EdVenture partners with Knowledge Channel for “Wikaharian”

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EdVenture, the edutech startup of Globe's corporate venture builder 917Ventures, has partnered with the Knowledge Channel to produce entertaining and educational episodes of "Wikaharian," an animated series of Filipino lessons.

The partnership seeks to teach Filipino students through reading with the Marungko method. This approach is designed to improve students’ reading skills by introducing letters based on sound instead of the traditional arrangement. The letters are then used in localized and contextualized songs and poems for the students to remember and learn them better.

EdVenture tutor Lara Flores, an experienced public school teacher majoring in Filipino, will be the guest storyteller on Wikaharian Online World for four episodes.

The series, to be hosted by Ate Michelle, started airing on September 19, with the rest of the episodes slated to come out on September 26, October 3 and 10 from 11 a.m. to 12 noon on Knowledge Channel’s Facebook, and the FYE channel on Kumu. It will also be aired on Knowledge Channel TV every Friday with replays every Saturday and Sunday at 6:40 a.m. and 6:40 p.m.

“Wikaharian” is a project of the Knowledge Channel to promote reading and numeracy through arts and culture. Knowledge Channel is the first and only curriculum-based educational television channel in the Philippines owned and operated by Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc.

“EdVenture’s collaboration with Knowledge Channel is part of our advocacy to provide 21st-century quality education to Filipino learners while increasing the quality of life of Filipino teachers. Through Wikaharian, we hope to help develop an interest in reading among children and make learning fun for them,” said Cristina Gervasio, EdVenture Entrepreneur-in-Residence.

The platform continues to integrate technology into the teaching-learning process of students and equip parents with what they need to catalyze educational transformation. At the same time, it provides additional income to hundreds of Filipino teachers.

EdVenture offers high-quality, affordable, and inclusive one-on-one tutorials in Math, Science, English, Filipino, Reading, and Araling Panlipunan to students in preschool to Grade 10. It has packages that provide intensive tutoring sessions and access to free and exclusive learning materials.

Learn more about EdVenture by visiting https://edventure.ph/.

Knowledge Channel Returns to Digital TV on World Teacher’s Day

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More students, educators, and parents nationwide can now access quality educational programs as Knowledge Channel returns to digital TV starting on World Teacher’s Day this Tuesday (October 5) via its partnership with the broadcast company BEAM.

The iconic educational programs of Knowledge Channel are now available again in Mega Manila, Baguio, Naga, Metro Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, and Zamboanga to aid young Filipinos in their distance learning education this pandemic. Viewers can access Knowledge Channel via BEAM DTT by simply doing a channel rescan on any digital TV box.

Dubbed as the “biggest classroom on-air,” ETV-pioneer Knowledge Channel will now reach over 10 million Pinoy households, providing them over 1,500 video lessons from Kinder to Grade 10 and the Alternative Learning System and programs hosted by media personalities such as Robi Domingo, Enchong Dee and MayMay Entrata, and online educators Lyqa Maravilla and Peter Esperanza through digital, cable, and direct-to-home satellite TV.

Knowledge Channel continues to bring quality learning to every Filipino child this school year 2021–2022. Educational shows are available daily from 6 AM to 11 PM on Knowledge Channel on digital, cable, and direct-to-home satellite TV. Meanwhile, video lessons for Grades 1 to 6 are also airing via A2Z weekdays from 7 to 9 AM. Preschoolers and their parents can also enjoy viewing Knowledge Channel’s educational shows, available for free on theAsianparent Philippines app.

Students and teachers can also join School at Home’s array of interactive online programs on Kumu’s SeenZone channel and Knowledge Channel’s Facebook Page, weekdays at 11 AM. The weekly lineup includes “Wikaharian Online World” every Monday, “Team Lyqa” every Tuesday, “Knowledge on the Go” and “MathDali’s Math Talks” every Wednesday, “Money Lessons with FQ Mom and Sons” every Thursday, and “Art Smart with Teacher Precious” every Friday.

Through its “Stay at Home, Learn at Home” campaign launched last year, Knowledge Channel has allowed learners in over 7 million households to continue learning from home during the pandemic despite the cancellation of face-to-face classes via ABS-CBN TVplus, SKYdirect, and SKYcable.

