Writing for a Purpose for the iSchools Project

The state universities and colleges (SUC) writers of the iSchools Project convened on March 15-17, 2010 at the University Hotel, UP Diliman, Quezon City for the iSchools Content Planning Workshop and Commitment Setting. The activity aimed to prepare the writers for the activities of the Content Development component of the Project, strategize how knowledge management (KM) and development communication concepts and principles can be applied/adopted, set commitment to meet the objectives of the Project, and draft action/communications plan of the SUC partners.

Starting right. CP Calma, project staff of iSchools, facilitated the “Getting-to-Know-You Portion” where the participants got to introduce themselves in a different way and know the other writers since many were new to the Project. Levelling of expectations about the meeting, the co-participants and the Project Management Office (PMO) of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) followed.

CP Calma oriented the group on CICT while Ms. Toni Torres, Project Manager of iSchools, discussed what the Project is all about and where do the writers fit in as a journalist/field correspondent, technical writer, documenter and press relation (PR) person.


Ms. Bambi Torrecampo explained the online examination that she designed and gave to old and aspiring writers and she highlighted how the group fared in terms of the questions given. With these issues clarified, next was more serious work.

Inputs. Mr. Joseph Torrecampo presented the basic concepts, framework, tools and techniques of KM. He emphasized that the “purpose of KM is for the writers to value their practice and outputs not just as tasks to be done, and deadlines to be met, but as writing for a higher purpose”.

Mr. Jose Torres Jr., a multi-awarded writer, discussed Media Relations and how it can be done the easy way to influence public opinion. He also explained how the SUC writers can access this function. Most of all, he emphasized the media situation in the real world and the advantages and disadvantages of practicing media ethics.

Outputs. Mr. Torrecampo introduced the Free Mind software which can be used as a tool in coming up with strategies and activities to realize a goal. The group was divided into clusters, namely: Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao for the brainstorming sessions and drafting of the cluster communication plan which incorporates KM and media relations. Each of the resource speakers gave their comments and suggestions on the plans presented by the cluster representatives and clarified issues raised during the open forum. The SUC writers also submitted their individual activity plan based on the cluster communication plan.

What’s next? CP Calma presented the next major activities of the writers, namely: Basic Online Writing Techniques Workshop, Advanced Online Writing Techniques cum Production Workshop, Terminal Report Writing Workshop and Camp Blogs. With the new scheme of incentives to be given to SUC writers as discussed by Ms. Toni Torres, the PMO hopes to meet the objectives of the iSchools Project because the writers are committed to write for a higher purpose, writing with the “aim of being contributory to the nation’s development”.

iSchools 2009 Project Briefing on Cam

Participants watch the CICT video


Toni Torres (CICT) orients the participants on iSchools, Steve Poniente discusses the features of edUbuntu


Meeting of Cavite and Batangas clusters


Meeting of Sorsogon and Quezon clusters


Romblon and Laguna representatives present their cluster meeting outputs


CICT staff meet with SUC and DepEd partners

Recipients raise concerns about project implementation

Principals of 80 recipient public high schools (PHS) as well as ICT coordinators of the Department of Education (DepEd) shared their concerns during the iSchools 2009F Regional Project Briefing of the Southern Luzon Cluster on February 22-23, 2010 at the Development Academy of the Philippines, Tagaytay City. The activity, which was attended by 111 participants from the Southern Tagalog and Bicol Regions, aimed to orient the new recipients of the project and to promote awareness of their responsibilities before, during, and after project implementation.

Opening Program

Dr. Divinia C. Chavez, President of Cavite State University (CvSU), welcomed the participants and commended the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) for the impact of the iSchools Project. She also acknowledged the efforts of the CvSU project management team in hosting the event for CICT. Ms. Antonette T. Torres, Project Manager of the CICT, presented the overall schedule for the briefing. She also thanked the participants particularly those who traveled far and acknowledged their commitment to the project.

