The DOST Courseware is a locally-produced, all-original Filipino highly interactive multimedia educational resource packages available both in Windows and Android versions, conceptualized, digitized and produced as spearheaded by the Science Education Institute (SEI-DOST) in partnership with the Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI-DOST) and in cooperation with the Department of Education (DepEd), Philippine Normal University (PNU) and University of the Philippines-National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (UP-NISMED), which primary goal is to develop information and communication technology learning innovation to support the upgrading and improvement of science and mathematics education in the country. The DOST Courseware are provided for free to schools and are also made available online as supplemental resources for teachers and student as an interactive approach to e-learning and blended learning.

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HISTORY

In 2004, the Science Education Institute (SEI) met with the Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI), with an idea. To enable schools take advantage of Information Technology (IT) in conducting classroom lectures. The plan was to optimize, streamline, and standardize lesson presentation through the use of cost-effective and high quality solutions, which would then assist students to be more competitive, maximize and enhance learning through the use of this technology.

The project took two years to culminate, with SEI for the financial support and tapping experts from the Philippine Normal University (PNU) and teachers under the Department of Education (DepEd) writing in the form of scripts the Science and Mathematics lesson content. The creative team of ASTI, using Flash technology and other multimedia tools, developed the one hundred one (101) highly animated and interactive lessons. Series of workshops participated in by the three involved agencies were also done after the digitization to validate and approve the final modules before its release. The rigid content development, animation and experts' validation made this project highly anticipated, making everyone excited and truly, it was worth the wait.

On November 16, 2006, the much-awaited project "Development of Computer-Aided-Instructions for Science and Mathematics - Modules in Science and Mathematics for Elementary Schools", which produced 101 modules (41 in science and 60 in mathematics) was formally launched at Discovery Suites, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Witnessing the event were officials and staff from the Department of Education, Department of Science and Technology, the media, teachers and students as well. To date, about 9,000 copies of this courseware has been distributed to various public elementary schools, public offices, some foreign guests, science centrums, and lawmakers.

For the second time in 2011, The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through its attached agencies, the Science Education Institute (SEI) and the Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI), collaborated with NISMED in the development of a new courseware for Grade I mathematics under the project “Technology Package for Student Learning Empowerment: Pilot Testing of Courseware and Tablet PC". The project aims to determine the effect of using digitized learning materials on the academic performance of Grade 1 pupils in mathematics, to identify the problems associated with the use of the Tablet PC, to determine the benefits of using the Tablet PC in the teaching and learning of mathematics, and to recommend actions based on the results of the pilot testing,

The interactive courseware in mathematics is a supplementary material and were loaded in Tablet PCs. There are 10 lessons included in the courseware: six on Whole Numbers, three on Fractions, and one on Linear Measurement. Each lesson has three parts: Activities, Fixing Skills, and Evaluation. The courseware is accompanied by a teaching support material that will guide the teachers on how to use the interactive courseware effectively in the classroom.

The project has four major phases: design and development of the lessons for the courseware; digitization of these lessons; training of teachers; and pilot testing of the courseware using the Tablet PC. The third phase of the project was completed in August 2012. A total of 20 teachers from NCR, Region I, Region IVA, Region VIII, and Region X participated in the training program held at the Information Science Laboratory, STTC Building, UP NISMED. The teacher-participants were familiarized with the features and operation of the Tablet PC as well as on the use of the interactive courseware. The pre-pilot testing of the courseware started in November 2011 and ended in March 2012.

The collaboration Of SEI and ASTI reached greater heights, alongside the development of the second edition of elementary courseware is the courseware for secondary schools which started in 2010. Currently, there are 133 modules in first year consisting of 73 modules in science and 60 in mathematics. Second year level meanwhile includes 118 modules: 58 in science and 60 in mathematics.

Through the use of these highly interactive lessons/modules and cost-effective high-quality tCT solutions Courseware, SEI, ASTI, and DOST expect to enable elementary and secondary-level students to be more competitive through the optimal use of technology.