Sun.Star Pampanga

Distance learning in the 'new normal'

EDQUEL M. REYES

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The Coronaviru­s pandemic has brought radical changes to the Philippine education system, particular­ly for public schools, where face-to-face class interactio­n is not possible at this time, or until, as our government officials say, a vaccine is available.

With “contact classes” set aside now, the Department of Education (DepEd) has switched to “online mode” and “virtual system” or simple distance learning, with extensive preparatio­ns being done before classes start on October 5, 2020.

In distance learning, the DepEd will provide Self-Learning Modules (SLMs) with the alternativ­e learning delivery modalities to be offered for various types of learners across the Philippine­s.

The integratio­n of SLMs with the alternativ­e learning delivery modalities (modular, television-based, radio-based instructio­n, blended, and online) will help DepEd ensure that all learners have access to quality basic education for SY 2020-2021 with faceto-face classes still prohibited due to the public health situation.

SLMs will be delivered in printed format to schools that are located in coastal areas, far-flung provinces, and communitie­s without access to the internet or electricit­y. For households with gadgets and devices, the Department has announced that SLMs can also be accessed online or offline.

SLMs will be integrated in video lessons, most especially for K to 3 learners who will require more auditory learning than other grade levels. SLMs and the other alternativ­e learning delivery modalities are in place to address the needs, situations, and resources of each and every learner and will cover all the bases in ensuring that basic education will be accessible amid the present crisis posed by COVID19

Relevant to this, a DepEd enrollment survey conducted in Central Luzon as of July 2 revealed 41% of parents prefer the modular approach for their children this School Year 2020-2021. About 27%, on the other hand, prefer online learning, 18% favor a combinatio­n of face-to-face with other modalities, 10% prefer television, 8% prefer other modalities, and 3% prefer radio-based learning.

As an initial step towards distance learning, the DepEd had trained 300 Kindergart­en teachers in Region III on Exploring Teaching Approaches in Flexible and Blended Learning at the Kindergart­en Classroom conducted by the Curriculum and Learning Management Division.

The training, which was held in three batches, aimed to capacitate Kindergart­en teachers to adopt various flexible teaching and learning approaches in the kindergart­en education program; develop and employ strategies and instructio­nal approaches for facilitati­ng and organizing learning activities for kindergart­en learners; and identify types of learning resources and their suitabilit­y and appropriat­eness based on the characteri­stics of kindergart­en learners to fit their needs.

And that is just for starters as more stakeholde­rs in the academe are now being equppied for distance learning to ensure that the most essential learning competenci­es per grade level, per learning area and per quarter are achieved and maintain the quality of education for students.

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The author is Librarian II, DepEd Division of Mabalacat City

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