Project team revisits Marinduque recipient schools

Leyma Cero and Elizabeth Polinga interview the laboratory manager of Bangbang National High School in Gasan, Marinduque on June 9, 2008. The team also visited Mogpog National Comprehensive High School in Mogpog, Marinduque.

Project staff conducts preliminary assessment

Danielito Escano, project staff of CvSU, conducts preliminary assessment at the Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo National High School Annex in Cavite. The team evaluates public high schools in Cavite and Marinduque that are being considered to become a beneficiary of the 2007 iSchools Project.

SUC presidents, ICT coordinators attend project briefing

Dr.Camilo Polinga, project manager of iSchools-CvSU, together with presidents and ICT coordinators of different state colleges and universities in the country meet at the Development Academy of the Philippines Convention Center in Tagaytay City on May 26-28, 2008 for the project briefing on iSchools 2007.

The activities include project orientation, meetings and workshops in the implementation of the project for the new batch of beneficiary public high schools.

Computers for e-Learning

Having computers in public high schools is not enough.

Teachers and students from the recipient high schools of the iSchools Project are also undergoing various trainings on information and communications technology.

The first training is on Sustainability Planning. School principals, ICT coordinators, parents and teachers produce a business plan for the continuous operation of the computer laboratory even after the end of the Project.

Next is the Computer and Internet Literacy Course. Teachers learn to use productivity tools and surf the Net in preparing their lessons and other reports.

Then there is the Laboratory Management Training. It is designed for teachers and school staff who are designated managers and assistants of the computer laboratories.

In the Library Management Training, school librarians use the Anilag software in cataloguing books and providing related services to their users.

Last is the Web Development Training. Teachers and students develop websites to promote their schools.

With these activities, the iSchools Project hopes to realize its goal of bridging the digital divide in public high schools.

This is a "feature story written for the ear" - a workshop output in the Advanced Online Writing Techniques Training-Workshop on May 19-23, 2008 at Aklan State University, Banga, Aklan.

iSchools writers from 14 state colleges and universities train on developing online multimedia packages for the project on May 19-23, 2008 at Aklan State University, Banga, Aklan. Yvonne Chua and Luz Rimban from UP Diliman are the trainors.

English teachers, students develop webpages

English teachers and high school students from the 14 PHSs assisted by Cavite State University and 3 pilot PHSs develop their school's webpages using Joomla. This is their output for the iSchools Training on Web Development on May 12-16, 2008 at the University Computer Center, Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite.

The participants are:
1. Bangbang NHS, Marinduque - Rosalie Soberano and Alex Seno
2. Mogpog NHS, Marinduque - Gemma Jandusay and Kelvin Lagrana
3. Calauag NHS, Quezon - Cherry Margaret San Pedro and Bernard Bathan
4. Recto Memorial NHS, Quezon - Lea Malaluan and Alyssa Cypress
5. Pitogo Community HS, Quezon - Crisconnie De Vera and Angelo Garcia
6. Angono NHS, Rizal - Daphine Lamograr and Arjohn Silvestre
7. San Jose NHS, Rizal - Ma. Rowena Iglesia and Abegail Villacruz
8. Vicente Madrigal NHS, Rizal - Jonel Atarejos and Marlon Quijano
9. Bulihan NHS, Cavite - Rosita Isorena and Joshua Aninacion
10. Eastern Bacoor NHS, Cavite - Ma. Victoria Bagaporo and Mariedel Bagaporo
11. Emiliano T. Tirona NHS, Cavite - Marciano Agbayani and Ma. Clarissa Mellona
12. Indang NHS, Cavite - Esterlita Dolatre and Cindy Ramos
13. Trece Martires City NHS, Cavite - Patrick Coquilla and Paolo Gene Raposon
14. CvSU Science High School, Cavite - Arnie Manlapas and Alyssa Louise Pejana
15. Cavite City NHS, Cavite - Eunice Oba and Maria Agnes Vealarosa Frias
16. Dasmarinas NHS, Cavite - Belinda Porto and Joshua Sarno
17. Naic Coastal NHS, Cavite - Gladys Encarnacion and John Daryl Abad

Teacher and student work together in developing their school's webpage.

