Reaction Paper on ICT in the Philippines

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) plays a vital role in the

communication process and in the field of uplifting the economy of a certain nation or
state especially in todays generation 21 st technological generation. From left to right,
technologies are present in all domains of institutions either in education, government
and etc. The competition of the influx of technology is rapidly available and massive
since the accessibility and availability is becoming a demand of times. A state of a
certain nation can never get away of what technology can uphold to keep the economy
in an expanding direction. Yet, the argument remains to be at claimed: What
advantages and disadvantages could ICT be brought out in these domains?
The Philippines is integrating Information and Communication Technology or ICT
into the teaching and learning process since it has become a great concern for many
educators. With its rapid development, educators should find ways to integrate
technology in the learning process. ICT should not drive education, rather, educational
goals and needs must drive its use in schools (Bonifacio 2013). However, the process of
integrating standards into the curriculum should emphasize learning and growth for all
as the natural and desired outcome of reform in the schools. From that perspective, a
standards-based curriculum includes not only goals, objectives, and standards, but
everything that is done to enable attainment of those outcomes and, at the same time,
foster reflection and revision of the curriculum to ensure students' continued growth
(Pattinson & Berkas, 2000).
In view of the fact that ICT is being adopted worldwide, competition
remains to be of interest especially in business and in acquiring a better and advance
technological background. Technological developments in ICT are very rapid and also
become obsolete requiring new skills and knowledge to be mastered frequently.
Adaptation is only possible when based on a sound understanding of the principles and
concept of ICT. Keeping in pace with these technological development and the changing
competencies required for both the students and their teachers. Shifting from traditional
learning to ICT-based learning is badly needed (Aktaruzzaman 2011). Comparison
between interest and achievement in the field of economy and education in most

countries is always on the top priority so as to keep track of the states progress. ASEAN
countries for instance, build connections with its neighbouring nations to maintain the
ideals of ICT. Singapore and Japan, to name a few, continue its rank to be one of the
countries that has high view of the advancement and advantages that technology could
provide. From their educational perspectives down to its lowest pool of manpower
organization, technology keeps the road to sustain their economy.
Organizing an ICT association in the Philippines is an advantage that any Filipino
can possess, since it is a clear manifestation that Philippines had the ability to compete
with the advancement of the world. It will become an aid to lessen the burden of time
and make the task easier to be resolved. Having the ICT program in the educational
realm is already a big contribution because it is through education that mastery will no
longer be limited. Easy access on communication and creating association will be
utilized without difficulty since technology takes part on the process. For instance,
increasing the nations economic stability through Business Process Outsourcing is an
excellent setting to determine the condition and progress of a particular country which
will become an avenue to open and invest for better opportunity. Opening of jobs like
call centre and other technology related career makes the onset of ICT more realistic
and achievable.
However, the dilemma on budgeting and allocation of funds becomes an issue of
argument since several considerations must be addressed. As a reality, the government
always make connections with private agencies to be able to sustain the operation of
the said organization. A disadvantage on the side of Information and Communication
Technology which remains unresolved. Many programs and target goals were planned
and becomes a part of the roadmap of the government, yet the crisis lies on the
resources. Several politicians advocates on the said program yet dispute of interest
makes it more controversial. The change of terms among leaders hinders the thorough
implementation of the program and to open for another modification.
The Department of Education boosts its effort to fully implement the
computerization projects for all schools and offices. The secretary of Education himself
stressed out that ICT efforts have always been directed in aiding our stakeholders to
attain accessible and comprehensive education, wherever they may be in the country.

