Interactive learning in school system

ACADEMIC PUBLISHER Diwa Learning Systems, Inc. has teamed up with Singapore-based e-learning software provider Learning EDvantage (LEAD) to introduce an online interactive education tool called Genyo Learning Management System (version 5). The online interactive learning portal will contain multimedia content for elementary and secondary level students nationwide. With Genyo 5, the companies aim to integrate educational materials with information and communications technology (ICT) to adapt to the changing learning habits of students. Diwa said the project also "aims to help improve the way teachers teach and students learn by providing world-class curriculum-based content via the convenience of the World Wide Web." Diwa Vice-President Jose Maria T. Policarpio said yesterday at the e-learning forum at the Asian Institute of Management in Makati City, that 14 private schools have subscribed to the program. "[The past versions have] been quite a laboratory [setup] and we’re experimenting with [them]. But now with version 5, we’re expecting to go to a lot more schools to subscribe and for Genyo to go mainstream," he added. LEAD representative Victor Lee said e-learning has helped develop "a highly intelligent work force, and has been the cornerstone of Singapore’s economic success, proving its ability to surmount the challenge of having very limited sources." A reported 80% of schools in Singapore enjoy the e-learning services of LEAD. Recent surveys for Singaporean students’ aptitude in Science and Mathematics "could be a testament to the effectiveness of the program," said Mr. Policarpio. He added, however, that e-learning in the country is not as established as Singapore’s, thus there is no benchmark on its impact to students. Mr. Policarpio claimed e-learning will have a bigger reach and more significant impact in the educational system. He added schools can subscribe to the e-learning package worth P1,500 to P2,100. Diwa has been integrating the ICT content in education for 25 years. LEAD is Singapore’s most popular reference Web site and e-learning provider. Their partnership will help bring in the same technology that established Singapore’s world-class educational system. — Maria Francesca M. Baja/BusinessWorld