The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in vocational schools in the Philippines is rising, although there are still some apprehensions among training institutes using it, according to a survey of US-based Instructure Holdings Inc.
The report of the survey’s results said that to keep pace with the prevalence of AI tools, 75 percent of vocational education institutions in the Philippines actively offer AI training, showcasing their commitment to embracing and adapting to AI's technological disruptions.
Despite some apprehensions and outright bans, most institutions (91 percent) have established guidelines for using generative AI, with 56 percent implementing light guidelines and 35 percent enforcing stricter ones.
“It's vital that institutions continue to provide strong support to students as they complete their courses and advance in their lifelong learning journey. This involves not only equipping them with the latest technological tools and skills but also overcoming inherent challenges in this rapidly changing educational landscape,” said Harrison Kelly, managing director at Instructure Asia Pacific.
The report said that the highest utilization of AI was among students of vocational institutes in the Philippines with 76 percent utilizing it for research and writing, 46 percent for language translation, and 45 percent for test preparation.
However, the report added that the with the rising integration of technology in education, the emergence of generative AI tools like ChatGPT presented “a complex mix of challenges and opportunities for vocational institutions in the Philippines, reshaping their approach to teaching and learning.”
“While 32 percent of vocational institutions have incorporated AI tools into their operations, 38 percent have opted to ban them entirely. Additionally, 23 percent are familiar with these tools but choose not to use them, and a small fraction (6 percent) lack knowledge about them,” Instructure said in the report.
Meanwhile, administrative staff are more likely to utilize AI tools (34 percent) compared to trainers (30 percent). Also, the report said that those less inclined to support bans on AI tools are administrative staff at 38 percent and trainers at 39 percent.
For administrative staff using AI tools, the main tasks where the technology is utilized is in research and writing (59 percent), lesson plan creation (49 percent), and administrative tasks like email drafting (46 percent).
Use of educational technology
According to the report, 89 percent of vocational education institutions place great importance on the employment rates of recent graduates, and 81 percent value their students' practical application of knowledge and skills. When assessing their programs, 100 percent believe they effectively prepare students for the workplace. However, more than half of the institutions (53 percent) admit that they struggle with recent graduate employment rates.
In response to the increasingly competitive job market, vocational education institutions are turning to technology as a key tool to positively influence instructors, administrators, and students. A significant 97 percent of these institutions believe that their use of technology has played a crucial role in enhancing student success.
Among the technologies adopted, learning management systems (LMS) emerged as the most commonly used technology, with 77 percent of institutions utilizing them. Digital assessment solutions (62 percent) and video/audio conferencing (59 percent) were also widely adopted. Further emphasizing the value of technology in education, 88 percent of institutions report that their students place great importance on integrating technological tools like LMS, recognizing their role in enriching the learning experience.
“The widespread adoption of LMS and other digital learning tools speaks to a deeper understanding that integrating technology is crucial for preparing vocational students for the complexities of the modern workforce,” said Kelly.
Addressing competition and challenges
Another key factor driving technology adoption in vocational education institutions is the heightened competition from universities. According to the report, 65 percent of institutions said they are seeing a high increase in competition from universities offering nontraditional courses for students, such as short courses or micro-credentials.
The current inflation environment has also had a mixed impact on these institutions. While 88 percent of institutions have experienced increased enrollments, cost pressures related to home life (81 percent), household income (74 percent), and access to technology (74 percent) remain concerns.
Moreover, the institutions expressed the need for assistance complying with standards (45 percent) and increased funding (37 percent). These findings emphasize the sector's need for additional support to equip students with the required workplace readiness.
Instructure, listed at the New York Stock Exchange, is the leading learning technology ecosystem and maker of Canvas Learning Management System (LMS).
It recently commissioned Hanover Research to conduct a study highlighting the evolving focus of vocational education institutions in the Philippines on enhancing student employability. The State of Vocational Education in the Philippines survey, carried out in September 2023, and encompassing 115 institutions, indicates a significant shift toward integrating educational technology solutions such as LMS to broaden students' career opportunities post-graduation.
