PROJECT QLIC

       Today’s society has become much reliant on technology and its varied benefits in our lives.   It is being used in all facets of life and is now an integral part of daily living.  In today’s educational setting, ICT provides a high-end environment and an interactive learning experience.  There is a vast number of ways in which teachers can use technology in the classrooms.

    But before the advent of ICT, how many times have we heard a teacher, parent or student complaining on the lack of materials and resources needed for quality instructions and learning?  Seemingly, there were always insufficiency of materials and readily-available teaching guides to ensure that effective learning takes place in the classroom.  Even today, research still reveal that the desired 1:1 ratio of textbooks do not exist in most schools.  Sometimes there is no teacher’s manual to work with and teachers had to use their own financial resources to augment instructional materials.  Also, there are only few supplementary materials available at the schools.  Schools who also loose textbooks due to calamities do not get replacements immediately.

       Learning Resource Management and Development System or LRMDS is the DepED’s answer to the chronic lack of materials for teachers and learners.  It is an adaptive learning resource system that functions to develop and distribute adequate and varied learning resources in basic education to teachers and learners from both the formal basic education and ALS systems. It also provides the mechanism to support coordinated and integrated access to quality resources.  Its Portal allows users of the system to access and download digitized versions of resources stored in the LRMDS repository.

        The school’s Flagship ICT Program, “Project QLIC” aims to produce K12 learners adept in the use of technology to become competent and globally-competitive individuals through active learning in a 21st Century Classroom setting.  The program takes into account the teachers, learners, multi-media usage and stakeholders’ participation.  These specific objectives are met with the empowerment provided by the LRMDS.

 EFFECTIVENESS

    The LRMDS repository is rich in Digital and non-digital instructional resources such as teachers guides, books, modules and interactive materials.  Activity sheets can be accessed, downloaded, viewed, copied and printed. However, the materials can only be downloaded if the user has an active DepED e-mail account.  The teacher will log-in the LRMDS portal, appropriately enter in the search key the required topic and then download, save or even print the materials.  This system easily makes up for the insufficiency of resources as almost everything can be accessed on the system.  It eradicates the excuse that there are no instructional materials available for use.

          For capability measures, we started out by profiling our teachers’ ICT level of competence, as well as the school’s available resources.  As the most effective tool to equip our staff, a series of trainings was conducted.  ICT Skills enhancement workshop included Google Drives, Microsoft Excel and Powerpoint, and Bloom’s Application.  The LRMDS team also conducted trainings for ICT coordinators and school librarian to explain major functions of the system.  Another opportunity for enhancement is during the School-to-School Partnership program with the teachers of Camp Claudio Elementary School.  Most of the LAC sessions facilitated by the Master Teachers also focus on ICT Training.

         It cannot be argued that students’ involvement in the classroom is essential for effective learning to happen. To make our pupils more active the classroom, other learning materials are used to motivate and support their interest in learning the different subjects.  The use of E-Classrooms, SMART Board, Projectors, and other multi-media tools are highly encouraged. 

 EFFICIENCY

    The utilization of the e-DLL is also now on our pilot implementation stage.  Teachers prepare and submit electronic daily lesson logs via google drives for monitoring and checking by the MTs and principal.  Utilizing a digital format allows teachers and supervisors to post links of online resources used in instructions that can be easily reviewed and evaluated.  It also provides for real-time feedbacking, as well as a forum for coaching and mentoring. The e-DLL format was developed by our highly-skilled and elite ICT Team. 

    LRMDS also serves as a Clearing House to provide information about the location of resources such as lesson guides, training manuals, among others.  The LRMDS committee of the school discusses proper management and ensures sustainable implementation of the system. Also an integral part of Project QLIC is to develop interactive way of creating learning resource materials. Our SBM Center houses worksheets and Big Books, both in printed and digital formats.  Winning Strategic Intervention Materials of SIM in Science and Araling Panlipunan were also developed by our efficient teachers and are now recognized in the Division level.

REPLICABILITY

     San Agustin Elementary School prides itself with an advanced and fully-operational E-Library.  Visiting pupils, teachers and guests register electronically and every visit and purpose are digitally summarized. This is where pupils and teachers alike have access to STARBOOKS – a DOST-supported compilation of learning materials.  A Phone E-Book downloading station, a Tablet Gallery, and offline resources, including Encarta Kids and Premium Encyclopedia.  San Agustin Elementary School is also one the few schools in the Division that implements the TechnoKids Curriculum across all grade levels for an enhanced learning experience for our pupils.  These are easily replicated due to the following characteristics:

•      Learning Materials are free

•      Easy Access

•      Easy to Download

•      Can be shared using DepEd Email Account

•      Teacher-Made LMs can be uploaded in any format

•      It has a user-friendly tool to monitor the number of users in the portal for i

SUSTAINABILITY

For efficient monitoring and tracking of the use of the LRMDS, the QLIC team developed the SAES LRMDS Portal.  This serves as a log-in page for teacher-users of the system.  They simply tick off basic information data and key in the topics for research.  They are re-directed to the site containing the uploaded learning materials related to the subject, with the corresponding link to where the digital material is contained.  The portal also provides a summary of utilization of these resources by Grade Level, Subject and Topics of Research.  This makes for an efficient and real-time monitoring for the MTs and School Head that will aid in supervision of the delivery of instructions.   This exercise contributes to the sustainability of the program and ensures continuous compliance and improvement efforts. 

There is a need to constantly upgrade ICT resources and increase access to digital and printed materials.  This will entail funding allocation and soliciting stakeholders’ support and cooperation.  Wider network and strengthened linkages will also help sustain and maintain the program.

A true K to 12 classroom embraces the idea that all students can learn more effectively in a 21st century classroom that challenges their more analytical and critical minds.  We are asked to implement a curriculum relevant to the lives of our students. LRMDS helps classrooms be more interactive and more learner-centered.  Let all schools, especially in the Division of Paranaque, welcome this new trend, open to its challenges and ignited by our common vision of creating passionate learners with values and competencies that will help in building a great nation.