400 'smart classrooms' opening in Makati public schools

The local government of Makati City is set to convert a total of 400 classrooms in the city's public schools into "smart classrooms."

In a statement on Saturday, Makati Mayor Abby Binay said these public school classrooms will be equipped with interactive whiteboards, notebook tablets, and unlimited Internet access.

Binay said the city government has distributed 200 Hybrid Interactive Boards (HIBs), or 50% of the target.

She said 119 HIBs have been installed in elementary schools and 81 in secondary schools.

According to the Makati LGU, each HIB unit is equipped with Android 11.0 intelligent operating system and built with 5G wireless internet access with WiFi hotspot, and a three-way USB interface support.

It also has a four-core 64-bit CPU, a 4K touchscreen whiteboard with multi-gesture writing features, wireless co-screening with multiple screening, and remote snapshot functionality.

Each HIB has eight-array microphones, which have a 10-meter pickup distance for video conferencing.

"We aim to incorporate IoT (Internet of Things) devices into 400 smart classrooms and expand this initiative in the near future," Binay said.

"Our goal is to continuously provide quality education and modern instructional resources that meet the demands of the 21st century," she said.

In Makati's smart classrooms, Binay said students will also have access to notebook tablets connected to the school's Learning Management System (LMS), aside from an HIB unit featuring remote classroom capabilities.

The mayor said unlimited Internet access will be provided for students and teachers during class sessions inside the converted smart classrooms.  

Charging stations are also being installed in the schools to ensure the students' continuous use of digital devices during learning activities.

Binay said students in smart classrooms will be provided with individual notebook tablets on their desks, allowing them to directly submit answers for exercises, worksheets, or exams provided by their teachers.

Meanwhile, learning analytics tools integrated into the LMS will help reduce the administrative workload for teachers in assessing and evaluating student performance.

"The assessment scores of students can be accurately reported through a smart classroom's HIB," Binay said.

"This approach will save time, decrease paperwork, reduce teachers' administrative burdens, and allow more time for student-centered activities and the development of teaching strategies and innovations in their smart classrooms," she added. — VDV, GMA Integrated News