MORE than 260,000 teachers participated in the In-Service Training aimed to widen their knowledge on education technology, the Department of Education said on Sunday.

The training materials were uploaded in the DepEd Commons and Learning Management System, allowing teachers to take the training at their own pace.

The week-long activity featured discussions on integration and utilization of DepEd Commons, DepEd TV, DepEd Learning Management System, and Open Educational Resources, among others.

The INSET 2021 was organized by the Information and Communications Technology Service-Education Technology Unit headed by Director Abram Abanil under the Administration Strand led by Undersecretary Alain Del Pascua and Assistant Secretary Salvador Malana III.

It is part of the DepEd’s Public Schools of the Future Framework of the Administration Strand and follow through of SIPAG (Strand Interface for Programs and Guidelines.)

The ICTS-EdTech recorded 269,718 participants nationwide.

“We thank our teachers who continue to embrace the demands of their profession amidst these difficult times. This kind of support from our dear teachers motivates us further to push for policies and programs on educators’ upskilling and welfare,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.

ICTS-EdTech Head Mark Anthony Sy tackled some effective strategies in delivering synchronous teaching on the first day of training.

According to him, teachers must provide learners with an agenda, set their expectations and inform the students about it, encourage discussion among learners, conduct icebreakers before the session, have a shorter but recorded session, and strategically use the chat tools.

Sy cited the need for more ICT training for teachers and appealed to concerned authorities to help provide a strong internet connection for education.

“We are not leaving you behind. We are listening. We know your struggles,” he said.

The INSET is being livestreamed on official DepEd Facebook, YouTube, and Streamyard platforms.