Arnulfo Caraig, Poinsettia Vida and Simeon Daez, all instructors of CvSU, are the trainor and training assistants, respectively.

The five-day training is the last of the roll-outs for the iSchools project this year.

Librarians train on lib management

Twenty librarians from the recipient public high schools of the iSchools Project train on Library Management on May 5-9, 2008 at the University Computer Center of the Cavite State University in Indang, Cavite. Nymphas Javier (CvSU) and Doris Benzon (Laguna University) serve as trainors while Jo Anne Nuestro (CvSU) is the laboratory assistant.

The participants are:
1. Dulce Semilla - Bangbang NHS, Marinduque
2. Eleanor Malimata - Mogpog NHS, Marinduque
3. Imelda Decena - Calauag NHS, Quezon
4. Levielyn Martinez - Pitogo Community HS, Quezon
5. Chona Reyes - Angono NHS, Rizal
6. Riza Loste - San Jose NHS, Rizal
7. Mariquit Estrabo - Vicente Madrigal NHS, Rizal
8. Reacel Varnal - Bulihan NHS, Cavite
9. Jocelyn Edoria - Eastern Bacoor NHS, Cavite
10. Celia Tolentino - Indang NHS, Cavite
11. Gloria dela Cruz - Trece Martires City NHS, Cavite
12. Arnie Manlapas - CvSU Science High School, Cavite
13. Maribel Videna - Dasmarinas NHS, Cavite
14. Evee Adra - Naic Coastal NHS, Cavite
15. Anacoreta Racasa - Balian NHS, Laguna
16. Maricar Baran - Don manuel Rivera NHS, Laguna
17. Glaiza Talucod - Laguna University
18. Juanita Caricot - Plaridel NHS, Laguna
19. Erlinda Lantican - San Francisco NHS, Laguna
20. Helen Jimena - Philippine School for the Arts, Laguna

Nymphas Javier (CvSU) discusses library services.

The PC system installed in the laboratories of the recipient PHSs is bundled with Anilag which is a library management software.

Lab management training starts today

The iSchools Laboratory Management Training starts today and will run until May 2, 2008 with Cavite State University as host. Fifty participants consisting of a laboratory manager and assistant from each of the public high schools (PHSs) being assisted by CvSU and Laguna University (LU) train on the operation and maintenance of the iSchools laboratories.

CvSU-assisted PHSs:
• Recto Memorial National High School, Quezon
• Calauag National High School, Quezon
• Pitogo Community High School, Quezon
• Angono National High School, Rizal
• San Jose National High School, Rizal
• Vicente Madrigal National High School, Rizal
• Bulihan National High School, Cavite
• CvSU Science High School, Cavite
• Emiliano T. Tirona Memorial High School, Cavite
• Eastern Bacoor National High School, Cavite
• Indang National High School, Cavite
• Trece Martires City National High School, Cavite
• Bangbang National High School, Marinduque
• Mogpog National High School, Marinduque

LU-assisted PHSs:
• Balian National High School, Laguna
• Don Manuel Memorial National High School, laguna
• Laguna University, Laguna
• Lumot National High School, Laguna
• Plaridel National High School, Laguna
• San Francisco National High School, Laguna
• Siniloan National High School, Laguna

Pilot PHSs:
• Dasmariñas National High School, Cavite
• Cavite City National High School, Cavite
• Naic Coastal National High School, Cavite

Mr. Steve Poniente from CvSU and Mr. Adrian Miras from LU serve as trainors during the five-day training while the following CvSU instructors are the laboratory assistants: Marivic Dizon, Florence Banasihan, Poinsettia Vida, and Emiline Guevarra.

Dr. Hernando D. Robles, vice president for administrative and support services of CvSU and assistant project manager of iSchools-CvSU, welcomed the group during the opening program. Engrs. Efren Rocillo and Cesar Carriaga, teachers training coordinators of the project, discussed the overview and house rules of the training, respectively.

Hands-on session













Job well done?













