SEEKING TO provide a new approach to the concept of learning and teaching, the Ateneo’s Gokongwei Brothers School of Education and Learning Design (GBSEALD) unveiled its first undergraduate degree program named the Bachelor of Science in Learning Science and Design (BS LEARN) last August 30.

Starting implementation in AY 2024–2025, BS LEARN is a four-year degree program that endeavors to further promote and build diverse learning environments in line with GBSEALD’s philosophy of “designing the learning experience of the students.”

To elaborate on the vision behind the new program, GBSEALD Dean Johnny Go, SJ explained that they wanted it to be innovative and responsive. He added that they aspire to promote the idea that learning and teaching can be scientific and artistic.

“We’re hoping that we can really build a foundation for an array of programs where our students will be committed to the importance of education [as] its priority, but at the same time be open and adventurous enough to innovate in education,” Go further said.

Developing learning 

Prior to BS LEARN’s development, Go cited the University’s Adaptive Design for Learning (ADL) as GBSEALD’s inspiration for professionalizing learning and implementation. Produced by the Ateneo Institute for the Science and Art of Learning and Teaching, the ADL served as a guide to online education.

To strengthen their approach, GBSEALD consulted with private and public high school students, their parents, and public school educators about their thoughts on BS LEARN. Through this feedback, Go saw the need to raise the status of learning professionals.

“We thought that teachers deserve to have a higher stature, and our contribution to that is to level up what it really means to be a learning professional today,” Go asserted.

Aside from consultations, Go mentioned that GBSEALD initially faced challenges in designing the degree program, due to it being different from the usual teaching and production-focused educational courses, but these challenges eventually lapsed.

A multifaceted approach

Furthermore, Go believes that BS LEARN is also set apart from the traditional teacher undergraduate degree programs, as it boasts the co-curriculum of the Ateneo, which he believes is a defining feature of the Ateneo education.

Go also envisions future BS LEARN students to develop competence in learning and teaching, not only relying on intuition and experience, but also on science, research, and data. He hopes this development will manifest in the strategies, techniques, and tactics the students may utilize in designing and conducting learning experiences.

To further supplement the BS LEARN students’ development, the degree program will also provide opportunities to learn from experts in the university, allowing them to teach in every discipline they prefer, given the multidisciplinary nature of education.

While BS LEARN’s direction has been set, Go emphasized that it is still a “prototype.” Thus, he mentioned that as far as disciplinary tracks, specializations, or minors are concerned, they will be adjusting these offerings based on garnered feedback from its students.

Tomorrow of education

Extending past the program, Go sees career opportunities for BS LEARN graduates to extend beyond being a learning professional in classrooms, given that all fields involve learning and training.

Apart from BS LEARN, Go disclosed that the school also continues its progress in actualizing its vision by offering two doctoral programs: a professional and an academic doctorate. These plans seek to echo GBSEALD’s own mission, “Bago ang lahat, edukasyon (Education before anything else).”

Aside from all of these programs, Go shared that they are currently completing a Learning Design Hive on the fourth floor of Areté. This space will house a collaborative learning space, a podcast recording station, and a video shooting spot which will initially be for GBSEALD students.

Diving deeper into GBSEALD, Go underscored their efforts to steer the Ateneo toward the fulfillment of its strategic priority area for educational reform and transformation. 

One notable effort they have made is providing the entire faculty of the Ateneo with ADL during the pandemic to address the concerns for online classes. Moreover, they are currently developing programs like graduate certificate courses to equip teachers and professors with educational leadership and professional education.

In addition to these ongoing developments, GBSEALD also intends to soon craft a “Digital University” that will allow the public to convert micro-credentials or certificate courses into a full Master’s degree program. This plan aims to make education more flexible and accessible.

With all these programs tailored to enhance learning amid the technology-driven times, Go remains hopeful about GBSEALD and its future in terms of furthering the improvement of education within and beyond the Ateneo.