The Shift to Digital Learning for School Year 2020

Laianne Pineda Galang

The health crisis the world is experiencing right now has immensely change our way of living. Many industries were shutdown due to the health threats brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. Even the education sector was greatly affected.

The usual opening of classes in June has been disrupted by the global pandemic. The Department of Education had to come out with a plan of resuming classes without jeopardizing the health of both teachers and students. Thus, the shift to digital learning.

For school year 2020, digital learning, also called distance learning, seems to be the best option to keep both teachers and students safe from any health threats. The DepEd has created modules suitable for students from different levels. Aside from the modules, online lessons will be conducted, as well.

The new learning style, however, poses various challenges to both teachers and their students.

First, not all teachers and students have internet connectivity and computers at home. Secondly, not all teachers and students have the needed skills to use the digital devices including softwares needed for the online programs. Lastly, taking lessons from the comfort of their homes may have several effects to the well-being of both teachers and students.

Fortunately, there are ways to address these challenges. In my next article, I will discuss some of the solutions to these issues.

--oOo-

The author is Teacher I at San Matias National High School