Flexible learning enhances knowledge – Cocopea

ThE Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations ( Cocopea) on Thursday lauded the Commission on higher Education ( ChEd) for giving higher education institutions ( hEIs) the opportunity to study and to refine their flexible learning provisions amid the enhanced community quarantine.

Flexible learning solutions could push learners to continuously enhance their knowledge, skills and attitudes at their own pace, the group said.

“Literature in 21st- century teaching methodology is replete with evidence that self- paced learning strengthens students’ command of reasoning, resilience and responsibility — our new three R’s, indeed,” it said in a statement.

The group explained that self- paced learning in flexible education systems also supports extended or self- determined deadlines for completing and submitting evidence of learning.

“Since [outcome-based education] confines teaching and learning activities to just those that will lead to attainment of outcomes, teachers and learners are compelled to focus only on enabling learning experiences and not on traditional requirements,” it said.

“In fact, such systems do not promote overcompensation of lack of physical presence by giving too many assignments,” they added.

Cocopea urged ChEd to consider the refined models implemented by some hEIs in administering flexible learning to a variety students.

These models recognize at least three groups of learners who share the same concerns on safety and sanity — learners without connectivity, learners with limited connectivity and learners with connectivity.

“While such models are imperfect responses to the crisis spawned by Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), they have nevertheless united administrators, faculty members, staff and even student governments in an unprecedented redefinition of the purpose of higher education,” it said.

ChEd has asked universities and colleges to be more lenient as classes shift online as a precautionary measure against the spread of the Covid-19.