Briefing Proper

Ms. Alexcenah S. Sta Ines, CICT project staff, presented a video titled, "Have You Been Paying Attention", which highlighted the emerging trends in information and communications technology among students. This was followed by a briefing through video about CICT and its programs. Ms. Toni Torres discussed the iSchools Project and what are to be expected during the implementation. She also shared learning experiences from the implementation of the previous batches. Ms. Matilde C. Origenes, CICT project staff , presented the draft Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and highlighted the responsibilities of all the project stakeholders. Mr. Steve Poniente, CvSU instructor, gave an introduction on Open Source software in general and edUbuntu in particular. EdUbuntu is the operating system bundled with the hardware being deployed by CICT to the recipient schools.

Issues and Concerns

"When will the equipment be deployed?", asked many of the participants who are too eager to start the project implementation. A cluster meeting was conducted after the presentations. Representatives from each group being assisted by the different partner State Universities and Colleges (SUC) aired their concerns and some issues for clarification as follows: schedule of implementation, tenure of PTA officers, possible change in leadership due to the coming elections, support to capability enhancement activities, plans in case of natural disasters/calamities, connectivity of remote areas, and additional funds for sustainability of the laboratory. Ms. Alex Sta. Ines and some of the project managers from SUC partners clarified the issues raised by the recipients.

SUC Partners

iSchools 2009F for the Southern Luzon Cluster is made possible through the partnership with six SUCs in Southern Tagalog and five SUCs in the Bicol Region. These are: Cavite State University, Batangas State University, Southern Luzon State University, Laguna University, Romblon State University, Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology, Bicol University, Camarines Norte State College, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, Partido State University, and Sorsogon State College.

With this orientation and lessons learned from the previous batches, it is hoped that the project implementation will run smoothly even after project completion.

iSchools 2009 Project Briefing

The iSchools 2009 Project Briefing for the Southern Luzon and Bicol Regions will be held on February 22-23, 2010 at the Development Academy of the Philippines Convention Center, Tagaytay City. This was announced by Dr. Camilo Polinga, iSchools-CvSU Project Manager and host of the activity.

To ensure smooth project implementation, the briefing will convene principals from 80 beneficiary public high schools (PHSs), ICT coordinators from 22 divisions of the Department of Education (DepEd) and 10 state universities and colleges (SUCs), and the project management staff.

Ms. Toni Tirona, iSchools Project Manager of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), will lead the project staff in facilitating the briefing.

iSchools 2007 CILC schedules announced

The Computer and Internet Literacy Course (CILC) will be given to the teachers of recipient public high schools using the building-block approach. The training will be conducted on a 3-2-day scheme instead of the usual 5 straight days training.

Dr. Camilo A. Polinga, project manager, released the following schedule:

August 28-30 and Sept 18-19
1. San Juan NHS, Cainta, Rizal
2. Pintong Bukawe NHS, San Mateo, Rizal

Sept 4-6 and Sept 25-26
1. Emilio Aguinaldo NHS – Pasong Buaya Annex, Imus, Cavite
2. Bagbag NHS, Rosario, Cavite
3. Cabuyao NHS, Cabuyao, Laguna

Sept 11-13 and Oct 2-3
1. Pedro Mendiola Sr. Memorial NHS, San Jose, Occ. Mindoro
2. San Jose NHS, San Jose, Occ. Mindoro

The following International Computer Driving License (ICDL) passers of Cavite State University will serve as the CILC trainors:
1. Gladys G. Perey
2. Floricel Manimtim
3. Amy B. Buenaventura
4. Michelle L. Manalo
5. Lea R. Caraig
6. Lydia P. Nosa
7. Charlotte B. Carandang
8. Vanessa G. Agustin

Dr. Polinga designated the following members of the training management group:
1. Dr. Elizabeth E. Polinga
2. Dr. Camilo A. Polinga
3. Engr. Efren R. Rocillo
4. Engr. Danielito R. Escano
5. Ms. Emeline E. Guevarra
6. Ms. Aileen A. Ardina
7. Mr. Dindo Marges
8. Mr. Arnel Alegre