Safe online learning environment

Elizabeth G. Balase

DURING this challenging time when face-to-face learning has been suspended this school year because of COVID-19, the Department of Education should ensure that there is a safe and healthy online learning environment for teachers, students, and home educators.

We all know that the use of technology has exposed learners to risks even before the quarantines have started. Now, it plays a big part in their learning – and again puts them at risk as they have to spend more time online.

The DepEd, with online learning a big part of its learning continuity campaign, has highlighted the urgent need to keep everyone in the educational community safe online.

One of those who heeded this call is telecommunications giant Globe Telecom. Along with DepEd, Globe initiated a live webinar on cyber security and wellness for the education sector.

Titled “Global Filipino Teacher Series: Digital Thumbprint Program (DTP)”, the webinar was held via the Globe Bridging Communities Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/GlobeBridgeCom/ ). With guests and panelists from Unicef and Globe, the webinar was open to all teaching and non-teaching staff of DepEd covering the national, regional, and division offices, and all public schools nationwide.

Parallel to the webinar, Globe is launching shorter and shareable versions of the DTP cyber wellness training modules which are meant to reach a wider audience online.

According to Globe, the company will continue to support DepEd’s thrust of delivering quality education and training to learners and educators.

It said it is also one with the government in helping keep the online community safe for everyone, especially the children.

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The author is Teacher II at Pampanga High School