ICT: PAVING THE WAY FOR DISTANCE LEARNING

Cristina T. Lusong

The COVID – 19 pandemic has posed serious challenges to various sectors especially in responding to basic rights. With the social distancing and community quarantine imposed in various areas of the county, basic education is one of the sectors which has been heavily affected as schools and community learning centers are closed for the physical conduct of classes (DepEd Order No. 12, s.2020).

In consonance to this, to ensure that learning continues as the country battles the pandemic, the Department of Education (DepEd) has implemented a distance learning approach. Distance Learning may be implemented through any of the following: Modular Distance Learning (MDL), Online Distance Learning (ODL), TVVideo/RBI, or Blended Distance Learning (DepEd Memorandum, DM-CI-2020-00162).

Distance Learning refers to a learning delivery modality where a learner is given materials or access to resources and he or she undertakes self-directed study at home or in another venue. (DO 21, s. 2019). Learners engage in independent learning at home or in any physical learning space applicable, by using learning materials that are accessible either online, stored on CD/DVD/USB Flash drive, or in printed form, or by viewing TV lessons or listening to radio-based instruction while being geographically distant from the teacher.

With the above mentioned scenario, it is likely to note the important role of ICT in the new normal way of education. ICT is really paving the way for the delivery of lessons and competencies to the learners especially to those who chose Online Distance Learning (ODL). Moreover, it has also helped the teachers in performing their tasks and duties as well as for their professional growth and development.

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The author is Teacher III at Tinang Elementary School, Concepcion North

District