The BA Library Online: Goals and Directions for AY 2020-2021

The Beacon Academy Library Online

Academic Year 2020-2021

As the Academy move into online learning this academic year, the BA Library continues its commitment to provide access to relevant learning resources, conduct virtual readers’ services and implement programs that support inquiry and research. There are four ways in which the library personnel actualize these goals.

Learners and members of the BA Community can:

·      Connect @theBALib - access the Library OPAC, peruse the BA Library Gsite that has directories of online resources carefully curated by its staff and, schedule consultations and inquiry sessions with the Teacher Librarian;

·      Bridge information gaps @theBALib- access IB recommended databases and online subscriptions namely EBSCOHost, The Day and World Book Online. Usernames and passwords are shared and given to students, faculty and staff, parents and alumni;

·      Collaborate @theBALibrary – share and contribute to the Learning Playlist, avail of the virtual reference and advisory services on Academic Honesty, Creative Commons and strengthen professional partnerships with local and global learners;

·      Feed your curiosity @theBALibrary – spend some time at the The Pioneer, a virtual space where Grififns can jam and jazz up ideas, inquiries and questions and nurture one’s sense of wonder!

Get in touch @theBALibrary through these email addresses - teacherlibrarian@beaconacademy.ph / library@beaconacademy.ph

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balibonline_2021

The Lighthouse Diary Entry #22: Getting Ready for Academic Year 2020

It seemed like ages ago since my last post on the work I do in the Beacon Academy along with some reflections and insights gathered from professional practice. A lot has happened. I don't really know where to begin. For one, when school ended in June 3, 2020 with an amazing and grace filled graduation rites, summer passed by like a blur. We were planning on Learner Playlists a few days after graduation and just yesterday, we have set directions as to how we will begin with this learning commons.

Work from home is exhausting. But I am grateful to have friends and companions in this new adventure. I just learned how to synchronise my Google Calendar with Calendly. Posted the link to my email for easy access to bookings and consultation schedules. Embedded the html code of the calendar in the library Google Site I made last week. And I thank my colleagues and friends of this new found knowledge of this productivity tool. While the world grapples with a new reality, we, teachers and educators carry on. Our expectations on how learning looks like have changed but our level of competence and resilience did not. I smile as I write this entry realising how tenacious the human spirit can be in the face of unprecedented change.

So, I end this short post with a video that our Student Council asked each one of the faculty to record. This is for the yearly Foundation Days at the Academy. Where do I get this positive feeling at a time of chaos and uncertainty? I take it as a grace give and received.

BA Library Online Quick Guide

Curating Content on GSuite Education

Curating Content on #FilipinianaOnline for BA Filipino Teachers

Author Interview: Boon Lauw, Salanga Prize Winner 2020 (2 of 2)

Narito ang part 2 ng panayam kay Boon Lauw. Si Boon ay ginawaran ng 2020 Salanga Prize para sa kanyang kuwento, Team Abangers at Ang Estilong Turumpo. Basahin ang part 1 ng kanyang interview sa link na ito. Panoorin ang kanyang panayam sa Lock N Roll: PBBY Edition kasama si Jun Matias at si Tori Tadiar, ang nagwagi ng 2020 Alcala Prize. 

3)    Ano ang aklat pambata na sana ay ikaw ang nakapagsulat?

·      Sa totoo lang, hindi ko sigurado ang isasagot dito. Kasi, ewan, wala akong pinanghihinayangang kuwento na nagustuhan ko. May kani-kaniyang boses at pamamaraan ang mga manunulat—‘yon ang maganda sa mundo ng pagbabasa. Kaya hindi ko maisip na sana ako ang nakapagsulat

·      Kung kailangan talaga ng sagot (haha), siguro ‘yong sistema na lang ng mahika na gamit sa libro ni Brandon Sanderson na Mistborn. Sa kuwento kasi na ‘yon, ‘yong mga Allomancer (may kapangyarihan) ay umiinom ng maliliit na piraso ng bakal. Pagkatapos, sa tuwing gagamit sila ng kapangyarihan, iko-consume nila ‘yong mga bakal na nakaimbak sa tiyan nila. Siyempre, iba’t ibang uri ng bakal ay may iba’t ibang uri rin ng binibigay na kapangyarihan. Napakasimple lang kung iisipin saka napaka-cool ng tema (metals). Pero, ayon nga, tama lang na siya ang nagsulat dahil na-enjoy ko nang husto ang pagbabasa nito.

