Lesson 3: Educational Technology in the Asia Pacific Region

It is really necessary that there should be state policies and strategies in the use of technology especially in educational institutions on a country it is because these serves as guiding principles for educators how to go about in the adoption of these technologies. We all know that we are now on the computer age and the use of information and communication technology (ICT) is almost applicable in all aspects of our lives. But not all of us knew the importance of these technologies and how to go about it. Therefore, the infusion of which should start in the schools, more particularly to the student’s curriculum.

            Most of the countries in the Asia Pacific Region (Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, etc.) already adopted their own policies and had created an educational technology environment in their schools. They equipped them with facilities and venue for the facilitation of learning to students and even to teachers. Teachers are given trainings in the use of these facilities as well as with the core skills and competencies in the use of ICT in their classroom discussions. The state policies for these technologies differ from one country to another depending from their culture and geographical locations or as the need for it may arise and/or the usefulness of which in the capacity building of their nation. But generally, most of the countries around Asia Pacific find it a need to really institutionalize the use of technology in their respective countries as evident to their state provisions and policies. In other words, they find it crucial to infuse technology in the minds of the people so that they can compete with other countries around the pacific and the world. They know they can boom their industries through the use of technology.

REFLECTION:

            Compared with other progressive countries around the Asia Pacific region, Philippines is still far way behind when it comes to technology. Our public schools cannot cope up with the standard ratio of computer to student which is 2:1. The DepEd plan of providing one computer to one school cannot suffice the need for information technology. Just imagine how a student can familiarize the use of computer when they only have one and their population is more than 1,000. This cannot serve the purpose of giving quality education to our students.

            Government should make provisions and policies regarding this matter. There should be proper monitoring as to the adequacy and effectiveness of the provided facilities for IT. It seemed we always depend from outside sources to do away with the advancement and enhancement of our technology. It is a matter of right implementation of these policies as well as religiously putting it to practice.

We know computer shops are pervasive, but others do not see the importance of the use of computer in learning. Computer shops are most of the times full of users from all ages. If you’ll look at what they are opening, it is more of social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, Friendster), or are playing online games (DOTA). We may think that we are already well versed of the Information Technology because of this increasing number of users in the internet, but in reality we do not make use of this as a learning tool and enhancement. This thus forfeits the purpose of the government in educating people about Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The government needs to review created policies for IT or strategically plan policies for implementation and/ or monitoring for its usefulness and effectivity to avoid wasting time, resources and effort of the nation.

One aspect for communication technology is text messaging. Filipinos really love texting, making the Philippines one of the countries who spend millions just sending text messages. Even children ages 3-6 already knew how to use cellular phones. We may think that with the rampant information we gain from texting, we keep illiteracy off the view. But in reality, we are promoting illiteracy by how we spell the words in our texts and how we ignore grammar in our messages. Is this something we need to think about? I am not saying that the use of cellular phones and text messaging is not good. Actually these really put communication into another level, most especially in relationships and relay of information. But what we should be watchful about is with how we use these media. There should be a control and proper dissemination of its importance especially in communication to avoid the misuse.