Mindanao suited for technology firm’s expansion

BY GEEFE P. ALBA, BusinessWorld Correspondent Cagayan de Oro City — Mindanao’s urban centers provide a good market for technology instructional materials that introduce computer-based learning among elementary and high school students. Techfactors, Inc., a company into technology education materials, is eyeing two major cities in Mindanao for expansion in the near term. "We initially plan to venture in Cagayan de Oro and Davao because we see opportunities in these cities," said Armando Codera, Jr., Techfactors’ chief executive officer. He noted these cities host major information and communications technology (ICT)-related businesses. Private schools are also updated on new technological developments and make it easier for the company to propose technology learning option to schools, he said. Edutainment, or the combination of education and entertainment, defines this unconventional instruction to students. "This allows differentiated teaching and learning and should ultimately improve students’ performances," Mr. Codera said. The textbooks cater to children in the preparatory, kindergarten and elementary levels up to fourth year high school. The curriculum is adapted to the Philippine setting and uses ICT for problem solving and creating products. "It makes a world of difference for children," said Mr. Codera. For elementary pupils, role-playing is one practice used. The learning manuals and interactive CDs are made to have lots of colors, pictures and stories about children applying the things they were learning. "We try to articulate the lessons that children will relate and understand," Mr. Codera said. Children are attracted to the colors of Tekkids, a kit for elementary pupils that stimulates creativity and makes learning more engaging. "These learning manuals are also updated twice a year," said Mr. Codera. The manuals are worked in volumes and are up to date with the lessons in basic subjects like Math, English and for some institutions, Values Education. Mr. Codera said Tekhigh kit for high school also makes it easier for young students to learn since demonstrations are integrated in every syllabus. The Teachers’ kit, which includes an interactive compact disc, a teacher’s guide and Web site for training and support, helps the teachers in curriculum planning and delivery of lessons. Richelle Lumayno, an elementary Math teacher in this city’s Kong Hua Chinese School, said it is good for technology textbooks to be introduced to pupils since technology-related education is now progressively applied worldwide. "Pupils are more of visual learners," she added. Chevy Contreras, an English course teacher in Xavier University, said Tekkids and Tekhigh maybe too advanced for the students that it needs to be taught gradually. "It may be a bit difficult for schools in Cagayan de Oro to adapt to the system, especially for public schools," she added. Out of 34 public secondary schools in the city, 11 have no personal computers. Only 70% of 214 schools in the region have personal computers. "We are encouraging our public schools to have personal computers so students can utilize them even without an Internet connection," said Rodolfo Bayeta of the Cagayan de Oro City planning division of the Department of Education. He said many sponsors, companies and foundations have already donated personal computers since last year. "Because they were not taught how to use personal computers in elementary or high school, students will be left behind in their classes in college," Mr. Bayeta said pertaining to public schools in municipalities that don’t have electricity because of distance. Nonetheless, Mr. Bayeta said schools that already have personal computers for students’ use are ready for computer-based learning. "Even elementary pupils now have computer classes," he said. Now with over 40 full-time consultants and 140 partner campuses nationwide, Mr. Codera said they plan to venture to neighboring countries should they succeed in the local market. "Our major asset is our people; we do whatever we can to contribute to this country, in our human resources for them to be technologically competitive," he said.