4)    Payo o tips para sa mga gustong magsulat ng kuwentong pambata.

·      Una, sa pagsusulat muna. Kapag nagsisimula ka pa lang, gaya ko, magsulat ka muna para sa sarili mo. Bahala silang lahat—anong pake nila sa trip mo. Ikaw ang una mong mambabasa. Dapat gandang-ganda ka sa isinulat mo. Kung hindi pa, e di, ayusin mo pa. Pramis, hindi malilimutan ang karanasan sa pagsisimula ng pagsusulat. Walang kapantay ang saya na makatapos ka ng isang kabanata, talata, o maikling kuwento. Huwag mo munang ibatay ang self-worth mo sa komento ng iba. I-enjoy mo muna. Kapag naabot mo na ang ceiling mo, ibig sabihin hindi mo na kayang mag-improve mag-isa, saka ka humingi ng opinyon ng iba.

·      Sa pagsusulat naman ng kuwentong pambata, lalo na sa children’s at middle grade, mas maganda kung may nakakasalamuha ka o may mga alaala ka ng paraan ng pananalita at pagkilos ng mga batang isusulat mo. Napakahirap isulat ng librong pambata—kasi di na tayo bata. Kaya saludo talaga ako sa mga nakakakuha ng boses ng bata.

Author Interview: Boon Lauw, Salanga Prize Winner 2020 (1 of 2)

Narito ang isang panayam kay Boon Lauw na nagwagi ng Salanga Prize 2020. Iginawad ang parangal kahapon sa virtual awarding ng Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) sa Facebook. Pagdiriwang ng National Children's Book Day kahapon at mapapanood ang video ng awarding ceremonies sa FB Page ng PBBY.

Samantala, kilalanin pa natin si Boon Law sa panayam na ito.

   1)    Sino at ano ang inspirasyon mo sa pagsusulat ng kuwento ni Tala at ang tropang Abangers?

·      Nabuo ang kuwento nina Tala at ng tropang Abangers dahil sa alaala ng pagbisita ko sa isang bahay ampunan sa QC. Sinamahan ko kasi ang girlfriend ko pati na ang pamilya niya sa paghatid ng foster child na nanirahan sa kanila pansamantala papunta sa forever family niya.

·      Habang naghihintay na matapos ang sangkatutak na mga proseso at papeles, tumambay muna kaming tatlo sa loob ng compound kung saan ay mayroong malaking playground sa gitna.

·      Naglaro kami at nagpalipas ng oras. Hanggang sa ilang minuto pa, may dumating na isang batang lalaki. Nakauniporme siya at mukhang kagagaling lang sa school. Napansin kong nagmadali siyang iwan ang mga gamit niya sa parang dormitoryo nila saka lumabas ulit para pumunta sa playground.

·      Noong una, nginitian lang namin siya. Hindi naman siya nakipag-usap sa amin. Sinundan-sundan lang niya kami saka sinubukan ang lahat ng palaruan sa paligid namin. Sa tuwing matatapos kaming gamitin kunwari ang slide, siya agad ang papalit at ipapakita sa amin ang mga talento niya. Saka lang namin napagtanto na nagpapakitang-gilas pala siya.

·      Kaya kinausap siya ng girlfriend ko at tinanong-tanong. Nalaman tuloy naming Grade 6 na siya at matagal nang naninirahan sa bahay-ampunan.

