Local firm pushes for SMS-based learning for students without internet connection

Mybusybee Incorporated, a local value-added services and cybersecurity firm, is pushing for a short message service (SMS) learning platform to cater to students without any internet connection.

In an interview, Mybusybee founder and chief executive officer Rico Hernandez said the company plans to officially launch its BeeSuite platform by next week, which allows offline SMS-based learning for students amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"After reading many headlines about DepEd's challenges in planning and implementing distance learning in the Philippines because of the internet situation, this served as inspiration for us to find ways that will help during these challenging times," he told GMA News Online.

"SMS is our core business and we see that SMS  technology will play a big role in distance learning, we conceived the development of  BeeSuite, this is the first SMS-based distance learning platform in the Philippines," he added.
 
Its BeeSuite desktop platform combines features of Moodle, Google for Education, and its BeeSuite SMS program which allows teachers to communicate with students in realtime via SMS.

The platform is scheduled to be launched by next week, once the necessary licenses are secured.

Under the platform, teachers may use either an existing SIM card or a dedicated SIM card and insert this in a GSM modem stick which will then be connected to a computer or laptop.

The program's features include personalized SMS, scheduled messages, inbox advanced filters, bubble conversations, virtual class discussions, automatic grade notifications, virtual backup, automated lessons, and automated exams.

Hernandez said students will be able to access lessons anytime, ask questions anytime, and retain access to lessons anytime as the lessons will be stored in their mobile phones.

The BeeSuite Academy, available via Google Play and the Apple App Store, will then automatically detect the GSM modem stick and will be ready to go without internet connections.

The platform allows teachers to send their lessons to students via SMS, with a character limit of 160 characters per text. Students will then have to input a keyword for them to access the next part of the lesson.

It also allows automated exams, where questions will also be sent to students via SMS.

A class of 50 is expected to receive the message within 1 to 2 minutes of sending.

"Learners need an ordinary phone (either ordinary multitap phone or smartphone) to start learning. With BeeSuite, learners don’t need to buy  tablet, laptop, or PC and internet services," said Hernandez.

He noted, however, that both teachers and students will be encouraged to avail of promotional unlimited texts for them to be able to send the SMS to one another on a cheaper basis.

"Because not everybody is equipped for online learning, SMS-learning technology via Beesuite will be able to bridge this gap," he said.

"Moreover,  SMS technology is already mature and stable in the Philippines, making it a reliable medium of learning. There may be a lot of options, but this could be the best choice," added Hernandez.

Teachers will also have to pay a monthly fee of P200, and will be encouraged to pay a maintenance plan of P100, totaling P300 per month.

Hernandez said the fees collected -- lower than the P5,000 charges for corporate clients -- will be used for support for the platform.

"We hope that with BeeSuite, we can be able to help DepEd in bridging the gap of communication between teacher and student," he said.

Mybusybee already caters to several DepEd projects also involving SMS-based services.

"Sana marinig kami ng DepEd. Our goal is really, sana makarating ito sa DepEd, itong tech na ito, kasi it will really help them," said Hernandez.

To recall, the Department of Education has called for blended learning, as it reiterated that there will be no face-to-face classes until a vaccine against the coronavirus disease will be available.

As of Monday, the DOH recorded 57,006 COVID-19 cases, with 20,371 recoveries and 1,599 fatalities.—AOL, GMA News