Embracing Online and Modular Platforms in Education

Clinton Miguel

Nowadays, people are all staying in our homes due to the lockdown policy implemented by the government. However, learning should not halt. Different countries worldwide have introduced various answers during the pandemic to continue the education process--- the introduction of distance learning.

These are online learning platforms such as Google, TV broadcasts, video lectures, and online channels were introduced. With schools to reopen its doors the following school year, it is vital to plan how schools will be able to pursue their mission of implementing quality education to every learner.

As school is a public place where crowd is unavoidable and children are vulnerable, there is a need to strengthen policy in terms of the delivery of instruction-to provide opportunities for online learning platforms. Numerous innovative programs have been proposed by the different learning sectors in the Philippines. DepEd emphasized that it would not necessarily mean that teachers and learners will go to schools and learn inside the classrooms and devise various modalities to ensure that online learning is a choice among all others in this new learning environment.

Similarly, in the higher education institutions, new normal would be virtual classrooms. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) suggested to strengthen online platforms and blended learning such as but not limited to Google Classroom, Messenger, Zoom, Edmodo, Facebook, and Youtube.

In addition, both will adopt numerous learning delivery options such as but not limited to face-to-face, blended learning, distance learning, home-schooling, modular learning, and other modes of delivery. However, the implementation would pose such problems on students who have limited internet access, no gadgets, and the poor.

According to an international report, the Philippines has the lowest internet connectivity in Asia. Besides, such challenges would be equity gaps, students’ security and safety, quality of learning compromised, and poor assessment results. Changes on the grading system, assessment and evaluation of students’ performance will also be a challenge to every administrator.

In addition, laboratory activities in sciences and other subjects that require performance such as PE would be limited to paper and pen tests. In addition, extracurricular activities in school such as scouting, proms, sports, intramurals, contests, and foundation day will be reduced and discontinued. In terms of teaching, teacher training to online instruction, blended learning, and distance learning is also recommended in order to adjust to the new instructional format. Teacher competencies in pedagogy, technology, and module writing should be reinforced. This transition to the new normal, from the four corners of the classroom to the borders of virtual reality, every learning institution needs to study how successful online learning and modular learning are in providing quality education and outcomes-based education to students.

We are not certain of what is to come. However, if we join hands as a nation, we could surely surpass the challenges of the present situation.

--oOo-

The author is a Teacher I at St. Vincent of Quebiawan Integrated School,

City of San Fernando, Pampanga.