSkwela PMO)
TIMELINE for eSkwela: COMMUNITY

Jan. 2006 Site Visits, Interviews, & Focus Group

Discussions with OSYs: Smokey Mountain,
SJDM, CDO
Feb. – Apr 2006 • Draft FGD paper for international
publication
• Research on ICT4E M&E performance
indicators
May – June 2006 Initial meetings with potential QC & Cebu
partners
Sept. 2006 Community Mobilization: Cebu, SJDM,
CDO, QC (partial)
TIMELINE for eSkwela: COMMUNITY

Oct 2006 • Sent out draft MOAs with local partners

(popular model: LGU-supported centers)
• Formation of local Steering Committees

Sept – Nov 2006 Submission of POW for site renovations

Nov 2006 2nd round: CDO & QC community

mobilization
March/April 2007 Begin work on eSkwela Operations Manual
 STATUS (as of Dec. 8, 2006)
Activities Target Actual Remarks
1. Community 4 sites 3 complete, To finish by mid-
Mobilization 1 needs 2nd Dec.
round
1. Educators’
Training
– BALS-TWG 7 trainees 7 trainees Completed
Trng
–Teacher Trng 32 trainees 38 trainees Completed
–Lab Mgt Trng 8 trainees Onsite – Dec/Jan
– Sustainability 12 15 Completed; included
Trng participants participants BALS-TWG reps
 STATUS (as of Dec. 8, 2006)
Activities Target Actual Remarks
1. Site Renovations 4 sites 2 ongoing 2 POWs still to be
submitted
1. Deployment of 4 sites Bidding process
PCs completed +
awarded
Deployment:
Dec/Jan
1. Connectivity 4 sites ISPs identified
1. Materials Devt 50 Version 1 for Module
acceptance: enhancements being
20 done
APC work
Photos
 Thank you.

Maria Melizza D. Tan

Head Executive Assistant, CICT-HCDG
eSkwela Project Coordinator
mdtan@ncc.gov.ph
+63- 2 - 9207412

Commission on Information and Communications Technology