Internet connection budget released

iSchools 2006 recipient high schools will soon be connected to cyberspace.

The budget for the Internet connection and subscription for 12 months has already been released by CICT to the partner SUCs. These SUCs are now in the processes of conducting bidding for the Internet connection in their respective area of responsibilities.

ISPSC is responsible for the Internet connection in 9 high schools; 3 in Ilocos Norte, 3 in Ilocos Sur and 3 in la Union. Invitation to bid has been published for interested Internet Service Providers (ISP) to submit their proposals for the project.

Also included in the budget is the registration for a domain name of each of the iSchools 2006 beneficiaries.

More public high schools to get iSchools lab

ISPSC President Dr. Rafael Querubin and iSchools Project Manager for ISPSC Engr. Evangeline Reyes completed the inspection and evaluation of seven national high schools (NHS) in Ilocos Norte and four high schools in Abra for inclusion in the next phase of the iSchools project (2007). The schools visited were the following:
Ilocos Norte: Bacarra NCHS, Bangui NHS, Curimao NHS, Dingras NHS, Paoay Lake NHS, Solsona NHS and Nagrebcan NHS
Abra: Northern Abra NHS, Gaddani NHS, Manabo NHS and Suyo NHS

Of the visited schools, six were found out to have no computer laboratories, while the rest have existing computer laboratories, but many of the computers are not functional anymore. These were recommended to CICT for inclusion in the iSchools Project 2007.

Earlier, Dr. Querubin and Engr. Reyes attended the Project Briefing and Orientation Workshop for the next phase of the iSchools project to map out plans and strategies for the different activities to be undertaken. The workshop was held at the Development Academy of the Philippines in Tagaytay on May 26-28, 2008 and attended by partner SUC Presidents and their ICT Coordinators. It was learned that more SUCs will be involved as partners for the iSchools project implementation to cover more national high schools nationwide.

ISPSC President Dr. Querubin confers with Mr. Bienvenido Balantac of Dingras National High School during the site evaluation of candidate schools for iSchools 2007.

CICT Head Leads Freedom Rites at Baguio City

Secretary Ray Anthony Roxas–Chua III, Chairman of the CICT represented President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in leading the Independence Day celebrations in Baguio City. The Flag Raising and Wreath laying ceremonies was held at the Rizal Monument in Burnham Park. Baguio City Mayor Reinaldo A. Bautista Jr., regional heads of government agencies of the Cordillera Administrative Region and Philippine Military Academy officers assisted Secretary Roxas-Chua.

Right after the flag-raising and wreath laying ceremonies, Secretary Roxas-Chua and CICT Commissioners Angelo Timoteo M. Diaz De Rivera and Monchito B. Ibrahim proceeded to the Baguio City National High School to launch the iSchools computer laboratory.

Secretary Roxas-Chua then proceeded to the Baguio Convention Center where he was joined by Baguio City Mayor Bautista to visit the Sentro K3 (Kagalingan, Kaisahan at Kalayaan ng Bayan) booths put up by government agencies. The booths provided free services to citizens. Secretary Roxas Chua also awarded the President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Training for Work Scholarships (PGMA-TWSP) to more than 200 near hires who are bound to become full-fledged call center agents after they complete their trainings. This activity is undertaken in cooperation with the TESDA and the Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP).

A giant flag measuring 100 meters long was also unfurled at the Baguio City athletic oval as part of the celebration.

More news at CICT website

Online Writers in Action

This time it's for real...
Online writers from Benguet State University, Ifugao State College of Agriculture and Forestry, Batangas State University, Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College and CICT join hands to get good coverage of the 110th Philippine Independence Day Celebration at Baguio City.

Marife and Johnny apply what they learned from their trainings to get good photos and videos of the event as it happens.

Not to be outdone in the company of professionals, Avery, Johnny, Marife and Femie get a good focus of their cameras on CICT Chairman Chua.

photos by jon p.

iSchools update

CICT targets 320 more high schools in iSchools project

from Inquirer.Net

June is ICT Month

News update from CICT website

Proclamation No. 1521 declared the month of June this year and every year thereafter as National Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Month. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed the Proclamation last May 28, 2008, giving recognition to the vital role that ICT plays in nation building.

National ICT Month is placed under the auspices of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), which is the lead government agency tasked to plan, promote and oversee the country's ICT development.

