Dr. Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria, UP Open University (UPOU) Chancellor, shared the vision of the Phase 4 of the Infoteach Outreach program in her message during the Memorandum of Agreement signing among UPOU, UPOU Foundation, Inc. (UPOUFI), and the Philippine Long Distance Telephone, Co. (PLDT). the Phase 4 Infoteach Outreach Program will capitalize on the digital skills of the participants. The module will focus on the digital productivity tools rather than the digital skills which the participants already possess. The program will cover the “interest, attitude and ability of individuals to appropriately use digital technology communication tools to access, manage, integrate, analyze and evaluate information, construct new knowledge, create and communicate with others.” The curriculum will tackle: Research and Information Literacy; Critical thinking, Problem solving and Decision making; Creativity and Innovation; Digital Citizenship; Communication and Collaboration; and Technology Operation and Concepts.
According to Dr. Bandalaria, “The Infoteach Outreach Program goal of anchoring digital literacy skill to lifelong learning direction is our contribution to the attainment of the specific goal in the Global Agenda of 2030.” She also emphasized that the project hopes to empower the students.
Dr. Bandalaria further explained that the program is also a venue for UPOU’s Public Service goals which is “to widen access to continuing professional education; provides digital opportunities to local communities; and fosters critical discussion of relevant issues in the community and society”. She explained that she considers the partnership as a mechanism to extend one’s sphere of influence or coverage and in the process be able to go beyond what one could achieve alone. “The partnership is also a learning process for both parties involved,” she stated. (Eleanor Payawal-Manipol)
