GAIN Masterclass 5 Focuses on Must-Know Technologies for School Administrators

The global health, energy, peace, and order crises have accelerated educational and learning institutions to embrace and navigate digital technologies for survival and growth. As the 5th in the series of Masterclasses organized GAIN, this particular session centered on technologies that would enable school administrators and chief learning officers to ensure relevance and effectiveness in steering their respective organizations to a vibrant 21st century.
 
Mr. Rex Wallen Tan, GAIN Director and one of the most sought-after speakers in Digital Literacy, kicked off the learning session by discussing the four levels of data analytics maturity. Mr. Tan shared advanced statistical methodologies that are the foundation for leveraging big data and meaningful analytics for school administrators to make better and faster decisions that further organizational goals.  
 
Following was a presentation on Open Educational Resources (OERs) from Ms. Nessie Lumbres, Southville Global Education Network’s (SGEN) Deputy Principal on Virtual Online Learning and Teaching (VOLT) Program. Ms. Lumbres discussed the many benefits of OERs to the learner, the OER originator, educational institutions, and the public and private sectors, and shared best practices on institutionalizing the use of OERs.
 
Dr. Adelaida de Perio expounded on a riveting topic, Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), its core competencies, and how it relates to creating a positive school climate. Dr. De Perios likewise emphasized the connection between SEL and identifying at-risk students, improving student retention, recognizing areas for compliance with the Philippine Anti-Bullying Act RA. 10627, creating enhanced parent engagement, and supporting student personal development.
 
The second part of the session featured Ms. Mary Ann Manzano, Education Lead – Philippines, Google for Education. Encouraging the participants who are mostly veterans in the academe, she reminded that one does not need to be “techy”, just “click-y.” Ms. Manzano argued that technology can be a powerful tool, but it needs people to be transformative. She shared about the various training and Google Educator Certifications that are available for educators and administrators, and generously gave out free vouchers for Level 1 Training to all the participants.
 
Dr. Roger Bartholomew, President of International Education Specialists, talked about equivalency and how administrators can effectively use technology to compare qualifications among schools, colleges, and universities, to ensure student achievement and mobility. Mr. B, as he is fondly called, likewise identified critical action items for Philippine Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) such as to improve recognition of Philippine institutions and degrees overseas leading to improved employment opportunities and reciprocal recognition for Professional Qualifications within ASEAN to be negotiated by PRC Board.
 
Touching on quite a controversial topic, Dr. Aris Ignacio, Vice President of Technology of the Internet Society (ISOC) Philippines Chapter, presented on Digital Citizenship and Ethical Behavior Befitting of a Professional. In his talk, he outlined ways on determining fake and genuine information through the witty and easy to remember “CRAAP” test: Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose.
 
Wrapping up the session was Dr. Jocelyn Tizon, Executive Director, Asian Association of School HRMD Practitioners (AASHPI), Inc., who shared best practices that served as the best take-aways to all the school administrators in attendance. Discussing about Mandatory Technology Skills Administrators Should Know, Dr. Tizon generously shared the digital tools for communications, productivity, and academic operations that were all of personal help to her roles as President and Board Member of five academic institutions.
 
Access the presentations of our speakers by clicking on this link: 
https://www.gain.org.ph/masterclass-5.html