End of training

CvSU mentors undergo CILC

Nine teachers from Cavite State University Science High School compose the third batch of trainees on Computer and Internet Literacy Course (CILC). They are:
• Ermelinda Dimero
• Epifanio Feraer
• Purificacion Ilagan
• Arnie Manlapas
• Estrellita Morena
• Zenaida Parnala
• Teresita Peña
• Dulce Ramos
• Alfredo Venzon

The five-day training, which started on April 21, 2008 at the University Computer Center of CvSU in Indang, Cavite, is facilitated by the following CILC trainors:
• Amy Buenaventura
• Charlotte Carandang
• Michelle Llamado
• Floricelle Manimtim
• Lydia Nosa
• Gladys Perey
• Lea Rosarda

Teachers of the CvSU Science High School become acquainted with the Open Office productivity tools.

The teachers are trained on basic IT literacy using open source software like Edubuntu and Open Office productivity tools so that they will be able to effectively use the technology in their classes.

A Poem Tells It All

Computerized na nga ang ating dekada
Kaya lahat tayo dapat matuto na
Pasalamat tayo trainors nag-abala
Ibahagi sa tin kaalaman nila.

Isang grupo sila mula sa Cavite
Matiyagang nagturo sa gurong estudyante
Kahit na minsan din ay natuturete
Sa nalikhang ingay ng gurong nangamote.

Lovable na lahat smiling face na lagi
Itong mga trainors lagi sa 'ming tabi
Di ka iiwanan kahit na sa ere
Tanging adhikain matuto ang estudyante.

Techniques sa computer iniisa-isa
Sinimulan sa bahagi na di na bago sa iba
Matiyagang itinuro computer na piyesa
Sa CPU, monitor, keyboard, at mouse pa.

CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY napakapalad mo
May Liezl Montaron, Lydia Nosa ka at Danielito Escano
San man sukatin kakayahan na mga ito
Kakasiguro ang lahat sa itaas pa ng trono.

Tinatapat nila agad, mga estudyante
Sa kanilang batas, naman na depende
Sa tamang oras, laro'y hindi pwede
Pati palaabsent, tiyak masisisante.

REMEMBER US ang habilin, sa inyong paglisan
Sana'y maalala mga kakulitan
Ang mga nakitang hindi kagandahan
Iguhit manapa sa dalampasigan.

Ang ingay ng guro ninyong nasaksihan
Patunay na kami ay nasisiyahan
Sa mga bagong karanasa't kaalaman
Excited lang kaming iyo'y matutuhan.

Isaisahin man, buhangin sa dagat
Mga uri daw namin ay walang katulad
Sa mga trabaho mahirap mapuknat
Kapag nasiyahan oras sinasagad.

Nakakatuwa na, mga natutuhan
Yan po ay kayo ang tanging dahilan
Bagamat kami ay may kakulitan
Kami po ay inyo ng pagpapasensiyahan.

Oras na lumipas sa pinagsamahan
Sa bawat minuto ay may nakakamtan
Sa tuwing pipindutin computer sa harapan
Katumbas noo'y karagdagang kaalaman.

Rumihistro lahat, na tila powerpoint
Sa hungkag na diwa, kaalamang karampot
Sa tuwing magbubukas, monitor sa white board
Sa computer naming isip isa-isang narerecord.

Salita daw na paalam, sa hindi na magbabalik
Nguni't sa aming dibdib, pag-asa ang nakatitik
Harinawa sa paglisan, kalakip ang isang salik
Alaala ng samahang walang hanggan walang batik.

This poem was written by Ms. Charita Sadiwa, an English teacher of Bangbang National High School, Gasan, Marinduque, as a tribute to their CILC trainors.

Never Too Late

There's a saying that you cannot teach old dogs new tricks. To convince himself, my seatmate during the Online Writing Techniques Training in Palawan had to run a poll in his blog with the question, "Should teachers 40 years and above be qualified in the iSchools Project?"

I was reminded of these things when my colleagues narrated to me their experiences during the first roll-out of the Computer and Internet Literacy Course in Marinduque.

First day of training. There were supposed to be 20 trainees and all trainees turned out to be first time users of Edubuntu and Open Office productivity tools. Their ages ranged from 40 to 50 and six of them, more or less, were first time users of the computer.

Familiarization with the parts of the computer. For the first timers, it was exhilarating to be acquainted with the letters on the keyboard and to feel, move, drag, click, double-click and scroll the mouse. The arthritic hands felt the pressure but the eagerness to learn overcame the discomfort.

