Digital Learning: Philippines in the Midst of an Evolving Teaching and Learning Method

By Louise Marasigan

February 20, 2025.

Digital learning is said to be the new norm as a teaching and learning method, instilling knowledge in modern students. Parallel with the development of modern computers and internet systems over the past several decades, many countries around the globe have leaned towards digital learning.

Today, a shift from physical classroom sessions to digital learning is one manifestation of the modern education system worldwide. In the Philippines, this trend is not yet fully enforced nationwide but has gained momentum over the past decade since it was introduced to the country in the early 21st century.

Since the early 2000s, digital learning in the Philippines gradually progressed since its initial implementation at the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) in Los Baños, Laguna. Between the late 1990s and 2000s, UPOU started to change its traditional program to integrate online teaching and learning platforms.

Since then, multiple educational institutions nationwide have partially integrated digital education into their system. Through digital learning, students can immerse themselves not only in online classes but also take courses and even answer examinations using their computers or mobile devices.

This type of learning method was greatly utilized by the Philippine education system during restrictions on physical classes because of the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. In August 2024, the Department of Education (DepEd) collaborated with Khan Academy Philippines Inc. as a means to strengthen the country’s digital learning efforts.