DEFEMNHS iSchools Implementation

This slideshow is the output of the writer during the Advance Online Writing Techniques Training Workshop at Aklan State University, Banga, Aklan, Philippines on May 19-23, 2008. (Related story below)

iSchool Writers Upgrade Skills

The iSchools 2006 project have to be properly and completely documented not just in print, but more importantly, with pictures, sound and videos.

To do this, writers and technical staff from fourteen SUCs involved with the iSchools project trooped to Aklan State University to hone their skills and techniques in “writing for the ear” and online publishing from May 19-23, 2008. This five-day training-workshop on advanced online writing techniques was conducted by two distinguished writers and professors from the University of the Philippines, Luz Rimban and Yvonne Chua.

The participants, toting their laptops, headphones, microphones, voice recorders, digicams and videocams, learned to write scripts, voice their prepared scripts, conduct and record interviews, and shoot still photos and videos. Then these different materials were combined using different sound, photo and video editing software to come up with a multimedia material for online publication. Under the discerning eyes and discriminating ears of the trainors, the participants toiled day and night, to meet their deadlines and come up with online-worthy outputs.

Their practicum involved a visit to two high schools which are recipients of the iSchools project, in order to document their iSchools project implementation. The participants were divided into two groups- one group went to Aklan National High School of Arts and Trade in Kalibo, Aklan and the other to Aguinaldo T. Repiedad Sr. Integrated School in Banga, Aklan. The groups conducted interviews with the school principal, students, teachers and even people from the community to get information. They shot videos and still photos of the school, the laboratory, and the interviews conducted. Upon return to the training venue, the participants worked overnight to come up with a two-minute video presentation.

In the end, the participants earned the nod of the trainors and the outputs were published in YouTube.

Toni Torres, iSchools project manager, agreed to find ways and means so that quality equipment such as digicam, voice recorder, laptop and microphone, will be provided to each of the writers for the documentation of the iSchools project in their respective areas.

The participants:

• Balandra, Ma. Belen R. - Western Visayas College of Science & Technology
• Baniton, Johnny Jr. U. - Ifugao State College of Agriculture & Forestry
• Biray, Ersyl T. - Aklan State University
• Carpio, Marife - Benguet State University
• Cero, Leyma L. - Cavite State University
• De Angel, Aphrile L. - Aklan State University
• Dela Ostia, Leah B. - Aklan State University
• Dellosa, Jeffrey T. - Northern Mindanao Institute of Science & Technology
• De Pedro, Gideon Lyndon III S. - Aklan State University
• Jamilarin, Patrick Anthony - Aklan State University
• Jamora, Michael John A. - Sorsogon State College
• Lambino, Ramir D. - Tarlac College of Agriculture
• Lee, Eufremia C. - CICT
• Lopez, Eric G. - Bataan Peninsula State University
• Mandac, Philip Constantine L. - Apayao State College
• Nanaman, Mara Barbra S. - Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology
• Pagatpatan, Jonathan S. - Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College
• Repayo, Benedicta D. - Aklan State University
• Rosales, Eleanor F. - Aklan State University
• Villareal, Dante J.P. - Western Mindanao State University

Advanced Online Writing Workshop in Pictures

Breaktime...

These laptops take a much needed break from the endless pounding they get from the hands of their masters who try to meet their deadlines. These laptops belong to the participants of the advanced online writing techniques workshop held at Aklan State University on May 19-23, 2008.

Light please...
These faces are illuminated by the screen of laptops as they continue to work to finish their outputs even during a brownout. These are the participants of the advanced online writing techniques workshop held at Aklan State University on May 19-23, 2008

Web development training completed

The 12 iSchools beneficiaries of Region 1 and Abra will soon be accessible online.

Teacher and student representatives from the 12 recipient schools handled by the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College toiled for five days to design and develop their respective websites during the Website Development Training conducted at the iSchools laboratory of ISPSC from April 21-25, 2008.

The participants were introduced to Joomla, an open source content management system, explored the features of the system, learned how to create sections and categories, uploaded and edited content and images, and learned how to configure the system under the tutelage of their trainor, Mr. Jonathan Pagatpatan and assistated by two facilitators, Gerald Directo and Gina Mae Villanueva. After five days, the participants were able to present with pride and confidence their handiwork which resembled websites created by professional web designers.

