Making Online Learning Interactive

Michelle M. Villegas

As we embrace the new normal in education where there is no face to face interaction, unless vaccine is available, education amidst this pandemic is really a game changer in the academe. From the traditional actual teaching, CoViD19 opens variety of modalities to the learners making our education healthier and more diverse.

Since situation urges us to quickly shift to different learning delivery models, our department admittedly needs more time and resources to prepare all necessary considerations including capacity building for teachers for online learning and the use of each online platforms, preparation of modules and production of TV-Based Instruction. Also, participation of the community and support of the parents are also encourage to make the distance learning successful. Before the occurrence of the virus, the Department of Education already announced that they achieve its first direction, Accessibility, and ready to proceed with the second which is Quality. But as the virus ruin the education and the whole country as well, Quality in the implementation of distance learning is something questionable. Many parents say that they may not give the same quality that the teacher can provide during face to face learning. Even online learning might not be as effective since the curriculum requires students centered learning while typical online class will surely have dominated by teachers.

As technology continues to improve, platform tools also evolve based on the need of the netizen and continuously add special features suited for an engaging online session. Now, aside from introducing video conferencing tools like Google Meet, Zoom and Microsoft Teams, other tools are now being presented to make the learning engaging, fun and most of all, student centered. These tools have special features to open opportunity for interaction, they provide on-time responses among students and can immediately give feedbacks from the teachers. Some of these are Mentimeter, Quizizz, Kahoot and the Socrative. Another one that makes the online session more exciting on the part of learners is digitizing all actual activities conducted that are convertible and be done in online format.

As we continue to advocate that education must continue, technology is with us to help us, both digital immigrant and digital natives, in providing accessible, quality, relevant and liberating education.

The author is Teacher

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II at San Vicente Pilot School for Philippine Craftsmen