It then shifted to its “School at Home” campaign to continue delivering its educational programs online as the non-renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise and cease-and-desist order issued to TVplus and SKYdirect narrowed down its reach. These online efforts garnered various milestones, including a 150,000 follower mark on Facebook and a Silver Button award from YouTube, and the Outstanding CSR Project in Education award in the 2021 League of Corporate Foundations CSR Guild Awards.

Visit knowledgechannel.org for more educational materials and the latest updates on Knowledge Channel.

Watch and Learn: PCTA Partners with DepEd, Knowledge Channel to Make Learning More Accessible in Remote Areas in the Philippines

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Education is one of the sectors that has been affected dramatically by the pandemic. Aside from the threat of Covid-19, students, families, and educators face other challenges such as limited to no internet connection and expensive Internet data costs. To reach more students even in remote areas, the Philippine Cable and Telecommunications Association (PCTA) has partnered with the Department of Education (DepEd) and Knowledge Channel to provide easier access to students through televised learning materials that will be aired on TV for students.

Together, the PCTA member-cable operators are serving 75% of the total cable TV subscribers in the Philippines.

“Many Filipino students living in remote areas are constrained by the accessibility and speed of Internet connection, and the high cost of data to stay connected. Learning then begins to feel like a difficult chore, and a hurdle to overcome. Yet, these households have television sets even before mobile phones and laptops. We are hopeful that we ease the challenges our students face as they will now have easier access to free educational content aired in cable television channels,” said Joel Dabao, PCTA President.

The partnership was sealed through a signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the DepEd and the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) to make full use of their cable TV systems activating their member operators participation in this national effort of airing DepEd TV programs for school year 2020-21.

PCTA members have agreed to air informational materials from DepEd TV that are standardized for academic institutions nationwide. “Many remote areas will be covered by this service, and we are privileged to serve as conduits of enriched learning during this trying time. Our mission is to ensure that no Filipino student is left behind,” furthered Dabao.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones lauded the agreement during the MOU signing, as it paves the way for the department’s access to television and cable for their distance learning program, with cable provider access of up to three channels to air content produced by the DepEd Central Office. These will be a valuable resource for students who do not have access to the internet and those who cannot afford to purchase gadgets such as mobile phones, laptops and tablets.

Aside from airing DepEd TV materials, PCTA also announced a partnership with Knowledge Channel which encourages PCTA members’ cable systems to include Knowledge Channel in their line-up and air its TV-based educational content.

The Knowledge Channel has long had a strong supporter in the PCTA since 2003. Elvira Lopez-Bautista, President and Executive Director of the Knowledge Channel Foundation, highlights that television can be a powerful tool for learning and will help Filipino children absorb not only their academic lessons but, also enhance values learning through engaging content.

“My fervent wish is that through this bayanihan effort with cable providers, distance learning will become more accessible, feasible, affordable, and most of all, enjoyable for every Filipino child,” said Lopez-Bautista. “With Knowledge Channel Foundation and PCTA working together, mas masaya matuto ng bago.”

“Now, more than ever, education should be at the forefront of our concerted efforts to build a society that is resilient even in the face of a pandemic. As we forge these partnerships, we let the bayanihan spirit prevail for the common good where we all work together for the future of Filipino children,” added Dabao.

For more information about the PCTA, visit www.pcta.org.ph

 

 

ABOUT PCTA

The PHILIPPINE CABLE AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION (PCTA), INC. is the umbrella organization of nationwide Cable Television Operators and Internet Service Providers in the Philippines. Its membership roster includes the biggest cable operators in the country as well as the medium and small cable operators who, through their pain-staking efforts, have succeeded in bringing up-to-date programs, information, and technology to the farthest island in the country. To date, the PCTA has over 300 regular members. Together, the PCTA member-cable operators are serving 75% of the total cable TV subscribers in the Philippines. 

Knowledge Channel ready to work with gov't in distance learning

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As the government shifts to distance learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Knowledge Channel is ready to share its video lessons that could reach as many as 7.6 million students, a huge portion of the 27 million expected to enroll this school year.

