‘Less checking, more teaching’: Kalinga Grade 2 teacher cites benefits of DOST e-TURO learning system in class

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – A Grade 2 teacher at Bulanao Central School has credited the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) AI-powered e-TURO learning system for making classroom lessons more interactive and checking and recording pupils’ activities easier.

Rochelle Ann Laño, whose class is among the three recipients of the e-TURO (Enhancing Teachers Unimpeded Rational Objectives) Digital Learning System at the school, said she has observed improved classroom engagement since she began using the technology in September.

Following a classroom observation by the DOST-National Research Council of the Philippines on November 11, Laño told Guru Press Cordillera that she uses the system three times a week to support her lessons.

“Idi awan iti laptop da, kumpurmi iti ubraen da, haan da ag-listen iti daduma. Idi adda daytoy, at least, nagmamayat dagiay video lesson, talaga interactive ket talaga maawatan iman,” she said.

She added that the system has also made checking and recording pupils’ activities easier because learners take their quizzes using laptops, allowing the device to automatically generate their scores.

“When it comes to activities nga iche-check, lin-mag an ta adda ditan and nakatipid sa ink and bondpaper. And pwede ko na rin kunin yung score nila diyan, tapos record ko na rin,” she said.

Despite the availability of the AI-powered system, Laño said she continues to combine it with her own PowerPoint presentations and traditional teaching methods, including discussions and the use of the classroom board, to ensure effective lesson delivery.

Bulanao Central School is one of only two schools in the Cordillera Administrative Region selected for the e-TURO pilot implementation, along with Laya West Elementary School.

CAR is also among the six regions nationwide chosen for the program.

The two schools received the e-TURO package in September 2026. It includes laptops, a smart TV, a USB device and 12 months of internet connectivity.

The system features AI-powered learning materials and quizzes designed to improve the quality of basic education while helping reduce teachers’ workload.