(Luistro 2014) Thus, this opportunity opens the possibility of producing an adept and
competent individual who will dominate and take part in the management of the
educational facet of the organization. Intensive training and in depth teaching at the first
level of the learning process must be given priority in order to produce the best
personality to share and utilize the mission. ICT then is not just merely about technology
itself, but on the benefits that it may offer. Several programs on the ICT were being
worked upon among schools and one of it is the Enhanced Basic Education Information
System (EBEIS), an online facility for encoding, storage and report generation of all
school information such as enrolment, resource inventories and special programs.
Aside from these benefits, online applications will become accessible and smooth flow
of the program will be observed. It becomes an advantage to the education sector
especially in the dissemination of memorandums and reports to its constituent. By then,
ICT becomes an aid to make the task easy to accomplish and to be able to get
immediate result.
Attaining quality education is yet considerable with the use of ICT since most
schools makes use of technology in their teaching and learning process. However, not
all had the capability to acquire the facility which is of great importance to make the
operation possible. The lack of provision and resources becomes another barrier in the
proliferation of ICT. Big institutions are at its peak in the operation and in the
implementation of ICT in their curriculum, yet other institutions which are located in the
rural areas double their effort to fully acquire the advancement that this ICT
development is providing. Another disadvantages that blocks the onset of Information
and Communication Technology to fully control and integrate into the educational
system of the Philippines.
Moreover, a collection of online teaching and learning materials are provided in
the program of the ICT so that all the tasks presented are well attained and achieved.
For instance, the establishment of online teaching and tutorials paved the trend on
professionals and teachers to work online and earned better. This trend highlight the
importance of ICT in bridging the gap of illiteracy and limiting the difficulty in addressing
the campaign of No Child will be left behind program since ICT will open avenue to all
areas to fully equipped the fortress of education and will aid instructional materials to

make the training comprehensible and easy to grasp. As brought out by the Secretary of
Education: These programs will help our learners to have more access to relevant, upto-date and quality education materials. It also provides a database to our educators
where they can derive their lessons from. These materials will assist them in their
lesson plans, and may also give an array of contextualized classroom discussions,
Luistro said. Therefore, education will no longer be a gap and illiteracy will no longer be
a crisis since enhancement is available for convenience and purposes with the aid of
ICT. Students will always find ways to be on track and be updated of what is trending
and will make use of technology as a mean to alleviate their difficulty in literacy through
the materials provided to them. This will add to the advantages that ICT could provide in
the process of education.
Contrary to the advantage of ICT in bridging the gap of illiteracy is the mastery of
the skill and in learning the process of technology. Another hindrance that ICT program
is opt to face, since not all learners are capable of handling and operating a certain
system. Technology advancement rises rapidly however the process of manipulating the
system is an issue that remains a problem. Controlling a technological device to be
used in instruction needs a sufficient training especially in terms of mastery. However,
that aspect remains to be an issue that needs immediate and careful response.
Considering the needs of those in the rural areas where people had no ability to handle
and even be connected and becomes introduced to technology is a factor that affects
mastery. Therefore, in as early as education is opened, technological skills must be
introduced and integrated.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can contribute to universal
access to education, equity in education, the delivery of quality learning and teaching,
teachers professional development and more efficient education management,
governance and administration (San Diego 2012). The Philippine educational system
fully integrates ICT in its entire school premise to be able to achieve one of the goals of
education which is to compete globally and to produce a good communicator. In fact, in
early stage, the department identifies several role of ICT in Philippine education which
includes revitalization of schools to make them dynamic. Adopting a collaborative and
innovative learning institutions where students can become more motivated, inquisitive

and creative learners. Linking up students with the vast networked world of knowledge
and information which enable them to acquire a broad knowledge base and a global
outlook, and provide them with the resources for the development of a creative mind.
Developing the youngs skills and capabilities to critically and intelligently seek, absorb,
analyze, manage and present information. Creating new knowledge and products, and
developing among students habits of self-learning to nurture the attitude and capability
for lifelong learning. With this broader scope Philippine education can be considered as
ICT or technology-based system since in the futuristic view most of its products will be
technology adept. Learners who will be utilizing the second language will become
dominant in communication process since education with ICT is well implemented.
Teaching and language methods will be fully updated. Teachers will be fully equipped
with technology related methodology and strategies in teaching while learners will
become a critically moulded individual ready to face all the challenges of the 21 st
century.

References:
www.deped.gov.ph/2014/07/24/deped-capitalizes-on-ict-programs-for-educationstakeholders Retrieved on May 12, 2015
www.linc.mit.edu Retrieved on May 12, 2015
www.unesco.org Retrieved on May 12, 2015
www.deped-ne-net Retrieved on May 13, 2015