The first session of the Community of Practice on Technology-Enhanced Teaching and Learning was successfully conducted on May 23, 2026, at Peer Learning Room (PLR) 4, 5th Floor, BRS Building. Facilitated by the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) and the College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE), the activity served as the opening session of a three-part series aimed at fostering collaboration, innovation, and continuous professional development among faculty members.
The session featured presentations from Mr. Jersey Dupagan of CAS and Ms. Nica Togana of CCJE, who shared their best practices and experiences in integrating technology into higher education instruction. Mr. Dupagan discussed effective strategies in utilizing the Learning Management System (LMS) to support teaching and learning, while Ms. Togana highlighted approaches to embracing educational technologies that enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
A significant part of the program was the message delivered by Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Ariel Nimo B. Pumecha, who emphasized the importance of continuously utilizing the Learning Management System even during face-to-face classes. He underscored the LMS as an essential tool for academic continuity, student support, and access to learning resources beyond the classroom setting.
Dr. Pumecha also outlined the objectives of the Community of Practice initiative, which include enhancing faculty competencies in the effective integration of educational technologies, strengthening capabilities in developing engaging and outcomes-based learning materials and assessments, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and peer mentoring through the sharing of best practices, and identifying challenges in the implementation of technology-enhanced teaching and learning. These objectives reflect the University’s commitment to cultivating a culture of innovation and continuous improvement in instructional practices.
Through the Community of Practice sessions, faculty members are provided with a valuable platform to exchange ideas, learn from one another’s experiences, and discover innovative approaches that can further enrich the teaching and learning environment. The succeeding sessions are expected to continue promoting collaboration and empowering educators to maximize the use of technology in higher education.
This initiative supports the University’s commitment to advancing quality and innovative education and aligns primarily with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education by strengthening faculty competencies and promoting effective teaching and learning practices. It also contributes to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure through the adoption and integration of educational technologies that support innovation in higher education.