“Knowledge Channel is prepared to work with the government. We have created and acquired more than a thousand video lessons, all based on the K - 12 curriculum of the Department of Education and these are ready for use,” Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. (KCFI) director for operations Edric Calma said. 

For 21 years, KCFI has developed and acquired multimedia educational materials that public schools nationwide, especially in remote regions used to enhance teaching and learning. They are aired over Knowledge Channel and used for instruction by KCFI-trained teachers and are also designed for home-based learning. Before ABS-CBN went off the air on May 5, Knowledge Channel aired over SKYcable, SKYdirect, ABS-CBN TVplus, and other cable and direct to home satellite TV providers, reaching millions of students. 

According to Calma, KCFI has developed into video format 50% of the most essential learning competencies (MELC) that DepEd requires to be taught for the school year, and that KCFI can easily develop the remaining 50%. 

Knowledge Channel’s method of using TV technology has proven to improve the performance of children in school. Studies conducted by the DLSU La Sallian Institute for Development and Educational Research and the UP Statistical Center for Research Foundation's Impact Study for Proficient Measures for Quality Education revealed that children who were taught using Knowledge Channel video lessons performed better in tests. 

“The most essential learning competencies are the minimum curriculum-prescribed skills that students must acquire,” Calma said.

Calma stressed that the 21st century DepEd curriculum is about understanding and creating designs, systems and processes, unlike in the past when students were just required to memorize. 

“Subjects like mathematics and the sciences involve understanding of processes, and they need to be visually illustrated for kids to understand,” he said, adding “with this kind of curriculum, we need TV.” 

Calma said that Knowledge Channel’s multimedia resources also teach kids critical thinking. 

“Children’s critical thinking and creativity are triggered by video lessons because we challenge them with questions at the beginning, halfway through and at the end of the episode,” Calma said.

Alice Panares, who sits in the board of the National Council for Children's Television, said that the government is faced with the near-impossible task of training a 900,000-strong teaching workforce to teach students using media before the August opening of classes. 

To address this problem, Panares suggested that Knowledge Channel be tapped at the very onset of the distance learning program. 

“While the teachers are being trained, why not tap first the lessons of Knowledge Channel since it already has existing materials,” Panares said, adding that “Knowledge Channel has done a very complete work in educating the students in different areas.”

Panares said that Knowledge Channel is ready with the different subjects that are already in the form of TV lessons made for different grade levels. “I’ve watched many of the lessons and they are ready for airing for the DepEd,” she said.

KCFI president and executive director Rina Lopez Bautista appealed that KCFI be given the chance to share with the government its expertise for the sake of the children. 

Lopez Bautista said, “We believe that learning must continue for all and that no child should be left behind. We appeal to our lawmakers and the Filipino people to recognize ABS-CBN’s contributions to education and that ABS-CBN is granted a new franchise so that we can again reach the children no matter where they are in the Philippines. The Knowledge Channel Foundation continues, and will be working to continue to be in the service of Filipino children.” 

Iconic Children’s Show “Sesame Street” To Air On Knowledge Channel

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More sunny days are ahead as “Sesame Street,” the longest-running American children’s show, begins airing on Knowledge Channel this month.

The home to well-loved characters such as Big Bird, Bert, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Ernie, Grover, Oscar the Grouch, has taught children across the world how to become smarter, stronger, and kinder with the life lessons for over 40 years.

“A lot of Filipinos grew up watching ‘Sesame Street’ and they have learned valuable lessons from the show. This time around, Knowledge Channel would like to extend that enriching childhood experience brought by ‘Sesame Street’ to the new generation of Filipino kids by airing it in crystal clear digital TV,” Danie Sedilla, Knowledge Channel channel head said.

The show introduces a new character, Armando, a Puerto Rican who lives on the street, to show that it is still inclusive of varied cultures, as well as a new segment called “Cookie’s Crumbly Pictures,” which shows Cookie Monster in different situations as he learns how to control his emotions.

Adding excitement to learning on “Sesame Street” are the visits form Hollywood artists such as Charlize Theron, Usher, Anna Kendrick, Forrest Whittaker, and Pentatonix.

