Google gives P12.5 million to support Philippine’s transition to distance learning

Google, a technology giant will give $250,000, or an estimated P12.5 million, to support Philippine’s shift to distance learning.

Photo credit: newsbytes.ph

The multinational technology company will provide the grant as part of its philanthropic arm, The Distance Learning Fund initiative which seeks to assist countries make a transition plan on remote learning.

Google.org selected the project of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AICJ) and INCO Education Accelerator for the Philippines which will implement a capacity building program that will allow educators to effectively bring distance learning in the country.

Online and production and distribution of printed modules reinforced by text messages and regular consultations modes are the concentration of the capacity building program.

Due to the restrictions on face-to-face classes because of the coronavirus, Google said that the mentioned modes will enable students to continue their education even though they don’t have access to devices and internet connectivity.

Based on the initial results of DepEd’s (Department of Education) survey they conducted, most parents prefer module-based education instead of other modes of distance learning.

It has also been apparent that lack of gadgets and internet connectivity are a concern for millions of students in the country.

AIJC plans to train at least 250 public high school teachers on key areas such as philosophy of learning in a distance learning setting, crafting the curriculum guide or syllabus and pedagogies in distance learning for the pilot of the program.

Cover planning, production and selection of digital and printed teaching-learning materials, as well as assessment and grading of learners will also be covered by the program.

The same high school teachers will receive coaching sessions with distance learning experts after the training.

The training program will also be provided to an initial batch of 30 head teachers and education supervisors, focused on topics such as monitoring and evaluation of teachers in a distance learning setting; evaluation and selection of digital teaching-learning; materials produced and curated or accessed online by teachers; and individual and peer group coaching of teachers in a distance learning setting.

“Google is committed to supporting inclusive distance learning in the country. We are delivering on this goal through our technology and support of nonprofits through the Google.org grant, which aims to build the capacity of educators to provide remote learning online and for students who don’t have access to the internet and modern devices,” said Google Philippines country director Bernadette Nacario.

With the national deployment of G Suite for Education, Google Philippines has partnered with DepEd to help teachers and students in public schools transition to distance learning.

G Suite for Education is a set of free productivity tools built for teaching and learning, which includes services such as Gmail, Docs, Slides, Sheets, Forms and Google Classroom.

While G Suite for Education is free, Google said it will invest time, training and tech expertise for the success of the deployment.

Google and DepEd will also train regional information technology officers together with the National Educators Academy of the Philippines, who would be in charge of managing and distributing accounts to students.

School heads will also undergo training to fully equip them to lead digital transformation in their corresponding institutions.

Google has also launched resources that can help educators, students and their families transition to distance learning.

Among them is Teach from Anywhere, a website available in English and Filipino that features tips, materials and other useful resources for distance learning.

The site also hosts tips for parents on keeping their children safe online.

Google also collaborated with telecommunications companies Globe and Smart to introduce prepaid mobile data packs that will make learning tools like G Suite for Education, YouTube and Search more accessible for students.

A two-day webinar was also organized by the technology company covering tips and tools for teachers and parents on distance learning.