·      Noong paalis na kami at nagpaalam na sa kanya, napansin ko ang bahid ng pagkadismaya sa itsura niya. Tumigil na rin siya kaagad sa paggamit ng mga laruan saka bumalik sa dorm. Hindi ko malilimutan ‘yon. Hindi ko rin malilimutan ‘yong paninikip sa dibdib ko na gusto ko sanang matulungan siya.

·      Kaya noong napagtripan kong magsulat ng middle grade na libro dahil gusto kong magpaturo sa mentor kong si Xi Zuq kung paano magsulat ng boses ng bata, ang alaala niya kaagad ang pumasok sa isip ko.

·      ‘Yong tema naman ng mga Larong Pinoy ay nagmula sa mga masasaya at di malilimutan kong alaala sa klase ni Titser Jo-ann Grecia noong college (PE2-Philippine Games). Hanep kasi ‘yong energy at enthusiasm ni Ma’am, nakaka-infect. E lumaki rin ako sa mga larong pinoy. Kaya ayon, medyo naging automatic ang pag-click ng tema sa naisip kong mga karakter.

·      Naalala ko noong gabing nagbi-brainstorm kami ni Xi Zuq, isang upuan lang naisip ang buong libro—saka naisulat ko kaagad ang unang kabanata. Mas tumagal pa ata kami sa pag-iisip ng akma na pamagat. Gano’n kabigat ang epekto ng mga alaalang pinanghugutan ko ng kuwento para sa Team Abangers at Estilong Trumpo.

 2)    Ano-anong 5 aklat pambata ang nagka-impact sa buhay mo at bakit?

·      Una, ‘yong seryeng The Hardy Boys. Maalala ko dati ang bonding namin ng nanay ko sa tuwing mapapadaan sa mall ay ang bumisita sa mga booksale. Siya, maghahanap ng pocket book. Habang ako naman, maghahalungkat para mahanap ang mga kulang kong numero sa serye na The Hardy Boys. Dahil sa seryeng ‘yon ko unang nakahiligan ang pagbabasa.

·      Pagdating ng highschool, nabinyagan naman ako sa Harry Potter series at napabilang sa mga nag-aabang taon-taon para sa updates ng libro. Nanghihiram lang ako no’n. Hindi pa kasi namin kayang bilhin ang mga libro.

·      Noong magkolehiyo naman ako saka medyo nakagaan na kami kaunti sa buhay (kaya nang bumili ng libro), kabilang sa mga humulma ng panlasa ko sa mga kuwento ang mga seryeng The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flammel ni Michael Scott at Ranger’s Apprentice ni John Flanagan.

·      Noong maka-graduate naman, nakahiligan ko ang mga akda ni Brandon Sanderson—lalo na ang The Reckoners series niya at Mistborn series. Dahil sa mga libro niya, naisipan kong pangarapin ang pagiging manunulat. Para sa akin, siya at ang antas niya ang goal ko.

·      Napakalaki rin ng impact sa akin ng mga akda ng mentor kong si Xi Zuq, lalo na ang serye niyang Supremo. Dahil sa mga libro niya, napamahal ako sa wikang Filipino. Dati kasi, naiintimidate ako sa mga Filipino books dahil sa lalim ng mga salitang ginagamit (hindi ko first language ang Filipino). Pero nang sinubukan kong basahin ang libro niya, hindi ako nahirapan. May iilan pa ring malalim na mga salitang hindi ko alam, pero madali ko itong naiintindihan dahil sa konteksto. Pakiramdam ko habang nagbabasa ay approachable o welcoming ang libro. Kaya target ko namang maabot ang tatas niya sa pagsusulat sa Filipino.

·      Ayon, kung mapapansin ninyo, puro serye ang mga binabasa ko. Kaya ‘wag na kayong magtataka kung puro serye rin ang mga isinusulat kong nobela (kung sakaling mailathala). 

