Online Learning: one small part of the new normal in distance learning

Mechelle M. Halili

Online learning for Filipino students, how does this look like? How many of our teachers and learner would be able to do this online delivery system.

The recent presidential proclamation no. 929 of President Rodrigo Duterte, declaring a state of calamity throughout the Philippines has created tremendous and debilitating effect on the economy of the nation, not to mention the education system. Because of this, the social dynamics of the regular Filipino had to change drastically in a matter of weeks, adopting online systems to facilitate and carry out many daily transactions like shopping, banking, communication, and ultimately, schooling.

Schools all over the country have adopted new instructional delivery modes that include the suggestion of online platforms for schools. Raphael Francis Quisumbing, chief technology officer of Edukasyon.ph, mentioned in one article that education must continue and should not stop. He added that our students must continue learning through alternative learning channels. Online education is one of these avenues.

Now, here lies our dilemma. How does this look like among the Filipino students all over the country? What are the prevailing issues here that need to be considered?

A few issues that need to be discussed in the adoption of this approach is the fact that less than half of Filipinos today have internet access. An SWS survey conducted in December 2018 suggested that 47 percent of Filipinos have internet access. On June 23, 2020, Sanchez (2020) indicated on an article that internet users in Philippines grew to 73 million, which is now more than half of the total population. This population accounts for mostly 16 year-olds and above.

Another question would be the stability or strength of internet. In 2018, CNN Philippines reported that out of 77 countries rated, Philippines ranked 74th in terms of 4G speed. Out of a maximum speed of 100 mbps (megabits per second), we only averaged to 8.24 mbps for download speed. In 2019, Speedtest Global Index said that the Philippines ranked 103rd among 139 countries surveyed in terms of mobile internet speed. On the same article, it was recorded that the average mobile internet download speed of 15.06 megabits per second was still far below the global average of 26.12 Mbps.

Now there is the question on availability of computers at home that have access to the internet. AGB Nielsen Philippines published an article that surveyed one out of three Filipinos having access to the internet. It added that 52% of Filipinos have computers that can access the internet at home. 74% of 15-19 year-olds go online using internet cafes.

All these research leads us to the understanding that not all Filipinos can ride the hype of the online bandwagon. Being a third world country, we are still very much on the limited side when it comes to the technological requirements of being able to study online. This is not to mention that some teachers have become so accustomed to traditional ways of teaching and learning, that they are no longer willing or sometimes capable of purchasing new gadgets, let alone learn new skills on how to use them. On the other hand, some teacher groups have professed their demands of the country equipping them with the laptops they need in order for them to do their jobs. They believe that this equipment should be provided them, like soldiers are provided their rifles for their jobs for the country.

Since this is one of the main instructional delivery systems that the government espouses, one would think that the national government would have major plans of assisting not only students, but also the teachers who are expected to utilize this modality. It does make sense for teachers to be well-equipped by the department where mandates for private schools are coming from.

By the looks of it, the nation will definitely have to devise other ways for them to deliver lessons since a great number of Filipino students are not yet ready with this modality. The response of the Department that some students can be given modular lessons, while others are done online, and even others are taught through radio and television, will only make the gap between the “haves” and “haven nots” even greater. This will create another disparity in the learning efficiency of students who cannot access online classes due to limitations stated above. Still, data remains to be seen on who will really learn faster and better, the ones who utilize online technology or those who learn from more traditional approaches like paper and pencil lessons using modules, or the television and radio?

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The author is Teacher III at Lourdes Northwest Elementary School