It was already break time but the trainees just went on to explore the computer and master whatever they had just learned from the session. They were simply amazed by the ease of using the computer and how they were able to do what was required of them.

From the second day up to the fifth day, the trainees came to the laboratory ahead of the schedule and stayed longer after each session to spend more time to practice what they have learned and explore other applications. They started to appreciate the usefulness of the productivity tools in preparing their lesson plans, reports and grading sheets. No sweat!

Closing program. The principal expressed her joy and gratitude that after being given sets of PCs, printer and air-conditioning units, they were also trained to use the computers and got fed while undergoing the training. She was so impressed with the outcome that she thought of conducting the training to the rest of the faculty, staff and students in their school.

Now, who says it's too late?

Second batch of CILC starts April 14

The second batch of Computer and Internet Literacy Course starts April 14-18, 2008 in the six public high schools (PHSs) assigned to Cavite State University.

The training of teachers in Pitogo Community National High School, Quezon and Calauag National High School, Quezon will be managed by Benguet State University while PHSs in Rizal, namely: San Jose National High School, Angono National High School and Vicente Madrigal National High School, will be handled by Batangas State University.

CvSU officials attend iSchools Congress

CvSU iSchools project managers, Drs. Camilo A. Polinga and Hernando D. Robles, join other university presidents and educators in the country in the iSchools Congress on April 9-11, 2008 at Mimosa, Clark Fields, Angeles City.

The Congress, sponsored by the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), aims to encourage local leaders and implementers to adopt appropriate approaches toward the effective use of ICT in teaching and learning. It will discuss ICT integration in basic education, as well as showcase existing, mature, and available educational resources.

The meeting is also expected to serve as a venue for CICT and other education leaders to consider and discuss possibilities for future collaboration and cooperation in the area of ICT and basic education.

Mentors train on computer, internet

Around 140 teachers and staff from seven public high schools (PHSs) assigned to Cavite State University start on March 31, 2008 their five-day training on computer and internet literacy. CvSU sent seven teams to serve as training management staff to the following schools:

• Emiliano T. Tirona Memorial National High School, Kawit, Cavite
Trainor: Michelle Llamado
Assistants: Aiza Bihis and Marlon Pereña

• Eastern Bacoor National High School, Bacoor, Cavite
Trainor: Charlotte Carandang
Assistant: Sheryl Dinglasan

• Trece Martires City National High School, Trece Martires City, Cavite
Trainor: Amy Buenaventura
Assistants: Aileen Ardina and Emeline Guevarra

• Bulihan National High School, Silang, Cavite
Trainor: Lea Rosarda
Assistants: Marlon Cruzate and Simeon Daez

• Indang National High School, Silang, Cavite
Trainor: Floricelle Manimtim
Assistants: Ma. Lourdes Viado, Cesar Carriaga and Jefferlyn Alegre

• Mogpog Comprehensive National High School, Mogpog, Marinduque
Trainor: Gladys Perey
Assistants: Danielito Escaño and Poinsettia Vida

• Bangbang National High School, Gasan, Marinduque
Trainor: Lydia Nosa
Assistant: Liezl Montaron

CILC at Trece Martires City, Cavite

The activity aims to train the teachers on basic IT literacy using open source software so that they will be able to effectively use the technology in their classes.

The second batch of this training will be held on April 14-18, 2008.

After deployment, what's next?

After the delivery of equipment and installation of laboratories in all public high schools assigned to Cavite State University, Project Manager Camilo A. Polinga announces the following training schedules:

• Computer and Internet Literacy Course - a five-day training that will be conducted on site starting March 31, 2008
Participants: school principal, librarian, English teacher, third year student, laboratory managers who passed the Laboratory Management Assessment Exam, and teachers who have basic computer skills

• Laboratory Management Training
Date: April 28 – May 2, 2008
Venue: CEIT, Cavite State University, Indang , Cavite
Participants : laboratory managers and laboratory assistants who passed the Laboratory Management Assessment Exam

• Library Management Training
Date: May 5 – 9, 2008
Venue: Cavite State University
Participants: school librarians