The 37th NCBD Virtual Ceremonies

Tune in on Tuesday, July 21, 2020 at 10 am for the virtual ceremonies of National Children’s Book Day.

Listen to the special keynote messages of educator Sabrina Ongkiko, comic book giant Budjette Tan and everyone’s favorite illustrator Robert Alejandro. This year's theme and slogan is Sa Pagbabasa Hindi Ka Nag-iisa!

The ceremonies will also include the awarding of the 2020 PBBY-Salanga Prize and PBBY-Alcala Prize.

Celebrate NCBD with us!

https://www.facebook.com/ThePhilippineBoardOnBooksForYoungPeople

NCBD 2020: Oras ng Kuwentuhan

Sneak Peek: Module Writing Project for Flexible Learning

Good friends from the College of Education in UP Diliman sent me an invitation to be a part of a module writing project under a government office. This is one project I could not say no to. Para ito sa kabataan. Para ito sa bayan. 

Here is a sneak peak of the content I contributed to the project. We hope to roll this out in time for the opening of the academic year in the new normal.

Kung gagamit ng aklat pambata sa Read Aloud

Kailangan na ang napiling aklat ay naaayon sa mga katangian at pangangailangan ng batang makikinig. Gamitin ang kaalaman tungkol sa developmental stages ng isang bata. Maaring kumonsulta sa isang co-teacher, guidance counselor o developmental pediatrician para dito. May mga nasusulat din na impormasyon tungkol sa mga bata at sa kanilang pangangailangan sa mga websites. Ang mga lokal na tagalimbag ng aklat pambata ay mayroon ding mga katalog ng mga aklat na nararapat sa mga bata at mag-aaral. Kung makakakuha ng kopya, maaring basahin muna ito. Kung may librarian at library na mapupuntahan o mapagtatanungan, makakatulong din sila sa pagpili ng mga aklat pambata na angkop sa pagkukuwento at pagbabasa.

Mga dapat tandaan sa bahaging ito ng pagkukuwento

1. Basahin ng maayos ang teksto. Huwag magimbento basta-basta o magsingit ng adlib. 
2. Maaring gumamit ng isang awit o chanting ng mga salita na paulit-ulit na lumalabas sa kuwento. Kailangan lang ay nasa tamang tiyempo at pangyayari sa kuwento ang paggamit ng awit o chant. Gumamit ng awit na nasa public domain tulad ng mga folk songs na pambata.
3. Maari ding gamitin ang call and resposne technique kung saan, magtatanong ang tagabasa o kuwentista at sasagot naman ang batang nakikinig. 
4. Puwede ring i-model ang pagtatanong tungkol sa sinabi ng isang tauhan, sa pangyayari na kagulat-gulat, nakakalungkot at nakakatawa. Sa ganitong paraan, kasama ang batang nakiknig ng kuwentista o tagabasa sa karanasan ng pagsasalaysay at daloy ng kuwento.
5. Mag-predict ng maaring mangyari sa mga tauhan at humingi ng panukala, suhestiyon o pakiramdam ng batang nakikinig.Natututo ang bata na mag-isip ng mga possibleng solusyon sa problema ng mga mga tauhan sa kuwento.

Pathfinder: Copyright and Creative Commons for School Librarians and Teachers

Because teachers have started creating and producing learning modules and materials for flexible learning, discussions on ethical considerations on the use of content, media and technology in social media abound. Educators, lawyers and information professionals have organised webinars on intellectual property and copyright issues. When I was a guest in empowerED last Saturday July 4, 2020, Jim Tuscano, teacher and host of the online panel, asked me about copyright since we were knee deep into talking about creating and developing learning materials.

I remember giving broad and generalised statements about it. So, to extend and expand our collective knowledge on the issue, here is a Pathfinder on Copyright and Creative Commons. Putting this resources and websites together is but a beginning to what can develop and grow into an online collection for teachers and school librarians especially.

