Integrating a PABX Telephone System Learning Tool into Telecommunications Technology Curricula

Abstract

This study aims to develop an operational Private Automatic Branch Exchange (PABX) telephone system to be used as a laboratory tool for students in the Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Technology (BSECT) program at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP). The PABX trainer is expected to enhance students' occupational preparation for potential employment in the telecommunications and networking industries. Through the operational platform, students' cognitive, manipulative, and programming skills related to PABX can be assessed. A telecommunications course is a core component of the BSECT curriculum, familiarizing students with corporate communications platforms like PABX. The presence of physical PABX equipment is crucial for quality instruction aligned with the Commission on Higher Education's (CHED) standards and the university's accreditation requirements. While PABX has been widely used in industry, incorporating its technology into the BSECT curriculum remains necessary. This study aims to innovate pedagogical tools that establish students' PABX-related skill sets and potentially lead to further investigations and system integrations with other ICT technologies. The study yielded positive affirmation of the content, technical, and instructional qualities, and its overall acceptability relative to the learning tool. There are also significant improvements in the student’s cognitive skills, manipulative skills, and programming skills set out of using the PABX learning tool in laboratory activities.