View photos at Photobucket

The participants
CABOTAJE, FLORENCE JOY C. -Narvacan National Central HS
IGLESIAS, MARIA CONCEPCION A. -Narvacan National Central HS
LORENZO, CARMENCITA P. -Batac NHS – Bungon Campus
PAGUYO, MA. ABIGAIL T. -Batac NHS – Bungon Campus
BUGAOISAN, GENEROSA MADONNA B. -Pagudpud National High School
PAGURAYAN, MARICON T. =Pagudpud National High School
VIZCARRA, JANICE B. -Ilocos Sur National High School
REGUNTON, ALLAN KENNETH Q. -Ilocos Sur National High School
ABLOG, ARLENE P. -ISPSC Lab HS
ARE, CANDYLYN H. -Abra State Institute Of Science & Technology
ORTEGA, ROWENA A. -Abra State Institute of Science & Technology
RUAM, RONALD C. -Caestebanan National High School
SALEM, JEZLEY A. -Caestebanan National High School
ESTRADA, DELIA A. -Don Eulogio de Guzman Memorial National High School
TABERDO, ALDWIN B. -Don Eulogio de Guzman Memorial National High School
FLORES, JENNY B. Damortis National High School – Patac Annex
ARONGAT, JOJILYN C. -Damortis National High School – Patac Annex
SERVITO, JINKY D. -Dagupan City National High School
DUQUE, LIEZELLE M. -Dagupan City National High School
ESTABILLO, DONALD -Don Eufemio F Eriguel Memorial National High School
ARTILLA, JERIC P. -Don Eufemio F Eriguel Memorial National High School
GARCIA, RICARDO -Daniel Maramba National High School
VILORIA, REYNARIO -Magsingal National High School
UDARBE, ZANETTE -Magsingal National High School

CILC completed in 12 iSchools in Region 1 and Abra

Teachers from the 12 recipient schools in Region 1 and Abra (CAR) are now more confident in using computers and the Internet, and are more than ready to use ICT in their teaching strategies for the coming school year.

This came about with the successful completion of the 5-day Computer and Internet Literacy Course for the 12 recipient schools handled by ISPSC which was completed in three weeks time. The first batch started on March 31 and April 1 with the schools in Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud NHS, Caestebanan NHS and Batac NHS-Bungon Campus). The second batch started on April 7 with six schools - Daniel Maramba NHS, Don Eufemio Eriguel NHS, Don Eulogio de Guzman NHS, Damortis NHS-Patac Annex, Dagupan City NHS and Ilocos Sur NHS. Trainors from Tarlac State University and Tarlac Agricultural College beefed up the three trainors of ISPSC during the second batch. The third batch started on April 14 for Narvacan NCHS, Magsingal NHS and Abra State Institute of Science & Technology.

Most of the teachers, especially the older ones and those who have little computer experience were very grateful and elated after the training. They committed to use computers in computing the grades of their students and in preparing grading sheets, as well as in presenting lessons using slide presentations.

The absence of an Internet connection in some schools such as Don Eufemio Eriguel was remedied by conducting the Internet session in an Internet Shop. At Caestebanan NHS, the municipal Mayor, Carlito Abadilla III, allowed the use of the Internet room of the municipal hall for the Internet session of the participants. Some schools experienced brownouts and have to extend sessions into the night just to finish the modules. The absence of an air-conditioned computer lab did not dampen the enthusiasm and interest of teachers in some schools where they endured the heat just to learn how to use computers.

View more CILC training photos at Photobucket

Mayor Edgardo Zaragoza of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur graced the closing program of Narvacan NCHS and promised to a USB flash drive for each of the participants.

Teachers at Batac National High School-Bungon Campus don't mind the heat just to learn how to use computers


Teachers at Don Eufemio F Eriguel Memorial NHS have to pay for rental just to have the Internet session and create their email accounts

UPDATED TRAINING SCHEDULES

Updated Schedule of Teachers Trainings and other activities

1. Computer and Internet Literacy Course
Participants: 8 teachers representing the 8 subject areas, principal, librarian, 3rd year student who will attend the web dev't preferably the editor in chief of the school paper, lab managers (2)

March 31-April 4, 2008
Caestebanan NHS, Batac NHS - Bungon Campus, Pagudpud NHS
April 7-11, 2008
Daniel Maramba NHS, Don Eulogio de Guzman Mem. NHS, Damortis NHS - Patac Annex, Dagupan City NHS, Don Eufemio F Eriguel Mem. NHS, Ilocos Sur NHS
April 14-18, 2008
Narvacan NCHS, Magsingal NHS, ASIST

2. Laboratory Management Training -
April 28-May 2, 2008 venue: ISPSC
Participants: 2 laboratory manager

3. Web Development Training - April 21-25 venue: ISPSC
Participants: 1 teacher + 1 student

4. Library Management Training - March 31 - April 4 (not yet sure) venue: BSU
Participant: librarian

5. Educators' Summit - April 9-11 venue: Clark
Participants: principal + Division ICT coordinator + Regional ICT coordinator

