eSkwela Project

eSkewla responds directly to a national development priority through the use of computers and the internet, bringing elearning opportunities and ICT for learning resources to mobile teachers / instructional managers and out-of-school learners in what organisers hope to be an engaging and locally meaningful way. Located in major centres around the country, "eSkwelas" serve as venues where out-of-school learners and other community members can learn new skills and competencies, review for the Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) Exam of the DepEd-Bureau of Alternative Learning System (BALS), and/or help prepare learners to rejoin the formal school system, if so desired. CICT-HCDG secured a grant from the [Asia-Pacific Economic Corporation] APEC Education Foundation for the establishment of eSkwelas in 4 pilot sites: Quezon City, San Jose del Monte, Cebu City, and Cagayan de Oro City; funding from the Philippine government was expected to finance the establishment of 14 additional pilot sites. Recipient communities are provided with computer hardware (21-unit networked computer systems with multimedia peripherals), software (interactive e-learning modules, a customised Learning Management System), internet connectivity for one year, and educators' training.

Apart from being ICT-enabled, the eSkwela Project uses an inquiry-based, interdisciplinary, and thematic approach to learning and teaching. At the heart of the eSkwela Project is its instructional design, a blended type of learner-focused instruction in which students have one hour of computer-aided learning via interactive e-learning modules, one hour of teacher-led instruction (based on the current needs of the learners), and one hour of collaborative group activities and projects. The key components of the eSkwela Project are its material review and content development, which look into translating the current print modules of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) programme into an e-learning format. This learning process has 5 strands: Communication Skills, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Sustainable Use of Resources/Productivity, Development of Self and a Sense of Community, and Expanding One’s World Vision. To date, 35 ALS print modules have been converted into electronic format, making use of ICT elements (multimedia, interactivity) in an effort to make the learning sessions more effective and engaging for out-of-school youth and adult learners.

Over time, funding from the Philippine government is expected to finance the further development of e-learning and livelihood modules, regional road shows for the mobilisation of the local communities as eSkwela partners and stakeholders, and training for the educators and implementers of the upcoming eSkwela Centres nationwide. Training materials are accessible to anyone on the eSkewla website.

Education, Technology.