“No Internet, No Problem.”
DepEd Sarangani’s innovation LR on WHEeLS fascinated Mark Anthony Sy, Head of Educational Technology Unit of DepEd Central Office when he visited two implementing schools in Glan, Sarangani Province.
LR on WHEeLS or Learning Resources on WiFi Hub for Expanded e-Learning in Sarangani is an innovation developed by DepEd Sarangani as an alternative to online learning delivery modality designed for areas where internet connectivity is a problem.
Together with the DepEd TV team, the EdTech Unit head visited Prudencio Mariano Integrated School in Barangay Laguimit and Nicomedes Tolentino Elementary School in Barangay Small Margus on December 18, 2021.
Sy is especially excited by LR on WHEeLS’s utilization of Open Education Resources and DepEd TV videos, which benefits learners even in remote locations.
“Makikita po ninyo na kahit wala pong internet access ang lugar na ito ay nagagamit po ng maayos ang ating mga online tools pero in an offline environment; kaya napakahusay,” Sy said in a video he posted on Facebook.
Sy and his team interacted with learners as they access the learning management system and were amazed by how well-versed the learners were in using the technology.
To get firsthand experience on the installation and implementation of LR on WHEeLS, Sy himself took part in the installation of the antenna and server at Roque Adarna Integrated School in Barangay Gumasa.
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FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE. Marco Paolo Victoriano, EdTech Specialist, experiences firsthand the process of installing LR on WHEeLS at Roque Adarna Integrated School. Photo by Joel Andres |
He also plans to return to the Division of Sarangani with a team of trainers to provide technical assistance to LR on WHEeLS content developers on the use of H5P or rich HTML5 content and applications, which will further improve the learning experience offered by LR on WHEeLS.
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MOVING FORWARD. EdTech Unit Head Mark Anthony Sy |
Sy believes that the technology must be seen by other schools in the country for possible replication.
In fact, the DepEd Central office has obtained a grant from the Asian Development Bank to replicate the LR on WHEeLS project in three provinces in the country namely, Kalinga, Bohol, and Zamboanga Sibugay.
“Bisitahin po ninyo ang Sarangani para makita ninyo ang husay ng kaguruan dito,” he added.