6. Project Close-out Phase I - May 2-3 venue: BSU
Participants: principal + school ICT coordinator

iSchool labs Installation Completed

When the Principals of the recipient high schools received their computers, they were all smiles. But after the delivery, their smiles waned because all they could see are piles of boxes. They were instructed not to open the boxes and wait for technicians from Advance Solutions, Inc. (the supplier), to install/set-up the machines. It took a week, others 2 weeks, before the smile returned to their faces - this time a much wider and happier smile - when the ASI-partner technicians and the ISPSC iSchool project staff assigned, appeared in their respective schools to open the boxes and set-up the equipments. Finally, they could see, feel, and use their iSchools computers. What they have prepared for quite a long time finally materialized. Their hardships and sacrifices have been rewarded.

(more photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/24235885@N02/ )

The schedule of deployment was finalized by Engr. Evangeline Reyes and Ms. Cecilia Lazarte during the Midstream Planning Workshop at DAPCC, Tagaytay City. The schedule was disseminated to the project staff for their respective assignments. The principals of the recipient schools were then informed by the area coordinators of their schedule. Air21 was contacted by the project manager to confirm the schedules and itinerary of delivery. The ASI-partners were also contacted by the project manager to confirm the schedule of installation/set-up. However, there were some misunderstanding/problems regarding the agreed schedule with Air21. No SUC reps were sent to some schools because of sudden changes in the delivery schedule made by Air21.

The ISPSC Lab High School was set-up first on February 15, 2008. This was followed by 4 schools on February 21, 2008 - Narvacan National Central HS, Don Eulogio De Guzman Mem. NHS, Don Eufemio F. Eriguel Mem. NHS, and Damortis NHS-Patac Annex. The remaining schools were set-up on February 22, except for Batac NHS and ASIST which were done on Feb 23. The ISPSC project staff assigned to the different schools had many stories to tell regarding their experiences during the installation/set-up.

The installation schedule in some schools was delayed because of the scheduled accreditation of five degree programs of the College. The members of the iSchools project staff were assigned in different committees and were not allowed to leave the College during the preparation and actual conduct of the accreditation from Feb 8-15, 2008.

When first contacted, the ASI-partners provided by CICT could not be reached or were not aware of the iSchools project or ASI agreement. It was only a couple of days before the scheduled installation that the ASI-partners were confirmed and the final schedules were set.

There were some units that were found defective during the installation. In Magsingal NHS, one unit was defective. In Don Eufemio F. Eriguel Mem. NHS one unit has defective motherboard and power supply. In Dagupan City NHS, one unit did not function. These were recorded by the ASI-partner tecnicians for reporting to ASI and for repair or replacement. The units need also to be tested for one week (burn-in). The Principals and lab managers in each school were instructed to report to the project manager and the ASI partner technician any additional unit that are found defective during the burn-in.

The laboratory management assessment exam for the laboratory manager/s was also conducted in the respective schools during the laboratory installation/set-up.

After the installation of the iSchools labs in the recipient schools, a series of teachers trainings will follow. First will be the Computer and Internet Literacy Course, then the Laboratory Management Training, the Web Development Training, and the Library Management Training.

Delivery of PCs completed, installation to follow

Finally, Principals of the recipient schools are all smiles. The much delayed promised computers were delivered at last in their respective schools.

The equipment delivered consisted of 20 units workstations, 1 unit server, 1 3-in-1 printer, 1 multimedia projector, 1 wireless router, 1 speaker for the server, 1 webcam for the server and 20 headsets for the workstations.

The first deliveries were at Daniel Maramba National High School, Dagupan City National High School, Don Eufemio F Eriguel Memorial National High School, Damortis National High School, and ISPSC Lab High School on February 7, 2008. These were followed by deliveries on February 14, 2008 at Pagudpud National High School and Batac National High School; February 15, 2008 at Magsingal National High School and Caestebanan National High School; and February 16, 2008 at Ilocos Sur National High School, Narvacan National Central High School, Don Eulogio De Guzman Memorial National High School and Abra State Institute of Science and Technology. Project staff from the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College were present at the recipient schools to check the boxes during the scheduled deliveries.