• Web Development
Date: May 5 – 9, 2008
Venue: Cavite State University
Participants: selected English teachers and third year students

• Project Close-out
Date: May 26 – 27, 2008
Venue: Development Academy of the Philippines and Convention Center, Tagaytay City
Participants: school principals and laboratory managers

Lab management assessment exam given

The project staff of iSchools-CvSU facilitated the Laboratory Management Assessment examination on the following schedules:

February 8, 2008 - DepEd Division Office, Quezon

February 13, 2008 - San Jose National High School, Antipolo, Rizal

February 16, 2008 - Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite

February 23, 2008 - respective recipient public high schools (PHSs) in Marinduque

The examination was given to ICT coordinators and other staff of recipient PHSs to determine the participants to the Laboratory Management Training that will be conducted by Cavite State University in April 2008.

Deployment of PCs completed

A total of 294 computer units, 14 LCD projectors, 14 printers and 14 servers were delivered to the 14 public high school (PHS) beneficiaries of the CICT-CvSU iSchools Project.

The deployment of computer units for the CvSU-assigned PHSs took place on February 6-23, 2008. CvSU composed three different teams and scheduled five dates for the delivery and installation of equipment.

February 6, 2008
• Emiliano T. Tirona Memorial National High School, Kawit, Cavite
• CvSU Laboratory School, Indang, Cavite

February 7, 2008
• Bulihan National High School, Silang, Cavite
• Trece Martires City National High School, Trece Martires City, Cavite

February 13, 2008
• Angono National High School, Angono, Rizal
• Vicente Madrigal National High School, Binangonan, Rizal
• San Jose National High School, Antipolo, Rizal
• Eastern Bacoor National High School, Bacoor, Cavite
• Indang National High School, Indang, Cavite

February 18, 2008
• Recto Memorial National High School, Tiaong, Quezon
• Pitogo Community National High School, Pitogo, Quezon
• Calauag National High School, Calauag, Quezon

February 23, 2008
• Bangbang National High School, Gasan, Marinduque
• Mogpog Comprehensive National High School, Mogpog, Marinduque

PCs are deployed at Mogpog National Comprehensive High School, Marinduque.

The computer laboratory is installed at Binangonan National High School, Rizal.

It took at least four hours for the set-up and testing of the hardwares and softwares in each PHS. Minor problems encountered were the absence of recovery CD for Edubuntu, lack of extension cord, missing power cord, and one monitor and CPU not functioning well. ASI service partners deployed in Quezon were not familiar with open source operating system. Overall, the activity happened smoothly and successfully.

More photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24657923@N06/

Before deployment

As indicated in the roles and responsibilities of recipient public high schools (PHS) in the iSchools Project, the PHSs shall:
• provide the required computer laboratory room complete with electrical connection, convenience outlets for the computer and aircon units, and lighting fixtures;
• provide the needed computer tables and chairs; and
• ensure security to the facility.

All recipient schools did their share as they await the deployment of equipment for iSchools which include: a local area network (LAN) of 20 workstations and one server, bundled with Open Source operating system; two airconditioning units, one multimedia projector, one printer, and a wireless internet connection.

Trainers' Training

One of the iSchools project objectives is to provide educators' training that includes:
• Computer and Internet Literacy Course (CILC) - to train the teachers on basic IT literacy so that they will be able to effectively use the technology in their classes and record updates;
• Laboratory Management Training - to train the designated laboratory technician on networking concepts and proper maintenance procedures;
• Library Management Information System - to train the designated high school librarian;
• Web Development - to enable the schools to create local educational content using mature open source applications; and
• Sustainability Planning and Management - to further gain stakeholders’ commitment and train them on how to sustain the project after its closure.

In connection with this, Cavite State University sent its faculty members to the following training programs organized by the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT):
• Basic Training Management on September 17-21, 2007 in Central Luzon University, Munoz, Nueva Ecija;
• Web Design and Development on October 8-12, 2007 in Batangas State University; and
• Library Management on October 15-19, 2007 in CICT, Diliman Quezon City.

CvSU has 8 trainers for CILC, 2 for Basic Training Management, 2 for Web Design and Development, and 2 for Library Management.