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The Oracle Education Foundation (OEF) recently launched its first Regional 21st Century Learning Institute in Asia Pacific to help educators successfully integrate project-based learning and 21st Century learning skills training into their curriculum. Seven Filipino educators participated in the program: Evangelina N. Apolinario, principal of San Antonio National High School in Makati City; Eden F. Samadan, Division ICT coordinator of Makati City; Elizabeth P. Buenconsejo, teacher of Gen. Pio del Pilar National High School; Leonides O. Pilar, teacher of Palanan Elementary School in Makati City; Ryan Lee Regencia, ICT coordinator at Sta. Elena High School in Marikina City; Meddy L. Sanchez, principal of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School in Caloocan City; and Rainier G. de Jesus, ICT teacher of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School in Caloocan City.
The 21st Century Learning Institute was held in Singapore on February 26-29 at the Nanyang Technological University. The four-day program brought together 55 educators from nine countries in Asia Pacific, including the Philippines, Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore and Thailand.
Throughout the four-day program, teachers learned to design and implement online learning projects that will help students develop 21st century skills. The course used the Oracle Education Foundation's global technology programs, Think.com and ThinkQuest, to showcase exceptional project-learning examples and help teachers produce projects as a part of their training experience.
The feedback on the training from Filipino educators was very positive.
Evangelina Apolinario, principal of San Antonio National High School in Makati City said, "Every session of the training was a revelation. With inputs from our dynamic facilitators and the other participants, I've come to realize how veteran teachers like me can more effectively develop learning projects, adapting it to the changing needs of our learners. I have learned so much and hope to cascade this knowledge to the teachers of our school when I return home."
"The 21st Century Learning Training motivated me to shift from traditional teaching to project-based learning in order to fully prepare my students for the challenges that they will encounter in the future. No amount of words can fully express my gratitude for this program. I believe that if I apply the methods that I have learned in our own school, my students will become globally competitive in the years to come," said Leonides Pilar, a teacher from Palanan Elementary School.
"The Virtual and In-Class Training had a tremendous impact on me. I realized that the existing educational system in the Philippines can still be improved in order to equip students with the right skills to cope with the fast-changing needs of the global community. I recognize the huge potential of project-based learning as a teaching method, especially in our school. With this approach, we can enhance our students' potential by honing their decision-making skills. Oracle's global technology programs, Think.com and ThinkQuest will also enable us to build an online database of our projects and research for the future reference of our students," said Elizabeth Buenconsejo, a teacher of Gen. Pio del Pilar National High School.
The 21st Century Learning Institute aims to address a growing demand for a project approach to learning as more educational institutions, governments and ministries recognize how 21st Century skills are critical to students' success in a knowledge-based economy. Upon completion of this program, teacher participants will be able to share their knowledge with students and other teachers in their local countries, thus extending project learning skills to students across the region.
"The 21st Century Learning Institute is designed to help educators around the globe successfully incorporate project learning into everyday curriculum, so that students walk out the school door with the skills needed for life and work in the 21st Century," said Clare Dolan, Vice President, Oracle Education Initiatives. "These students will not only possess a firm knowledge of 'basic' skills like reading and math, they will also acquire the 'applied' skills needed to succeed in a global economy - critical thinking, creativity, cross-cultural understanding, and teamwork."
OEF is a strong proponent and leader in the 21st Century skills development movement. From its innovative technology programs, Think.com and ThinkQuest, to its grant making philosophy, professional development programs and education partnerships, OEF's mission is to help students gain vital skills needed for future academic and career success.
"Many primary and secondary teachers are challenged with how to implement technology- based project learning while still linking to curriculum and standards. The 21st Century Learning Institute provides a structured approach to preparing and implementing learning projects do just this," Dolan continued.
Rigorous training, real-world results
Teachers attending the event are required to complete three phases of training before successfully concluding the 60-hour professional development program. The three phases include four weeks of online, virtual training; four days of in-class training with project learning experts; and, the successful mentoring and implementation of a planned project in the participant's school.
"To excel in the workforce, students today require higher levels of reading, communication, math and problem-solving skills than ever before," said Francis Ong, Managing Director for Oracle (Philippines) Corporation. "The Oracle Education Foundation helps teachers address the gap between how and what students are currently learning in the classroom and the skills they need to compete in a global economy."
Upon the successful completion of this event, The Oracle Education Foundation plans to introduce this 21st Century Institute across the nine participating countries in Asia Pacific.
-- Tech Times Online
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