Leadership school redesigns curriculum with technology program

Aug 9, 2021 04:06 PM

Written by Marielle Jasmine Enriquez, Robelyn Ocampo, and Takayuki Kakizaki

A school for leadership in Bulacan furthered innovation in teaching 21^st century skills by redesigning its curriculum, integrating technology in its core subjects.

Through the addition of the TECHNOKids Computer Curricular Program, Mary the Queen School of Malolos (MQSM) prepares students as early as grade school for digital literacy, ranging from basic coding to mobile app development.

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<p><strong>MQSM TechnoKids Program, teaching the skills of tomorrow, today!</strong></p>
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<p>As a premier computer curriculum service provider in the Philippines, TECHNOKids specializes in delivering leading edge and comprehensive computer curriculum by providing detailed training to teachers and students – a benefit that will reap new opportunities for the upcoming virtual school year in an advanced, technological age.</p>
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<p>The co-curricular program covers wide-range of softwares and applications starting Grade 4 to Senior High School, adjusted to fit the online distance learning. </p>
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<p>Grade 4: TechnoAdventurer and TechnoWriter (Google Slides and Google Docs)</p>
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<p>Grade 5: TechnoSavings (Google Sheets)</p>
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<p>Grade 6: TechnoStory and TechnoExpress (Scratch and Inkscape)</p>
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<p>Grade 7: TechnoEssentials (Google Programs)</p>
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<p>Grade 8 - TechnoGimp (Gimp)</p>
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<p>Grade 9 - TechnoApps (App Inventor and Gimp)</p>
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<p>Grade 10 - TechnoHome (SketchUp)</p>
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<p>Grades 11 to 12 - TechnoHTML (Google Sites)</p>
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<p>Aside from the curricular implementation, MQSM holds its annual TECHNO Day, an event consisting of competitions, seminars, and activities directed at amplifying students’ comprehension in multiple softwares centered around robotics, programming, and web design. </p>
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<p>Additional webinars on online security and netiquette are included as well, ensuring a productive and secure use of network applications with proper ethics and behavior. This prolific event trains students to enhance their critical thinking, creativity, as well as proficiency in using computers to promote 21<sup>st</sup> century skills. </p>
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<p><strong>Quality education in the new normal</strong></p>
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<p>MQSM has been continuously affirming success in providing quality education amid an ongoing health crisis. As a duly accredited leadership school, MQSM sticks to its strategy of empowering students by allowing them to lead events and learning activities even in the next-normal setup. </p>
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<p>“This pandemic has taught us that change is inevitable,” said MQSM Vice President for Academics Geoffrey Cruz. “MQSM has been a beacon of resiliency, innovating and exploring further to provide excellent and quality education to students. We are not settling for the traditional as we believe that education should continue to evolve together with the society.”</p>
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<p><strong>‘Leader in Me’ school</strong></p>
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<p>The 20-year-old academic institution has shifted to be a ‘Leader in Me’ school, anchoring its culture and curriculum toward leadership development, centered on the ‘7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ by Stephen Covey. </p>
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<p>“Although it was challenging to implement a new program during the pandemic, we still took the leap because we believe that it would be a step closer to our vision and mission of creating leaders of today. We saw it as a solution for online distance learning to be effective. When we mold students to become leaders, they have better ownership of their actions and of their education,” Cruz added.</p>
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<p>MQSM has been facilitating excellent education, character development, and a strong leadership culture through its unique curriculum and international programs that prepare students for college, which in turn serves as a major entry point to their chosen career paths. With the school’s continuous program from Preschool to Senior High School, it focuses on holistic development and meaningful learning, deviating from traditional education that focuses on memorizing facts.</p>
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<p>“Changing our paradigm is important to remain relevant in our world,” said MQSM President Lourdes Genevie Cruz. “If our kids are experiencing the same education that we received 20 years ago, then we are teaching them to thrive in those times, not in their future. Despite the struggles and difficulties, we must continue to innovate for the future of our students.”</p>
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