iFLEX is the Learning Management System which you will use for the flexible learning course and it is where majority of the interaction between tutor and learner, and among learners will take place.
iFLEX allows SEAMEO INNOTECH flexible learners and tutors to interact extensively even at their own pace, place and time.
iFLEX is home for LEARNTECH eXCELS, SEAMEO INNOTECH's first competency-based, multi-modal educational leadership flexible learning courseware for education leaders such as emerging elementary and secondary school principals, new or experienced headmasters of public or private schools in Southeast Asia. eXCELS or Excellence in School Leadership for Southeast Asia is a menu of flexible learning courses on instructional leadership.
iFLEX is also used for ICeXCELS (Instructional and Curricular Excellence in School Leadership for Southeast Asia), a flexible learning short course package of SEAMEO INNOTECH for primary and secondary school principals/directors in developing instructional and curriculum development leadership competencies. It addresses the need to develop and strengthen the school head's role as a transformational and instructional leader in promoting better quality of teaching and learning in his/her school. The course is composed of two-self learning modules in print, cd, and Web formats: (1) Affirm the Instructional Leadership Roles and Functions of a School Head and (2) Lead Curriculum Implementation and Enrichment. The ICeXCELS course runs for one month.
The Learners’ orientation was held last May 6, 2010 at SEAMEO INNOTECH. A total of 29 learners attended the orientation. Dr. Erlinda C. Pefianco gave the opening remarks while representatives of the Regional Directors from the three participating regions; III, IVA and NCR gave encouraging messages to the learners.
Dr. Rosalinda Luna, Schools Division Superintendent of the Division of Pampanga spoke in behalf of the Region III Regional Director, Dr. Teofila Villanueva. Dr. Eugenia R. Gorgon, Chief of the Secondary Education Division of Region IVA spoke in behalf of the DepED Region IVA Director, Dr. Paraluman Giron. Finally, Dr. Juanita Ferido, Education Supervisor gave a message in behalf of Dr. Flordeliza Magday, Regional Director of DepED NCR.
The other DepED officials who graced the occasion were:
Two of the three tutors who will handle the SUPEReXCELS courses were also present; Dr. Ophelia Veniegas and Dr. Fe Hidalgo. Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching will also be a tutor. She is based in Malaysia.
The afternoon session was reserved for the hands on training of the learners. The learners were reacquainted with iFLEX and its features. Class assignments and schedules were also discussed.
SEAMEO INNOTECH gears its pool of flexible learning tutors (FLTs) assigned to handle classes under the Advanced eXCELs course on Supervision Excellence in School Leadership for Southeast Asia or SUPEReXCELS sponsored by the Philippine Department of Education. Two activities were facilitated to prepare the selected FLTs in their tasks—the task-based online sessions on April 12-17, and the face-to-face workshop on April 19.
The Center acknowledges the challenge which the Advanced eXCELS course is likely to bring, not only to its learners, but also to the FLTs. SUPEReXC ELS is a six weeks, three-module course package for the top performing alumni of the DepED ICeXCELS program. It is specifically designed to enhance the developmental, clinical and differentiated supervision skills of school heads.
The program of SUPEReXCELS is unlike ICeXCELS in that the duration of the entire course is longer, the modules are bulkier and the contents are more demanding. These are also the considerations for limiting the learner-participants to only those who graduated with the highest grades.
With its kind of learners, as Mr. Philip Purnell, INNOTECH Deputy Center Director for Programs foresees it, a high level of participation and better quality of outputs, therefore, are to be expected.
To aid them in their mentoring, the FLTs were oriented with several new online mentoring approaches and strategies to immediately capture and sustain the interest of their learners. These approaches were picked up and echoed by the team of the Flexible Learning Solutions Unit (FLSU) of the Center whose staff recently participated in a monthlong training on e-moderation skills for online tutors. FLSU is the main unit in charge of implementing the Center’s flexible learning courses.
SUPEReXCELS is scheduled to start in May 2010 with 35 learners coming from the National Capital Region, Region IV-A (CALABARZON), and Region 3.