E-learning and Digital literacy: Experiences, lessons and prospects in the Philippines

E-learning and Digital literacy: Experiences, lessons and prospects in the Philippines

Juvy Lizette M. Gervacio juvylizette.gervacio@upou.edu.ph University of the Philippines Open University, Philippines
Summary: 
Governments have recognized the use of information and communication technology in education, making it more accessible and inclusive. Besides, it also a means to achieve one of the 17 sustainable development goals of the United Nations which is the provision of quality education and promotion of lifelong learning. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to some realizations. The sudden shift to online learning affected the lives of educators, academic staff and students alike. The digital divide has also become more apparent as many students did not only have access to desktop computers and laptops but mobile data charges could also be expensive. Moreover, the digital skills of teachers and learners to enable them to teach and learn online were not readily available. The use of e-learning enables students to develop digital competencies. In e-learning, they build their online skills as well as expand their technological capacities. Hence, this paper aims to discuss e-learning and digital literacy in the Philippines, including: Discuss the rise of e-learning and digital literacy in the Philippines in the context of the University of the Philippines Open University; Present the challenges of e-learning and digital literacy in the country; Discuss the strategies adopted by the government related to digital literacy and e-learning; and Present prospects and perspectives on the future of e-learning and digital literacy in the Philippines.
Keywords: 
E-learning
digital literacy
information and communications technology
Philippines
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