Reinventing private school classrooms in the Philippines

Why conventional teaching cannot result to improved competencies for students who learn differently

For almost two decades, Filipino students have been unable to achieve the desired level of learning competencies as reflected in the results of Philippine National Achievement Tests from 2006 to 2014 as well as in the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the 2019 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Studies (TIMSS). The Philippines ranked at the bottom of the list in both international tests. 

The efforts to improve this situation using conventional teaching methods have been unfruitful. This presents a need for both private school owners and the country’s education sector to start adopting new teaching and learning methods to be at par with international standards and to prepare Filipino students to become globally competitive. 

Reinvention to effect positive change

Every student learns differently at varying paces. This means continuing with the use of conventional Group Method of Instruction will not result to optimum learning of each student. What if there is a way for students to learn in the classroom in accordance to their aptitude and in their own pace? 

A meta-study by world renowned educational psychologist, Benjamin Bloom has shown that the combination of Mastery Learning Method (MLM), One on One Tutoring and Higher Mental Process Teaching can improve students’ competency up to 98%. 

With the application of MLM, private schools are empowered and are given the capability to reinvent the students’ learning experiences within their classrooms. However, adding one-to-one tutoring and higher mental process teaching are too difficult for the teachers to implement. 

According to the Senior Adviser of Frontlearners, Inc. and Senior Psychometrician, The College Board, USA, Dr. Luz Bay, by integrating technology, specifically Adaptive Learning techniques, these structural changes in the students’ learning process can now be done in a feasible, consistent, and economical manner. These improvements also include curriculum-aligned and adaptive algorithms that all work together to elevate the way students learn and are taught by teachers. 

Making students globally competitive 

Integrating these structural solutions in private school classrooms is intended to train students to become more globally competitive. With continuous globalization and digitalization, it is high time that educational institutions integrate new ways that will equip their teachers with better teaching tools, and students with enhanced learning experiences.  

Frontlearners has been at the forefront of dedicating time and resources to help private schools seamlessly integrate the Frontlearners’ Adaptive Mastery Learning Process (FAM). Their expertise, tools, and systems can aid school owners to introduce this innovation accessibly, hassle-free, and economically viable. 

By doing so, private school teachers will be able to provide students with individualized learning plans and activities, quality learning materials, frequent assessments, and timely guidance and adjustments based on the students’ individual needs. 

The important components of successfully implementing the FAM include having the learning management software and server, individual teacher and student devices, classroom TV screen, wireless local area network, and the optional fast internet connection. 

“All these are part of Frontlearners’ learning solutions with the goal to address the problems in student competencies. It is our intent to assist schools to rear students who are future-learners and have educational capabilities that can be truly at par with our international counterparts,” shares Leo de Velez, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Frontlearners, Inc. 

A cause for nation-building 

While the reinvention of private school classrooms would enhance the school’s quality of education and elevate their standards for future students, the dire state of learning competencies of Filipino students presents even bigger negative implications to the country’s economy and future professional talent and labor pool. 

This makes it a cause for nation-building that school owners and other stakeholders take action that can address the need to improve and innovate ways of learning for the Filipino youth. 

“Being Iskolars ng Bayan ourselves, we understand that this is an effort to give back to help schools and our students and the country. If our private schools would see the importance of this change, it would be an investment not only for their institutions, the students, the parents, but for the whole nation at large,” states Elaine de Velez, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Frontlearners, Inc. 

To learn more about Frontlearners and how they can assist private schools to reinvent their classrooms, visit https://frontlearners.com.