Surala Philippines introduced an innovative and effective way of learning amidst the pandemic with the launching of its ‘Future Classroom’ Project in Iloilo City.
SuraLa Net Co.,Ltd, a leading and globally established E-learning company from Tokyo, Japan announced the project in a unique conference about the current innovations in E-learning held at Zuri Hotel and virtually via Zoom last January 9, 2021.
Japanese and Filipino experts from the EduTECH industry gave talks about the current trends and innovations in digital learning in both countries and its implementation amidst the COVID-19 crisis.
The conference was participated by representatives of the Department of Information and Communication Technology and Department of Education Region VI. Executives of Japan’s Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry (METI), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and Surala Net also gave key talks via Zoom video conference.
Dubbed as “Future Classroom – Learning Innovation”, Surala conducted a three-month pilot implementation of the project in partner schools Eden Grace Academy International (83 students) in Mandurriao and St. Joseph School Iloilo (93 students) along Diversion Road. The project was also implemented to 24 students and 13 parents/ALS learners of ATI Tribe Mission Inc. in Lanit, Jaro.
Surala also conducted training for teachers of these schools for them to become certified Surala facilitators. Online classes started in October and ended the third week of December 2020.
Surala Ninja
In their pilot online classes, Surala developed a hybrid class management model that promotes more ‘independent learning’ through its ‘Surala Ninja!’ website. Kids learn Mathematics the fun and easy way through their animated Ninja teachers. The program aims to enhance the achievement level of mathematics in elementary school children.
Surala Ninja raises the student’s learning motivation as it was designed just like a game. Students can take the learning units and drills one step at a time, at their own pace and at their own levels. After an activity, students can see their current time rankings and earn medals.
Ms. Tomoko Fujihira, Executive officer of SuRaLa Net, said that their online platform is very helpful to low-achieving students as it features easy-to-understand ‘Lectures’ that can be learned in small steps.
“The My Learning Plan Function comprises of what the students need to learn and this can be managed and monitored by teachers through Surala’s specially designed digital support platform for teachers. This teacher’s platform helps them create lesson plans, track student progress, and monitor real-time class behavior,” she added.
Mr. Albert Gumana, Elementary Math Coordinator and Sural Facilitator of St. Joseph School of Iloilo, said that introduction of program to their students is timely as the school will be shifting to a ‘purely online’ mode of learning.
“I commend the project because of its unique features like the use of animated Japanese ninjas as teachers and challenging drills that help them enjoy learning and develop critical thinking,” Gumana said.
Ms. Grace Titular, a teacher from Eden Grace Academy International, said that Surala Ninja has made their work simpler. “Surala Net, specifically its web-based application, has improved our students’ learning in Mathematics and reduce the achievement gap between struggling students and average or typical students,” she explained.
Pastor Rogelio Elosendo, Tribe Leader of the ATI community said that “Surala class is very beneficial to ATI children.”
“They can use the computer and now they learn to count the number faster than before. Children are hoping to continue this class in the future,” he added.
Ms. Nur-Hannah Saad-Mirrar, Project Head and General Manager of Surala Philippines, hoped that the Future Classroom Project using Surala Ninja will “somehow change the perception of teachers in teaching Mathematics in this time of the pandemic.”
“There is an easy and effective way of conducting it or teaching it using digital platforms like Surala,” she said.
The Future Classroom Project originally started in Japan with the main purpose of supporting the country’s e-learning or Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies. It eventually expanded operations overseas, specifically in Indonesia and the Philippines through Surala Net being chosen as partner among many Japanese ICT companies.
Iloilo City is the only city in the Philippines chosen for the project, together with Jakarta and Bandung in Indonesia.
