Right after the "used to be" closed; another one opens

The day after the closeout of the iSchools last December 7, I received a confirmation of the coming of some DOST personnel from Zamboanga. They came to school on the 8th of this month to deliver and install the STARBOOKS, which is a digital library. It stands for Science and Technology Academic Resource Based Openly Operated Kiosk Stations. iSchools Project brought many IT advancements to the school. Though it officially ended, the ICT has been merged with DOST, which has established its link to our school through this STARBOOKS project.

One Impression (on iPC1)

One Latin language phrase Experientia docet, which is “Experience teaches” in English, was advanced by Tacitus. Truly, we, as iSchools Project recipients had our own shares of experiences that taught us in many ways. Along the journey of the project implementation in our respective schools, we surely encountered both triumphs and challenges. Whatever the journey has been, we have learned our lessons. These many lessons have just been successfully documented through this iSchools Project Closeout Phase 1.

The well-sequenced activities we went through from day 1 facilitated by competent personnel, allowed us to share our best practices and issues experienced. I observed from my co-participants the enthusiastic and candid contribution of ideas, talents and skills. Surely, the facilitators motivated us to manifest active involvement. From the problems that we identified, we found doable recommendations that would improve the implementation of the iSchools project. The resource person, Ma’am Cheng delivered her expertise evidently. All the workshops were done promptly and effectively. The purpose of this activity has been served. All these happened; thanks to the concerted efforts of the iPC1 team, lead by Engr. Cielito Olegario. They provided us a comfortable venue with sufficient provisions, which enabled us to do our part in this closeout phase.

Personally, this closeout activity has also become a recollection of my professional journey. Seeing the people I worked with here in Zamboanga, and even as far as Pampanga, Negros Occidental and Butuan, made me recall of my own journey with iSchools. Through this closeout, I have remembered my ICT trainings, which contributed to the enhancement of my teaching skills. Each one of us here should have experienced his inner closeout activity. Celebrate the gains of the iSchools project. Keep the iSchools spirit within us burning, and let us continue our noble works in bridging the digital divide.