The 5th International Conference on Open and Distance eLearning (ICODeL 2023) took place on 22-23 August 2023 and featured sessions showcased education technologies from its institutions that contributed to making the entire Tri-Conference 2023 possible.
One of the sponsors of Tri-Conference 2023, Concentrix Software Solutions, presented during Panel Session 6 of ICODeL 2023. Mr. Jose Kristopher Serrano, the Associate Director for Project Management of Concentrix Software Solutions, took center stage to introduce the services that the company can offer to its clients. The presenter also briefly discussed Advanced Learning through Bot and Automation, or ALBA, an artificial intelligence (AI) tool developed by the company.
In the discussion regarding the relevance of Concentrix to the Tri-Conference 2023, the presenter stated that the company needs technology talent to support its developed technologies and therefore, actively partners with academic institutions for mutual benefits and to bridge the gap between the tech industry and academe. Partnership opportunities include resource exchange, joint research, curriculum enhancement and alignment, and internships. He also highlighted that internships are another area that needs improvement due to their short duration resulting from intervening activities.
In addition, two other sponsors, Near-Life and Nephila Web Technology, Inc., were featured for Panel Session 8 of ICODeL 2023. Mr. Mike Todd, the Chief Executive Officer of Near-Life, and Ms. Janele Belegal, Project Staff of the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS), UPOU, joined the first half of panel session 8 and presented an overview of immersive learning. The discussion started with the keys to considering immersive learning: understanding integration, considering the technical approach, cost, capacity, understanding the measures for success, and clarity of outcomes. Mr. Todd then briefly discussed using Augmented Reality (AR) tools. Ms. Janele Belegal presented an external project of the Faculty of Management and Development Studies that used near-life features. This project is an immersive learning experience focusing on a disaster, specifically an earthquake. By exploring this tool, the user can learn more about the situation and become a component of community well-being. Another project that uses Near-Life features is the Freshdesk Support Portal of the university, specifically monitoring the progress of students. These are a few examples of how Near-Life can be a tool in public service extension projects at the university. Ms. Noreen Dianne Alazada served as the moderator for the session.
Moving on to the second part of the session, Ms. Sheryl Villaroman, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Nephila Web Technology, Inc., presented a brief history of the company and proceeded with an introduction and statistics on the use of Moodle, an open-source software package or course management system (CMS) used by various universities. Ms. Villaroman stated that Moodle brings educators, experts, and students with different backgrounds together. Through collaborative projects, this software promotes critical thinking and encourages problem-solving skills. At the end of the session, Ms. Villaroman envisions Nephila Web delving deeper into research and development over the next five years while establishing global partnerships with other providers. Ms. Janele Ebron served as moderator for this panel session.
ICODeL 2023 is part of Tri-conference 2023 held from 21 to 25 August 2023, organized by UPOU in collaboration with the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), UPOU Foundation, Inc. (UPOUFI), and the Philippine Society for Distance Learning (PSDL). The Tri-conference includes the ICODEL 2023, International Symposium on Education and AI Convergence (ISEAC 2023), and the ASEANnale, which share the same theme: Sustainability in Education: Intersections, Ideation, Innovations. Other sponsors for the Tri-Conference are the Development Bank of the Philippines (Gold Sponsor) and the following Exhibit Partners: Digital Freedom Network, Disini Law, Veterans Bank, Land Bank, and DOST-PCAARRD.
Written by Tri-Conference 2023 Publicity Committee
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