Meanwhile, Kapamilya stars have joined forces with some of the “Sesame Street” characters to excite kids with the airing of “Sesame Street” in the Philippines, marking a milestone for Filipino kids of all ages.

Jolina Magdangal, Darren Espanto, Ylona Garcia, Bailey May, Nash Aguas, Alexa Ilacad, Krissha Viaje, Kyle Echarri, and Yeng Constantino have teamed up to add a Pinoy touch to iconic Sesame Street opening song “Can You Tell Me How to get to Sesame Street?.”

Elmo, one of the show’s most loved characters recently flew into the country for a fun collaboration with the kids of “Team YeY,” the only original TV series for kids airing on YeY, the premium entertainment channel for kids on ABS-CBN TVplus.

Along with Team YeY hosts Nhizky Calma, Sam Shoaf, Noel Comia, Athena Guanzon, AJ Urquia, Raven Cajuguiran, Mitch Naco, and Sophia Reola, Elmo shot a Kidieoke, a sing-along video for kids, and TawaTime, short segments of jokes kids can share, for kids to watch across ABS-CBNchannels 2, YeY, and Knowledge Channel.

“We are thrilled to be reaching a new generation of children in the Philippines. From the very beginning, Sesame Street has always helped kids grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. With each new season, we continue to develop new content based on the latest research. Our mission is to educate and entertain, and to cover all the topics that families care about in the Philippines and around the world,” said Will De Pippo, assistant director for International Licensing at Sesame Street.

Come and play at “Sesame Street” and be part of the A-OK neighborhood filled with fun Monday to Friday at 7:30 AM, with replays at 6:00 PM, only on Knowledge Channel, available on ABS-CBN TVplus, SKYcable, and SKYdirect.

DepEd, Knowledge Channel renew vows to deliver 21st century education

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The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc. (KCFI) renewed its commitment to provide multimedia resources for over five million learners in 6,000 public schools and community learning centers in the country. 

The 10-year partnership allows public schools to have continued access to Knowledge Channel’s Educational Shows and multimedia learning resources, which complement and support the K to 12 curriculum through non-traditional and interactive modes of instruction. 

“Knowledge Channel is one consistent partner for the past 17 years in a country where there is actually no education channel,” Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC said. 

“Given the radical transformation in the education sector, the K to 12, its curriculum and learning pedagogies are major drivers of that change in the Philippines. But globally our learners, teachers, and families are faced with 21st century skills and the technology bubble. Technology and other innovations are tearing down walls, redefining learning spaces and emphasizing the importance of self-directed, constructivist and collaborative learning. Our teachers and our learners need to be out there and at par with the rest of the world and this is what we hope to bring to our schools,”  KCFI President and Executive Director Elvira Lopez-Bautista said.

She said that this partnership is different compared to the previous agreement with DepEd, adding, “It includes the development of videos, games, and interactive lessons on multiple platforms; on air, online and offline.” This is to improve learning outcomes through multimedia learning resources, she said. 

Aside from this, the recently signed pact will also provide a venue for the career development of educators and teachers. Training programs such as Superintendents’ Leadership Program (SLP) and LEEP program are also covered in the agreement. 

(L-R) DepEd Undersecretary for External Partnerships and Linkages Mario A. Deriquito, Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC, Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc. (KFCI) Chairman Oscar Lopez, and KFCI President and Executive Director Elvira Lopez-Bautista at the DepEd, KFCI signing of the memorandum of understanding that provides support for public school students and teachers in the country last March 31, 2016.

Lopez-Bautista said, “With this signing we hope to have an even closer relationship with DepEd in seeking policy guidance, directions, and cooperation. We ask that DepEd actively use and promote the software and hardware that are in the schools that are accessible to student and teachers as we believe this can improve learning outcomes.”

DepEd Undersecretary for Partnerships and External Linkages Mario A. Deriquito said, “We are happy to celebrate with you the many things that you have done for our public schools: a curriculum based TV channel, training for our teachers, support for the training of our schools division superintendents, the Learning Effectively through Enhance Pedagogies (LEEP) program, and giving awards to outstanding school-based programs and education leaders.”