The installation of the computer equipment will be done by representatives/partners of Advanced Solutions, Inc., the supplier of the computer equipment. Schedules were already confirmed by Engr. Evangeline Reyes with the ASI partners for Region 1. Installation is scheduled from February 21 - 23 for all the recipient schools. Only the ISPSC Lab High School have been installed so far on February 15, 2008 by technicians from ProfCom, the ASI partners in Ilocos Sur.

The installation at ISPSC LHS took more than four hours. IT faculty members and BSIT students assisted in the opening of the boxes and installation of the PCs. The machines and components were tested and the technicians from ProfCom configured the wireless network. It took them more than two hours to configure the network and the printer. All the computers were found to be functioning properly. However, the iSchools stickers and installer CDs were not found in any of the boxes.

TENTATIVE DEPLOYMENT SCHEDULE

Finally, the much awaited deployment of computer hardware for the iSchools has come. CICT has posted the tentative deployment schedule, and every recipient school is very eager to receive their set of computers.

Prior to the deployment, the computer laboratory must be ready with the prescribed layout. The recipient schools must also finalize their respective MOAs ready for signing.

The tentative schedule is from February 4 - 16, 2008. The details will be worked out by the SUC project managers during the Midstream Planning Conference on the last week of January.

After the deployment of the equipment, the rollout of the different teachers' trainings will follow. The schedule will also be worked out during the Midstream Planning Conference.

The 12 recipient schools of ISPSC are very eager to receive their equipments. They have prepared their respective computer laboratories since November last year. Some of the principals are losing hope that the project will push through, or are getting disappointed that their preparations will be in vain. But this time its for real. Each schools will be receiving 1 server, 20 works stations, 1 LCD projector, 1 multi-purpose printer, and wireless LAN. Add to that 2 airconditioning units.

Bidding for Internet connection transferred to SUCs

CICT will no longer do the bidding for the Internet connection of the recipient schools. This activity has been transferred to the respective SUCs because of various concerns raised by the Project Managers particularly the problem of having a single provider to cover all the schools.

After several revisions, the final MOA for the Internet connection transaction has been posted for signing. Provisions of the MOA include 1) Broadband connection to the wireless Internet laboratory of the recipient public high school will be paid by the project for the first 12
months of operations. The desired bandwidth should at least measure 1 Mbps burstible with a committed information rate (CIR) of 1:4, a specified amount of bandwidth on frame relay service, or whatever is applicable to the area; and 2) The public high school must also secure a Domain Name System (DNS), registering under the EDU.PH domain that will serve as their
global identity and for the use of the Project Monitoring & Evaluation Information System (PMEIS).

ISPSC is responsible for the Internet connection of 9 recipient schools in La Union, Ilocos Sur, Abra and Ilocos Norte, with a total budget of Php 611,424.00 as stipulated in the MOA. ISPSC is responsible for 1) the conduct of necessary assessment and evaluation for the most reliable
Internet Service Provider (ISP) within the area; 2) ensure that the assigned public high schools will get the most reliable and cost efficient ISP, and ensure that the Internet connection is
properly working as stipulated in the Agreement between the Internet provider and the school; 3) provide technical assistance to the assigned public high schools insecuring and registering their DNS; and 4) ensure that the public high school will be able to produce their school/community website that is UN-ASPA Level One compliant, one month after attendance to the website development training. This website shall then serve as the school’s global identity, thus maximizing the potential of their DNS.

Project closure activities

The “Project Closeout Activities” is part of the iSchools Project and will entail two levels of information processing, namely:
1) cluster meeting of ISPSC with assigned PHS to be attended by the principal, ICT coordinator of the school and DepEd ICT coordinator, which will be hosted by Benguet State University; and
2) workshop between CICT-HCDG’s iSchools Project Management Group (PMG) and the ICT Coordinators and other project staff of the partner SUCs to further discuss, process and integrate all gathered information during the cluster meeting which will be held at Vigan City hosted by ISPSC.

These activities hope to document all learning of the project for reference of future implementations. An operations manual that will document all the lessons learned, best practices, program and policy recommendations and action agenda shall be the output of related
activities.

Other activities include the provision of Domain Name System (DNS) for the ISPSC’s Laboratory High School that will serve as their global address as well as a monitoring tool for the web based Project Monitoring and Evaluation Information System (PMEIS); and the transfer of travel funds to all SUC and Public High Schools participants in the various iSchools
activities.

There will also be a midstream planning by the ICT Coordinators/Project Managers, another training for the writers in Iloilo, librarians' conference, an Educator's Summit at Bataan, and the Terminal Report Writing.