By Asst. Prof. Bryan Paul L. Espinosa
Dr. Marjoe Karl T. Anacan and Asst. Prof. Bryan Paul L. Espinosa meet with CPU Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Merle Junsay following the presentation of the action plan.
As the educational landscape faces numerous challenges ushered in by technology and other disruptions, Central Philippine University is ensuring its faculty remains at the forefront of innovation. Two CPU faculty members, Dr. Marjoe Karl T. Anacan of the College of Hospitality Management and Asst. Prof. Bryan Paul L. Espinosa of the College of Education, have successfully completed the “Adaptive Design for Learning” certificate course. This specialized 12-week program is aimed at equipping college educators with skills in curriculum development meant to enhance courses that offer online and blended learning modalities.
The course was designed by the Ateneo de Manila SALT Institute and supported by the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia. The CPU representatives joined a select group of 50 participants from across Asia, with educators from India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Thailand, among others. The course culminated on November 19th, 2025, with the presentation of the Dr. Anacan and Asst. Prof. Espinosa’s action plan to which the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Merle L. Junsay responded with optimism and support.
Adaptive Design for Learning (ADL) is a student-centered framework that highlights the importance of student interest and welfare when engaging students in either online or blended learning setup. Its principles call for instruction that observes a balanced approach between individualized and collaborative learning while being rooted in real-world contexts. The participants envisioned the integration of ADL in the CPU curriculum in order to address frequent shifts from face-to-face classes to online learning due to typhoons, rising heat index, and recent bomb threats. Learning must continue, and ADL ensures that teaching and learning remain constant and flexible. The participants strongly call for its inclusion in the coming academic years.
ADL participants of Section C together with their Coach, Prof. Skilty Labastilla of SALT Institute.
Dr. Anacan expressed that the course training was very helpful, given that his focus was oriented more towards the service industry rather than education. The experience allowed him to embrace, apply, and appreciate the ADL strategies despite the challenges he faced in balancing work and meeting course deadlines for the required outputs. His experience made him realize the impact of ADL in enriching learner experience. As for Asst. Prof. Espinosa, he sees the immense potential of ADL in creating a more positive online learning experience for both teachers and students. As a teacher of teachers, he hopes to introduce this framework to his COED students, hoping that they too may create a learning space that honors students’ needs while also addressing CPU’s standards.
Dr. Anacan and Asst. Prof. Espinosa express their gratitude to the administration, especially the VPAA, for the recommendation to enroll, to the United Board for offering CPU the opportunity to become part of this program, and finally to Ateneo SALT Institute for providing a truly immersive ADL experience. They express hope that this framework will help other Centralian educators adapt their instruction according to the ever-changing needs of the Centralian learner.
The partnership between CPU and the United Board has been a long-standing one. Former fellows of United Board programs include Dr. Ananias Sabijon, Atty. Salex Alibogha, Dr. Annalee Cocjin, Asst. Prof. Sharlene Gotico, Assoc. Prof. Rea Angelica Villeza, Assoc. Prof. Ana Mae Cantel, Asst. Prof. Mellianne Mangana, to name a few. CPU hopes that this partnership continues to grow and bear fruit, enring that CPU continuously provides Excellent Christian Education for Life (EXCEL).