The DepEd Commons, the online learning platform of the Department of Education (DepEd), has now millions of unique users - making the learning materials more accessible to learners and teachers amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
“The significant reach of DepEd Commons is a feat that should not be ignored nor brushed aside, but rather be built up to have wider acceptance and recognition,” DepEd Undersecretary Alain Pascua said.
Coincidentally, DepEd Commons also reached new heights during the INSET week as it tallied at least 10 million unique users grabbed the opportunity to enhance their Education Technology knowledge.
In 2020, Pascua noted that the DepEd Commons quickly became fourth in the overall trending Google searches. It also ranked number 1 in the most searched topic under the education category in the Philippines.
Given this, Pascua said that his office - the Office of the Undersecretary for Administration (OUA) - is already “planning to have an aggressive and strategic campaign” to promote DepEd Commons in areas with internet and data connectivity.
Pascua noted that in addition, a nationwide search is eyed to be conducted for the most promising Online Educational Resources (OERs) compliant to the requirements of the Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs).
“These OERs will be uploaded to the DepEd Commons platform, and can also be the basis of scripts for DepEd TV Episodes,” the agency explained.
DepEd Commons is part of the Public Schools of the Future (PSOF) Framework’s Digital Rise Program of the Administration Strand under the leadership of Secretary Leonor Briones.
Pascua noted that since 2019, DepEd’s efforts on the use of educational technology were recognized by various organizations, including Mobile Education Alliance, Edutech Asia, Cambridge University Press, Wix, and Kotobee.
All elementary and secondary education institutions, including alternative learning systems, both public and private;, are under its supervision.
Amid challenges in the education system, DepEd continues to provide for the "establishment and maintenance of a complete, adequate, and integrated system of basic education relevant to the goals of national development."