Benilde’s full online classes get assessed
FROM July 1 to August 26, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) students are given full online learning option to complete their degrees in the safety of their homes through the Benilde Online Learning Term (BOLT).
A press statement from DLSCSB said this alternative means of studying aimed to protect the students and the professors from the threats of the Covid-19 pandemic.
As students and professors prepare for the opening of the Academic Year 2020-2021 First Term on September 7 with full online modality for all year levels, BOLT was assessed for its effectiveness.
Featuring 200 carefully selected subjects parallel to the original syllabi, sessions were coursed through BigSky, Benilde’s official learning management system.
The professors also utilized platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet, Facebook and Skype for meetings, and Google Drive or YouTube for file sharing.
Facilitated by content experts and faculty members with a high level of proficiency in online teaching, professors incorporated tried-and-tested practices with new online teaching techniques utilized by educators in other countries.
Approximately 550 Benildean educators were also trained to prepare for online and blended learning modalities.
Human Resource Management Program Chairman Jude Jose Latorre Jr. saw BOLT as a new frontier in teaching and learning. But shifting platforms meant he had to adjust teaching methodologies.
“It was not easy, but it had to be done. Both teachers and students successfully hurdled through a learning curve in going about it,” he noted.
Latorre also found new ways to curate his lessons to suit the variety of learners.
“Lecture courses were also done through podcasts and webinars, which can also be participatory and interactive through digital messaging responses. As of now, I added these techniques to my repository of teaching strategies, which I hope to refine in the succeeding terms,” he continued.
School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management Associate Professor Dr. Mary Grace Ac-Ac encountered the challenge in creating and developing course materials designed for an online class.
“I dedicated time for training and it helped me a lot as I am not the tech-savvy professor. I also researched on the best tools to use in an online environment,” she admitted.
“In addition to training, developing the lecture materials also required time investment and creativity. Professors had to be inventive as we designed course materials and activities to engage the students whilst achieving a sound pedagogy,” she specified.
Some students likewise weighed in on the ongoing implementation of BOLT.
Rafaela Grace Santos, a student under the School of Diplomacy and Governance, shared that she opened Zoom for the first time, explored BigSky through tutorials, and started to regularly check her phone for notifications and deadlines.
“It’s harder to concentrate at home but I can manage somehow. It was a rocky start, but I can say that I am slowly adapting since I now know what to expect from my teachers,” she stated.
For Santos, one of the biggest advantages of taking BOLT courses is that she now has less subjects left upon the resumption of regular term in the academic year.
“Those who do not know what to do with the free time on their hands can make use of it by learning. You do not need to leave the comforts of your home since you can attend classes and pass assignments online,” she advised.
Working student Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Major in Marketing Management candidate Rafael Baloloy was hesitant to take BOLT at first, but adapted to the situation due to this convenient option.
“I was overwhelmed, confused, and stressed because of the overflowing activities and deadlines. But now, I can manage my time and stay organized. I take down reminders so I could prioritize what to be done first and I read tips on how to manage online classes,” he opined.
“I think it is the best option that we have right now to continue with our education without compromising our health and safety from the pandemic,” Baloloy ended.
In assistance to the hard times, BOLT offered courses with a minimal cost compared to the face toregular term and likewise allowed the students to save on allowances, fares and time intended for travels to and from campus.
With only two-to-four synchronous meetings, the majority of classes were carried out offline. This provided an opportunity for students and professors alike to obtain flexible hours and have a work and study-life balance.