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Digital math textbook in Visayan language launched to help Filipino students

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt=" Online conference for the Smart Lecture project with representatives from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Philippines" Department="" of="" Education="" and="" Japanese="" company="" Keirinkan.="" Photo="" courtesy="" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/news/08/18/online-conference-8182022.jpg"/><figcaption>Online conference for the Smart Lecture project with representatives from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Philippines&#x27; Department of Education and Japanese company Keirinkan. <em>Photo courtesy of Keirinkan</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has launched a digital math textbook written in the Visayan language, in a bid to improve how the subject is taught in the country.</p><p>The learning material called Smart Lecture introduces &quot;a new way to teach math, often one of the most challenging subjects in schools, to young Filipinos,&quot; JICA said in a statement on Thursday.</p><p>Aside from being written in a local language, Smart Lecture &quot;uses Japan&#x27;s organized structure and quality explanation while matching it with the Philippine curriculum,&quot; the development assistance agency said.</p><p>&quot;Improving teaching materials is crucial in enhancing how subjects like math, science, or reading are taught in schools,&quot; said JICA chief representative Takema Sakamoto.</p><p>&quot;[This] is our way to help build human resources and talent in the Philippines and equip students with critical skills in enhancing international competitiveness,&quot; he said.</p><p>Through Smart Lecture, students can watch explainer videos linked to paper-based materials. It can also be used in online classes as a supplementary material to teachers&#x27; lessons.</p><p>&quot;Since the videos are in small data sizes, Filipinos can use it even in weak internet environments and can easily be accessed through mobile phones, computers, and tablets,&quot; JICA said.</p><p>Smart Lecture was developed in partnership with the Philippines&#x27; education department (DepEd), several Japanese firms including textbook company Keirinkan, and non-profit organization e-Education.</p><p>Keirinkan earlier conducted a pilot study in Cagayan de Oro, which showed a &quot;significant improvement&quot; in math performance among students who used Smart Lecture, the JICA statement said.</p><p>Ninety-five percent of 180 high school teachers surveyed in Cagayan de Oro also expressed interest in using the material, it added.</p><p>The project is part of JICA&#x27;s scheme that taps Japanese companies to introduce their ideas and expertise to Japan&#x27;s partner countries like the Philippines.</p><p>If successful, the DepEd plans to roll out the project in other parts of the Philippines, said JICA.</p><p>The Philippines was the second lowest among 79 countries in mathematical literacy in the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment, which tests 15-year-old students.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/12/04/19/mga-mag-aaral-na-pinoy-pinakamahina-sa-79-bansa-sa-pag-intindi-ng-binabasa-pisa">Mga mag-aaral na Pinoy, pinakamahina sa 79 bansa sa pag-intindi ng binabasa: PISA</a></li></ul><p>The country was also last among 58 countries in an assessment for mathematics and science for Grade 4 students last 2019.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/09/20/ph-ranks-last-among-58-countries-in-grade-4-math-science-study">PH ranks last among 58 countries in Grade 4 math, science: study</a></li></ul><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2178154" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

JICA has launched a digital math textbook written in the Visayan language, in a bid to improve how the subject is taught in the country.