As the country moves to majority online school system due to the pandemic, Department of Education (DepEd) explained that Distance Learning should be implemented through various delivery modalities including online classes which Quezon City Academy Foundation Inc. (QCAFI) later on followed, to protect its students and teachers from getting exposed to corona virus (Covid-19).
After several weeks of probing, Academy’s ICT Consultants together with their teachers agreed to use GSuite and Nearpod as the official online learning platforms (OLP)( for the school year 2020-2021.
“The school’s ICT and teachers wanted a Learning Management Sytem (LMS) that is user friendly, free to all, and especially protected from hackers.”, said Mr. Christian Gregorio- QCA ICT Coordinator.
Furthermore, Google Suite (GSuite) offers different features like Google Classroom, which is relatively simple to use and flexible. It let teachers and students upload free access activities and classwork.
In addition, GSuite for Education data gets the same multi- layer safeguards to ensure security and responds to any threats that may emerge. They also provide all GSuite administrators with extensive security capabilities to protect sensitive information. Lastly, it also provides school-managed Google Accounts specifically for students, faculty and staff which the N.E.T Effect- school’s official ICT Consultant managed.
“This GSuite for Education’s commitment to privacy and security help educators, school leaders to create a healthy and safe teaching environment while making learning productive and collaborative.”, said Mr. Benedicto Ilumin-Grade 7 Coordinator.
On the other hand, NEARPOD historically started in a small warehouse in downtown Hallandale , Florida with their mission “Putting teachers and students first in everything they do.”
Nearpod help educators make any lesson interactive whether in the classroom or virtual. The teacher can create interactive presentations that can contain Quizzes, Videos, Collaborative boards, and more. Creators also assures its users of the K-12 aligned lessons.
” Even Nearpod has a subscription fee, it’s worth it because it is very much helpful in assessing students learning during our synchronous and asynchronous activities and especially in delivering quality instructions to our students.” Mr. Gregorio said in an interview.
Schools and Universities across the globe have turned online as the coronavirus shuts down public life. Many turned to the world’s largest internet company. Javier Soltero- Google vice president and who leads G Suite, “Several sleepless days and nights later millions of people around the globe were learning from home through Google Services. We have seen incredible growth.”, said in an interview published in Bloomberg website.
