Globe brings back hope by championing education through FOREFRONT 2022

Every year, the nation celebrates teachers to honor their hard work and often unsung sacrifices as educators. But more than a daylong tribute, they deserve lasting support through innovations, programs and solutions that address their pain points.

In line with this, Globe presented FOREFRONT: 2022 National Conference on Digital Learning last October 3 to help educators integrate technology and digitally transform learning. The event was also the company’s way of honoring the important contributions of educators as the Philippines celebrated National Teachers’ Day.

“We have heard of the phrase “Learning Never Ends” and you truly embody that, and for a noble purpose as well— to gift students with values and lessons that can bring them forward— and in turn steadily bringing the entire country forward, one student at a time,” said Issa Cabreira, Globe Chief Commercial Officer, during her opening remarks.

Globe has been advocating for digital literacy and inclusion to uplift education towards 21st Century Learning in line with its support for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 4 which ensures inclusive and equitable quality education and promotes lifelong learning opportunities for all, and UN SDG No. 9 which highlights the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development.

Focusing on big ideas for big hope, FOREFRONT featured speakers who talked about the importance of a support system to help teachers thrive, a greater shift to technology in the classroom, and how teachers should embrace this digital pivot.

The series of talks and discussions were led by some of the country’s top educators, thought leaders, and industry experts.

One of the main guests was the founder of empowerED, Francis Jim Tuscano who advocates for relevant 21st-century learning through effective ways and approaches to teaching such as project-based learning, visible-thinking routines and design-thinking, among others.

In his remarks, Tuscano cited the importance of a sense of mission and a support system in helping teachers face challenges at the height of the pandemic and how they are grappling with post-pandemic transition.

“A teacher must look into multiple factors to thrive in this career path such as still having the gift of wonder, remaining passionate, having a community and a tribe that would be their support system, always remembering why they started teaching and loving themselves even if the going gets tough for them,” he said.

Galvin Ngo of the Ateneo SALT (Science and Art of Learning and Teaching) Institute, who does research in Educational Theory, Educational Technology, and Adult Education, also shared his thoughts on the impact of the pandemic on teaching, particularly greater integration of technology in the classroom.

“The role of the teacher is to “teach to transform” – as the role of the teacher is not just to produce content to teach to students but to mold and build the identity of their students with that knowledge, teachers have the opportunity to rely more on technology for creativity and content when it comes to their teaching style despite the distance from the classroom and their students,” he said.

Winona Diola, a grade school technology coordinator at the De La Salle Santiago Zobel School, meanwhile, said teachers must embrace advancements in teaching accelerated by the pandemic.

Diola, one of the Outstanding Filipinos in the Search for Outstanding Teachers by the Metrobank Foundation in 2016, has been an advocate of combining innovative strategies and various technological tools to create student-centered learning environments.

“We don’t need to revert to our previous teaching strategy, traditional teaching methods or the one-size-fits-all teaching method as we are way past the 20th century classroom setting. Teachers should create a learning experience that is highly interesting, engaging and appropriately challenging to our students,” said Diola.

KD Dizon, Globe Business Head of MSME Group, assured the educators: “As you continue with your mission in making education work every day, you can count on us to support your endeavors through our own initiatives as well. We are, and will always be, your partners in creating a better world.”