(by Latreia Empleo- Estabillo)
In the past fifty years, especially, technology has made information, once a scarce resource, abundant. With computers and Internet technologies in particular, more people can now have access to more information more quickly than ever before.
Educational institutions acknowledge that they must move apace with the technology driven changes in society and economy. In today’s knowledge society, not only must schools ensure that learners possess the competencies to wield these new information and communication tools productively, they must equip learners with the critical and analytic tools necessary to live and flourish in an information-saturated environment.
Computer Education means gaining a thorough education in the use of computer technologies that affect us in all aspects of our daily life. Students are given the hands-on computer experience, knowledge, and skills that can qualify graduates for careers in business, education, commerce, mechanics, technology, healthcare, and nearly every other field.
BACKGROUND
Bringing the latest technologies for improving education is an important goal for Koronadal National Comprehensive High School.
In 2002 and 2006, the school received from the Department of Trade and Industry the PCPS for Public Schools Project, Phase 1 with 20 units and Phase 2 with 10 units.
The curriculum being followed for the computer program is based on the Career Pathways Technology and Livelihood Education (CP-TLE) Program.
Mrs. Latreia Estabillo, the school’s designated ICT Coordinator, introduced the use of free and open source software which has proven to be cost-effective and rewarding tool as it provides varied programs that comes expensive if paid for. The school saved in terms of costs in services, product acquisition and licensing and with it, it offers stability, reliability with flexibility and support.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES
1. In 2007, two laboratories were formally created. The first laboratory runs Windows operating systems and applications while the other laboratory runs Ubuntu, a linux operating system with open source applications. The computer laboratories at the moment houses 37 computers, all are networked and provided with internet connectivity funded by the Deped Internet Connectivity Project. Operating systems were upgraded as well as peripherals used.
2. The wireless connection service offered made surfing the net more accessible to teacher and students with portable devices.
Teachers and students were able to work on their research and other school works even outside their classrooms with the help of free wireless internet connection service.
3. Additional audiovisual, multimedia materials and equipment helped increased the level of awareness and enhancement for teaching and learning ICT experiences. Some “in-house” materials created by students were uploaded on the internet for public sharing.
With the help of technology, realistic visual aids/ illustrations were provided for students to help enhance learning experiences in the different areas of TLE subject.
4. Through the local funding for DOST classes, the school library was equipped with three complete set of computers, networked and provided with internet connectivity running Ubuntu, a leading open source program. These were maintained by DOST ICT class as part of their project.
DOST students make use of computers provided in the library for their research and other school tasks.
5. Computers we also used for administrative and management tasks. The teachers of the Vocational Department found the use of the technology helpful to their teaching as it enables them to seek more resources over the internet.
Internet connection was provided in the Vocational Office to encourage Vocational teachers to seek available resources online.
ICT PROJECTS/ACTIVITIES
ICT students (KNFOSSociety) embark every year on doing FOSS-related activities during the Software Freedom Day (SFD) every September for the last four years. These activities were noticed by an international group, Software Freedom International based in USA, and gave recognition to the group and school and helped open doors of opportunity for the teachers and students involved to be part of the community that supports the program/curriculum of schools. The school’s entry made it to the top 6 and is one of the Highly Commended Entry, tying with entries from India and Trinidad and Tobago and besting 700 entries in over 50 countries.
The KNFOSSociety SFD Team 2009
Still on the path of building bridges and connection through skills sharing sessions in other public schools, KNCHS ICT students relate to other students the value of using licensed programs and its legal alternative.
KNFOSSociety showing how open source can benefit the students of Bacongco National High School.
Students of Saravia National High School saw the beauty and fun of using open source as shown by the KNFOSSociety.
Basic installation, computer troubleshooting and maintenance, networking activities, audio-video and photo editing sessions were developed for ICT students to instil the value of careful handling and accurate assessment of computers, portable devices, and different programs.
ICT students getting a hang of crimping network cables.
Recycling can be fun!
GIMPing is so much fun! Here's some sample...
Teacher training-workshop on creating multimedia materials was held during the MPRE week.
Mrs. Latreia Estabillo talked about varied ways of creating multimedia materials both from online and offline resources, focusing on integration of technology
The creation of the school website, www.knchs.schoolpad.ph, helped establish that KNCHS uses modern technology in strengthening the links between students, parents, teachers as well as the community. The site was put up as part of the ICT class project.
The development of the ICT blog, www.knfoss.wordpress.com, helped in sharing what ICT students learn and do in school as well as show their learning environment and varied activities.
Getting the SFD fever...
The open source "effect"...
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