Education based on world economy demands

THE digital age has dramatically revolutionized the education system. Today’s educators have integrated technology into their curriculum, digitizing information that students can access through multiple options and tools. With just a click on their mobile phone, laptop or tablet, students can gather information through MOOCs, lectures, Skype classes, webinars, video conferencing and online chats with their teachers.

iAcademySchool of Business and Liberal Arts Dean Shieradel Jimenez

While cutting-edge technology has eradicated many learning barriers, there is still a need to test theories and apply them. Students should be able to shift through the large amount of data and process these to create their own analyses and explore their practical aspects.

With this in mind, there is a need for learning institutions to rethink about the traditional classroom education model. Learning institutions need to reform their education model and system to cope with the demands of the time, and maximize the potential of modern technology in teaching their students.

Attuned with the challenges of the digital era, iAcademy has changed its education model from the classroom model to the mentor-apprentice model. By reevaluating the effectiveness of the classroom education model, it aims to bridge the gap between what industries need and the quality of graduates that Philippine schools regularly churn out, particularly in information technology and other technical and design-related professions.

“There is a growing trend of [workers]being replaced by machines. This is true of traditional, entry-level jobs, but it also means that there will be more demand for people who can properly design, control, utilize, and/or maximize technology for a particular industry,” iAcademy’s Senior High School Assistant Principal Mel Obedoza said.

Realizing the potential of master-apprentice education model in solving this gap, the arts and IT academy has introduced this model to their senior high school and college students.

“We decide to offer courses based on what the world economy demands. Courses offered in iAcademy are responsive to the needs of the times in the sense that it provides real-world training and authentic learning experiences to students, so that they are not just merely consumers but makers, designers, and leaders of the different industries,” iAcademy Vice President for Academics Francis Jacob Aragon said.

Through this model, teachers would be able to impart knowledge through project-based learning to simulate real-world projects and train students in industry-standard tools and technology. They can also invite industry professionals as panelists or teachers. With this model, the students will be able to solve real-world problems and learn in conditions as real as possible.

iAcademy’s Peter Brown explained that courses under their animation program are designed by people who are still connected to the industry. This allows students to know what the industry is looking for at the time.

Approximately 95 percent of those teaching in his department are current industry professionals.

For the School of Business and Liberal Arts, Dean Shieradel Jimenez said the adopted method is equally effective in other programs. For instance, instead of churning out final examinations, Dean Jimenez would assign students to study actual organizations. By doing so, the students would see how the theories and concepts they have learned would be applied.

“Our internship programs run at almost 1000 hours, as opposed to the minimum 600 hours that CHEd (Commission on Higher Education) has mandated. The additional 400 hours give students the additional experience [they need]to make sure that when they do graduate, they are industry-ready as they have trained in industry,” Jimenez said.

For his part, School of Design Dean Mark Meily said: “The idea that they are here not to just have jobs when they graduate, but that they are also trained to become thought leaders in the future. Any school can [equip]students [with]skills, but what we are given is mastery, autonomy, and purpose.”

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