Pathfinder: Copyright and Creative Commons for School Librarians and Teachers
Keywords: copyright, intellectual property, academic honesty, creative commons

Philippine Copyright and the Intellectual Property Rights

Copyright and the Intellectual Property Rights in the Philippines - an easy to understand infographic with a link to the Plazo & Associates Law website where Republic Act 8293 - The Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines can be read entirely. 

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPO) - this is the official website of the IPO and its contents vary from the easy to understand to the more complex legal speak of RA 8293. It also has web portals for researchers, artists, authors and content creators, entreprenuers, inventors and industrial designers to guide them through registration, documentation and coding of their works. This is a government website, so there are materials that are free for use and downloads. It has an array of interesting articles too that highlight the creativity and ingenuity of the Filipino. 

COPYTALK: Copyright in the Academe, in Libraries and the Language of the Law - a webinar by the Central Philippines University that you can watch over at YouTube. It is three hour long. You might need a snack and a break in between. It has very informative content and helpful for librarians to know as they scale these principles according to the context of their learning communities.

For copyright licensing and registration, visit the FILCOLS and the National Library of the Philippines' Copyright Registration Office. The former is an organization of lawyers, artists, creatives and educators who are assisting the industry to promote and observe the implementation of RA 8293. The later is where artists and creators go to have their works, especially books, registered with an international book number. It makes the work and its creators legit.

To know more about Creative Commons, visit the website for detailed explanation of the different licenses, how sharing and collaboration of content can happen with respect and responsibility between parties. For teachers and school librarians, Kathleen Morris has an article with free posters on copyright and creative commons for downloads.

These are all for now. Visit the blog for more updates!

The 2019 NCBD Keynote of Bro. Armin Luistro FSC

Here is a throwback post to last year's National Children's Book Day celebration and awarding ceremony at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. This is Bro. Armin Luistro's keynote speech anchored on the theme, Mundong Payapa Para sa Kabataang Malaya. The full transcript of the speech can be read in the PBBY website.

Infographics on Philippine Copyright

Inspired by the empowerEd discussion from last Saturday, here are infographics on Copyright that I researched on. I have taken these infographics from the website of Plazo and Associates Law where the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (RA No, 8293) can be read in its entirety.

empowerEd Live: Breathing Life Into Texts: Developing Effective Text-Based Learning Resources for Distance Learning

Once again, I had the pleasure of guesting in Francis Jim Tuscano's empowerED LIVE last Saturday, July 4, 2020. This episode is in part an opening salvo to the celebration of National Children's Book Day (NCBD) 2020. Many thanks to Jim Tuscano for this partnership made possible with the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY). I along with Mr. Eric Perez of the Reading Association of the Philippines (RAP) and Ms. Liza Flores of Ang Illustrador ng Kabataan (Ang INK) had an interesting discussion on the development of text based learning materials as hosted and facilitated by Jim Tuscano himself. 

If you missed the live telecast over at Facebook or YouTube yesterday, you can still view it through these links:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/empowerEDTV

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empowerEDwithJimTuscano/

Previous to the live telecast, I made some notes. Posting them here in the blog since the discussion online covered a variety of topics and concerns. My notes focus on the writing of content and texts.

1. Texts can be expository, factual or informational and fiction. Each is written in a different way, approach and tone. What ever form of text or literature you are writing, researching on topics you are writing about is important. Research is part of pre-writing. Having said this, the writing of texts, stories and literature involves a process.

There are four basic steps in writing namely, pre-writing, writing the draft, revision and editing, and publishing and sharing. This means, you can schedule your writing of text based learning materials and that, you need a reader to give you feedback on your work. From there, you can revise, make changes and edit your materials. In some cases, a kid-test is called for, especially if the material developed consists of complex steps. In my experience as a children's writer, the Mother Tongue Based learning materials we published in 2017 proved valuable to students in Cebu, Iloilo and Bacolod because our writing team got feedback from the teachers based in those provinces and comments from selected students in the selected schools.

