E-Guro: Teachers learning the competencies of online and distance e-learning (ODeL) to serve learners better
The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Ugnayan ng Pahinungód will launch its E-Guro program to the general public in celebration of National Teachers’ Month and World Teachers’ Day, running from 5 September to 5 October 2025. The E-Guro Introductory Course in Teaching K to 3 Learners: A Journey to Early Childhood Education aims to enhance educators’ teaching strategies and practices through professional development courses. Since its first course offering in 2024, it has reached more than 1000 teachers from 100 schools with partners from DepEd Los Baños, DepEd Panabo City, The Learning Circle School, DepEd San Pedro City, and DepEd Region X: Northern Mindanao.
Photo by: SDO San Pedro City – Cluster 1
The course is accessible through the Massive Open Distance eLearning (MODeL), the official massive open online course (MOOC) platform of the UPOU. Targeted to promote teachers’ upskilling relevant to the changing educational landscape, the two-part program aims to strengthen the capacity of teachers in early childhood education, special education, and early literacy and numeracy education through a series of regular professional development activities. Part I of the course encompasses Getting to Know the Learners and the Inclusionary Procedures in the Early Grades Classroom, while Part II includes Foundations of Literacy and Early Numeracy.
During its first and second offering in September 2024 and February 2025, E-Guro involved the help of 240 Pahinungod volunteers, coming from a wide variety of professions and fields, to be part of improving the country’s education system. To address learning loss caused by the pandemic, the program focuses on supporting teachers through investment in teacher professional development as part of our education systems. Volunteers believed that in order to increase students’ learning performance, teachers are key to children’s learning. As shared by one of the volunteers: “Volunteering for the second time in the online teacher training program has been a rewarding experience, allowing me to deepen my understanding of collaborative learning and professional development. Evaluating participants’ outputs gave me the opportunity to support fellow educators, share insights, and contribute to the continuous improvement of teaching practices.” The volunteers’ engagement with the program expanded as they served as course monitors, course evaluators, and synchronous session facilitators, guiding the teacher participants throughout their online learning journey.
The September 2024 and February 2025 course offerings engaged 1,056 participants from different schools in the country where many of them expressed their gratitude for participating in the course. A teacher shared at the end of the course: “I learned so much! My understanding of child development has deepened, and picked up some great teaching techniques that I am using now. I also want to thank everyone behind this course. Everyone was so approachable and always willing to help. Anytime I had a question or concern, there was someone there to answer me or support me. I am looking forward to more courses like this.”
Serving the Learners Better by Advocating Personal and Professional Growth
A teacher participant shared, “Through this E-Guro program, I gained valuable knowledge and skills in integrating technology into my teaching, creating more interactive and effective learning experiences for my students. It also helped me become more confident and adaptable in using digital platforms for instruction”, while acknowledging that there is a need to apply innovative digital teaching strategies in the classroom and share knowledge with fellow educators to promote effective and engaging learning environments.
Photo by: SDO San Pedro City – Cluster 1
Teachers shared that they have learned simple and effective ways to teach young children and better understand their needs in the classroom. They were delighted with the thoughts and learnings in the course and realized that learning is lifelong. They aim to apply their newfound skills and knowledge to enhance their teaching practice and positively impact their pupils’ learning experiences, even at the kindergarten level.
To be able to serve learners better, a teacher participant realized that as teachers: “We should continue learning to adapt to the ever-evolving educational landscape and better serve our students”. Many of the teachers acknowledged the challenges they encountered such as navigating the course site, poor internet connection, and difficulty in time management – while another teacher noted: “Despite these challenges, I remained committed to completing the course, as I recognized its importance in improving my teaching practice and supporting my professional growth.”
In embracing new skills and mindsets, they are not only enhancing classroom learning today but are also shaping a more adaptive, inspired, and learner-centered future for the next generation.
As part of UPOU’s commitment to upgrading the quality of the educational system of the country, E-Guro the program will be offered to the general public with the course enrollment starting on 22 August 2025.
Written by Jurell A. Ordanes ♦ Edited by Larry N. Cruz & Naomi Jean Unlayao
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