Now here is a caveat. In writing, as a general principle, nothing is craved in stone. Texts and literary pieces all undergo changes, revisions and improvements as dictated by needs and developments of readers and communities who engage with the materials.

2. Know what form of text or genre of literature you are writing. It is helpful that you read samples and exemplars of the text and the literature you want to write. You can do your own searching and documentation but asking for help and seeking assistance from allies in the profession lessens the burden. Besides, writing is not done in isolation.

3. Of primary importance in the effective use of learning materials is the child reader or the learner who will encounter and engage in the text and its contents. Know who you are writing for. The child reader's developmental stages is at the front, back and center of the creation of the module or the learning material. Pedagogy and curriculum, as well as principles in the discipline of educational technology all come into play. In the midst of it all is the child or the learner.

4. Work closely with the illustrator, designer, technology specialist and editor of the learning materials. The logistics and operational work flows can be set early on but a shared vision binds the team together. Collaboration is key.

5. Observe academic honesty. For this topic, I will have another blog post that will tackle issues in plagiarism, intellectual property and copyright. These are all for now. Do visit the blog for updates on topics we care about, school librarianship, children's literature, reading and literacy, teaching and learning and even the simplest act of creation and reflection. Happy National Children's Book Day!

Teacher on Center Stage: Francis Jim Tuscano (2 of 2)

Here is part 2 of the interview with Francis Jim Tuscano. He has five tips for teachers and school leaders who are moving into the new normal in the field of education.

2. There seems to be a mad scramble to get things in order, to be ready and to transition to Blended Learning. What are five important key concepts that school leaders and teachers need to be aware of when applying the BL approach?

So, to answer this, I just want to make a clarification. Blended learning approach can be understood in two ways: first, as an instructional approach where there is a combination of face-to-face learning and independent use of technology in the classroom (physical); and second as a modality to deliver remote learning, which means that there are certain days when students and teachers are in the physical classroom and the rest of the days of the week are meant for home-based (online or print-based) distance learning. 

I certainly believe that blended learning might be the new normal. We think of this as when teachers and students are now flexible enough and possess adaptability skills to switch from one mode of learning to another, especially when new waves of pandemic arise that can cause prolonged school closures. To enable this, I have the following main principles for blended learning:

a. Ensure equitable access to learning devices and Internet among students and teachers. Adoption of Edtech should always be anchored on the idea of equity so that everyone gets to enjoy and reap the benefits of tech integration. To do this, understand the context of students and teachers, whether they have learning devices or reliable internet connection at home. 

b. Prepare the students and teachers. Teachers will need to learn new digital skills to teach with technology. There should be relevant and meaningful professional development to ensure that they are well equipped to design, implement, and sustain a class with Edtech integration. We also need to make sure that the student are equipped with enough digital skills to navigate an online learning environment. Orienting them as well as teaching them with the needed ICT skills can greatly help. For parents of young students, involving parents is important so that they can extend guidance and support for their children in using technology tools

c. Sound pedagogy before technology as the main principle in designing learning experiences. Teachers should anchor pedagogy on student-centered or student-driven learning. The use of technology should enable or support the achievement of the learning goals. Educators should not design a learning experience around a technology. 

d. Digital citizenship matters more that ever because students are now moving in an online learning environment. Students must be taught how to safeguard themselves from digital threats such as cyberbullying, digital identity theft, and many more. Moreover digital citizenship also reminds students to practice self-discipline and control as they balance the use of technology for studying, leisure, entertainment, or even family connection. Schools must always ensure that there is a digital citizenship program that teachers and students can implement and follow.

3. What should classroom teachers look out for on the first day of school under the the ”new normal”?

Before starting any academic activity or learning experience, I would recommend that teachers get to know their students first so that they can start building an online community. Build a sense of trust and belonging with students. Build class routines and “rituals” that would make students feel comfortable and familiar with one another. It really matters that teachers understand the context of their students even before starting their class. 

4. What keeps Jim Tuscano awake at night? 

Right now, I will not deny that I am undergoing and experiencing episodes of anxiety due to the pandemic. I think of work to be done while at home, but I also fear for my safety and of my family’s well-being, too. So, it is challenging to focus but I try to acknowledge these challenges so that I can better face them. I take time breath and rest so I can also recharge myself. But I am also excited to see how things would unravel in the are of education as well as think of how I can continue contributing to the bigger education system. 

Jim Tuscano is the host of empowerED, an online show that talks about matters pertaining to teaching and learning in this day and age. To quote from the FB Page, empowerED seeks to elevate the teaching profession, celebrate the Filipino teacher, and guide teachers to become agents of change. More specifically, empowerED aims to: Provide relevant professional learning opportunities that focus on teaching skill development and well-being Share inspiring stories of the most innovative and dedicated teacher to the world Guide teachers in designing sustainable education projects for the school, community, and society. 

To know more about empowerED, go here: https://www.facebook.com/empowerEDwithJimTuscano

2020 NCBD Activities

Teacher on Center Stage: Francis Jim Tuscano (1 of 2)

Francis Jim Tuscano is an EdTech advocate too!

The blog is glad to have this interview with Global Teacher and Distinguished Apple Educator, Francis Jim Tuscano. He talks about technology in education, makes a distinction on Blended Learning as approach and modality, and shares strategies for teachers who will be teaching remotely in this coming school year.

1. All of a sudden, Educational Technology and Instructional Design are thrown into the forefront of education. What do you think of this phenomenon given the circumstances and how is PH education responding to the change and challenges in teaching and instruction?

What’s happening right now is definitely and undeniably accelerating the adoption of technology in teaching and learning. Before the pandemic, a lot of schools did not see Edtech as a priority because we have never imagined the possibility of school closures that will not allow face to face teaching and learning. It was a very remote scenario that a lot of us never considered in our wildest dreams. But unfortunately, we are in a public health emergency right now and distance education or remote learning is the only viable option to continue learning and teaching, aside from homeschooling. The accelerated adoption is so obvious right now as seen in the rapid adoption and purchase of learning management systems and the rise of webinar workshops or talks on technology integration. 

Personally, I am excited with this because people now realise the importance of technology, its possibilities in elevating or raising the bar of learning. For now, my fear is that schools and educators overlook their core reason for adoption. I mean, right now, the core reason is to answer the negative effects of the pandemic but that can be very short-sighted. I hope that despite the quick transition that is happening in many schools right now, they see, invest, and hope to sustain with a long-term vision. It is not something that you invest now and then terminate once the pandemic ends. The investment on infrastructures, devices, and professional development of teachers cost much, so it is important that school leaders are able envision technology and embed it naturally in their vision and mission as a school community. They should have a bigger why that will guide their tech adoption even beyond the pandemic. 

In terms of its adoption then, the current situation in the Philippine education system show us the haves and have nots, the digital divide which has been present before. The pandemic has just made it more obvious and this is the case in a lot of countries. So, we are again playing catch up, accelerating things, racing against time to put more devices in the hands of teachers, partnering with local government units for donations of devices to students who do not have access, and training teachers to learn more ICT skills. There was a big misconception that online learning was the way to go and I would like to temper this. 

Despite being an advocate for Edtech, I always cautioned educators and school leaders to be more careful in making decisions regarding Edtech or online learning adoption. While we want to push the agenda for better ICT access and infrastructure in the country, such quick decisions right now puts families, parents, and students in a very difficult situation. Context of the learner should always be considered. If there is inequitable access, then do not at all adopt online distance learning. ICT or Edtech should always be a tools to bridge the gap in education, as envisioned by UNESCO. But, reality has shown us that it is a two-edge sword. It can bridge and widen the gap at the same time. In the end, we do not want Edtech adoption especially in school communities with equity issues to be the wall that bars students from accessing education.